Remembrance Day
On Monday, 11 November, our annual Remembrance Day acknowledgement was held on North Oval. Our parent community along with all students, including our ELC, came together to observe a minute’s silence followed by students from Prep and Year 8 placing a cross into the ground for the young Haileyburians who served and lost their lives over 79 years ago.
Year 8 Graduation
On Thursday, 14 November we hosted a Graduation Assembly and Afternoon Tea for the Year 8 cohort as they graduated from Middle School. We are proud of the students and their achievements, and the assembly was the formal conclusion to their Middle School experience. The less formal and much more colourful celebration came in the form of a Colour Run. Lots of laughter and fun was had. We wish our Year 8 students every success as they commence their time in Pre-Senior from Monday, 18 November.
Community matters
Throughout Term 4, Year 6 students will be visiting the Castlefield Community Centre to participate in their Intergenerational Friday Morning program with some of the wonderful Bailey House residents. It is such a rewarding experience for everyone involved. Our students joined in a variety of activities, including colouring, singing, games and some fun dance moves, bringing smiles and joy to all. We were so proud of our Year 6s; they made an effort to connect and engage compassionately with all the residents and, in turn, developed their own confidence and communication skills. We are excited to return to the Castlefield Community Centre each Friday with a rotating roster of students — the perfect way to end the school week.
Up Day
Tuesday, 19 November, sees all students moving to their 2025 classes to spend the day discovering their new room, area of school, classmates and teachers. A reminder that it is casual clothes, with runners, to allow for any sporting activities that may be scheduled for the day.
Early Learning Centre
Continuing the learning journey
As ELC children prepare for the continuation of their learning journey, they have been spending time visiting their new learning environments. Reception children have been mixing together and visiting the indoor and outdoor Pre-Prep learning spaces. Pre-Prep children have been visiting their Prep classrooms and spending time getting to know the other children and their teachers.
Familiarity can build a sense of security and belonging as the children look forward to moving into their 2025 classes.
Active citizens
Incorporating active citizens inquiry projects into early childhood education has supported the ELC children to express their opinions and engage in discussions about issues that matter to them. This fosters their sense of agency, as children recognise that they can make a difference.
The Pre-Preps worked alongside Bayside City Council to contribute to indigenous planting at Hampton High Reserve, gaining practical skills and hands on learning, working together to improve the existing habitat for native fauna.
The Reception children spread their love by cooking for kindness, making pizzas for the ELC cohort, and working together to make a cookbook with their favourite recipes to sell and raise funds for charity.
Junior School
Celebrating grandparents
It was such a special morning welcoming our grandparents and special friends into the Junior School classrooms. Mrs Jacob scheduled musicians to perform during the morning and yia-yias, nannas, poppas, grandpas and nie nies were carefully led from one room to another by their little people. Minute-to-win-it style games are always a favourite, and everyone loved to show off their portrait drawing skills. We recognise the special place grandparents have in their grandchildren’s lives, whether they see them a little or a lot, and loved having them on campus for the morning.
Library time
Breakfast Books have been a great addition to the calendar this year. Hosted by our librarian, Lizzy McBride, families come along to the library for a snack and a read before the day begins. It has been a great turnout each time.
Halloween disco
An annual favourite, the Halloween disco, was held after school to the delight of our Junior School students. Witches, wizards, ghouls and goblins danced their hearts out. Special thanks to the parents and teachers who made this event possible.
Middle School
Reflection
Reflecting is something that we encourage and guide our students to do each and every day. Whether it is a moment in the classroom, the playground or anywhere in between, the ability to reflect as an individual and as a member of a community bigger than oneself, is an important life skill to consistently practise. In the greater scheme of things, the end of a school year is a time to reflect on the successes, challenges and areas of improvement for all our students. We look forward to our students finishing strongly and setting their goals for 2025.
House events
What a year it has been for our house events and activities at Castlefield. We have had everything, including swimming, cross country, Mario Kart challenge, futsal, table tennis, netball, basketball, AFL and more. With the term coming to a close we are excited for all our Middle School students to be involved in more House opportunities, with House Festivals planned for the end of the term. This year, students have had the chance to participate, lead and connect with passion and determination, and with smiles on their faces. We look forward to House Spirit growing each and every event, and we thank our students for their involvement and teamwork this year.
Katrina Manson
Head of Castlefield (Brighton)
Haileybury Parents & Friends Castlefield (HPFC)
A big thank you to the parents who supported the Junior School Halloween Disco. The hall was spooky and fun thanks to the decorations that were mounted by our wonderful parent team. It was lovely to see parents spending time in the VIP area, enjoying time socialising while their ghouls, witches and little ones boogied away in the hall.
Haileybury Parents & Friends Castlefield
