OHA Week August 22 – 26… a resounding success!
We were excited to finally launch our inaugural OHA Week on Monday August 22!
The Old Haileyburians Association (OHA) was established in 1903 and aims to ensure alumni stay connected through events, clubs, networking connections, programs and services.
OHA Week was a fun week of engaging activities for students across all year levels throughout the Senior and Middle Schools. Students had the opportunity to learn more about their alma mater, the people that have gone before them and the opportunities available after they leave Haileybury.
OHA Week has three objectives;
- To bring awareness to the OHA brand for current students.
- To bring awareness to the activities and services that the OHA can provide to alumni.
- To bring an awareness of prominent Old Haileyburians.
On the Tuesday, it was the Senior School’s special day. The weather may not have been ideal but that didn’t discourage the students immersing themselves in our mini carnival filled with interactive activities such as virtual reality, bubble soccer and mini golf. They were also treated to delicious snacks from a range of food trucks, listened to tunes by Skratch DJ’s and even had the opportunity to relax in a bean bag when the sun finally broke through the clouds. Alumni representing the OHA Football and Cricket Clubs generously volunteered to help run these activities whilst at the same time promoting their Clubs.
Pre Senior students had the pleasure of participating in one of fifteen different activities after lunch. Along with activities such as bubble soccer, group fitness with Chris Poppleton, martial arts with Allstars Martial Arts Defence Academy, mini golf and giant games, learn to draw caricatures with the talented Anthony Pascoe, painting with The Art Factory and a very relaxing Yoga session, we were thrilled to have our alumni involved in the afternoon as well.
Former Outstanding Young Alumni Award winner Hayley Marlow (OH 2013), Founder of Colours & Honey, conducted a Jewellery Design workshop in which gorgeous acrylic earrings and key rings were created by students. Barbara van der Merwe (OH 2015), also a former Outstanding Young Alumni Award winner and Founder of Money Matters, presented an insightful session on the Hidden Costs of Buying a Car and other important money matters. Tom Bainbridge (OH 2008), another former Outstanding Young Alumni Award winner and a well-known stand-up comedian, had the students in stitches and encouraged them to try their hand at it as well. Brent Law (OH ‘92), a MICA Paramedic, provided a hands-on and engaging session titled “The Life of a Paramedic” which also featured a MICA vehicle. Mark Thompson (OH ’82), President of the OHA Bowls Club, had the students bowling like Olympic champions. Marc Peterson (OH ’98) inspired our future female engineers with a powerful workshop on Women in Engineering and Construction. Our AFL and AFLW superstars, and this year’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award winners Cody Weightman (OH 2019) and Alice Burke (OH 2020) together with Jessica Matin (OH 2020) conducted a masterclass on the Rendall Oval for those seeking to improve their skills.
It has been wonderful to celebrate OHA Week; and what better way to conclude the festivities with a BBQ. The Middle School students across all campuses Keysborough, Brighton, City and Berwick enjoyed a delicious BBQ courtesy of the Old Haileyburians Association.
We thoroughly enjoyed providing awareness of the OHA brand through connection with current alumni, students and staff who participated and celebrated with us throughout the week. Thank you to everyone involved!
We look forward to making next year’s OHA Week even bigger and better!
