The recent Aria Night event showcased Haileybury’s classical singing talent and the depth of the School’s co-curricular opportunities.
Haileybury’s broad co-curricular programs continually evolve and are designed to give students great breadth of opportunity to be involved and, hopefully, to be taken out of their comfort zone.
Last Wednesday, Aria Night, a classical singing event, was a wonderful example of this.
Nine students competed in the Aria Night event and each had to present two works: a European art song and an Aria from an opera, operetta, oratorio or cantata. Each piece had to be sung in its original language.
All Haileybury’s senior singers were given the opportunity to be involved and were provided with coaching and a masterclass.
The Aria event was started in 2015 to encourage Haileybury’s singers to understand the rich history of classical singing, and to challenge them to work on complex pieces and develop their skills.
It wasn’t held in 2020 or 2021 but the 2022 event was a glorious celebration of music, skill and hard work in front of a full house in the David Bradshaw Chapel.
I congratulate all students involved including Ellen Reddell, Thanh Vu, Genevieve Gray, Locklyn Luu, Sophie Alonso, Alexis King, James Dong, Nadia Serato, and Santrix Redston.
Special congratulations to Genevieve Gray who was awarded Best Performance for her performance of Piangerò la sorte mia from Giulio Cesare (Georg Friederich Händel) and Die Nacht (Richard Strauss). Genevieve is a member of the Victorian Opera’s Youth Chorus Ensemble (VOYCE).
Well done to Santrix Redston, who is also a member of VOYCE, for being awarded Commendable Performance and congratulations to Thanh Vu for receiving the Encouragement of a Developing Singer award.
The night was a wonderful reflection of the exceptional work of the Head of Choral Music, Robert Latham, and Director of Performing Arts & Head of Haileybury Music, Rod Marshall.
The next major music event on the calendar is the Annual Concert on Thursday, 9 June, at 7.30 pm in Aikman Hall. I do hope as many members of our community as possible will come and support Haileybury’s marvellous young musicians.
Derek Scott
CEO | Principal
We are fast approaching what will be our first full semester since 2019, comprising an action-packed semester full of Drama, Arts and Music across our campuses. Students and staff embraced the opportunity to perform together for parents and families, with some productions including the Senior School musical, Matilda, James and the Giant Peach at Newlands, and wonderful Creative Arts events at Castlefield.
We look forward to more community activities in the second half of the year.
Why can we binge watch an entire series on Netflix in one sitting and not get bored? Why do endless episodes of Game of Thrones meld into one and, hours after you first picked up the TV remote, you’re still urging on your favourite characters as they do battle for the Iron Throne?
What is it about the global streaming service and its format that draws us in and makes its content so easy to consume? And how can education and school curriculums become more like Netflix to keep students engaged, curious and wanting more?
“It begins with learners having time to browse”Damien Meunier, Head of Entrepreneurship at Haileybury
He says crammed curriculums and lessons don’t give students ‘browse’ time to review their options and process what they’ve learned.
“We can all relate to sitting down to watch Netflix and browsing. You’re taking things in, you add a few items to your list, but an hour later, you haven’t actually watched anything. Next time, you will know exactly what you want to watch…maybe,” he says.
Do you go with that feel-good comedy or that award-winning new drama – the process of deciding what to watch on Netflix can also translate from loungeroom to classroom. While Damien says there has to be a core minimum curriculum for students to experience a learning program, there can be some Netflix-style flexibility around the path taken.
‘Bitesize’ and ‘snackable’ lessons can also borrow from Netflix. How many times have you looked at the clock, realised it’s bedtime but the crime series you’re watching has reached a critical point…should you watch just one more episode? Why not – the episodes only last for 23 minutes? You’ll still get enough sleep…
Bitesize snippets of learning are not a new idea and new microlearning platforms are exploding with some delivering daily 15-minute lessons, says Damien. Haileybury’s Entrepreneurship curriculum is delivered in a ‘series’ of short ‘episodes’ with students completing a task to demonstrate they’ve achieved the required learning in each episode. It’s convenient, engaging and exciting learning, says Damien.
Before you finish that series you’re currently engrossed in, the chances are that you’re already thinking about what to watch next. You might check the Top 10 list or look at what’s trending, or perhaps get a couple of recommendations from friends.
“Netflix feeds the ‘what’s next’ anticipation with persistent recommendations using a sophisticated AI algorithm and the auto-play feature that automatically begins the next episode,” says Damien.
Building that ‘what’s next’ anticipation is a powerful learning tool and it’s a technique Damien uses in Haileybury’s Entrepreneurship curriculum. He gives students suggested learning series and pathways, just like the ‘Top 10’ and mimics Netflix’s autoplay with learning episodes that promote the next steps. He also encourages students to share, review and suggest with their classmates.
Rounding off the Netflix model, Damien says educators need to ensure learners feel connected to the characters and storyline unfolding in the classroom.
“We’ve all had that character in a mini-series we loved so much that we missed them when the series ended. Absolute engagement in a series, character or storyline has us rushing home to switch on the box just to feel that connection again,” he says.
“I’ve seen students so proud and engaged in some of the Entrepreneurship programs that they’ve worked on them in their own time. When you align learning with passions, magic happens!”
The Creative Arts team provides opportunities for students across all year levels to showcase, perform and present what they are designing, choreographing and preparing in classes this year.
Our Year 8 Creative Arts Evening was well-attended by an enthusiastic audience and the students did an absolutely brilliant job showcasing their end-of-semester assessment pieces. Lighting, costumes, props and staging were all included in the final presentations.
Our Junior School Strings students are presenting the soundtrack to Who’s Afraid Of The Quite Nice Wolf at their concert on Thursday, 2 June. It is always remarkable to see how much our Year 2 students learn in just two terms of playing a stringed instrument. We look forward to parents joining us to witness this growth and to celebrate our students’ participation in a musical performance.
Tuesday, 21 June, is the date of our Castlefield Concert. Students across the Middle School have been busy preparing to showcase their musical talents at the event in Dickinson Hall at 6.30 pm.
It is fabulous to have students back on stage and performing in front of live audiences again.
This week is National Reconciliation Week—a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
Today, as part of National Reconciliation Week, all Castlefield students and teachers were encouraged to wear a touch of yellow and to bring a gold coin donation to raise funds for Children’s Ground.
Children’s Ground is led by First Nations communities that are creating a different future for the next generation. They believe that every child born today should experience a lifetime of opportunity and grow up strong in their identity and culture, free from injustice and economic poverty. If all children can experience this basic right, then whole communities will be happy, healthy and safe places.
Once again, all Haileybury ELCs have come together to participate in a social justice project to raise funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) which works with remote Indigenous communities across Australia.
ELC children are donating and swapping pre-loved books in exchange for a gold coin contribution. The money raised from the Great Book Swap will go to the ILF and will help gift 15,000 new, culturally relevant books to children in remote communities across Australia.
Transitioning through Haileybury is a great experience. Familiar staff and workspaces make the process smooth and predictable, however, it’s student connections to their teachers and each other that provide us with the best memories.
Having Year 12 students volunteer their free periods to come in to the Prep classrooms is a fantastic experience. The teachers love these weekly visits and our students, young and old, love the chance to connect and build relationships. Year 3 students also use their lunchtime to visit the ELC to meet the Pre-Preps who will be their buddies in 2023 and it’s hard to say who has more fun!
From piano recitals to APS Cross County trials, there’s been something for everyone this term. House Captains presented at assemblies and a Year 4 team took part in the Just Dance virtual competition.
Even with careful preparation with their teachers, some students really stepped out of their comfort zone to give a new experience a try. Well done on showing grit and determination to get the job done.
The Years 7 and 8 students have just completed their first set of mid-year examinations. They were conducted in all semester subjects under examination conditions.
The numerical results, while important, are not as important as the key learnings that are part of the actual examination process. This includes understanding what content is included in the examination, preparing revision notes, undergoing timed practice examination questions and the actual sitting of the examination where everything achieved in the lead up comes together to, hopefully, allow students to perform at their best.
