Creating choice and flexibility for teachers

Offering teachers options around where, when and how they teach is vital to retain the best and brightest in the industry. Schools with multiple campuses across major cities, and with international, interstate and online alternatives deliver plenty of options and opportunities.

After returning from London in 2016, Bethany Bekker taught across several of Haileybury’s campuses in Melbourne. However, when her daughter was born in 2023, Bethany and her partner wanted to live somewhere warmer and closer to Bethany’s parents and so they relocated to the NSW Central Coast. Fortunately, Bethany didn’t have to cut ties with Haileybury. Instead, she transitioned to teaching Legal Studies and Business Management at Haileybury Pangea, the school’s fully online campus. “Once I knew I could teach with Haileybury Pangea, it made the decision to move interstate so much easier,” says Bethany, who teaches in an office at her home. “It has been empowering to know I can still be part of this school while making some big life decisions for my family. Returning to work after maternity leave can often be a challenge when trying to balance everything, however the flexibility of online teaching has really helped me continue doing what I love. Professionally, teaching online has given me the opportunity to upskill in many ways that I wouldn’t have done otherwise.

Bethany is also a Deputy Head of House so has a pastoral support role and she works with students who need extra support and care. “Teaching online has afforded my family and I so much more flexibility than a bricks and
mortar campus particularly helpful in this season of life with a toddler!” she says.

A new Northern Territory lifestyle

Since the start of this year, Kellie Salmon has also been settling in to life in a new location. Kellie teaches Year 6 and is the Sports Co-ordinator at Haileybury Rendall School in Darwin after previously teaching at schools in the UK and US. She also spent 22 years at an International Baccalaureate school on the Mornington Peninsula. Now she is enjoying new experiences and learning opportunities in the Northern Territory. “I needed a change and saw working in Darwin as an opportunity to have an adventure, experience something new and different and to see more of Australia,” she says. “Haileybury Rendall School is growing and I also thought it could provide leadership opportunities and the chance to do something new. I was a Mathematics Learning Specialist at my previous school and I’m particularly interested in improving the mathematical understanding and skills of all students.”

Haileybury Rendall School has a number of Indigenous students and Kellie’s understanding of Indigenous culture has deepened during professional development sessions that educate staff about Indigenous history and stories.
“I loved the Welcome to Country ceremony where we walked into the ocean and listened to an Elder explain the process and meaning behind the ceremony. I was also fortunate to join the Year 6 camp which was amazing. We slept in tents in a national park, listened to the wildlife at night and slept under the stars. “ From student to an interesting secondment Brianna Witte also teaches at Haileybury Rendall School after moving to Darwin on
secondment from Melbourne in 2023. She joined Haileybury’s teaching staff in 2018 but her connection with Haileybury goes back much further as she is a former student. “In Melbourne, I was involved in creating new programs in design thinking, entrepreneurship and strategic education which pushed me to think beyond the classroom. At Haileybury

Rendall School, I’ve been able to deepen my cultural awareness and engaging with Indigenous Elders and communities has highlighted to me the duty we have as teachers and. as a school to bridge the gap in educational outcomes,” says Brianna. She has been taken on leadership responsibilities as Head of Humanities for Years 7 to 12 and now as Head of Teaching and Learning (Middle School). Before moving to Darwin, Brianna was also part of the team that developed Haileybury Pangea, which is Haileybury’s online campus. “Haileybury offers opportunities – you just need to put up your hand,” she says.

“You can relocate to the Northern Territory, join a campus in China, work on cutting edge- programs like Haileybury Pangea or simply refine your classroom practice. There’s an incredible platform for professional growth and career development.” Any teacher, anywhere Haileybury has long recognised the importance of attracting, retaining and rewarding committed and talented teachers. As well as offering opportunities for professional enhancement, increasing flexibility in how, when and where educators teach has been a priority.

Haileybury teachers can work at any of the Melbourne campuses in the city, Keysborough, Brighton or Berwick, at Haileybury Rendall School in Darwin, or at Haileybury Tianjin in China. With support from a dedicated Digital

Learning team, teachers can also deliver classes online to students across Victoria and the Northern Territory who are enrolled in Haileybury Pangea. Many teachers combine on-campus teaching with online classes through Haileybury Pangea, creating a flexible and dynamic teaching environment.

From Latin to Mandarin

Chris Parkinson spends his working day teaching English to Senior School students at Haileybury Tianjin in China. He was previously located at Haileybury in Melbourne where he taught Latin online to students across all four of the school’s Melbourne campuses. “From teaching online in Melbourne to now working in China, I’ve been able to refine my practice across diverse settings,” says Chris. “When I began teaching in the fully online Latin program, I was supported by IT and curriculum teams to develop engaging digital content and adapt to the demands of online delivery. In China, the focus has shifted to cross-cultural teaching and I’ve benefited from the
expertise of my local and international colleagues. “I’d previously travelled to China and developed a deep appreciation for the culture, language and food. Many new Australians have roots in Asia and working in China is an
opportunity for me to contribute to that ongoing connection between Australia and Asia, while improving my Mandarin and enjoying one of the world’s great cultures.” Chris has visited the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the

Summer Palace but says some of his best moments have been simple, everyday interactions on the street. “I’ve always been met with openness, good humour and a gracious willingness to help,” he
says.

See where your teaching career could take you

Haileybury is inviting teachers to join one of two upcoming Teacher Open Day either online on Thursday, 31 July, or in person at the Keysborough campus on Saturday, 2 August.

Senior leaders from Haileybury Pangea (online campus), Haileybury Rendall School in Darwin, and Haileybury Tianjin (China) will speak about the opportunities available.

Online event details

When: Thursday, 31 July, 5.00pm-6.00 pm

Where: link will be provided when registered

Register here

In-person event details

When: Saturday, 2 August, 11.00 am-1.00 pm

Where: Haileybury Keysborough campus – Senior School, 855 Springvale Road, Keysborough

Register here