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Haileybury has an extraordinary Co-curricular program providing choices for students to engage in activities that develop their skills well beyond the class and in preparation for life after school.  This edition of The Haileyburian highlights just how wide the choice is for students and what remarkable growth comes out of these opportunities. 

The Program is focused around four key themes: Sport, The Arts, Experiential Learning and the Curious Minds program. Within these themes there are hundreds of opportunities for students to engage in new activities or to follow a particular passion as they move through the School. 

In sport, for example, there are more than 40 sports and activities for students to participate in across summer, winter and spring seasons. Haileybury is pleased to be a part of the Associated Public Schools (APS) competition for boys and the APS/Associated Grammar Schools Victoria (AGSV) competition for girls.   

These competitions encompass many traditional sports and more than 21,865 students participate each weekend of the winter and summer seasons.  Haileybury is highly successful in these competitions but over many years has created a much broader set of opportunities for students. 

One of the sports highlighted in this edition of The Haileyburian is the Olympic sport of rock climbing which has been offered at Haileybury for more than a decade. Anyone who watched the top rope climbing and bouldering at the Paris Olympics will have seen what an extraordinarily challenging activity and dynamic community climbers are a part of. Haileybury has led the way by making rock climbing available in a school setting and it was exciting to see that Andrew Chen (OH 2015), former Haileybury climbing instructor, coached the Australian national rock climbing team in Paris.  As one of our Year 12 students notes in the article “..something that I enjoy about rock climbing is the community behind it. There is also something about incremental progress that still feels incredibly rewarding.”   It is no surprise that many of our graduates continue with recreational climbing when they leave school. 

Space features in our Co-curricular program with the remarkable SHINE program which every year sees Haileybury students work with Swinburne University astrophysicists to send an experiment to the International Space Station.  This is the eighth year of the program and it is no surprise that a number of the brilliant young school scientists who have participated in the program go on to study at some of the world’s leading universities. 

Haileybury’s performing arts see thousands of students participate in over 60 events each year.  This year’s Year 12 musical Mama Mia! was an extraordinarily high quality, community supported event.  Haileybury supports students to embrace their love of the performing and creative arts.  One of Haileybury’s recent graduates Ash Tomelli (OH 2022) is making her mark in the art world and is putting the finishing touches on a significant mural at our Keysborough campus designed to “encourage people to “take a deep breath, slow down and be mindful of ourselves, our surroundings and take a moment to relax in our busy world”.  This addition also further acknowledges the work of Academy Award® winner Adam Elliot whose most recent film Memoir of a Snail has been so well received and critically acclaimed.    

As I write this, more than 500 Year 9 students are out around Australia and internationally on 17 different Explore and Expeditions trips.  Each student participates in two of these in their Year 9 year.  The Program was started 20 years ago and evolves and changes every year to give students opportunities to grow and develop skills that will hold them in good stead for life after school.  It is a prime example of Haileybury seeking to provide choice for students rather than having them go into a one size fits all Experiential Learning program.   

The breadth of opportunities available to students comes about because of the commitment of a great teaching staff and the support of the Corporate Services team.  Haileybury Council’s support over many years has been integral to the breath of the Program.  For 15 years (2009-2023) the Council was led by Chairman Tom Poulton.  Tom was always keen to see that students had every opportunity to grow and develop their skills through a strong Co-curricular program and that they should be able to choose from the most extensive range of choices possible.  Sadly Tom died in January of this year — his legacy, however, lives on.  Tom insisted that Haileybury students should have the strongest Academic program and the widest range of co-curricular opportunities available in any school.  As he noted annually in his update on the School to parents:  Haileybury students “deserve nothing less.” 

It is with deep sadness that we honour the passing of former Haileybury Council Chairman, Richard Tom Poulton (Tom) who made an outstanding contribution to Haileybury as a Chair of Council from 2009–2023. We celebrate Tom’s profound impact, as an enduring symbol of dedication, integrity and leadership. 

Tom attended Haileybury from 1961 and completed Year 12 in 1966. He was a member of the School Cadets, a School Probationer and was awarded the Douglas Lennie Prize for English Literature. Tom passed Matriculation in 1966 with First Class Honours in Modern History and was awarded a Commonwealth Tertiary Scholarship to study Law at Melbourne University. 