For many students in Year 7 and Year 8, I am sure there are areas where they wish they had done something different, something more or something less. This reflection on the whole process is where our students can gain the greatest learning. Working with their subject teachers and their Thrive teachers, everyone will reflect and learn.
The questions to be asked and where parents can also help their child are:
In Middle School, we work on and reward the process because we believe this is where the real learning lies. If we are prepared in our process, the outcome will be realised with the outcome being the opportunity for each child to perform at their very best.
Katrina Manson
Head of Castlefield (Brighton)
Ian Green
President, Haileybury Parents & Friends Castlefield
In beautiful weather, the Junior School recently held its inaugural Fantasy Land Fun Day. Primary and Middle School students and staff and school leaders attended with our Executive Principal, Peter Rogerson, and Chinese Principal, Brian Gao.
The event started with an opening performance from Year 6 students with a dreamland theme of Alice in Wonderland. It included an appearance by a professional clown who was later joined by well-known Disney characters including Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Snow White, Cinderella and Elsa.
Mr Rogerson officially opened the day and students then joined in the celebrations with sports, games and music performances.
Our Year 12 students completed their final week before the start of their NHT examinations. There were plenty of activities, including the Year 12 Final Assembly Ceremony and their final House Meetings.
Each of the Houses prepared special gifts and student performances and there were speeches by key staff thanking students for their time at Haileybury and wishing them the best of luck for their examinations. The Heads of Houses also spoke about the growth they have seen in students over the past three years. They urged students to embrace their lives outside the school with passion and to never forget their Haileybury roots.
The Year 12 Final Assembly was hosted by our Head of Senior School, Cathy Qi, and the event brought students and staff together in the theatre for the last time. Senior leaders, student leaders and staff formally entered the theatre and then the whole Senior School enjoyed the reading of a special poem, the presentation of Shields for the House Championships, and awards for individual subjects and general excellence.
As is tradition at Haileybury, our School Captains gave an address summarising their year and then handed over the student leadership to the newly appointed prefects.
The Final Assembly ended with the passing of the School Flag by the graduating class and a rousing chorus of Auld Lang Syne.
“It was wonderful to have graduating students acknowledge how much these traditional rituals mean to them as they conclude their time with us,” said Paul Cooke, Head of Special Projects, who organised the event.
Yanni Galanis
International Principal, Haileybury International School, Tianjin
This year, National Reconciliation Week is held from Friday, 27 May, to Friday, 3 June. At Haileybury Rendall School, we believe reconciliation should be at the forefront of our thinking every day, however, we embrace the chance to especially focus on reconciliation and this year’s theme of ‘Be Brave. Make Change.’
HRS is proud to be the only school in the Northern Territory with a fully approved Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). This was a commitment that the School made very early in its existence. You can read more about our 2021/2022 RAP on our website at Reconciliation Action Plan - Haileybury Rendall School.
Each year, we set a series of goals or deliverables on our journey towards reconciliation and each year we revise and reset these. Our newest version for 2022/2023 will be released soon and we have a Reconciliation Working Party that meets regularly to keep our School on track.
School RAPs are authorised and registered officially via Reconciliation Australia’s Narragunnawali organisation. Narragunnawali (pronounced narra-gunna-wally) is from the language of the Ngunnawal people, the Traditional Owners of the land on which Reconciliation Australia’s Canberra office is located. It means ‘alive, wellbeing, coming together and peace’.
Narragunnawali suggests five themes of reconciliation that we support and that are summarised in their framework below:
Race Relations encourages us to understand and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous cultures, rights and experiences. This will lead to stronger relationships for all that are based on trust and respect and that are free of racism.
The theme of Equality and Equity can be achieved when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can participate equally in different life opportunities, and when the unique rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are recognised and upheld.
Institutional Integrity requires the active support of reconciliation by the nation’s political, business and community structures. Our RAP is an indication of our support of this theme.
Unity will occur when we have an Australian society that values and recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and heritage as a proud part of a shared national identity.
Historical Acceptance urges all Australians to understand and accept the wrongs of the past and their impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In this way, as Australians, we can make amends for past policies and practices and ensure these wrongs are never repeated.
At Haileybury Rendall School we believe these themes represent unfinished business in our true journey to reconciliation.
Be Brave. Make Change!
Andrew McGregor
Principal, Haileybury Rendall School
Last Friday parents had a wonderful night of celebration, fun, dancing and connection at the HPFE Winter Warmer’s function. The event was held in the Pavilion and the delicious food, live band and great company were enjoyed by all.
Sincere thanks to Kerry Ilic (HPFE President), Tracy Day (HPFE Vice President) and the HPFE Committee for making the night such a success.
The Edrington Concert will be held on Thursday, 16 June, in John Twist Hall. It will showcase the musical talents of the Junior School Scrolls, the Middle School Ensembles and VCE guest performer, Jacinta Bennett.
Edrington ELC will be participating in the Great Book Swap to support the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. We have a range of Social Justice initiatives in the ELC and this is our first one for 2022.
The Great Book swap will be held during National Reconciliation Week and focuses on learning more about Indigenous languages and culture. It is a joint initiative with all Haileybury ELCs who will celebrate reading and raising funds for this really important cause.
Social justice initiatives play an important role in the teaching methods of early childhood as they help children to scaffold their knowledge around fairness, justice and their own sense of identity at a young age. Social Justice also promotes the idea that children have agency, or a ‘voice,’ and can advocate on relevant issues to their school, family and wider community.
We know that reading from a young age supports literacy development and expands vocabulary, along with allowing children to explore a large variety of book genres about real life and imaginary worlds. Listening to a family member or friend read to children allows close connection, helps children listen to other languages, and helps them learn about the written word.
In Inquiry this term, Prep students are learning history. They will be focusing on the idea that we all have different celebrations and traditions, so will be looking at celebrations from around the world.
This week the Preps had an incursion—Tiddalick the Frog—to help them understand the importance of dreaming stories to Indigenous Australians. It was a wonderful session.
Each year our ELC and Junior School raise money for Monash Children’s Hospital, which has been caring for children for over 100 years and is one of Australia’s leading children’s hospitals. Raising money helps the hospital to purchase additional equipment, to maintain and redevelop services, and to invest in important medical research.
Haileybury’s Social Justice Program focuses on the things that matter like generosity, reconciliation, protection of the weak, forgiveness, expressions of gratitude, inclusion, the sharing of resources and service.
Our Walkathon was incredibly successful last year and raised over $13,000, so we are looking forward to walking again this year to contribute to this wonderful charity.
Congratulations to all Edrington Dance and Aerobics students who proudly represented Haileybury in the regional finals at Rowville. The performances of all Haileybury teams were of a high calibre and judging was rigorous. Many of our teams have qualified for the state finals later in the year in Geelong.
Edrington Middle School is supporting the local Salvation Army once again. Today, some of our Year 7 students were in Main Street, Berwick collecting donations on behalf of the Salvation Army. This was a wonderful opportunity for our students to gain some insight into the role of the Salvation Army and to give their time to support such a worthy cause.
Jeanette Rawlings
Head of Edrington (Berwick)
Winter Warmers was a huge hit! We had the most fabulous time and thanks to you all for coming to our event.
Special thanks to Jeanette Rawlings for supporting the HPFE, to Dale Goodman for transforming the Pavilion into such a beautiful space, to Jessica from Chartwells for her sublime menu that took our taste buds on a trip to Spain, and to Diego and The Night Creatures for our dance floor tunes.
Thank you also to my amazing HPFE team and to our volunteers who helped us set up last Friday! Keep an eye on our socials Haileyburyhpfe@facebook for some amazing pictures from a very special evening. We look forward to doing it all again for you in the future.
As always, the Uniform Shop is open every Wednesday morning from 8.15 am – 10.30 am for all your uniform requirements. If you have any specific requests, email Di at the address below:
shus-berwick@haileybury.vic.edu.au
Kerry Ilic
HPFE President
Year 3 teacher, Rhiannon Rowe, Lead Educator, Sakan Pyseth, and Lisa Christopher, Educational Leader and Head of ELC (Newlands), recently attended the Early Childhood Australia Reconciliation Symposium in Darwin.
