Each year two students are selected from Haileybury Rendall School for the Principal’s exchange program in Melbourne. Students spend Term 3 immersing themselves at one or multiple campuses at Haileybury Melbourne. Students are billeted out to families for the duration of their stay. Year 10 students Sam and Madison were selected for this amazing opportunity this year and have provided us with an insight into their first couple of weeks in Melbourne.
Year 10 Melbourne Exchange
What a wonderful and unique first week it has been!
Since we arrived on Thursday, 18 July, Melbourne has not failed to show off its famous weather specials. From brisk 14-degree maximums in the day to freezing cold 4-degree nights, it really has been a rollercoaster for the senses. Both Madi and I enjoyed our first experience of the city, with its trains, trams, cuisine, people and coffee, which I have been told many times is the best in the world.
While it was tempting to stay in the warmth of the hotel, we did get out to explore the shops and the river. I was very excited to meet my host family! Libby, Rhett, Ethan, Violet the Cat, and Rexie the Rabbit who have generously agreed to host me for the term along the lines of generosity, I would like to thank Mr McGregor, and the School for allowing Madi and I to experience this. I am sure that we will remember this for our lifetime.
I think I can speak on behalf of Madi, when I say that the first day was extremely daunting! Luckily (or unluckily in some respects), we started on a Tuesday, which meant that we began at our “new” school at the largest campus, Keysborough. This bustling campus is the beating heart of the school here in Melbourne, with busy corridors, lockers, and so, 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.
On Wednesday, the new experiences came thick and fast, with our second “first” day occurring at our home campuses. Berwick, which is my home campus, is a lot smaller than Keysborough, around the size of Haileybury Rendall School. Madi is stationed at the City campus for the duration of her experience.
An amazing start to our adventure in Melbourne in Term 3.
Sam Reader
Year 10 student
Kylie Mobilia
Head of Senior School
