Newlands Issue 18
ELC children learn more about staying safe, Junior School students are touched by magic and the Girls Debating Team tastes success.
CEO | Principal's Report
This week’s return to school of Year 12 students and of our Year 11s for their Units 3 and 4 subjects is most welcome.
The Year 12s have been outstanding in managing their way through their final two years of school that have obviously been quite different to what they would have anticipated. They have, of course, been assisted by the brilliant teaching staff who have committed to providing every possible support to help Haileybury students achieve.
The focus over the next three weeks is on providing as much classroom time with Units 3 and 4 students in the lead-up to the exams, and doing all we can to provide memorable end-of-school events for the Year 12s. We will be holding a full Graduation after the examinations have been completed in November.
We are looking forward to the rest of our students across all year levels returning from week three to week five. While we are very pleased with student progress due to the strong academic online program delivery, we are well aware that students have missed the social and co-curricular aspects of school. So, within health guidelines, we will be building the widest range of activities that we can provide to all year levels as students return.
During the past few months, we have been investigating a range of additional ways to protect and increase the safety of our school community as we plan for the return to onsite learning and working. The School has sought expert advice and investigated ways to reduce the potential for the indoor air in our buildings to contribute to the development or spread of illness. Key initiatives and changes you will see implemented during Term 4 will be:
- Monitor CO2 levels
- Increase ventilation (either mechanically or naturally)
- Switch to 100% outside air where possible
- Improve filtration
- Rapid antigen testing kits
- Commence mechanical ventilation at least two hours before school starts
- Portable HEPA Filtration Units
- Review of existing systems.
We are fully committed to the health and welfare of our students and staff. It is mandatory for all Haileybury staff to be vaccinated and I have been delighted with the staff support for this. Similarly, we have been pleased to see Years 11 and 12 students getting vaccinated in large numbers.
Haileybury is fully supportive of the vaccination program. It is clear that it is the quickest way to open up our society and for us to provide a safe school environment for staff and students. We encourage all families with children eligible for the vaccination to have it done.
Derek Scott
CEO | Principal
Campus News
Navigating a Return to School
Welcome to Term 4. I trust you have all enjoyed a rest from screens and enjoyed some time to relax with your family. Your ongoing support of our Online Learning Program during the lockdown period has been greatly appreciated.
With the release of the Victorian Government’s roadmap out of lockdown we understand we will have a staggered return to school. We are confident that we can work together to continue the Academic and Extra-curricular Program for our students until it is possible for everyone to be on campus once again.
The details of our return-to-school plan from Vice Principal Mr Scott Doran can be found via myHaileybury. The Return to Campus Roadmap includes procedures and protocols and was sent out to our community on Thursday, 30 September.
Term 4 is a busy term with many milestones, such as the Year 4 and Year 8 Graduation, Back to Newlands for our Year 12s and Speech Night. We will continue to plan for these events to take place on campus or in an alternative form.
Recording of Newlands Musical
Due to continued government restrictions, we have now made the very difficult decision to record the Newlands 2021 Musical Mary Poppins Jr. What a journey our young actors have been on this term. The staff have been impressed with the cast and their ability to successfully rehearse online and adapt to the ever-changing landscape.
The production team has worked tirelessly behind the scenes with each new COVID announcement. They have planned and re-planned and brainstormed new ways of delivering a product that the staff and students are proud of.
We are all very disappointed for the students but believe we have made the best decision. Once we receive all the videos, they will be sent to an editing company to compile and create a montage of the show. This will be a wonderful keepsake for students and families.
Early Learning Centre
SeeMore Safety Program
Each year, Newlands ELC works with the KIDS Foundation to deliver a safety education program that teaches strategies to help the ELC children to 'Think Safe, Play Safe'. The Foundation regularly provides resource materials to the ELC that are used to teach a safety program to children throughout the year. The program aims to prevent childhood injuries and increase safety awareness.
For more information, please go to the website http://kidsfoundation.org.au.
