Extra-Curricular Clubs and Societies
Haileybury prides itself on its academic achievement, but the School's pupils are also known for their extensive, all-round knowledge. The range of extra-curricular clubs and societies listed below will give people a flavour of just how genuine this all-round education is.
Art Activity - This is a two-hour extra art activity for Sixth Form artists and non artists.
Bridge Club - This is an activity for the Sixth Form.
Chess Club - For all pupils.
Creative Video and Editing - pupils are working on providing content for a "Video Hearts & Wings" as well as for a "Gallery" on the Haileybury website. They film events that happen around the School each week.
Crosstalk - This is the school Christian meeting at which those who are investigating the Christian faith and those who have their own Christian faith meet to hear a passage from the Bible explained and to see how it applies to their daily life. There is also a Lower School Crosstalk, which runs on Monday lunchtimes, with the same aims as the main crosstalk meeting.
Debating - This is for Fifth and Sixth Form pupils, but there are also Lower School (see below), Removes and Middles groups. Pupils participate in internal and external competitions, culminating in an inter-House debating competition. Pupils also compete in national competitions like the Oxford and Cambridge Union. The Removes/Middles club aims to foster a more professional approach to the art of debating. With a focus on a wide variety of both contemporary and classic debating topics, the group meets each week to hone their skills. They follow British Parliamentary protocol, which enables them to compete in prestigious events - and to pitch their wits against other schools, such as the recent Oxford Schools regional heat at The City of London School.
Etiquette - This club teaches pupils things such as how to do a bow tie, how to treat a lady, silver service for beginners, napkin folding, invitation writing and replying.
House Challenge - This is an inter-house general knowledge quiz which is run on similar lines to University Challenge. Houses enter teams of four pupils, two of whom must be drawn from the Removes and Middles year groups, while the other two can be Fifths, Lower Sixths or Upper Sixths. The competition operates on a knock-out basis.
History Extension - This club is for all Lower Sixth pupils interested in reading History at University, or just History generally.
International Finance Programme - this gives Lower Sixth pupils the opportunity to learn all about the City: the participants, the markets, the instruments. It is an undeniably impressive way to demonstrate a genuine interest in finance, economics and business, and enhances pupils' university applications and future career prospects.
Italian Society - All pupils are welcome, but it is compulsory for those studying Italian at any level. Those who join are called "I Cirnechi", a type of dog that lives on Mount Etna (and nowhere else in the world). Previous lecture topics have included the Mafia (including film reference), pizza making and the history of the famous dish, Italian hand gestures, regional differences and the Ferrarri.
Lower School Debating Group - They meet weekly, and the pupils debate a variety of issues, many of their choosing. Recent debates have ranged from the importance of America's first black president, to whether the younger generation is becoming too materialistic. “Balloon debates”, where speakers assume the role of a character or person from fiction or history, are also popular and regular events.
MUN - This runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The Political Society - all Politics pupils are expected to join this prestigious and well-established society at Haileybury. It aims to promote the study and experience of political issues beyond the classroom. Outside speakers are regularly invited to address the Society and members will have the opportunity to debate issues of the day in a Mock Parliament, The Haileybury Assembly. In addition, PolSoc organises the annual LVIth Visit to Parliament, facilitated by our local Conservative MP for Hertford and Stortford, Mr Mark Prisk. The highlight of the year was the 17th Attlee Memorial Lecture on leadership - held annually in memory of our OH former Prime Minister Clement Attlee.
Rugby Club - This is an evening activity for Removes and Middles pupils.
Senior Pupils' Book Group - The Group discusses contemporary fiction. Recent books include “The White Tiger”, a recent winner of the Man Booker Award, and a Q & A into the novel that inspired the film “Slum Dog Millionaire”.
Sports TV - this group generates material for a proposed intranet/parents' portal channel, featuring highlights from Haileybury sports fixtures. They meet on Wednesdays and film on Saturdays.
Teamwork - This is run on Tuesday evenings for Removes pupils, and includes activities such as trust exercises and dropping eggs out of windows!
Technical Theatre Unit - The TTU is run to allow pupils to enjoy the experience of “Technical Theatre”. Much of their time goes towards the productions which are current ie school plays, exams and performance evenings. Contributions are also made to the annual Cabaret and Dance shows. Those participating will have the opportunity to learn as much or as little as they desire given that the activity is designed to allow for opportunities to experience the world of theatre rather than to train.
The Green Room - The English Department runs a Sixth Form Extension English Society, which meets around a dozen times a year for lectures given by various teachers on writers, texts and literary movements that the pupils are unlikely to encounter in their regular curricula.
Young Enterprise - the Haileybury Business Challenge introduces Lower Sixth Form pupils to the world of business. They learn how different types of businesses are structured and operated. Topics covered include business brainstorming and planning, marketing and sales, human resources management, production techniques, arranging finance, maintaining financial control, making a profit and corporate responsibility.
Wildlife Conservation - This is a Sixth Form activity run on Wednesday afternoons. Various tasks run in conjunction/consultation with Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust on and around the Haileybury site, including Balls Wood and Hertford Heath, which is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