The event brought together presenters from across Australia who are passionate about embedding reconciliation and Indigenous perspectives into early learning and school curriculums.
Our Newlands teachers gained a valuable understanding of the history and culture of First Nations people and how to develop positive relationships between First Nations people and non-Indigenous Australians. There was a recognition that educators have a responsibility to engage the hearts and minds of future generations who can contribute to reconciliation.
Haileybury is developing a schoolwide RAP under the guidance of Scott Doran, Vice Principal, Community Engagement and Advancement. Haileybury has a commitment to walk in genuine partnership with Indigenous Australians and to ensure students and teachers have access to cultural learning and understanding to support reconciliation.
After an empowering speech in 2019 by the wife of the late Dr Ian Davis (OH 1995) who founded the FightMND movement, Newlands is again fundraising and raising awareness for FightMND. In 2022, we continue to fight against ‘The Beast’ that is Motor Neurone Disease.
From today, Monday, 30 May, you will be able to purchase your 2022 Fight MND beanie or socks. Junior and Middle School students can wear their beanies and socks during Week 7 of Term 2. These can be collected from Christine Pogue (JS1.14), Mathew Shill (BMS) or Newlands Reception. Socks cost $15 and beanies cost $25.
Newlands ELC educators recently attended a Starting Out Safely program that highlights the importance of road safety education for young children and how teaching children about road safety will help them gain skills and behaviours to stay safe.
The ELC has a Road Safety and Safe Transportation policy which can be accessed by scanning the QR code at the entrance of each classroom. Educators use small road signs, road safety songs and books to embed key road safety messages into children’s play. A valuable resource to help families reinforce these messages at home is available below.
Newlands ELC is a member of Reverse Art Truck, an organisation that collects unwanted materials from Victorian businesses that can then be used as craft materials in schools and Early Learning Centres. The materials support children’s art projects.
Families are encouraged to donate recycled materials from their homes and businesses to the ELC. Materials like paper, material scraps, wool, greeting cards and ribbons can be added to the classroom’s art and craft resource boxes.
Haileybury Junior String students have been working very hard to develop and refine their string playing and musicianship skills. We are looking forward to sharing this semester’s work with you at the Newlands String Recital.
The event will include performances by the Year 2 Strings, Scrolls and Super Strings students and will tell the story and play the soundtrack to Who’s Afraid of the Quite Nice Wolf by Kitty Black and Laura Wood.
The Newlands Junior String Recital will be a combined event for all string students on Tuesday, 31 May, at 2.30 pm in Berthon Hall.
On Tuesday, 31 May, Newlands Year 4 students will attend the Worawa Aboriginal College Sports Reconciliation Carnival. This is a fun day that encourages sport, cultural and social exchange. Highlights will include a Welcome to Country ceremony, games and activities. The event is part of our ongoing relationship with Worawa College.
Maisie Starr (Year 5) has been growing her hair for months, just so she can cut it and donate it to a worthy cause. Maisie has been sponsored and will donate to Hair with Heart, part of Variety the Children’s Charity, and she has raised over $500! Her hair will be donated to Sustainable Salons who make wigs for Variety and Australia Alopecia Areata Foundation. What a wonderful contribution to the community, Maisie!
Sophia Yao’s writings have been shortlisted consecutively for the Kingston Libraries Story Lines Writing Competition 2021 and Kingston Artz Blitz Writing Competition 2022.
The Year 7’s story, My Dashy Boy, was published in the Kingston Library book, Story Lines 2021.
Sophia’s Kingston Artz Blitz entry, called The Girl Who Has Never Dreamed, required all entrants to complete their written story within only 24 hours.
Well done, Sophia.
Our Years 5–8 girls competed in the Aerobics Regional Competition at Rowville Secondary College. The girls worked so hard with some participating in multiple performances over the two-day competition with the dance component on Saturday and aerobics on Sunday. The girls have been training since the start of the year and they achieved some outstanding results thanks to our two amazing coaches, Shannon Seers and Sophie Taylor.
A special mention to Black Thunder (Year 8 girls) who received the highest score of the day. The girls are now preparing for the State Finals and the Winter Cyber Challenge.
The Years 5 and 6 Jazz team performed at the Regional qualifying round of the DanceStar competition.
Since the start of the year, the team has worked very hard on its Footloose routine and has suffered a few setbacks with changes in the team line-up and absences that had an impact on preparation. However, the girls’ hard work and perseverance paid off and the team was fortunate to place second in the round, beaten only by a point or so by Haileybury City.
Considering many of the girls are new to dance and appeared on stage for the first time for Display Night a couple of weeks ago, it was a fantastic effort! We are progressing through to the State Finals next month and the girls are thrilled.
Jane Gibbs
Head of Newlands (Keysborough)
Thank you to everyone who attended the HPFK Luncheon and for supporting the charity, Feel the Magic. This Australian charity provides early intervention grief education programs for kids experiencing pain and isolation due to the death of a parent, guardian or sibling. Thanks to you we raised $5020.00 for this very worthy cause.
We would like to thank our Units 1–4 Hospitality students who served guests as part of their successful school assessed coursework (SAC). Thank you also to our talented Senior School musicians who performed throughout the luncheon.
Our HPFK Uniform Shop opening times for the remainder of Term 2 are:
Friday, 3 June: 2.30 pm – 4.30 pm
Friday, 10 June: 2.30 pm – 4.30 pm
Friday, 17 June: 2.30 pm – 4.30 pm
Saturday, 18 June: 9 am – 12 noon
Friday, 24 June: 2.30 pm – 4.30 pm
This year our target is to reach 1,000 Haileybury HPFK Facebook Group members. If you would like to connect with our community, please join our Facebook page.
If you have any queries or would like to contact the HPFK, please email: HPFK@haileybury.vic.edu.au
Lenice Norris
President, Haileybury Parents & Friends Keysborough
The Future Problem Solving Program International Competition will be held at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Haileybury has two students representing Australia at the event, which takes place from Wednesday, 8 June, to Sunday, 12 June.
Anay Ashwin (Year 7) will travel to the US and is the Australian Junior Global Issues Problem Solving Champion in the Individual category. Grace Van Haaster (Year 9) will compete in the Scenario Writing category. Grace is the Australian Middle Division Champion in Scenario Writing, winning first place in this category.
The competition topic is Antibiotic Resistance with students from across the world discussing how best to tackle this important world issue. We wish Anay and Grace the best of luck!
The performance of Matilda was an incredible display of talent from our singing, dancing and acting students, accompanied by our incredible musicians. However, a show like this cannot happen without a comprehensive technical production team.
The audio production for the musical is part of the assessment and learning for our VET Music Industry students. Every actor wears a microphone and every instrument has a microphone, too. In partnership with Stagepass Productions who supply and install additional sound equipment for Aikman Hall, VET students work alongside industry experts to achieve a standard of production that rivals any of the major shows being performed in Melbourne at the moment.
This year Nick Duncan (Year 11), who has demonstrated a high level of skill in the area of sound production, was mentored by Gerard Hook of Stagepass to operate and mix the sound for the show.
This is a high-pressure role where a lot can go wrong—and when it does go wrong the whole audience can hear it! Nick passed the challenge with flying colours, devoting many hours of his own time to prepare, attend rehearsals and practice using the latest technology of ‘virtual soundchecks’.
Congratulations to Timothy Hu (Year 11), Wei Bo Soo (Year 11) and Chloe Fan (Year 9) who attended Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School to compete in the Northern Star Chess Secondary Open Zonal on Monday, 16 May.
Haileybury came in fifth overall, which is an amazing achievement.
One of the hardest elements of modern life for parents to deal with is online safety and appropriate behaviour online. For teenagers, the issues involved with having an online profile and the realities of social media can be particularly vexing and difficult.
