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NEWS
Haileybury’s
Australian Education Awards hat trick
H
aileybury has won three of the nation’s top education accolades at the Australian Education Awards 2021, including non-government Primary School of the Year for a third time. Haileybury also beat leading schools across the country to win Best Remote Learning Program and Best Student Wellbeing Program in the annual awards presented by The Educator. At the virtual awards ceremony on Friday, 3 December Haileybury’s Primary School was acknowledged for the strength of its programs. The School’s holistic and tailored programs nurture children during their earliest years of education, using the successful Explicit Teaching Model and techniques such as ‘I Do, We Do and You Do’ to embed learning and confidence in the school’s youngest students. Head of Haileybury’s Edrington campus, Mrs Jeanette Rawlings, said the school was honoured to be recognised again, particularly in light of the challenges schools faced in 2021.
“It has been a challenging period for all students, including those in our primary years. We are so proud of the efforts of our students and staff in continuing a strong program in and out of each lockdown,” she said. “It is well-recognised that the primary years of school are a critical time in a child’s educational journey and so we are thrilled that Haileybury’s work to create the best possible primary school environment has been recognised again. On behalf of Haileybury, I am thrilled to accept this award.” A seamless and comprehensive transition to online learning through lockdown also contributed to Haileybury winning the Best Remote Learning Program award. Haileybury has long recognised the potential of digital technology to enhance learning and its forward-looking approach in this space was underscored during the pandemic. “We prioritise great teacher practice, supported by great technology. Haileybury strives to deliver the best quality education and care of our students and moving to remote classrooms has been integral in the continuing support of our students,” says Ms Anna Sever, Deputy Principal (Teaching and Learning). “As most schools contracted their programs during lockdown, Haileybury expanded its breadth of opportunities for students. As many institutions said, ‘No, that is not possible’, our attitude was that we would find a way to make learning possible – and to realise that perhaps some of
the newer methods of learning may work even better.” As part of its remote learning program, Haileybury staff and students were provided with intensive digital learning support, students could access optional online sessions including music concerts and extra academic support, and special periods before and after school offered everything from cooking classes and Lego challenges to wellbeing sessions and Zumba family fitness classes. The Educator judges also recognised the strengths of Haileybury’s comprehensive Student Wellbeing program. “Haileybury promotes good mental health, healthy relationships, a growth mindset, a sense of belonging and resilience. This encourages our students to strive for their own personal excellence, safe in the knowledge that Haileybury believes that ‘every student matters every day’,” says Ms Maria Bailey, Director of Counselling. Each year level has a specific curriculum to ensure students of all ages enjoy the very best emotional and social wellbeing and during the pandemic, Haileybury’s team of psychologists provided secure online telehealth counselling sessions and supported staff and students. Some members of the Haileybury staff have undertaken Youth Mental Health First Aid accreditation and parent education programs have been offered to Junior, Middle and Senior years families. The school also has two ‘Care Dogs’ who have become part of the school community. “Our staff work tirelessly to deliver a wellbeing program that encompasses all aspects of the curriculum to build resilience while helping students who need support and extending that support to parents in trying times,” says Ms Bailey.
