Independent Schools Guide 2023: How Haileybury Pangea is leading the way in online education

When Haileybury Pangea students logged on for their first lessons in January, they became part of Haileybury’s long tradition of innovation and invention.

This has included the development of one of Melbourne’s first vertical schools in the city, building extensive educational programs in Asia, and the opening of Haileybury Rendall School in the Northern Territory.

Haileybury Pangea is the school’s latest initiative, and it is the result of several years of careful planning and development.

The online school launched this year with 92 students from Years 5 to 12 who are either studying the full school curriculum or single subjects to supplement their senior school studies elsewhere.

On a typical day, some of those students will be taking part in an online English class, discovering the complexities of the human skeletal system in a science class, meeting their teacher online for one-on-one support, or discussing an upcoming assignment in a group forum.

“Haileybury Pangea isn’t trying to replace traditional schools – it’s providing another choice for young people and their families,” says Joanna Baker, Head of Haileybury Pangea.

“Our students come from many different backgrounds. Some have significant sporting careers, others are talented performing artists with demanding schedules, and others simply find this more personalised model of learning suits them better.

“We also have families living in regional areas who would otherwise have to send their child to boarding school – this gives those children the option to be able to stay within their communities.”

Learning is delivered online in classes of about 10 students, and the average school week is made up of a bespoke blend of live instruction, prepared video content, assessment tasks, and one-on-one or small group-based time with subject teachers.

Self-paced learning is a fundamental component of the curriculum and is supported by an extensive suite of online resources. While camps and sports are not part of the core program, additional on-campus opportunities will be offered, like summer school skill-building programs and graduation.

Anna Sever, Deputy Principal (Teaching and Learning), says Haileybury Pangea uses a “stage not age” approach that ensures each student is well supported and challenged so they can make the most of their learning and advance at an appropriate pace.

“For example, if a young person in Year 7 is particularly strong in mathematics, they may instead join a Year 9 maths class,” says Sever. “Haileybury Pangea students are selfmotivated and self-paced learners, and they work hard. They are keen to learn and they aim high.”

Supporting these high aspirations are Haileybury’s expert educators, who have undertaken specialised training to teach effectively online. Many of them easily switch between bricks-andmortar classrooms and the online classroom space.

“Our live interactive classes build on the brilliance, passion and expertise of Haileybury’s teachers,” says Sever.

“Combine this with rigorous academic programs, the very latest technology and our best-practice teaching methods, and that is the essence of the Haileybury Pangea experience.”

A comprehensive wellbeing program also wraps around students, and parents complete a home learning environment checklist and a duty of care module. A parent or guardian is also expected to be at home to supervise their child when they are online.

Dedicated technology has been developed to ensure the teaching and learning experience runs smoothly and to safeguard and monitor the security and confidentiality of students.

Baker believes Haileybury Pangea is an exciting innovation in Australia’s education sector and says other schools are now reaching out and are keen to learn how they can also innovate in this space.

“This is a new frontier for education in this country,” she says.

HAILEYBURY PANGEA – ONLINE SCHOOL

Website: www.haileyburypangea.com
Phone: +61 3 9904 6115
Email: admissions@haileyburypangea.com
Years: 5-12
Denomination: No religious affiliation
Gender: Co-ed
Fees: $18,000 (full-time school) -$4000 (single VCE subject)
Boarding: N/A
Scholarships: Yes
ATAR (median for 2022): N/A

This article appeared in Domain’s 2023 Independent Schools Guide.