Excellence in primary education does not happen by accident. It is the result of intentional design, deep understanding of child development and an unwavering commitment to wellbeing and growth. As a six-time national Primary School of the Year, Haileybury has learned that outstanding learning environments are shaped by purpose, not trend.
At a time when schools, including primary schools, are expected to constantly innovate, personalise learning at scale, and respond to an increasing range of wellbeing needs for students and staff, the core fundamentals that underpin a great primary education can get overlooked or simply lost.
Yet the most outstanding schools are proving that excellence and achievement are not about chasing trends and innovating for innovation’s sake. Instead, they focus on disciplined and evidence-based teaching, sharing professional expertise, delivering a broad curriculum, and a strong belief that all students can be high achievers in their own right.
These are key ingredients in Haileybury Primary School’s recipe for success. The school has won the prestigious Australian Education Awards a record six times, while Haileybury Rendall School in Darwin was recently recognised as the top-performing Primary School in the Northern Territory for NAPLAN results for the fifth consecutive year.
Deputy Principal (Junior School), Grenville Green, believes the non-selective school’s achievements are the result of a deliberate and multi-faceted approach to education.
A rigorous academic program with an early focus on building foundations in literacy and numeracy ensures each student has a strong start to their educational journey, and the curriculum and teaching and learning programs are evidence-based, built on best practice and are regularly reviewed and refreshed so they are fit for purpose and future-focused.
We don’t stand still
“We don’t stand still. We continue to reflect and to work with our teaching teams and the latest research. At the same time, while we innovate and look at new ideas, we continue to be grounded in what is working well,” says Grenville.
For the past 20 years, Haileybury Primary School has used an Explicit Teaching Model, based on ‘I Do, We Do, You Do.’ Teachers show children exactly what they are learning and why and how to do it. This clear and structured approach embeds skills and confidence.
Its effectiveness is evidenced by Haileybury’s NAPLAN results which consistently place the school in the top three open entry schools in Victoria at Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 in Literacy and Numeracy.
Working together for all
Cross-campus collaboration is another element of the school’s growth, with teachers working together for the benefit of every student.
“We’re a multi-campus school and we focus on our collective capacity. We look at how we can continue to move upwards, work together and learn from each other,” explains Grenville.
“We take the best practices, insights, contributions and resources from our brilliant teachers across our campuses, including our school in Darwin, and use that shared expertise to create great outcomes for our students.”Grenville Green, Deputy Principal (Junior School)
The brilliance of teaching
To further develop its ‘brilliant’ teachers, Haileybury emphasises ongoing professional development and analyses how to enhance the strengths within teaching teams. A teaching and learning team operates on the ground at each campus to roll out consistent messages, ideas and practices across classrooms.
Each subject area also has a head teacher who looks at a specific subject program, the scope and sequencing of skills and relevant professional learning.
“Most primary schools wouldn’t have access to that kind of expertise, but we have the ability to look across campuses to identify the bright spots and to share that practice,” says Grenville.
A deep care
“If you think of a superhero, each superhero has different super powers, and so do teachers, but if we share those powers, everyone benefits. When we recruit teachers, we look for personal qualities, because we can teach skills and build teacher capacity but you can’t change someone’s love for teaching. Our teachers care deeply about what they do.”
Pastoral care and student wellbeing are also essential to Haileybury Primary School’s reputation and success. The school’s mantra that ‘Every student matters every day’ is brought to life in every classroom and students feel safe, heard and valued by teachers who love their craft.
As well as their Home Room teacher, students and families are supported by individual needs supervisors, psychologists and school counsellors.
A great place to be
A comprehensive wellbeing program mapped across the school helps students build skills and awareness in important areas such as emotional regulation, cyber safety and respectful relationships.
Throughout the school year, a calendar of celebrations and events also brings students, teachers, families and the broader school community together.
“Every student matters every day. Every staff member matters every day. Those statements are lived and sit at the centre of every decision we make,” says Grenville.
“Our students love coming to school and so do our teachers. That’s when you know you’ve built something that truly works. Haileybury Primary School is a great place to be.”
In the spirit of reconciliation, Haileybury acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
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