He graduated from Melbourne University with LL B (Hons.) and was a corporate lawyer for over 38 years. 

Tom advised senior management and boards of directors in some of the largest Australian and international corporations. He was also known as a long-standing advocate for women’s rights and equality in the workplace. 

In 2008, Tom joined the Haileybury Council and was elected Chairman in 2009. He served as Chairman until his retirement in 2023. Tom demonstrated outstanding stewardship, guided by a profound understanding of Haileybury’s vision and an unwavering dedication to our values.  

During his 15 years of voluntary service as Haileybury Council Chairman, the School’s impact on education in Victoria, and Australia more widely, was exceptional. Haileybury became the largest independent school in Australia with five Melbourne campuses, including our pioneering virtual campus – Haileybury Pangea and schools in Darwin and China and other international programs.  

Tom always maintained an intense interest in student activities, assiduously supporting School concerts, plays and musicals, Highland Gatherings, Speech Nights and Graduation ceremonies. His supportive presence was a constant in the life of the School.  

Tom’s service was extraordinary. He donated around 20 hours a week to his role at Haileybury.  

As Chair of Haileybury Council, Tom was an inspirational force. “His leadership was characterised by integrity, wisdom and an ability to foster collaboration. Tom not only preserved the principles upon which Haileybury was founded but also infused it with a forward-thinking spirit,” says Haileybury Principal|CEO Derek Scott.

Beyond his exemplary Board service, Tom inspired Council and the School Executive to elevate their own contributions and set new standards of excellence.  

At Haileybury, ‘every student matters every day’ and Tom strongly believed in helping students to achieve their full potential, academic and otherwise.  

He will be greatly missed. 

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Wendy, Robert, Alice and their families. 

As a student walking to Haileybury’s City campus, Ash Tonelli (OH 2022) would often pause, captivated by artists bringing blank walls to life with vibrant colour and creativity. She dreamt of one day doing the same.  

Today, that dream has come true. Ash has transformed a walkway near the Keysborough quadrangle with a stunning, nature-inspired mural — an eye-catching masterpiece that brings calm, colour and creativity to the heart of the School community. 

Purposefully designed to induce a sense of calm in passersby, Ash describes the painting as a meditation, encouraging people to “take a deep breath, slow down and be mindful of ourselves, our surroundings and take a moment to relax in our busy world.” 

Ash says she was initially inspired by the shapes and textures of the bark on the gum trees that she enjoys walking amongst. 

To develop the design, Ash initially took photos and made observational sketches of the gums and bark. After digitising the design, she experimented with making changes to the colours, composition and other design elements. The design was finalised in partnership with Rachelle Rae, Head of Visual Arts, Senior School.  

Looking closely at the mural, there are some small details that you may notice like the subtle colours and shading in the barks of the trees. 

It took Ash approximately 80 hours to hand paint the design at the School with fellow artist Edie Piastri (OH 2023). 

Ash says she enjoyed being back on campus and reconnecting with some of her former teachers. Although she was based at the City campus, where she studied a range of art subjects, she also attended Keysborough for Music Performance classes and drum lessons. 

“It’s been so heart-warming to see all my teachers again,” she says. 

She says her teachers gave her the confidence to pursue her interest in the Arts.  

“All my teachers at Haileybury saw something in me that I didn’t. They inspired me to create and made a safe space for me to do so at school. I didn’t really believe in myself at the time but their support and belief in my creative ability has stayed with me post-graduation and made me who I am as an artist,” she says. 

Ash encourages students who are interested in art and creativity to enjoy the process. “The truest form of creativity is to create with no judgement on yourself. When you create from your soul and take away the expectation that you must make a masterpiece you feel the most gratified with what you are doing,” she says. 

Since graduation, Ash has pursued various creative outlets. She has worked for Apparition Media, a studio that produces hand-painted murals and is currently pursuing her own artistic projects which include creating an organic skincare range. 

When Haileybury student Anay (Year 10) decided to conduct a survey on the psychological impacts of lockdown on school-aged children during the COVID-19 pandemic, he did not anticipate that it would pave the way for him to become the youngest presenter at a prestigious international conference. 

