Isabella Zhang was in Year 8 when COVID-19 impacted the world. During lockdown, she began importing crystals and jade from China and Myanmar as a hobby. Three years later, Isabella's online store has generated $200,000 in sales revenue.
Her entrepreneurial spirit and interest in studying economics led Isabella to transfer to Haileybury for her Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE). Haileybury staff actively encourage female students to study economics, aiming to address the gender gap in the subject. Since 2021, the percentage of female economics students has more than doubled from 18% to 40% in 2025.
As a result of her time at Haileybury, Isabella has been awarded a full scholarship to study Economics at the University of Cambridge.
Despite this success, Year 12 economics enrolments are declining nationwide, with female participation experiencing a significant drop. To counteract this trend, Haileybury, through its online school, Haileybury Pangea, is working to eliminate one of the major barriers- access to Economics education in schools.
Haileybury offers VCE Economics, amongst other subjects, to all students in Victoria, while they remain concurrently enrolled at their respective schools. These classes take place at 4pm after regular school hours, allowing students to supplement their existing VCE subject choices.
To foster a more inclusive and diverse future in economics and address the talent pipeline issue, Haileybury invites industry partners to support $9,500 scholarships. These scholarships will enable students, who otherwise would not have access to the subject, to study Economics after school hours.
Read the full article by Julie Hare, Education Editor, in The Australian Financial Review, published 1 June 2025.