Children are quite knowledgeable when it comes to safety, but reinforcing learning about the importance of safety occurs on a regular basis. The children are reminded about safety within the home and at the ELC and to be aware of hazards in their environment, such as water spills, uneven surfaces, hot surfaces, etc.
Easing ELC Transitions
Transitions are very important in young children’s lives and a sense of belonging is a key element in the Early Years Learning Framework. As Term 4 commences, we support the prospect of change through providing a carefully scheduled series of transition events to assist children to feel comfortable, confident and safe within their new education environment. These will be communicated to parents in the coming weeks.
Due to the onsite children joining as one Pre-Prep class or one Reception class, the children are developing new friendships and are enjoying exploring each other’s classrooms and playgrounds.
The children have adapted readily to the change in their learning environment and look forward to the change of room each week. Reception will form new classes in the new year and their current experience has supported them in building connections with potential classmates
Pre-Prep transition enjoying mat time
Junior School
The Magic Touch at Newlands JS
The Junior School welcomed Tim Ellis for a virtual magic show. Tim is a world-renowned magician who has won awards in Japan and New York and has been named Best Stage Magician in Australia. He was the first Australian to twice win at the FISM World Championships of Magic.
The students were entertained by an eye-popping performance and learned a magic trick or two along the way. At the end of Tim’s show, there were many budding magicians in the audience.
SEA LIFE Aquarium Virtual Excursion
Year 1 students were awestruck as they ventured under the sea at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium. There were plenty of beaming smiles and excited eyes were fixed on the many exhibits. Students explored the coral reef and saw countless rare and tropical fish, luminescent jellyfish, delicate seahorses and a very social octopus who was using his suckers to stick to the glass!
All children were captivated by the Ocean Tunnel Walk as they watched sharks and manta rays glide overhead. Last but not least, the adventure concluded with a visit to the penguins. Some are nesting at the moment and protecting their eggs, while others cheekily dived in and out of the water. What a wonderful day!
Middle School
Minute To Win It
On the final day of remote and online learning for Term 3, the Years 5 and 6 students were treated to an amazing game of Minute To Win It organised by Mr Billings. Students had to attempt various challenges with only a minute to complete them.
These included swinging two teabags that are taped to your hat onto the hat brim without using hands, or threading penne pasta onto a stick of raw spaghetti using only your mouth. Needless to say, there was a lot of laughter and joy for everyone involved.
A Star is Born During Lockdown
Boys Middle School Captain Timothy Dang, aka Fitness Tiem, has been keeping the Middle School students in a positive frame of mind with a series of clever and very funny videos. With a focus on making ‘Gains’ and counting ‘Macros’, Fitness Tiem has been dedicated to the cause of health and mental wellbeing. In a challenging time, these videos have really lifted spirits, made us laugh and kept the community connected.
Thank you, Fitness Tiem.
Debating Finals Round 3
The Newlands Girls 1 Debating Team was successful in the Debaters Association of Victoria Finals Playoff 3. The team argued the topic ‘That the Victorian Parliament should sit in regional centres, rather than Melbourne’. They have now made it through to the Octo-finals.
If you are wondering why this finals process is so long it’s because it involves over 250 schools, 1,500 teams, four grades, 20 regions, five rounds and a seven-night Finals series. In fact, the DAV Schools Competition is the largest English-language debating competition in the world.
Kitty Zhang, Alissa Kith and Zahra Ali debated with Zahra being recognised at the best speaker for the evening. What is so special about this team, however, is that they all work together to contribute to each debate and Rachel Sun, Keisha De Silva and Sienna Le have also been an integral part of this win.
Murder on the Orient Express
The Year 7 study of Agatha Christie’s novel Murder on the Orient Express delves into the important themes of justice, stereotyping and prejudice. As the murder mystery was slowly solved in the Newlands 7.5 class, we were visited by famous detective Hercule Poirot—aka Damon Lau! The novel study continues next term with the important skill of essay writing.
Jane Gibbs
Head of Newlands (Keysborough)
Haileybury Parents & Friends Keysborough (HPFK)
Haileybury HPFK Facebook Page
This year, our target is 900 Haileybury HPFK Facebook Group Members. If you would like to connect with our community, please join our Facebook page by clicking on this link.
