Learning through experience

Delving into China’s culture and modern history, practising language skills during everyday conversations with locals, and studying at the Haileybury Tianjin campus in China were just some of the experiences for this year’s Year 9 students who joined Haileybury Rendall School’s inaugural China Study Tour.

Study tours like this and outdoor education experiences are an important part of the curriculum at HRS. They deepen knowledge, strengthen student engagement with their learning, and sharpen life skills like teamwork, persistence, resilience and independence.

“The China Study Tour offered a blend of experiential learning and cultural exploration. Students were immersed in real-life conversations and explored the vibrant cities of China,” says Lei Shangguan, Head of Languages at Haileybury Rendall School.

“At Haileybury Tianjin school, they used their developing language skills to form bonds with their buddies and they attended assemblies and experienced life as a boarder.”

Footy 101

HRS student, Hayley, says once school was over for the day, the Australian visitors gave their Haileybury Tianjin classmates some impromptu footy lessons!

“We all went out to the sports area and taught our new buddies how to play AFL, which was much harder than expected! Despite a few hiccups with the rules, we had plenty of fun and ended up playing a mix of NRL and AFL since Tianjin didn’t have any goal posts,” says Hayley.

Kong Seng was thrilled to join the tour and have time to catch up with Ryan, his Haileybury Tianjin buddy. They shared mathematics tasks and a meal together.

“Leaving Tianjin was bittersweet as we had made so many friends, learned so many things and experienced a different culture in such a rich way,” he says.

Next year, the lucky students who venture to China to further their language skills will visit the impressive Terracotta Warriors, the towering statues of the Longmen Grottoes and will step back 2,000 years in time to uncover China’s ancient history.

Making friends and memories in Melbourne and further afield

From China to Canberra, Year 6 students spent a week exploring Australia’s capital city and visiting the Australian War Memorial, old and new Parliament House, the Australian Institute of Sport and they also saw stars when they explored the night sky at Mt Stromlo Observatory.

Exchange visits between Haileybury Rendall School and Haileybury Melbourne are also part of the experiential learning program. Each year, two students are chosen for the Principal’s Exchange program where they spend Term 3 at Haileybury’s Melbourne campuses and stay with host families.

Sam and Madison spent the term getting used to the unpredictable Melbourne weather and the tram system and making the most of the city’s restaurant and coffee scene.

“The bustling Keysborough campus is the beating heart of the school in Melbourne with busy corridors and so many students. While very nerve-racking, the school was very helpful in assisting myself and Madi into the student body. The students were also extremely helpful when I got lost…which is more times than I am willing to admit!” says Sam.

The outdoor classroom

Outdoor Education is integral to the Haileybury Rendall School experience and this year, as part of an Adventure Bound experience, HRS students in Year 6 camped and tested their skills and nerve while abseiling, rock climbing, archery and zipping overhead on the flying fox.

“During outdoor education, students take part in activities designed to challenge them physically and mentally. This encourages personal growth and fosters a deeper connection to the environment,” says Gabrielle Barry, Outdoor Education Coordinator.

“Each activity gives students the opportunity to learn by doing and challenges them in a real-world context and the lessons learned stay with students long after they return home.”

Learning about life at Lake Argyle

In Years 7 and 8, students take on the Tabletop Track during a challenging hike over tricky terrain while Year 9 students join the Lake Argyle expedition.

“When students return from Lake Argyle, they know they can accomplish ‘hard things’,” says Gabrielle.

“They get through four days of paddling at Lake Argyle and they cook their own food on the fire, make camp, pitch tents and are responsible for their own wellbeing. By the end of the trip, they know they can withstand more than they thought possible and rely on themselves and their group to get through tough times.”

Interstate and international study tours, camps and outdoor discoveries dovetail with the in-class experiences at Haileybury Rendall School to ensure each student develops the kind of all-round skills they need for a successful future.