Welcome back and uniform reminders
A warm welcome back to our families who enjoyed a break over the Term 1 holidays. Our students returned in the choice of either their winter or summer uniform, which they may wear for the first two weeks to allow some flexibility. At the start of Week 3, all students must be in our Haileybury winter uniform. Please ensure all aspects of your child’s uniform meet our Uniform Policy. We enjoy seeing our students wearing our beautiful Haileybury uniform with pride, as they move around the City. It is well recognised and assists in keeping our students safe. I enjoy receiving lovely emails from the public who notice our students on public transport being respectful and courteous and want the School to know.
Good Friday Appeal
The Term 1 Assembly ended on a high note with the exciting draw of our chocolate hamper raffle. Congratulations to Elliott in Year 3 and Albert in Year 8 — no doubt your families enjoyed the delicious chocolate treats over the break.
We are incredibly proud to share that the City community raised an impressive $2,190, which has been donated to the Royal Children’s Good Friday Appeal.
The Royal Children’s Hospital holds a special place in the hearts of many Victorians, offering vital care and support to families across the state. The Good Friday Appeal helps to raise money for the Royal Children’s Hospital to support projects such as state-of-the-art equipment and technology, research, and patient and family centred programs.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who purchased raffle tickets — your kindness and generosity are truly appreciated.
Early Learning Centre
A journey around the world
Reception children are deepening their knowledge and understanding of the world around them as they notice differences and similarities among each other, leading to a number of conversations and explorations of other countries and cultures.
This has led to discussions about our own backgrounds and those of our families, which have been identified on our Reception Family Tree. The Reception children are discovering their uniqueness, empowering them to become confident learners embracing their self-identity. We look forward to continuing our journey around the world, developing an understanding and respect for diversity, and enriching our sense of belonging.
Kindness makes us stronger
The Pre-Prep children are continuing to build the social foundations of the Social Thinking curriculum by expressing themselves through art and creativity. Inspired by the book Kindness Makes Us Stronger, the children were encouraged to reflect on real-life scenarios where they have shown kindness and to share these experiences with their peers.
As part of the project, the children created their own kindness posters, illustrating acts of kindness and suggesting ways we can continue to be kind to others — supporting the development of a growth mindset.
This project also promotes the development of fine motor skills, such as pencil and scissor grip, and supports early letter formation, helping to strengthen fine motor control and dexterity. The project also fosters communication and confidence as children share their ideas and suggestions with their peers.
Junior School
Junior School Athletics Carnival
On Thursday, 27 March, the Junior School House Athletics Carnival brought excitement to the Collingwood Harriers Athletic Club in Clifton Hill. Students from Prep to Year 4 eagerly took part in a variety of track and field events, showcasing their PE skills in a fun yet competitive setting. With house points on the line, friendly rivalries thrived, and school spirit shone.
The energy was amplified by the Year 4 House Captains, who led spirited chants and donned House-themed accessories. After a day of enthusiastic competition, Elliot House claimed the trophy, while parents enjoyed cheering from the sidelines — along with a visit to the ever-popular coffee cart.
Year 4 Camp – Merricks
City’s Year 4 students recently embarked on an exciting adventure at Peninsula Outdoors, a brand-new camp venue in Merricks on the Mornington Peninsula. Attending alongside their Haileybury Castlefield peers, they embraced a range of fun experiences and activities, with the glider possum — a unique twist on the classic flying fox — emerging as a standout favourite. The opportunity to visit Point Leo Beach added to the excitement, where students eagerly took to the waves for bodyboarding and bodysurfing. Exploring the rockpools was another highlight, as they investigated some of the local marine life up close. This unforgettable camp experience was filled with adventure, teamwork and plenty of fun by the coast.
Middle School
Years 7 and 8 camp adventures
Across Weeks 8 and 9 of Term 1, our Years 7 and 8 Boys and Girls ventured out on their respective camps. The four-day Year 7 camp was an introductory expedition in which the students split their time between Camp Jungai and the Rubicon Valley. While at Camp Jungai, students resided in cabins and undertook activities such as high ropes, possum pull and canoeing, as well as having powerful cultural sessions. When the students journeyed through the Rubicon Valley, they camped in tents and were introduced to a multitude of camp craft skills including learning how to arrange and carry a backpack, hike, pitch a tent and prepare and cook meals outdoors.
