Memories of our school days
We all have those fond memories of special experiences, events and opportunities we were lucky enough to enjoy when we went to school. In primary school, I once performed on the Sydney Opera House stage as a courtier in a play set in the medieval times and I can still remember the excitement (and the beautiful tall mauve conical hat that kept slipping over my eyes every time I bowed!). These memories stay with us long after we leave school.
This Insight is full of just some of those experiences that our Haileybury City children and young people have enjoyed over the past few weeks. We are so proud of how hard our students have worked in their academic, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities to achieve greatness, whether competing in snow sports, performing poetry, on stage or on their first overnight camp. We were also delighted to host our fathers and significant men who loved spending time with their children and grandchildren having fun together in the classrooms at City campus.
Our audiences at the Malthouse were full of joy and wonder as they watched our Middle School students perform in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. It was wonderful to see so many ELC, Junior and Middle School students in the audience, enjoying the spectacle, cheering on their friends, and our families simply loved it all.
Another sell-out, even with a larger theatre this year. It is not surprising that the Malthouse Theatre was a great venue and how lucky that our students get to perform on a real stage in the heart of Melbourne. They, too, will remember it always.
A huge thank you to all our Arts team, our staff who helped in so many ways and our Senior School students who love to return after Middle School is over to do hair, makeup and more. Our Middle School Production is indeed a wonderful community experience.
Happy holidays
I wish every student, staff member and family a happy and safe holiday. We look forward to welcoming you all back on Monday, 7 October for the start of Term 4. Please be reminded that students may take up to two weeks to transition to summer uniform, depending upon the weather.
Early Learning Centre
Exploring our Natural Environment
Reception children have had an ongoing interest in small creatures and insects, and they have been exploring where they live. The children’s observations of snails and their gradual understanding of why we usually see snails when it has been raining has been fascinating.
Further investigations will continue as we develop an understanding of these habitats and an awareness of how we care for our environment. Sustainable practices will continue to be embedded into the program as we look at the effects our actions have on the habitats of different small creatures.
Our ELC families will be spending a lot of time observing bugs in their native habitat at home with their resident young entomologist!
Hands-on Science experiments in Pre-Prep
Children have been hands-on in their learning as we explored healthy eating and different types of food in Pre-Prep.
The healthy choices food pyramid has been introduced to children, where we have learnt about foods that we eat often, that help us to be healthy and active. As we explored how different foods are made, children have engaged in various science experiments to understand how to make ice cream. Many questions were asked as the children were able to hypothesise, apply critical thinking and construct new understandings by connecting their prior knowledge with new information.
While the texture of the ice cream was interesting to some, all children thoroughly enjoyed the experience and learnt more about different types of food and the benefits it has on our bodies.
Junior School
Snowsport success!
We are thrilled to congratulate all City students who recently participated in the 2024 Mogul Ski World Victorian Interschools Snowsport Championships. Despite wet conditions and less-than-ideal weather over the few days, our students showed resilience and determination on the slopes at Mt Buller. Special mentions go out to our City Junior School students who took on events like Ski Cross, Alpine Giant Slalom, and Snowboard Giant Slalom. Well done to everyone involved, and we can’t wait to see what you achieve next.
Congratulations:
- Amber (Prep)
- Margaux (Year 1)
- Archer (Year 4)
- Elliette (Year 4)
- Clayton (Year 6)
- Leo (Year 6)
Year 3 Camp
In Week 7, City’s Year 3 students enthusiastically set off for their very first camp at Forest Edge in Neerim South. They embraced every aspect of camp life, from tidying their cabins and handling mealtime duties to braving the leeches on bushwalks and dominating at Disc Golf. Camps offer valuable opportunities to develop independence, a growth mindset, and problem-solving skills, all while stepping outside one’s comfort zone. We are incredibly proud of how our students approached each activity with big smiles and impeccable manners.
A Truly Magical Book Week
The 2024 Book Week Costume Parade kicked off with vibrant enthusiasm, setting the tone for a week of literary excitement. Celebrating the theme ‘Reading is Magic,’ students transformed into their favourite magical characters with remarkable creativity, including quite a few familiar faces all the way from Hogwarts! The event not only sparked their love for reading but also reflected the School’s dedication to nurturing young minds.