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
Discover more Insight updates
Arts
Performing Arts and Music students finesse their skills in preparation for VCE examinations and VCD students complete their SAT folios.
Performing Arts
Holidays for Some
Despite the lack of professional theatre happening in and around Melbourne, I have been lucky enough to watch some outstanding live dance and monologue performances as our senior students prepare for their examinations.
Our dancers are at the point where fine tuning and making sure the narrative is clear and matching their statement of intention are the focus. Our actors have responded well to a little bit of rest and have been able to come in to school to work with set pieces and props.
The challenge in Theatre Studies is to establish the world of the play—showing that you understand the context and what has gone before and what is to follow. It is always exciting to see an actor grow into a role as they grasp the language in action.
Stewart Bell
Director of Performing Arts
Music
One VCE Music Journey Nears the End and Another Begins
While our most senior VCE Music students complete their final preparations to take Unit 4 Performance exams next week, Year 5 Brighton students begin their instrumental journey. They are receiving Band instruments in preparation for practical instrumental classes that begin online this week.
At Brighton, Berwick and City, all Year 5 students now participate in a semester of instrumental tuition on Band instruments—trumpet, trombone, euphonium, flute, clarinet, saxophone and percussion.
Delivered as a classroom program, each student learns one of these instruments alongside their peers in a fun and engaging setting that features many smiles, giggles, discoveries and, of course, instrumental success. Following a semester in the classroom program, students are encouraged to enrol in individual tuition and to continue their music journey at school.
VCE Rehearsals Taking Shape
At the time of recording the video links below, in the last week of Term 3, most VCE ensembles had only been able to have three rehearsals together in preparation for upcoming October final exams.
For the exams, each assessed student is required to perform a 25-minute recital program. As always, students who take the formal VCE assessments will be brilliantly supported by their peers who are not enrolled in Units 3 and 4. Special thanks must go to these wonderful people!
Aaron Nazaretian (Music Performance)
In the first link below, Aaron Nazaretian (Year 11) is rehearsing the first movement of Vivaldi’s Mandolin Concerto (RV425). While you can clearly hear the complexity in Aaron’s guitar part, a significant challenge for the ensemble rests in keeping the timing together while carefully matching the changing dynamics across the work.
Vivaldi's Mandolin Concerto - Rehearsal Link
Performers: Aaron Nazaretian (Guitar), Nathan Gu (Violin), Sam Koh (Violin), Sarah Tan (Viola), Elliot Guo (Cello) and Dr Christina Chao (Harpsichord).
Jacinta Bennett (Music Performance)
In the second link below, vocalist/keyboardist Jacinta Bennett (Year 11) works through a Laufey Lin song, Someone New. Performing comfortably on two instruments simultaneously is a sophisticated skill that requires many hours of practice. In addition to focusing on coordinating her own performance, Jacinta must at all times lead the remainder of the ensemble in terms of phrasing, balance and intensity. Similarly, the ensemble must listen carefully to Jacinta to follow the nuances of her interpretation of this lovely song.
Someone's New - Rehearsal Link
Performers: Jacinta Bennett (Vocal/Piano), Harry Marshall (Bass), Fraser Elvins (Drums) and String Section (Alicia Robertson, Rowena Ng, Harry Sun, Nathan Su).
Olivia Van Der Heyden (Music Investigation)/Harry Marshall (Music Performance)
The final rehearsal video below is a work that will be used by two students in separate VCE exams. This complicated tune, Run For Cover, requires considerable individual skill as well as a strong understanding of ensemble cohesion—meaning the musicians’ ability to accurately perform their own part while focusing on the collective rhythmic and stylistic cohesion.
The extended performance techniques also warrant mention. Olivia Van Der Heyden (Year 12) performs much of the work in the upper register of the alto saxophone. In fact, many of the notes you can hear are technically beyond the range of the instrument! Olivia has also developed a contemporary alto saxophone sound/tone that is well beyond what would be expected of someone her age.
