Celebrating growth across the HRS Strings Program
Term 3 has begun with tremendous energy and enthusiasm across the HRS Strings Program. With record enrolments and now three string ensembles rehearsing regularly, it has been wonderful to see so many students embracing opportunities to learn, perform, and grow as musicians.
Year 2 Gold Strings has been a standout this term. Students have already learned six pieces and are preparing for their Book Week Library performance. After taking their instruments home for the first time, they are developing positive practice habits and are now excited to begin playing with the bow as they take the next step in their musical journey.
Our newest ensemble, Min Min Strings (beginners), has made an impressive start and will present its first performance during Book Week. Meanwhile, Marrakai Strings (intermediates) and Mindil Strings (advanced) continue to build their repertoire in preparation for upcoming performances, including the Twilight Concert.
Families are warmly invited to our HRS Strings Recital on Wednesday 19 August at 5:30pm, featuring students who have achieved AMEB Grade 1 and above as they celebrate their musical progress and achievements.
We look forward to an exciting and rewarding term ahead, filled with performances, learning opportunities and musical achievements for all our string students.
Sarah Ladd
Head of Strings
Garma Festival
For the second year, four HRS students had the opportunity to attend the Garma Festival at Gulkula, near Nhulunbuy. For our students, it was far more than a school trip. It was an opportunity to listen, learn, ask questions and experience Yolŋu culture, knowledge and Country in a way that simply cannot be replicated in a classroom.
Across four days, our students engaged with Yolŋu leaders and Elders, attended cultural workshops, listened to discussions and performances, and met young people from across Australia. We were incredibly proud to see HRS students out on Country participating in traditional celebrations.
Our students had the following to say about the experience:
Mia (Year 12)
Attending the 2026 Garma Festival was an unparalleled experience that I surely will never come close to again – unless I go again! The opportunity to hear and experience cultural learning directly from Yolŋu elders was profoundly different from any other study of Australian Indigenous cultures that I have ever been a part of, as was watching Baker Boy perform on country, to an audience where over 2/3 of the members spoke Yolŋu Matha as a first language.
Sam (Year 12)
Garma was an invaluable opportunity to be immersed in culture, showcasing the willingness of the Yolŋu people to share their knowledge to all Australians. With strategic visits from politicians, it’s a bespoke forum for discussions on important issue. It was a life changing and eye-opening experience.
Jakarli (Year 12)
Going to Garma impacted me in an amazing way. I was surprised to see so many clans together and showing their cultures, dances, and way of living (medicines and solutions to physical and mental health). It was an amazing experience to see clans show their cultural dances, songs and understanding of their culture that had been passed down for generations
Tarisai (Year 11)
Garma provided an invaluable learning experience, giving me the opportunity to engage with diverse Indigenous cultures and participate in activities that challenged me in meaningful ways. It encouraged me to step beyond my comfort zone and appreciate cultural practices I would not have encountered otherwise.
Anthony Barker
English Teacher/Year 12 Coordinator/Chair RAP
Continuing our fortnightly visit to Pearl Aged Care
It has been beautiful to witness the relationships forming in our fortnightly visits to Pearl Aged Care in Fannie Bay. Each time we walk into the foyer, we are greeted with smiles and waving hands from the residents. Darcie, Abbey, Dylan, Shreyashi and Alice are always quick to sit down and engage with either returning or new residents. A recent highlight was Stuart San, a Year 12 student, joining our visit to play a few pieces on the violin. As soon as he started playing Over the Rainbow, several residents were singing along, and it was a lovely reminder of the power of music to bring people together. We look forward to deepening relationships with the residents, with a future goal of extending the visits to include more middle school students.
Phoebe O’Loughlin
Deputy Head of English
Unit 4 VM Numeracy students shine during Taxation Unit
The Unit 4 VM Numeracy class has recently completed their Taxation unit, and their outstanding commitment, work ethic and determination deserve special recognition.
Students were introduced to a range of real-world financial concepts, including wages, annual salaries, Australian tax brackets and income tax calculations. What stood out most was not only their ability to master these complex skills but also the maturity and independence they demonstrated throughout the learning process.
Students approached every task with enthusiasm and perseverance, consistently showing a willingness to challenge themselves and deepen their understanding. They actively engaged in meaningful discussions, asked thoughtful questions, and worked collaboratively to solve problems. Their curiosity and desire to understand the "why" behind taxation helped create a classroom culture focused on learning rather than simply completing tasks.