Middle School
Young Entrepreneurs
Students from Years 5 to 7 had their business ideas come to life through their involvement in the $20 Boss Program. Given $20 as start-up capital to create a product or service, they launched and operated their ventures. The Middle School was a hive of activity as our young entrepreneurs were kept busy by eager customers, with proceeds donated to Cancer Council, Smith Family, Save the Children, RSPCA, Life’s Little Treasures and The Indigenous Literacy Foundation. The $20 Boss Program has developed the students’ enterprise skills such as teamwork and critical and creative thinking, helping prepare them for the future of work and a rapidly changing world.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe excellence
It was a joy to watch our talented Middle School students bring The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to life at the incredible Malthouse Theatre. Our Middle School production enabled so many students to follow their passion for the Arts, whether performing on stage, creating sets and props, assisting backstage or being a bedazzled audience member.
The event brought the Haileybury City Community together over three wonderful nights and we applaud every student that was involved. We thank Jane Marshall and the Arts Team who have worked with the cast and crew over the course of the year to ensure that City’s performances of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe were brilliant.
Through this experience, our young people were able to work with students from across Years 5 to 8 from both the Boys and Girls Middle Schools while developing communication skills, confidence, creativity, resilience, time management and self-discipline.
Fathers and significant men
A wonderful morning was had on Thursday 29 August as we welcomed our fathers and significant men on campus to celebrate them and show our gratitude for all that they do to positively impact our lives. Our guests were treated to numerous outstanding jazz performances on the terrace as they enjoyed a morning snack.
Following this, the fathers and significant men accompanied their young person to their classroom where both were given their own very special edition of The City Times, a newspaper created by our Year 8 Leaders that included quizzes, poems, puzzles, inspiring stories, recipes, comics and dad jokes that they engaged with. Students and special guests also completed a booklet titled ‘Are You Smarter Than a Middle Schooler?’, drew portraits of one another and created and tested paper planes on the specially designed runways, which proved popular as the fathers and significant men reflected on years gone by and shared their wisdom.
It was beautiful to see our students showing their appreciation for their fathers and significant men while spending quality time together.
OutLoud Poetry Slam success
This year, the OutLoud Poetry Slam returned to Haileybury City. Two months of anticipation, brainstorming, writing, re-writing, crafting and polishing saw our Years 7 and 8 create ‘Hey You,’ a spoken word poem that explores a dystopian future and the challenges facing us in 2024, and closes with a call to action to ‘volunteer, contribute.
On Monday, 26 August, the Wheeler’s Centre came alive as each performance was kickstarted with a passionate ‘3, 2, 1, SLAM!’ and earnest snaps whenever the audience heard something that spoke to them. On stage, the girls delivered two powerful performances, including in the finals in front of special guest judge and renowned children’s author, Andy Griffiths. These earned them the win with a gift bag of prizes, the publication of their poem in Voiceworks and a paid gig at the Wheeler’s Centre Teen Gala in October. Well done to Leah, Mavis, Mehak, Nevindie and Sethuki on your marvellous efforts.
Caroline Merrick
Head of City
Haileybury Parents & Friends City (HPF City)
HPF City second-hand uniform pop-up shop
We had a very successful second-hand uniform pop-up shop on 12 and 13 September. A big that you to Andrea Livingston and her group of uniform shop volunteers for pulling this all together and for all the parents and carers who contributed items for sale at the shop. It was also great to be back on the ground floor, in the newly renovated space.
The next pop-up shop will be held on Tuesday, 19 November, which is Up Day. Based on last year, this will be a very busy day. If you need to grab a few items for 2025, come along and get prepared for future growth.
HPF City Springtime Party – Friday, 18 October
You are all invited to attend our City Spring Party on Friday, 18 October, hosted on the Ground Floor. It will be sure to be a fun night with great food, drinks and laughs all for $70 per adult. Purchase your raffle tickets for a chance to win some great prizes. Also come along and bid on the sensational silent auction and live auction prizes. You might score a bargain.
As you are aware, this is the main fundraising activity for the school. All funds raised go back to the ELC, Junior, Middle and Senior Schools by way of additional items to benefit the students. The Middle School students can confirm that the air hockey tables are a huge hit, provided in the past by HPF City.
Any people wishing to donate items to the raffle, silent auction or live auctions, please contact hpfcity@haileybury.com.au and Michelle White will contact you.
The link for tickets is on the myHaileybury app, so hit the link and buy your tickets now. We have had two sold out events this year — you don’t want to miss out on this one, our last for the year!
We hope you have a great holiday break, enjoy the footy finals and we look forward to seeing you at the Springtime Party in Term 4.
Melissa Fisher
President, Haileybury Parents & Friends City