On the electric bass, Harry Marshall (Year 11) uses the slap bass guitar technique of hammering and thumping the lower strings while percussively plucking the upper strings. This not only contributes melodic content to the bass line but also captures that funky rhythmic quality at the heart of this contemporary performance style.
Run For Cover - Rehearsal Link
Performers: Olivia Van Der Heyden (Alto Saxophone), Harry Marshall (Electric Bass), Tommy Caspers (Drums), Marcus Beyer (Keyboard) and Mr Kim May (Electric Guitar).
Rod Marshall
Head of Haileybury Music
Creative Industries
In Search of Architectural Excellence
Visual Communication Design (VCD) students have finally completed the enormous task that is their SAT folio. This creative process has been well underway since Term 1. After creating a hypothetical client and addressing their needs through design, all Units 3 and 4 students have successfully produced a body of work that demonstrates a range of manual and digital skills.
Daniel Vereker (Year 12, City) has produced an architectural design of university standard, with a range of renders that address the needs of his Bayside client.
“I designed a home for my client, Fedagio, an architectural developer who also requested that promotional material be made using renders of the house. Since the home was to be situated among heritage listed properties in the Port Phillip area, it was essential that I incorporated Victorian era stylistic features such as arches into the contemporary design. These images are the result of the architectural design process where they’ll then be used in marketing material to promotes the build.”
Karl Sebire
Head of Creative Industries
Sports Report
An Old Haileyburian plays in the AFL Grand Final and students and families can stay fit and well with the support of the Sport Department.
AFL Grand Final
Cody Weightman (OH ’19) played on the largest AFL stage of the year as he represented the Western Bulldogs against Melbourne in the AFL Grand Final. The former First XVIII Captain has already established a reputation as a dynamic player, although this year, the Premiership flag ended up with the Demons after a hard-fought game.
Family Fitness
Students are encouraged to take a break from screens and to strike the balance between rest and activity. To support this, the Sport department is running initiatives to keep families active.
Students have been provided with a variety of wellbeing options including yoga, Pilates, strength training, information on sleep, cardio and mindfulness sessions. We are encouraging families to set goals and participate in these sessions together.
A suggested goal may be to complete at least two sessions per week from the available suite of instructional media. Students can register their attendance or their family’s attendance by scanning a QR code and they will receive a code upon completion.
Data will be collated and the achievements of families celebrated. Stay well!
Sean Allcock
Director of Haileybury Sport
Old Haileyburians Association
Another Old Haileyburian discusses their professional and personal experiences so far and what they have learned along the way.
Closing a Business and Coming Out the Other Side
Join the OHA as we sit down with Christina Hewawissa (OH 2015) as she bravely shares her personal journey with depression, the tough decision to close her clothing brand and the exciting new opportunities that lay ahead.
#stayconnected #oha #alumni #podcast @theplantfamily_official
OHA News
To keep up-to-date with all OHA News, visit https://oha.org.au/news/ and enjoy recent articles on:
- Where are they Now—Elise Nash (OH 2014)
- Where are they Now—Will Stock (OH 2015)
- Where are they Now—George Botros (OH 2010)
- Where are they Now—Emily McLean (OH 2011)
- Full Spark Series
- In Loving Memory Tributes to Rob Whiteway (OH ’50) and Malcolm Evans (OH ’55)
Hayley Denny
Development & Alumni Manager
Foundation
Keeping You up to Date
The latest edition of Foundation News can be found here.
This edition contains information on:
- Haileybury Foundation Scholarships for 2022
- News of scholarship offerings to the Afghani community
- The success of the Haileybury Workplace Giving program.
Thank You
Donations to Haileybury Foundation continue to stream in. Our students are incredibly fortunate to be in receipt of such a high-quality education that would otherwise be out of reach.
All gifts to Haileybury Foundation are tax deductible. Our donors are having enormous impact and we have been delighted with the involvement of our community–from past parents, alumni and staff to current parents and former staff.
Donations can be made at https://www.haileybury.com.au/giving.
Social Media
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