In the News

Melbourne Year 12 Prefect Trip

After landing in Melbourne at 6am and flying all night, the 2026 prefect team was nothing if not overjoyed to dive head-first into Haileybury City’s Monday morning. 

Stepping off the plane to a sharp 12°C chill was an unwelcome shock to many of us, especially coming from our monsoon season, but it made the city feel exciting and different. We spent our days at the Haileybury City campus with our buddies, which conveniently placed us within the lively buzz of the CBD.

On Tuesday, we travelled to Keysborough for the inaugural Founders Assembly, an impressive and polished event that highlighted the school’s long history and sense of tradition, complete with Pipes and Drums. Sam and I (Mia) were especially pleased to finally meet George and Izzy, our Melbourne counterparts, where our dinner plans finally escaped from the WhatsApp chat. 

Afterwards, we spent time playing various sports with our buddies, ranging from Badminton to Aerobics. Freya, Jayda, Isla, Teniwah and Madi were lucky enough to join Mr. Cav’s touch football team (former HRS teacher) where we enjoyed talking to the Keysborough girls, with some fun drills on the side.

We were also fortunate enough to meet with Haileybury CEO Derek Scott, with whom we discussed leadership, social justice and plans for 2026. 

Alongside our Haileybury immersion, we squeezed in shopping trips and were able to finesse three separate visits to Yo-Chi from Mr. Barker and Ms. Mobilia.

After a four-hour layover in Sydney on our journey home, where almost everyone returned with boxes of Krispy Kreme’s, we landed in Darwin tired, but grateful – carrying with us new perspectives and connections with our peers across Australia. 

We can’t wait to welcome the Haileybury Melbourne team to Darwin when they make their way up later this year. 

Madi Woolley, Mia Trobbiani
Year 12 Leaders

The Instrumental Music Program is off to a fantastic start for the year, with rehearsals, lessons and ensembles already filling our music spaces with energy and enthusiasm. It has been wonderful to see students reconnect with their instruments, welcome new members into our choirs and strings program, and set exciting goals for the months ahead. 

At Haileybury Rendall School, our Instrumental Music Program provides students with the opportunity to develop technical skill, musical understanding and performance confidence in a supportive and inspiring environment. Tuition is available across a wide range of instruments, including strings, woodwind, brass, percussion, guitar, voice and piano. Students can participate in individual lessons as well as a variety of ensembles designed to foster teamwork, listening skills and a strong sense of community. 

Ensemble rehearsals are now underway and students are already working towards performances later in the semester. Performing is an important part of the learning journey, giving students the chance to showcase their progress, build resilience and experience the joy of making music together. 

Whether your child is a beginner eager to try an instrument for the first time, or an experienced musician looking to further refine their skills, there is a place for them in our program. Learning an instrument supports cognitive development, discipline, creativity and collaboration – skills that benefit students well beyond the music classroom. 

We warmly welcome enquiries from families interested in joining the Instrumental Music Program. If you would like further information about lesson availability, instrument hire or ensemble participation, please contact the Music Department. We look forward to another vibrant and successful year of music-making together. 

Music Department

New staff profiles - Timothy Muhamad

• What drew you to join Haileybury Rendall School?

Haileyburys values strongly aligned with my own particularly around high expectations, opportunity and community. As a family we chose to enrol our four children at HRS because we believe in the quality of education and the holistic support the school provides. I was also extremely impressed with the work being done in student wellbeing, the impact of the Wellbeing team and programs like Clontarf and Stars. The school's genuine commitment to Indigenous Education through its Ochre program and Reconciliation Action Plan. That combination of excellence and care really drew me in.

• What is your role at HRS?  and what excites you most about it?

My role is Indigenous Student Wellbeing Coordinator. I am most excited about joining an already well-established outstanding team in the Wellbeing Hub and am grateful for the opportunity to be taught and mentored by them, especially Emily Fryer who was formally in the position. I am excited to walk alongside our First Nations students supporting their wellbeing, strengthening their cultural identity and helping them thrive inside and outside the classroom. I'm passionate about helping to create a space where students feel seen, valued and proud of who they are. Being able to connect culture, education and wellbeing in a meaningful way is something I consider a privilege and I'm motivated every day by the growth and potential I see in our young people.

• What brought you to the NT, and what do you love most about living and working in the NT?

I was posted to Darwin in the Army in 2012 where I have served at both 8/12th Artillery Regiment as a Bombardier and 1st Combat Engineer Regiment as a Carpenter. The thing I love most about Darwin is the relaxed lifestyle and the ability to explore and create your own adventures on beautiful Larrakia country. 

• Do you have a favourite NT spot, activity, or local tradition you enjoy?

My favourite place to be is on or around the ocean. When the weather is good, I love to get out in the boat with my family, fishing, crabbing or enjoying a day at the beach or Cullen Bay sand bar. I also like getting a fresh juice and food at the markets to enjoy whilst taking our dogs for a run at Casuarina and Bundilla beach.

• What’s a fun fact about you that students or families might not know?

 Some facts that people may not know about me is that I really like to stay connected with as many of my Torres Strait (Zenadth Kes) Islander cultural and traditional practices as possible. These include art, carving, cooking and gardening. Living away from my home in the Islands can sometimes be challenging so I find by doing this, is a way to maintain my identity and keep me grounded. I am also a qualified carpenter and like to renovate my own house and do jobs on the weekends when I'm not chasing after my four kids.   

• What are you most looking forward to this school year at our HRS?

The thing I look forward to most is continuing to build strong foundational connections with the students to help and nurture their wellbeing through their journey at HRS. These connections are built on purposeful interactions, respect, empathy, resilience, integrity and trust.