Wyndham Star Weekly and Maribyrnong & Hobson Bay
The City Is Our Classroom
Haileybury’s City Campus offers some unique spaces that bring learning to life
On any day of the week, city workers and tourists enjoying the sights of Melbourne will see the familiar black and magenta uniforms of Haileybury students as they explore the streets, laneways, parks and museums.
Whether focusing on social justice and community service, learning theins and outs of entrepreneurship,orstriving for academic excellence, a typical day for students at Haileybury’s City campus is a diverse and interesting experience.
Located in King Street in the busy CBD, the 12-storey vertical campus includes 1,500 sqm of outdoor recreation space spread over three terraces, 1,000 sqm of indoor sporting facilities and an expansive music, art and drama space.There are also state-of-the-art science facilities.
The campus is home to approximately 700 students from ELC to Senior School who are all part of a tight-knit community that makes the most of the learning opportunities that come with being close to Melbourne’s best cultural, historic and sporting precincts.
But it is what happens within these spaces and the relationships that are built between students and their teachers that have most impact, according toMelissa Allen, Head of Teaching & Learning (Middle School).
“Relationships are the foundation of quality teaching,” says Ms Allen.
“Once you have a solid relationship built on trust and on honest and critical feedback, then students can engage in their learning and get the most from the teachers who are experts in their field.”
Year 8 students at the City campus take part in the Haileybury Startup program to develop entrepreneurial flair and skills like digital literacy, critical thinking, design thinking and teamwork. Students might alsovolunteer with The Smith Family student2student reading program, helping a ‘buddy’ from another school to improve their reading skills.
Senior School students at City campus balance their VCE studies with a range of co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities including sport, the arts and STEM and LEAP activities (Literature, Entrepreneurship, Arts and Politics).
From learning how to help alleviate poverty and disadvantage and taking part in creative projects like ‘writing a book in a day’ and painting portraits for the ‘City Bald Prize’, the City campus provides students with plenty of opportunities to try new experiences, to learn, reflect and be curious.
“Every student matters every day at our City campus,” says Caroline Merrick, Head of Haileybury City.
“Our students leave school with the capacity to solve problems, to think critically, to take the initiative and to be innovative.”