Some of the best resources available to help teachers, students and parents understand the pressures and protocols associated with online activity are provided by the Office of the eSafety Commissioner. There are a number of webinars for parents and carers that can be a great way for parents to gain a better understanding of how they can help keep their children safe online. I highly recommend the resources provided on this site.
Pam Chamberlain
Senior Vice Principal and Head of Haileybury Senior Schools
This year our target is to reach 1,000 Haileybury HPFK Facebook Group members. If you would like to connect with our community, please join our Facebook page.
If you have any queries or would like to contact the HPFK, please email: HPFK@haileybury.vic.edu.au
Lenice Norris
President, Haileybury Parents & Friends Keysborough
Throughout May, Year 8 Drama students from all campuses performed to audiences as part of the Performance examination. The theme was Identity—how we see ourselves and how those around us influence our identity by their perception of who we are.
The girls have written their own script as part of their Collaboration to Creation classes and through the Page to Stage initiative, the boys began their performance building with a script titled Box.
Congratulations to the cast, crew and creative team behind James and the Giant Peach which was performed on Wednesday, 18 May, and Thursday, 19 May. The excited young audience was overawed by the magic and we all loved the ice-cream treat at the interval!
The show was chock-full of delightful performances from an enthusiastic cast and it was a joy to watch. Things do not just happen—people make them happen—and so many thanks go to Rachael Walsh, Kelsey Gade, Damien Del Vecchio and the team for bringing this show to life.
Rehearsals have begun for Murder’s in the Heir and A Tree Called Aesop. Murder’s in the Heir will be performed on Thursday, 4 August, and Friday, 5 August. One exciting aspect of this play is that the audience will choose the ending!
At the interval, they will vote for the actor whom they believe is the murderer, so actors must be prepared for the unknown as any one of them might need to play the murderer. A great whodunit in the making!
Nick Waxman
Head of Drama and Theatre Studies
Term Two has been an extremely busy time within the Music Department. First came the wonderful success of the Senior School musical Matilda, and last week the department held Aria Night—an outstanding night of classical singing from some of our finest vocal performers. Held in the David Bradshaw Chapel at Keysborough, the Aria Night vocal competition saw nine students each perform a prescribed work and a piece of their own choice.
On Thursday, 9 June, the Instrumental Music Department will host the Senior School Annual Concert in Aikman Hall. This large ensemble concert is a celebration of students who have participated in the music program for an extended period.
The majority of performing students will have taken private instrumental lessons for more than five years and the repertoire selected for performance approaches professional standard. The ensembles to be featured include Orchestra, Concert Band, Choirs, Guitar ensemble and Stage Band.
I would encourage all Haileybury parents to consider attending the Senior School Annual Concert. It begins at 7.30 pm and concludes by 9.00 pm. The standard will be very high, the program will be diverse and entry is free!
The week following the Senior School concert marks the beginning of the Middle School concert series. With four concerts to take place, this is a busy and rewarding time for staff and students.
Middle School concerts provide an opportunity for students to perform—often for the first time—before a large audience in a formal atmosphere. Students enjoy the opportunity to show the Haileybury community their skills as emerging young musicians. The smiles on faces following a successful performance speak volumes.
Rod Marshall
Director of Performing Arts & Head of Haileybury Music
The Keysborough Visual Arts precinct has been teeming with creative energy over the past few weeks as artist, Bradley Eastman, aka ‘Beastman’, concluded his residency. The end result is a spectacular double mural that adorns each side of the entrance to the Sholto Black arts vicinity.
The Units 1 and 2 Studio Arts classes collaborated with Beastman to design a unique mural that marries Haileybury motifs with aesthetics inspired by visual arts and the surrounding architecture and environment.
Here, Studio Art student, Terence Lin (Year 10), explains Beastman’s process:
‘The artist started by planning out the size and proportion of the murals using the built-in bricks as a measure. Then a white layer of waterproof primer was applied and key points of the design were mapped in. Using acrylic and aerosol paint, Beastman worked from top to bottom using an elevated work platform.
The students recorded the working process as he painted throughout the week and discussed his intentions and the use of symbolism. For instance, the patterns of eyes represent the visually appealing aspects of art and the process of broadening one’s view in the process of art learning. The incorporation of a range of vibrant colours and patterns evoke a sense of liveliness, which ultimately helps to accentuate and showcase the exuberant creativity and individuality that Haileybury creative students represent.’
Rachelle Rae
Head of Visual Arts Senior School
Around 450 people paid their last respects to David Flockart who died on Saturday, 30 April, after a short illness that he fought with much courage and dignity. David was 56-years-old. He was a piper in the Haileybury Pipes & Drums and led the band as Pipe Major in 1982, during his final year with the School.
The funeral service was held in Brighton at St Andrews Anglican Church on Monday, 9 May.
One of Haileybury’s leading pipers, Pipe Major Ethan Chen (Year 9), played the pipes and a rendition of Muir of Ord as guests filed in to the service.
The traditional hymn, Amazing Grace, played as the hearse was led through a guard of honor with attendees holding timber and plastic oars and paying tribute to the family’s rowing connections.
Our sincere condolences are with David’s wife, Sue, their children, Charlie and Nicholas, David’s parents, Graeme and Kerri, and his siblings Peter (OH 1985) and Suzie during this difficult time.
Lincoln Hilton
Director, Pipes & Drums
After a two-year enforced hiatus and with great success, the annual OHA Generations Breakfast returned to Castlefield on Friday, 13 May.
It was wonderful to see over 70 grandparents, parents, students and staff connecting with fellow Haileybury community members. We even had some families who were celebrating three generations of Haileyburians at this special event!
Families were treated to a beautiful family portrait and delicious breakfast as a thank you for staying connected.
OHA President Brad Hyde (OH 1986) and his daughter Ruby (Year 9) also gave a very entertaining ‘Then and Now’ presentation of their Haileybury experience.
We look forward to welcoming our City generational families in July.
The 10-year Reunion of the Class of 2012 was held on Friday, 13 May at Valhalla and what a fantastic venue and night it was! Congratulations to the 100+ attendees for staying connected with each other and with the School.
Kylie Phillips
Development Office Operations Lead
Zavier McInerney (Year 9) joined the Haileybury Firsts Volleyball team this year. Despite having only played the sport for three years, he has already achieved some milestones.
In 2021, Zavier played in the Victorian U15 Boys team and came 5th in the National Youth Beach Volleyball Championships in Coolangatta, Queensland. Earlier this year, he represented Victoria in the U16 Boys Pairs team in Coolangatta and reached the semi-finals, eventually coming 4th out of 20 in the competition.
Immediately after that tournament, Zavier was part of the only Victorian team to participate in the Australian Schools Cup Beach tournament and came 5th out of 20. We will keep an eye out for the next chapter in his flourishing volleyball career
Ben Carroll (Year 11) was an integral member of the Haileybury Firsts in 2021 and this year has focused on beach volleyball, his sporting passion. Recognised as an elite youth beach volleyball player with significant potential to progress into the professional ranks, Ben has represented Victoria for a number of years at the National Youth Beach Volleyball Championships and he has secured amazing results over the past three years.
Haileybury Volleyball seems to be in very good hands.
Fishing is one of Australia’s fasting growing sports and Sam Leys (OH 2016) is hooked on the sport. As a result, he’s landed himself a dream occupation writing articles for fishing magazines. Sam educates fellow fishing enthusiasts while trialling the newest innovations in fishing gear.
We hope to utilise Sam’s skills and knowledge to develop our sporting program and offer the widest variety of activities for our students.
Aryan Sharma (Year 11), Cooper Ford (Year 11), Sayumi De Costa (Year 12) and Adam Mao (Year 8) have all qualified for the Independent Secondary Schools Golf Grand Final at Long Island Golf Club. The tournament is a culmination of qualifying rounds across Metropolitan Melbourne and the field will boast close to 60 players who will be vying to win the prestigious event.
We wish our students all the very best.
Luke Cleary (OH 2020) made his AFL debut for the Western Bulldogs earlier this month. His hard work and persistence through COVID finally paid off. Congratulations, Luke.
