AUTUMN 2020
FOUNDATION FROM THE CHAIRMAN Welcome to the Autumn 2020 edition of Foundation News, in our 10th anniversary year. I would like to focus your attention on two maxims, the first one being widely held throughout society: Charity begins at home. While its meaning may be broad, we could agree that it is about concentrating our thoughts and actions towards ensuring those closest to us are safe and well, before we focus on doing the same for others. Never in most of our own lifetimes has this phrase been as relevant as during these past few months, for reasons that need no elaboration in this bulletin. The second maxim is one that is core to our mission as an educational charity:
FROM THE VICE PRINCIPAL While the COVID-19 pandemic has provided plenty of challenges, Haileybury has been able to offer our world-class education to our students in a virtual, online setting without skipping a beat. The School started preparing for online learning four weeks before the end of Term 1, preparing for the worst-case scenario of distance learning for two to six months. Priorities in planning included having seamless technology for teaching and learning, increasing opportunities for learners and their families to connect, reshaping the school day and supporting wellbeing and morale. The key learning to our success, however, was to focus on the wellbeing and morale of students and staff. We have actively supported teaching and learning by using Zoom technology and our learning management system (LMS). These were two systems we already had in our
NEWS
Haileybury Foundation supports those who would not ordinarily be able to attend our great school. During this crisis period, your Foundation Board has held virtual meetings to discuss and agree on how we balance these two maxims, aiming to ensure we play our part in charity beginning at home, while not losing sight of our long-term mission. We believe we have struck the right balance by fusing the two of them together: we have unanimously agreed to make available a significant sum from ‘unrestricted funds’ (as our constitution allows), to be ready to assist current Haileybury families facing genuine financial hardship, as a direct result of the COVID-19 lockdown. Of crucial importance to those who contribute directly to the Scholarship, Building or Library funds, this initiative has no impact on your generous donations, which are always restricted (by our constitution) for their specified purpose.
While on the subject of donations, it would be remiss of me, as your Chair, to forego the opportunity of asking for your help as the 2019/20 financial year draws to a close. Times of crisis require leadership and I am asking, in particular, all those leaders of our Haileybury community, past and present, paid and voluntary to join me in making a tax-deductible contribution, however small or large, prior to 30 June. If you are able to do so, now, more than ever, we need your generosity. Thanking you, in anticipation. NEIL SUTCLIFFE CHAIRMAN, HAILEYBURY FOUNDATION
school and are aligned to our staff Professional Development. From day one, every student knew they would have the same experience from one class to the next.
Our students haven’t lost a beat with their learning; however, we were delighted to see our students and staff return to face-to-face classes.
Haileybury had already built into its system a way to capture regular feedback from staff, students and parents. That feedback showed Haileybury’s Melbourne students were thriving, but some were struggling a little with morale and missing their community.
Scott Doran
In response, parents had access to group sessions with a psychologist, guest wellbeing presentations and their Head of Campus. We also added a period 0 before school and period 9 after school as optional offerings for our students. The School created videos that students could opt into covering yoga, Pilates, musicianship, High Intensity Training sessions, how to cook a nutritious breakfast, Art appreciation, reading with the library, knitting and dance. This feedback also led to the School changing the structure of the School day, including having the same lunchtime for all students to better connect with their family. Students said they wanted more opportunities for physical movement and social connections, and this was provided.
VICE PRINCIPAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & ADVANCEMENT