One of the most impressive aspects of the unit was the way students supported one another. Many students willingly shared strategies, explained calculations, and assisted classmates who encountered difficulties. Fostering a positive learning environment where everyone felt encouraged to succeed. Their ability to remain focused, motivated, and self-directed throughout the unit reflects the valuable employability and life skills that are central to the Vocational Major program.
As their teacher, I have been incredibly proud of the dedication, resilience, and teamwork demonstrated by every student. Their achievements throughout the Taxation unit are a testament to their strong work ethic and commitment to personal growth. You have set a fantastic example of what can be achieved through determination, collaboration, and a genuine desire to learn.
Nadia Du Plessis
Head of Applied Learning and LMS Coordinator
AYO Cellist shares her journey with Haileybury Rendall School students
Haileybury Rendall School was delighted to welcome internationally acclaimed cellist and Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO) alumna Charlotte Miles for a special afternoon with our young string players ahead of the Australian Youth Orchestra's Darwin concert.
The visit was organised by Haileybury Rendall School Strings and Cello Tutor Rebecca Harris, who also toured with the Australian Youth Orchestra during its previous visit to Darwin more than 30 years ago and has fond memories of performing with the AYO in the Territory.
During rehearsals, Charlotte worked closely with students from our Mindil Chamber Strings ensemble, sharing her expertise as both a performer and educator. She joined rehearsals, played alongside students, offered feedback, and shared practical insights into ensemble playing, musicianship, and performance preparation.
Students also had the opportunity to hear about Charlotte's musical journey and gain a unique insight into life as a professional musician. She introduced students to her beloved cello, “JoJo”, spoke about how she first fell in love with the instrument, and reflected on the challenges, rewards, and memorable experiences that have shaped her career. Her honest and engaging approach resonated strongly with students and provided valuable encouragement for their own musical development.
Charlotte's generosity, warmth, and wealth of experience left a lasting impression on our students, inspiring them to continue developing their skills and passion for music.
We are incredibly grateful to Charlotte for sharing her time, knowledge, and enthusiasm with our students, and to the Australian Youth Orchestra for helping create such a memorable and inspiring experience for the next generation of Territory musicians.
Rebecca Harris
HRS Cello & String Tutor
HRS students paint at the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair
Thirty Haileybury Rendall School students had an incredible opportunity recently to participate in a mural workshop at the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, working alongside Larrakia artist Trent Lee.
Throughout the three-day event, students collaborated to create a large-scale mural while learning from Trent about the creative process, teamwork, and the importance of sharing stories through art. The mural panels will now return to Haileybury Rendall School, where students will continue developing and completing the artwork together.
While at the Art Fair, students also explored the outstanding exhibition spaces, experienced vibrant cultural performances, and immersed themselves in one of Australia's leading celebrations of First Nations art and culture.
For many of our students, the weekend was especially meaningful as they had the opportunity to reconnect with family members and friends from their home communities who were attending or exhibiting at the Art Fair. It was wonderful to see students proudly engaging with their culture while representing the school.
A huge thank you to the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Larrakia artist Trent Lee, Dulux, and McDonald's for supporting this fantastic initiative and providing our students with such a memorable and inspiring experience. We look forward to seeing the finished mural proudly displayed at HRS.
Polly Johnstone
Head of Visual Art - Visual Art Teacher
Kompheim Committee
In April of this year, a group of 24 Senior Students, together with four members of staff, were fortunate to travel to Cambodia, a nation with a rich and complex history.
In addition to exploring its bustling cities and beautiful countryside, the students also had the privilege of working with HUSK Cambodia, a non-profit organisation based around Siem Reap. HUSK work to improve rural livelihoods by running community education, housing and health programs, and the students were able to contribute by helping to build a home for a local family and teaching the children English.
For our students, the trip was life changing and a definite reminder of how fortunate we are. The people of Kompheim have so little, yet they are so grateful. With this in mind, we decided to form the Kompheim Committee, to help support the HUSK organisation on an ongoing basis. Currently, we are raffling an amazing picnic hamper. There are all sorts of great products in there, and even a couple of bottles of wine (so we're asking that it be collected by an adult please).
The money that we spent putting this hamper together, in Cambodia, could buy you around 140 street meals, or about 280 short trips by Tuk-tuk, so if you could please get behind the Kompheim Committee in supporting HUSK and the amazing work they do by considering purchasing a ticket. They're only $2 each or 3 for $5, and the funds raised will go towards a scholarship for a HUSK student to go on to further their education. The hamper can be found at Main Reception, with tickets on sale until Friday, 21 August.
Cooper Wieck
Kompheim Committee