Sean Allcock
Director of Haileybury Sport
Haileybury’s broad co-curricular programs continually evolve and are designed to give students great breadth of opportunity to be involved and, hopefully, to be taken out of their comfort zone.
Last Wednesday, Aria Night, a classical singing event, was a wonderful example of this.
Nine students competed in the Aria Night event and each had to present two works: a European art song and an Aria from an opera, operetta, oratorio or cantata. Each piece had to be sung in its original language.
All Haileybury’s senior singers were given the opportunity to be involved and were provided with coaching and a masterclass.
The Aria event was started in 2015 to encourage Haileybury’s singers to understand the rich history of classical singing, and to challenge them to work on complex pieces and develop their skills.
It wasn’t held in 2020 or 2021 but the 2022 event was a glorious celebration of music, skill and hard work in front of a full house in the David Bradshaw Chapel.
I congratulate all students involved including Ellen Reddell, Thanh Vu, Genevieve Gray, Locklyn Luu, Sophie Alonso, Alexis King, James Dong, Nadia Serato, and Santrix Redston.
Special congratulations to Genevieve Gray who was awarded Best Performance for her performance of Piangerò la sorte mia from Giulio Cesare (Georg Friederich Händel) and Die Nacht (Richard Strauss). Genevieve is a member of the Victorian Opera’s Youth Chorus Ensemble (VOYCE).
Well done to Santrix Redston, who is also a member of VOYCE, for being awarded Commendable Performance and congratulations to Thanh Vu for receiving the Encouragement of a Developing Singer award.
The night was a wonderful reflection of the exceptional work of the Head of Choral Music, Robert Latham, and Director of Performing Arts & Head of Haileybury Music, Rod Marshall.
The next major music event on the calendar is the Annual Concert on Thursday, 9 June, at 7.30 pm in Aikman Hall. I do hope as many members of our community as possible will come and support Haileybury’s marvellous young musicians.
Derek Scott
CEO | Principal
We are fast approaching what will be our first full semester since 2019, comprising an action-packed semester full of Drama, Arts and Music across our campuses. Students and staff embraced the opportunity to perform together for parents and families, with some productions including the Senior School musical, Matilda, James and the Giant Peach at Newlands, and wonderful Creative Arts events at Castlefield.
We look forward to more community activities in the second half of the year.
Why can we binge watch an entire series on Netflix in one sitting and not get bored? Why do endless episodes of Game of Thrones meld into one and, hours after you first picked up the TV remote, you’re still urging on your favourite characters as they do battle for the Iron Throne?
What is it about the global streaming service and its format that draws us in and makes its content so easy to consume? And how can education and school curriculums become more like Netflix to keep students engaged, curious and wanting more?
“It begins with learners having time to browse”Damien Meunier, Head of Entrepreneurship at Haileybury
He says crammed curriculums and lessons don’t give students ‘browse’ time to review their options and process what they’ve learned.
“We can all relate to sitting down to watch Netflix and browsing. You’re taking things in, you add a few items to your list, but an hour later, you haven’t actually watched anything. Next time, you will know exactly what you want to watch…maybe,” he says.
Do you go with that feel-good comedy or that award-winning new drama – the process of deciding what to watch on Netflix can also translate from loungeroom to classroom. While Damien says there has to be a core minimum curriculum for students to experience a learning program, there can be some Netflix-style flexibility around the path taken.
‘Bitesize’ and ‘snackable’ lessons can also borrow from Netflix. How many times have you looked at the clock, realised it’s bedtime but the crime series you’re watching has reached a critical point…should you watch just one more episode? Why not – the episodes only last for 23 minutes? You’ll still get enough sleep…
Bitesize snippets of learning are not a new idea and new microlearning platforms are exploding with some delivering daily 15-minute lessons, says Damien. Haileybury’s Entrepreneurship curriculum is delivered in a ‘series’ of short ‘episodes’ with students completing a task to demonstrate they’ve achieved the required learning in each episode. It’s convenient, engaging and exciting learning, says Damien.
Before you finish that series you’re currently engrossed in, the chances are that you’re already thinking about what to watch next. You might check the Top 10 list or look at what’s trending, or perhaps get a couple of recommendations from friends.
“Netflix feeds the ‘what’s next’ anticipation with persistent recommendations using a sophisticated AI algorithm and the auto-play feature that automatically begins the next episode,” says Damien.
Building that ‘what’s next’ anticipation is a powerful learning tool and it’s a technique Damien uses in Haileybury’s Entrepreneurship curriculum. He gives students suggested learning series and pathways, just like the ‘Top 10’ and mimics Netflix’s autoplay with learning episodes that promote the next steps. He also encourages students to share, review and suggest with their classmates.
Rounding off the Netflix model, Damien says educators need to ensure learners feel connected to the characters and storyline unfolding in the classroom.
“We’ve all had that character in a mini-series we loved so much that we missed them when the series ended. Absolute engagement in a series, character or storyline has us rushing home to switch on the box just to feel that connection again,” he says.
“I’ve seen students so proud and engaged in some of the Entrepreneurship programs that they’ve worked on them in their own time. When you align learning with passions, magic happens!”
The Creative Arts team provides opportunities for students across all year levels to showcase, perform and present what they are designing, choreographing and preparing in classes this year.
Our Year 8 Creative Arts Evening was well-attended by an enthusiastic audience and the students did an absolutely brilliant job showcasing their end-of-semester assessment pieces. Lighting, costumes, props and staging were all included in the final presentations.
Our Junior School Strings students are presenting the soundtrack to Who’s Afraid Of The Quite Nice Wolf at their concert on Thursday, 2 June. It is always remarkable to see how much our Year 2 students learn in just two terms of playing a stringed instrument. We look forward to parents joining us to witness this growth and to celebrate our students’ participation in a musical performance.
Tuesday, 21 June, is the date of our Castlefield Concert. Students across the Middle School have been busy preparing to showcase their musical talents at the event in Dickinson Hall at 6.30 pm.
It is fabulous to have students back on stage and performing in front of live audiences again.
This week is National Reconciliation Week—a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
Today, as part of National Reconciliation Week, all Castlefield students and teachers were encouraged to wear a touch of yellow and to bring a gold coin donation to raise funds for Children’s Ground.
Children’s Ground is led by First Nations communities that are creating a different future for the next generation. They believe that every child born today should experience a lifetime of opportunity and grow up strong in their identity and culture, free from injustice and economic poverty. If all children can experience this basic right, then whole communities will be happy, healthy and safe places.
Once again, all Haileybury ELCs have come together to participate in a social justice project to raise funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) which works with remote Indigenous communities across Australia.
ELC children are donating and swapping pre-loved books in exchange for a gold coin contribution. The money raised from the Great Book Swap will go to the ILF and will help gift 15,000 new, culturally relevant books to children in remote communities across Australia.
Transitioning through Haileybury is a great experience. Familiar staff and workspaces make the process smooth and predictable, however, it’s student connections to their teachers and each other that provide us with the best memories.
Having Year 12 students volunteer their free periods to come in to the Prep classrooms is a fantastic experience. The teachers love these weekly visits and our students, young and old, love the chance to connect and build relationships. Year 3 students also use their lunchtime to visit the ELC to meet the Pre-Preps who will be their buddies in 2023 and it’s hard to say who has more fun!
From piano recitals to APS Cross County trials, there’s been something for everyone this term. House Captains presented at assemblies and a Year 4 team took part in the Just Dance virtual competition.
Even with careful preparation with their teachers, some students really stepped out of their comfort zone to give a new experience a try. Well done on showing grit and determination to get the job done.
The Years 7 and 8 students have just completed their first set of mid-year examinations. They were conducted in all semester subjects under examination conditions.
The numerical results, while important, are not as important as the key learnings that are part of the actual examination process. This includes understanding what content is included in the examination, preparing revision notes, undergoing timed practice examination questions and the actual sitting of the examination where everything achieved in the lead up comes together to, hopefully, allow students to perform at their best.
