From student-led lunchtime social clubs to engaging in social justice initiatives or tackling mental and physical challenges, students at Haileybury Pangea have access to many exciting opportunities that foster learning and exploration.
The Haileybury Pangea program is designed to provide students with opportunities to excel while balancing their learning and building engaged learners with critical skills. “In core subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science and the Humanities we prepare students for the Senior years by supporting them to develop a deeper understanding of issues and higher-level learning outcomes,” says Natasha Eshuis, Head of House, Haileybury Pangea.
As students progress to the senior years and make specialist study choices they are supported with a comprehensive process designed to ensure informed decision making. This includes providing career guidance and information on subject content and outcomes. Study programs are developed for each student, taking into consideration the type of subjects studied, the times they are offered, and in what combination they are studied.
“We also have accelerated VCE pathways that allow students to access VCE subjects from Year 10, and complete multiple Unit 3 and 4 subjects in Years 11 and 12 if it is appropriate,” says Natasha.
Students can also undertake a range of advanced or specialised pathways within the curriculum in order to follow their unique interests and talents.
These include accelerated core subjects like Advanced Mathematics or opportunities to enhance literacy skills with Literature instead of Enrichment English.
“The flexibility of the online and asynchronous model can also accommodate more opportunities for external enrichment,” says Natasha.
This includes accessing external language courses and University-level subjects that are offered to secondary students.
It also provides an avenue for students to pursue unique interests. For example, last year, while in Year 11, student Tiarni completed a Zoos Victoria Youth Leadership Program as well as work experience at Australia Zoo in Queensland. Another student, Abby, who completed VCE Music 3 and 4 in 2024, found the Haileybury Pangea format allowed her to dedicate more time to her goal of becoming a professional musician.
At Haileybury Pangea students can enrol in single VCE subjects and starting in 2026, three VCE subjects, Accounting, Economics and Latin, will be conveniently scheduled outside of school hours (subject to interest). This approach accommodates students who are studying at other Victorian schools and allows Haileybury Pangea students greater access to study opportunities while tailoring their schedules to fit their needs and interests.
The uniquely flexible online study format at Haileybury Pangea also allows students to take advantage of a range of opportunities that might not be possible in a more traditional face-to-face school.
As Remi, Year 12, states, “[the School] accommodates all different types of students with different lifestyles and goals.”
The School offers a range of ways for students to pursue interests and foster personal growth while deepening connections and relationships with their teachers and peers.
This includes social lunchtime clubs and the opportunity for students to step up into student year level representative roles to support cohort-based student-led initiatives, events and student voice activities.
Other programs such as DigiTech, allow students to use technology to solve real-world problems and collaborate on projects together. The Model United Nations (MUN) program provides opportunities for students to learn about and discuss politics from a variety of different points of view. These programs are designed to engage and inspire students as they connect through likeminded activities and at the same time learn valuable skills.
Themed enrichment weeks such as LEAP Week (Literature, Entrepreneurship, Arts and Politics) and STEM Week (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) also offer engaging online workshops and challenges.
“Whole school initiatives like LEAP Week and STEM Week bring students together in fun, collaborative ways, helping them build friendships and feel part of an active, connected online school community,” explains Alysia Degorski, Haileybury Pangea teacher, Curious Minds Coordinator and Deputy Head of Science (Years 5 and 6).
The student-led and initiated magazine The Pangean, is open to all year levels and fosters creativity and collaboration across the school community.
“Our online setting is designed to support student connection. Social lunchtime clubs, cross-year projects like The Pangean magazine, and programs like DigiTech and MUN encourage interaction through shared interests,” says Alysia.
Students can also engage in competitions like the Science Talent Search, the Australian Geography Competition, National History Challenge, and ICAS (English, Spelling, and Writing). This participation allows students to “extend their learning and connect with peers through shared academic passions,” comments Alysia.
In summary, the very special approach at Haileybury Pangea allows students to pursue academic excellence while also ensuring they have opportunities to grow and develop in preparation for a world of opportunity beyond school.