In late 2024, Anay presented his pioneering study on the psychological challenges of long-duration space missions at the prestigious 75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC24) in Milan. IAC24 was attended by experts from space agencies, companies and research centres from across the world.  

The Year 10 student says his research was sparked by the experience of COVID-19 lockdowns which caused him to reflect on the “psychological parallels between lockdown life and the challenges faced by astronauts.”  

These parallels included confinement, isolation and disruption from normal routines. “This perspective aligned closely in developing extended reality (XR) technologies to support astronaut mental health,” he says. 

Anay’s research explored how immersive natural environments could mitigate stress, elevate mood and enhance cognitive performance, all factors essential for maintaining wellbeing on long duration space missions.

His opportunity to present at IAC24 eventuated after Anay connected with a researcher at a workshop he attended on Humans in Spaceflight. This connection led to an invitation to join a multi-disciplinary university team, co-write a manuscript and ultimately present the findings at the congress. 

Anay had the privilege to meet multiple astronauts and hear their stories. They “were incredibly inspiring and reminded me to dream big and aim higher,” he says. He also visited Thales Alenia Space, a global space manufacturing company in Turin, where he saw the Lunar Gateway space station under construction. 

Anay says the experience has been inspirational and educational. “I left Milan with new collaborators, sharper research ideas, and an even stronger drive to push the boundaries of space medicine. It reinforced that curiosity and commitment matter far more than age.” 

The congress provided a platform to network with international industry experts. “With over 14,000 attendees from 120 nations, it was truly mind-blowing. Hearing from global experts sparked new ideas for research I now want to explore further,” he says.  

Anay is grateful for the support which has enabled him to attend IAC24. “I’m incredibly grateful to my research team and research lead for taking a leap of faith and trusting me to deliver the entire presentation. I’m also thankful to my parents, who flew across the world with me (without them this opportunity would not be possible), and to Haileybury.” 

Looking ahead, Anay will present research at the Humans in Space Symposium at the 76th International Astronautical Congress in Sydney later this year. His abstract was selected for presentation through a competitive review process. 

Year 10 student William’s passion and commitment to honour the memory of the Anzacs has led to a “life changing” trip to Türkiye to trace their footsteps on the shores of Gallipoli.  

His keen interest and passion for military history was demonstrated when he was awarded a prestigious 2024 Premier’s Spirit of Anzac prize for his project exploring the Anzac legacy and the significance of the Shrine of Remembrance Melbourne. 

William’s innovative artwork titled ‘Receipts, Red Cross and Remembrance’ was influenced by the montage-style glasswork ceiling by Australian artist Leonard French found in the Great Hall at the National Gallery of Victoria. French also created the stained-glass windows in the David Bradshaw Chapel at Keysborough. 

William completed the inspiring study tour of Türkiye in late 2024, along with 12 other students. 

While at Gallipoli, William made an emotional tribute to honour Lieutenant George Webster Binnie, an old Haileyburian killed in action at Quinn’s Post in 1915, by locating the panel featuring Lieutenant Binnie’s name at the Lone Pine Memorial. 

William found the Gallipoli “steep cliffs and almost impassable terrain” to be difficult to navigate and was grateful for outdoor experiences provided at Haileybury, such as trekking the Larapinta Trail in Year 9, which helped to prepare him for the physical challenge. 

This year William is also one of a handful of Years 9 and 10 students who have been appointed as Shrine of Remembrance Melbourne Young Ambassadors. In this role he participates in projects and commemorative services. In April he attended the Premier’s Anniversary of Anzac Day State Luncheon, participating in a Question and Answer session with several other past recipients of the Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize. 

“The Premier’s Sprit of Anzac Prize study tour was a life-changing trip. The incredible cultural and historical experiences, combined with lasting friendships, were all significant in giving me a firm direction for the future,” says William. He is keen to continue his interest in military history and honouring the Anzacs. 

William acknowledges the support he has received from the School OHA, Archives and Castlefield teams, particularly Head of Campus Mrs Katrina Manson and Brighton campus Middle School staff, including Mrs Linda Lightwood. He also thanks Building and Grounds Supervisor Mr Edward Baxter, the Moorabbin Air Museum and Shrine of Remembrance volunteers.