For many students in Year 7 and Year 8, I am sure there are areas where they wish they had done something different, something more or something less. This reflection on the whole process is where our students can gain the greatest learning. Working with their subject teachers and their Thrive teachers, everyone will reflect and learn.
The questions to be asked and where parents can also help their child are:
In Middle School, we work on and reward the process because we believe this is where the real learning lies. If we are prepared in our process, the outcome will be realised with the outcome being the opportunity for each child to perform at their very best.
Katrina Manson
Head of Castlefield (Brighton)
Ian Green
President, Haileybury Parents & Friends Castlefield
In beautiful weather, the Junior School recently held its inaugural Fantasy Land Fun Day. Primary and Middle School students and staff and school leaders attended with our Executive Principal, Peter Rogerson, and Chinese Principal, Brian Gao.
The event started with an opening performance from Year 6 students with a dreamland theme of Alice in Wonderland. It included an appearance by a professional clown who was later joined by well-known Disney characters including Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Snow White, Cinderella and Elsa.
Mr Rogerson officially opened the day and students then joined in the celebrations with sports, games and music performances.
Our Year 12 students completed their final week before the start of their NHT examinations. There were plenty of activities, including the Year 12 Final Assembly Ceremony and their final House Meetings.
Each of the Houses prepared special gifts and student performances and there were speeches by key staff thanking students for their time at Haileybury and wishing them the best of luck for their examinations. The Heads of Houses also spoke about the growth they have seen in students over the past three years. They urged students to embrace their lives outside the school with passion and to never forget their Haileybury roots.
The Year 12 Final Assembly was hosted by our Head of Senior School, Cathy Qi, and the event brought students and staff together in the theatre for the last time. Senior leaders, student leaders and staff formally entered the theatre and then the whole Senior School enjoyed the reading of a special poem, the presentation of Shields for the House Championships, and awards for individual subjects and general excellence.
As is tradition at Haileybury, our School Captains gave an address summarising their year and then handed over the student leadership to the newly appointed prefects.
The Final Assembly ended with the passing of the School Flag by the graduating class and a rousing chorus of Auld Lang Syne.
“It was wonderful to have graduating students acknowledge how much these traditional rituals mean to them as they conclude their time with us,” said Paul Cooke, Head of Special Projects, who organised the event.
Yanni Galanis
International Principal, Haileybury International School, Tianjin
This year, National Reconciliation Week is held from Friday, 27 May, to Friday, 3 June. At Haileybury Rendall School, we believe reconciliation should be at the forefront of our thinking every day, however, we embrace the chance to especially focus on reconciliation and this year’s theme of ‘Be Brave. Make Change.’
HRS is proud to be the only school in the Northern Territory with a fully approved Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). This was a commitment that the School made very early in its existence. You can read more about our 2021/2022 RAP on our website at Reconciliation Action Plan - Haileybury Rendall School.
Each year, we set a series of goals or deliverables on our journey towards reconciliation and each year we revise and reset these. Our newest version for 2022/2023 will be released soon and we have a Reconciliation Working Party that meets regularly to keep our School on track.
School RAPs are authorised and registered officially via Reconciliation Australia’s Narragunnawali organisation. Narragunnawali (pronounced narra-gunna-wally) is from the language of the Ngunnawal people, the Traditional Owners of the land on which Reconciliation Australia’s Canberra office is located. It means ‘alive, wellbeing, coming together and peace’.
Narragunnawali suggests five themes of reconciliation that we support and that are summarised in their framework below:
Race Relations encourages us to understand and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous cultures, rights and experiences. This will lead to stronger relationships for all that are based on trust and respect and that are free of racism.
The theme of Equality and Equity can be achieved when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can participate equally in different life opportunities, and when the unique rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are recognised and upheld.
Institutional Integrity requires the active support of reconciliation by the nation’s political, business and community structures. Our RAP is an indication of our support of this theme.
Unity will occur when we have an Australian society that values and recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and heritage as a proud part of a shared national identity.
Historical Acceptance urges all Australians to understand and accept the wrongs of the past and their impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In this way, as Australians, we can make amends for past policies and practices and ensure these wrongs are never repeated.
At Haileybury Rendall School we believe these themes represent unfinished business in our true journey to reconciliation.
Be Brave. Make Change!
Andrew McGregor
Principal, Haileybury Rendall School
Last Friday parents had a wonderful night of celebration, fun, dancing and connection at the HPFE Winter Warmer’s function. The event was held in the Pavilion and the delicious food, live band and great company were enjoyed by all.
Sincere thanks to Kerry Ilic (HPFE President), Tracy Day (HPFE Vice President) and the HPFE Committee for making the night such a success.
The Edrington Concert will be held on Thursday, 16 June, in John Twist Hall. It will showcase the musical talents of the Junior School Scrolls, the Middle School Ensembles and VCE guest performer, Jacinta Bennett.
Edrington ELC will be participating in the Great Book Swap to support the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. We have a range of Social Justice initiatives in the ELC and this is our first one for 2022.
The Great Book swap will be held during National Reconciliation Week and focuses on learning more about Indigenous languages and culture. It is a joint initiative with all Haileybury ELCs who will celebrate reading and raising funds for this really important cause.
Social justice initiatives play an important role in the teaching methods of early childhood as they help children to scaffold their knowledge around fairness, justice and their own sense of identity at a young age. Social Justice also promotes the idea that children have agency, or a ‘voice,’ and can advocate on relevant issues to their school, family and wider community.
We know that reading from a young age supports literacy development and expands vocabulary, along with allowing children to explore a large variety of book genres about real life and imaginary worlds. Listening to a family member or friend read to children allows close connection, helps children listen to other languages, and helps them learn about the written word.
In Inquiry this term, Prep students are learning history. They will be focusing on the idea that we all have different celebrations and traditions, so will be looking at celebrations from around the world.
This week the Preps had an incursion—Tiddalick the Frog—to help them understand the importance of dreaming stories to Indigenous Australians. It was a wonderful session.
Each year our ELC and Junior School raise money for Monash Children’s Hospital, which has been caring for children for over 100 years and is one of Australia’s leading children’s hospitals. Raising money helps the hospital to purchase additional equipment, to maintain and redevelop services, and to invest in important medical research.
Haileybury’s Social Justice Program focuses on the things that matter like generosity, reconciliation, protection of the weak, forgiveness, expressions of gratitude, inclusion, the sharing of resources and service.
Our Walkathon was incredibly successful last year and raised over $13,000, so we are looking forward to walking again this year to contribute to this wonderful charity.
Congratulations to all Edrington Dance and Aerobics students who proudly represented Haileybury in the regional finals at Rowville. The performances of all Haileybury teams were of a high calibre and judging was rigorous. Many of our teams have qualified for the state finals later in the year in Geelong.
Edrington Middle School is supporting the local Salvation Army once again. Today, some of our Year 7 students were in Main Street, Berwick collecting donations on behalf of the Salvation Army. This was a wonderful opportunity for our students to gain some insight into the role of the Salvation Army and to give their time to support such a worthy cause.
Jeanette Rawlings
Head of Edrington (Berwick)
Winter Warmers was a huge hit! We had the most fabulous time and thanks to you all for coming to our event.
Special thanks to Jeanette Rawlings for supporting the HPFE, to Dale Goodman for transforming the Pavilion into such a beautiful space, to Jessica from Chartwells for her sublime menu that took our taste buds on a trip to Spain, and to Diego and The Night Creatures for our dance floor tunes.
Thank you also to my amazing HPFE team and to our volunteers who helped us set up last Friday! Keep an eye on our socials Haileyburyhpfe@facebook for some amazing pictures from a very special evening. We look forward to doing it all again for you in the future.
As always, the Uniform Shop is open every Wednesday morning from 8.15 am – 10.30 am for all your uniform requirements. If you have any specific requests, email Di at the address below:
shus-berwick@haileybury.vic.edu.au
Kerry Ilic
HPFE President
Year 3 teacher, Rhiannon Rowe, Lead Educator, Sakan Pyseth, and Lisa Christopher, Educational Leader and Head of ELC (Newlands), recently attended the Early Childhood Australia Reconciliation Symposium in Darwin.
