Senior School Issue 18

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

I hope that the time away from classes has provided an opportunity for our students to get some well-earned rest as well as spend some time on examination preparation. Revision sessions have been running online throughout the holidays and were planned so students could cater for their individual revision needs and have some time away from screens.   

For our Year 12 students, the last few days are often filled with mixed emotions. Feelings of excitement at beginning life away from school have to be contained by a strong commitment to finishing the year well and preparing for examinations. 

All staff have only positive things to say about the way in which our Year 12s have persevered during the past two years—they have earned the lifelong admiration of all who have worked with them. 

My best wishes to you all and sincere thanks for your support during these challenging times. 

Year 12 Jumpers

Year 12 students had a choice to have their jumper posted to them and almost 300 jumpers were sorted and posted. We hope to see our students wearing the jumpers at school soon.

Year 12 Kahoot Night

Our Prefects recently organised a Year 12 Online Kahoot Night that saw students enjoy some much-needed relief from studying. They battled it out on topical questions such as which teacher once played in a heavy metal band and what are the four pillars of our School? It was wonderful to see Year 12s relaxed and having fun. 

An Entrepreneur in the Making

Toby Coutts has always had a creative flair and tried a few different avenues before founding his clothing brand, Dawn Wear Co. The Year 12 student wanted to share his passion for clothes, skateboarding, music and art.

It hasn’t been an easy journey and, naturally, there have been a few setbacks along the way. When issues arise, Toby seeks advice from established businesses and has developed his communication skills as a result.  

Another challenge for Toby has been juggling school and business but he enjoys the contrast between the two commitments and is learning something new about running a business every day. 

His advice to any young Haileyburian wanting to start a business is: "Just stick at it and work really hard because people will support you no matter what. If people don’t like what you’re doing, don’t get disheartened, just keep doing what you love.”

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.

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.

Stay Connected Podcast

#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.

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