The five-day Year 8 camp was an outdoor experience based at Camp Marysville. The students’ time was split between tent and cabin accommodation as they developed their independence, problem solving ability and teamwork skills with students from City and Haileybury’s other Melbourne campuses. Activities included hiking, learning survival skills, cycling, rafting, playing lawn bowls and learning about the local area, including the Black Saturday bushfires. As well as being a great deal of fun and an opportunity to further develop relationships and establish new ones, the camps provided a degree of challenge for the students as they undertook less familiar tasks, building their resilience and helping prepare them for the expedition that awaits in Year 9.
A lens into learning
We recently welcomed our Year 7 families to the City campus for Middle School in Action. This morning allows parents/guardians to observe their child participating in our academic program so they can experience first-hand the learning environment that our students are privy to each day.
The Year 7 Girls undertook a poetry workshop with their English teachers, Ms Catherine McNamara and Ms Kelsey Collins, writing captivating poems about themselves. The Year 7 Boys classes each spent time with their Homeroom teachers. Year 7.1 drew impressionistic pictures in Art with Mr Blake Hicks while Mr Caleb Street conducted an experiment with Year 7.2 in which, as part of their Physics Unit, students were challenged to find a way to strike a tennis ball with a piece of wood, without the direct assistance of gravity. It was wonderful to see the poetic, scientific and artistic passion and talents of the students and their families on full display.
Middle School in Action also provided us with a wonderful opportunity to reflect on all that our Year 7 students had achieved in their first term as secondary school students, whether transitioning from Year 6 at Haileybury City or moving from a different primary school. They have had a positive impact on our City community, and we thank the families for the way they have partnered with the School.
Outstanding athletics
Tremendous autumn weather greeted the students, staff and families as we descended on Haileybury Keysborough’s Fisher Oval for our Middle School House Athletics Carnival. The day provided an opportunity for students to have fun and be physically active while also trying a range of athletic events.
House spirit was certainly built, as well as student connections across Middle School, and everyone gave their best effort irrespective of their level of experience, which is what the Middle School House Athletics Carnival is all about. There was something for everyone as activities such as rob the nest and the grand prix relay complemented traditional track and field events, with the program culminating in a thrilling 75m handicapped championship.
Well done to Na House who were the victors and thank you to Haileybury’s Chair of Athletics, Mr Mark Reed, and Mr Nick Fisher, House Convener, who oversaw the event.
Caroline Merrick
Head of City
Haileybury Parents & Friends City (HPF City)
HPF City Rooftop event
In Term 1 we held a successful HPF City Rooftop event on Friday, 14 March. This sold-out event was a great opportunity for many families to meet new people, catch up with old friends and watch the sunset, all while enjoying delicious food.
We were privileged to hear an engaging address from Caroline Merrick, Head of City Campus, as well as from the Co-Presidents of HPF City. The event also featured a captivating performance by the talented Haileybury City vocal ensemble. To add to the excitement we held several lucky door prize draws, bringing an extra element of fun to the evening. Thank you to the HPF Executive, HPF Social Representatives, families that donated items for the lucky door giveaway and the Haileybury City Executive team and staff who helped bring the event together.
HPF Community Meeting (via Zoom)
The HPF Community Meeting (held via Zoom) offers an opportunity to hear directly from school leaders and learn more about the activities and initiatives of HPF City.
The next meeting will be held Monday 5 May, 7.30 pm – 8.30 pm.
Second-hand uniform shop
The second-hand uniform shop (SHUS) continues to be another roaring success and a keen option for families. Keep an eye on the myHaileybury app for details if you wish to sell any items that your child has outgrown, or attend to purchase some additional clothing items. Items that we are in need of include summer and winter white shirts (all year levels), ELC and sports uniforms.
The next SHUS dates are:
Tuesday, 6 May 3.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Wednesday, 7 May 8.00 am – 9.00 am
Next upcoming HPF City Event
Planning commences for the Middle School Family Trivia Night which was first run last year with enormous success. This event is open to Middle School families, and students need to bring a parent/guardian. Start planning your table of eight and save the date: Friday, 13 June, 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm. Details will be posted on the app.
Melissa Fisher and Michelle White
Co-Presidents, Haileybury Parents & Friends City