The event brought together presenters from across Australia who are passionate about embedding reconciliation and Indigenous perspectives into early learning and school curriculums.
Our Newlands teachers gained a valuable understanding of the history and culture of First Nations people and how to develop positive relationships between First Nations people and non-Indigenous Australians. There was a recognition that educators have a responsibility to engage the hearts and minds of future generations who can contribute to reconciliation.
Haileybury is developing a schoolwide RAP under the guidance of Scott Doran, Vice Principal, Community Engagement and Advancement. Haileybury has a commitment to walk in genuine partnership with Indigenous Australians and to ensure students and teachers have access to cultural learning and understanding to support reconciliation.
After an empowering speech in 2019 by the wife of the late Dr Ian Davis (OH 1995) who founded the FightMND movement, Newlands is again fundraising and raising awareness for FightMND. In 2022, we continue to fight against ‘The Beast’ that is Motor Neurone Disease.
From today, Monday, 30 May, you will be able to purchase your 2022 Fight MND beanie or socks. Junior and Middle School students can wear their beanies and socks during Week 7 of Term 2. These can be collected from Christine Pogue (JS1.14), Mathew Shill (BMS) or Newlands Reception. Socks cost $15 and beanies cost $25.
Newlands ELC educators recently attended a Starting Out Safely program that highlights the importance of road safety education for young children and how teaching children about road safety will help them gain skills and behaviours to stay safe.
The ELC has a Road Safety and Safe Transportation policy which can be accessed by scanning the QR code at the entrance of each classroom. Educators use small road signs, road safety songs and books to embed key road safety messages into children’s play. A valuable resource to help families reinforce these messages at home is available below.
Newlands ELC is a member of Reverse Art Truck, an organisation that collects unwanted materials from Victorian businesses that can then be used as craft materials in schools and Early Learning Centres. The materials support children’s art projects.
Families are encouraged to donate recycled materials from their homes and businesses to the ELC. Materials like paper, material scraps, wool, greeting cards and ribbons can be added to the classroom’s art and craft resource boxes.
Haileybury Junior String students have been working very hard to develop and refine their string playing and musicianship skills. We are looking forward to sharing this semester’s work with you at the Newlands String Recital.
The event will include performances by the Year 2 Strings, Scrolls and Super Strings students and will tell the story and play the soundtrack to Who’s Afraid of the Quite Nice Wolf by Kitty Black and Laura Wood.
The Newlands Junior String Recital will be a combined event for all string students on Tuesday, 31 May, at 2.30 pm in Berthon Hall.
On Tuesday, 31 May, Newlands Year 4 students will attend the Worawa Aboriginal College Sports Reconciliation Carnival. This is a fun day that encourages sport, cultural and social exchange. Highlights will include a Welcome to Country ceremony, games and activities. The event is part of our ongoing relationship with Worawa College.
Maisie Starr (Year 5) has been growing her hair for months, just so she can cut it and donate it to a worthy cause. Maisie has been sponsored and will donate to Hair with Heart, part of Variety the Children’s Charity, and she has raised over $500! Her hair will be donated to Sustainable Salons who make wigs for Variety and Australia Alopecia Areata Foundation. What a wonderful contribution to the community, Maisie!
Sophia Yao’s writings have been shortlisted consecutively for the Kingston Libraries Story Lines Writing Competition 2021 and Kingston Artz Blitz Writing Competition 2022.
The Year 7’s story, My Dashy Boy, was published in the Kingston Library book, Story Lines 2021.
Sophia’s Kingston Artz Blitz entry, called The Girl Who Has Never Dreamed, required all entrants to complete their written story within only 24 hours.
Well done, Sophia.
Our Years 5–8 girls competed in the Aerobics Regional Competition at Rowville Secondary College. The girls worked so hard with some participating in multiple performances over the two-day competition with the dance component on Saturday and aerobics on Sunday. The girls have been training since the start of the year and they achieved some outstanding results thanks to our two amazing coaches, Shannon Seers and Sophie Taylor.
A special mention to Black Thunder (Year 8 girls) who received the highest score of the day. The girls are now preparing for the State Finals and the Winter Cyber Challenge.
The Years 5 and 6 Jazz team performed at the Regional qualifying round of the DanceStar competition.
Since the start of the year, the team has worked very hard on its Footloose routine and has suffered a few setbacks with changes in the team line-up and absences that had an impact on preparation. However, the girls’ hard work and perseverance paid off and the team was fortunate to place second in the round, beaten only by a point or so by Haileybury City.
Considering many of the girls are new to dance and appeared on stage for the first time for Display Night a couple of weeks ago, it was a fantastic effort! We are progressing through to the State Finals next month and the girls are thrilled.
Jane Gibbs
Head of Newlands (Keysborough)
Thank you to everyone who attended the HPFK Luncheon and for supporting the charity, Feel the Magic. This Australian charity provides early intervention grief education programs for kids experiencing pain and isolation due to the death of a parent, guardian or sibling. Thanks to you we raised $5020.00 for this very worthy cause.
We would like to thank our Units 1–4 Hospitality students who served guests as part of their successful school assessed coursework (SAC). Thank you also to our talented Senior School musicians who performed throughout the luncheon.
Our HPFK Uniform Shop opening times for the remainder of Term 2 are:
Friday, 3 June: 2.30 pm – 4.30 pm
Friday, 10 June: 2.30 pm – 4.30 pm
Friday, 17 June: 2.30 pm – 4.30 pm
Saturday, 18 June: 9 am – 12 noon
Friday, 24 June: 2.30 pm – 4.30 pm
This year our target is to reach 1,000 Haileybury HPFK Facebook Group members. If you would like to connect with our community, please join our Facebook page.
If you have any queries or would like to contact the HPFK, please email: HPFK@haileybury.vic.edu.au
Lenice Norris
President, Haileybury Parents & Friends Keysborough
The Future Problem Solving Program International Competition will be held at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Haileybury has two students representing Australia at the event, which takes place from Wednesday, 8 June, to Sunday, 12 June.
Anay Ashwin (Year 7) will travel to the US and is the Australian Junior Global Issues Problem Solving Champion in the Individual category. Grace Van Haaster (Year 9) will compete in the Scenario Writing category. Grace is the Australian Middle Division Champion in Scenario Writing, winning first place in this category.
The competition topic is Antibiotic Resistance with students from across the world discussing how best to tackle this important world issue. We wish Anay and Grace the best of luck!
The performance of Matilda was an incredible display of talent from our singing, dancing and acting students, accompanied by our incredible musicians. However, a show like this cannot happen without a comprehensive technical production team.
The audio production for the musical is part of the assessment and learning for our VET Music Industry students. Every actor wears a microphone and every instrument has a microphone, too. In partnership with Stagepass Productions who supply and install additional sound equipment for Aikman Hall, VET students work alongside industry experts to achieve a standard of production that rivals any of the major shows being performed in Melbourne at the moment.
This year Nick Duncan (Year 11), who has demonstrated a high level of skill in the area of sound production, was mentored by Gerard Hook of Stagepass to operate and mix the sound for the show.
This is a high-pressure role where a lot can go wrong—and when it does go wrong the whole audience can hear it! Nick passed the challenge with flying colours, devoting many hours of his own time to prepare, attend rehearsals and practice using the latest technology of ‘virtual soundchecks’.
Congratulations to Timothy Hu (Year 11), Wei Bo Soo (Year 11) and Chloe Fan (Year 9) who attended Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School to compete in the Northern Star Chess Secondary Open Zonal on Monday, 16 May.
Haileybury came in fifth overall, which is an amazing achievement.
One of the hardest elements of modern life for parents to deal with is online safety and appropriate behaviour online. For teenagers, the issues involved with having an online profile and the realities of social media can be particularly vexing and difficult.
Some of the best resources available to help teachers, students and parents understand the pressures and protocols associated with online activity are provided by the Office of the eSafety Commissioner. There are a number of webinars for parents and carers that can be a great way for parents to gain a better understanding of how they can help keep their children safe online. I highly recommend the resources provided on this site.
Pam Chamberlain
Senior Vice Principal and Head of Haileybury Senior Schools
This year our target is to reach 1,000 Haileybury HPFK Facebook Group members. If you would like to connect with our community, please join our Facebook page.
If you have any queries or would like to contact the HPFK, please email: HPFK@haileybury.vic.edu.au
Lenice Norris
President, Haileybury Parents & Friends Keysborough
Throughout May, Year 8 Drama students from all campuses performed to audiences as part of the Performance examination. The theme was Identity—how we see ourselves and how those around us influence our identity by their perception of who we are.
The girls have written their own script as part of their Collaboration to Creation classes and through the Page to Stage initiative, the boys began their performance building with a script titled Box.
Congratulations to the cast, crew and creative team behind James and the Giant Peach which was performed on Wednesday, 18 May, and Thursday, 19 May. The excited young audience was overawed by the magic and we all loved the ice-cream treat at the interval!
The show was chock-full of delightful performances from an enthusiastic cast and it was a joy to watch. Things do not just happen—people make them happen—and so many thanks go to Rachael Walsh, Kelsey Gade, Damien Del Vecchio and the team for bringing this show to life.
Rehearsals have begun for Murder’s in the Heir and A Tree Called Aesop. Murder’s in the Heir will be performed on Thursday, 4 August, and Friday, 5 August. One exciting aspect of this play is that the audience will choose the ending!
At the interval, they will vote for the actor whom they believe is the murderer, so actors must be prepared for the unknown as any one of them might need to play the murderer. A great whodunit in the making!
Nick Waxman
Head of Drama and Theatre Studies
Term Two has been an extremely busy time within the Music Department. First came the wonderful success of the Senior School musical Matilda, and last week the department held Aria Night—an outstanding night of classical singing from some of our finest vocal performers. Held in the David Bradshaw Chapel at Keysborough, the Aria Night vocal competition saw nine students each perform a prescribed work and a piece of their own choice.
On Thursday, 9 June, the Instrumental Music Department will host the Senior School Annual Concert in Aikman Hall. This large ensemble concert is a celebration of students who have participated in the music program for an extended period.
The majority of performing students will have taken private instrumental lessons for more than five years and the repertoire selected for performance approaches professional standard. The ensembles to be featured include Orchestra, Concert Band, Choirs, Guitar ensemble and Stage Band.
I would encourage all Haileybury parents to consider attending the Senior School Annual Concert. It begins at 7.30 pm and concludes by 9.00 pm. The standard will be very high, the program will be diverse and entry is free!
The week following the Senior School concert marks the beginning of the Middle School concert series. With four concerts to take place, this is a busy and rewarding time for staff and students.
Middle School concerts provide an opportunity for students to perform—often for the first time—before a large audience in a formal atmosphere. Students enjoy the opportunity to show the Haileybury community their skills as emerging young musicians. The smiles on faces following a successful performance speak volumes.
Rod Marshall
Director of Performing Arts & Head of Haileybury Music
The Keysborough Visual Arts precinct has been teeming with creative energy over the past few weeks as artist, Bradley Eastman, aka ‘Beastman’, concluded his residency. The end result is a spectacular double mural that adorns each side of the entrance to the Sholto Black arts vicinity.
The Units 1 and 2 Studio Arts classes collaborated with Beastman to design a unique mural that marries Haileybury motifs with aesthetics inspired by visual arts and the surrounding architecture and environment.
Here, Studio Art student, Terence Lin (Year 10), explains Beastman’s process:
‘The artist started by planning out the size and proportion of the murals using the built-in bricks as a measure. Then a white layer of waterproof primer was applied and key points of the design were mapped in. Using acrylic and aerosol paint, Beastman worked from top to bottom using an elevated work platform.
The students recorded the working process as he painted throughout the week and discussed his intentions and the use of symbolism. For instance, the patterns of eyes represent the visually appealing aspects of art and the process of broadening one’s view in the process of art learning. The incorporation of a range of vibrant colours and patterns evoke a sense of liveliness, which ultimately helps to accentuate and showcase the exuberant creativity and individuality that Haileybury creative students represent.’
Rachelle Rae
Head of Visual Arts Senior School
Around 450 people paid their last respects to David Flockart who died on Saturday, 30 April, after a short illness that he fought with much courage and dignity. David was 56-years-old. He was a piper in the Haileybury Pipes & Drums and led the band as Pipe Major in 1982, during his final year with the School.
The funeral service was held in Brighton at St Andrews Anglican Church on Monday, 9 May.
One of Haileybury’s leading pipers, Pipe Major Ethan Chen (Year 9), played the pipes and a rendition of Muir of Ord as guests filed in to the service.
The traditional hymn, Amazing Grace, played as the hearse was led through a guard of honor with attendees holding timber and plastic oars and paying tribute to the family’s rowing connections.
Our sincere condolences are with David’s wife, Sue, their children, Charlie and Nicholas, David’s parents, Graeme and Kerri, and his siblings Peter (OH 1985) and Suzie during this difficult time.
Lincoln Hilton
Director, Pipes & Drums
After a two-year enforced hiatus and with great success, the annual OHA Generations Breakfast returned to Castlefield on Friday, 13 May.
It was wonderful to see over 70 grandparents, parents, students and staff connecting with fellow Haileybury community members. We even had some families who were celebrating three generations of Haileyburians at this special event!
Families were treated to a beautiful family portrait and delicious breakfast as a thank you for staying connected.
OHA President Brad Hyde (OH 1986) and his daughter Ruby (Year 9) also gave a very entertaining ‘Then and Now’ presentation of their Haileybury experience.
We look forward to welcoming our City generational families in July.
The 10-year Reunion of the Class of 2012 was held on Friday, 13 May at Valhalla and what a fantastic venue and night it was! Congratulations to the 100+ attendees for staying connected with each other and with the School.
Kylie Phillips
Development Office Operations Lead
Zavier McInerney (Year 9) joined the Haileybury Firsts Volleyball team this year. Despite having only played the sport for three years, he has already achieved some milestones.
In 2021, Zavier played in the Victorian U15 Boys team and came 5th in the National Youth Beach Volleyball Championships in Coolangatta, Queensland. Earlier this year, he represented Victoria in the U16 Boys Pairs team in Coolangatta and reached the semi-finals, eventually coming 4th out of 20 in the competition.
Immediately after that tournament, Zavier was part of the only Victorian team to participate in the Australian Schools Cup Beach tournament and came 5th out of 20. We will keep an eye out for the next chapter in his flourishing volleyball career
Ben Carroll (Year 11) was an integral member of the Haileybury Firsts in 2021 and this year has focused on beach volleyball, his sporting passion. Recognised as an elite youth beach volleyball player with significant potential to progress into the professional ranks, Ben has represented Victoria for a number of years at the National Youth Beach Volleyball Championships and he has secured amazing results over the past three years.
Haileybury Volleyball seems to be in very good hands.
Fishing is one of Australia’s fasting growing sports and Sam Leys (OH 2016) is hooked on the sport. As a result, he’s landed himself a dream occupation writing articles for fishing magazines. Sam educates fellow fishing enthusiasts while trialling the newest innovations in fishing gear.
We hope to utilise Sam’s skills and knowledge to develop our sporting program and offer the widest variety of activities for our students.
Aryan Sharma (Year 11), Cooper Ford (Year 11), Sayumi De Costa (Year 12) and Adam Mao (Year 8) have all qualified for the Independent Secondary Schools Golf Grand Final at Long Island Golf Club. The tournament is a culmination of qualifying rounds across Metropolitan Melbourne and the field will boast close to 60 players who will be vying to win the prestigious event.
We wish our students all the very best.
Luke Cleary (OH 2020) made his AFL debut for the Western Bulldogs earlier this month. His hard work and persistence through COVID finally paid off. Congratulations, Luke.
Sean Allcock
Director of Haileybury Sport
In the spirit of reconciliation, Haileybury acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
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