Arts

Performing Arts

Thank you for the music

Haileybury’s recent production of Mamma Mia was a spectacular triumph, drawing a record-breaking audience, standing ovations and a joyous finale that erupted into a karaoke-style singalong of ‘Waterloo.’

This vibrant musical showcased the talents of 90 students from Years 9–12. This high-energy performance was bursting with heart, humour and unforgettable music, brought to life by a cast rich in depth and diversity. Alexis delivered a powerhouse rendition of ‘The Winner Takes It All,’ filling the theatre with emotional intensity and stunning vocal strength. Ruby captivated the audience with her exquisite and heartfelt performance of ‘I Have a Dream.’ Framed by a stage glowing with stars, the final moments of the show truly captured the themes of hope, community and love.

From lead roles to ensemble moments, every performer contributed to a polished, emotionally resonant experience. The dynamic choreography flanked the audience on all sides, creating an immersive atmosphere that had the crowd completely engaged.

This production was not only a celebration of ABBA’s timeless music, but also a testament to extraordinary talent, creative storytelling and above all, collaboration.

Nicole Smith
Head of Drama and Theatre Studies

Music

Anzac Day Commemoration March

Anzac Day is one of the most significant dates on the Australian calendar — a time to pause and honour the courage, service and sacrifice of those who have served their country in times of conflict. Over the years in this newsletter, I have often reflected on the vital role music plays in our community, not only as a source of entertainment, but as a powerful force in ceremony, celebration and remembrance. Anzac Day is a profound example of this.

In this edition, I would like to acknowledge the outstanding contribution our musicians made at the official Melbourne Anzac Day Commemoration March.

Two of our ensembles proudly represented Haileybury: Haileybury Bugle Corps and Haileybury Pipes & Drums.

The Haileybury Bugle Corps, under the leadership of brass tutor Mr David Robinson, led an enthusiastic and moving performance. Mr Robinson, a corporal in the Army Reserve, has previously performed ‘The Last Post’ and ‘Reveille ‘at the Melbourne Shrine Dawn Service and regularly appears at AFL and A-League Anzac services. His deep understanding of the occasion brings an authenticity and dignity to the Bugle Corps’ role in the parade. This year, 80 students and nine staff performed as part of this remarkable ensemble.

The Haileybury Pipes & Drums, led by Mr Daniel Staley, also participated with distinction. As one of Haileybury’s most decorated ensembles, the Pipes & Drums Band has earned an elite reputation through its success at international competitions and the high calibre of its performances. The pride and reverence they inspire are always a privilege to witness — and Anzac Day was no exception. More than 70 students and staff marched with Haileybury Pipes & Drums this year.

I am incredibly proud of the dedication, discipline and spirit our student musicians and their teachers brought to such an important day.

Rod Marshall
Director of Performing Arts & Head of Haileybury Music

LEAP Week Visual Arts Activities

We are thrilled to present our Senior School community with an abundance of creative workshops and experiences as part of the upcoming LEAP Week that celebrates Literature, Enterprise, Arts and Politics at Haileybury.

• Keysborough Gallery Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes: Architectural model making challenge. Participants will be presented with a brief and supported to learn the art of model making with our VCE Visual Communication Design staff as they realise their ideas in 3-D form.

• Mural Collaboration: The 2025 Art Captains and committee are working with past art students, Ashley Tonelli (OH 2022) and assistant Edie Piastri (OH 2023) to design a mural for the walkway between Wings Cafe and the wellbeing area, highlighting the importance of taking a moment to breathe and connect with the moment you are in, which ultimately enhances creative thinking and mental clarity as well as overall health. This project has been a great chance to develop reciprocal partnerships with our OHA pursuing creative industries after school and ensuring they are supported as a way of giving back to the arts in Australia. Ashley has been working with Apparition Media painting commercial murals in Melbourne after graduating in 2022, receiving the art prize and was the youngest member invited to join the Victorian Artists Society. The mural will be commenced during LEAP Week. Keep an eye out for its development.

• The Art and LEAP Committee have begun running the Senior School Art Competition, open to students from Years 9–12. Entries can be submitted in any medium, responding to the LEAP Week theme of Celebrating Diversity.

• First Nations artist, Bronwyn David, is returning to complete the Founders Day commission. She painted sheets of leather with symbolism inspired by our Reconciliation Action Plan, and invited attendees at the Founders Day cocktail party to select the patterns and colours that spoke to them, and using a leather punch shape, she cut out individual pieces and helped guests to thread them onto an evolving tapestry that represents our founding, traditions, history, the present, our community and our future directions and growth. Students will be invited to take part in this second visit.

Units 3 and 4 Art Making and Exhibiting excursion

In the next few issues, I will be giving voice to the staff and students involved in the exciting opportunities our VCE students have experienced in the Semester 1 excursion program. Thanks go to the arts industry and gallery partners, and the staff facilitating these trips to broaden our students’ horizons and give them exposure to the cultural landscape Melbourne has to offer.

Earlier this year, the 2025 Artmaking and Exhibiting Units 3 and 4 students embarked on an excursion to explore various exhibition types and spaces in the city of Melbourne, identifying and experiencing exhibition design. Their journey took them to the National Gallery of Victoria to experience the iconic Yayoi Kusama retrospective, followed by a visit to the Tony Clark exhibition at Buxton Contemporary to compare how large-scale public galleries can present works for exhibition and the relevant characteristic of these spaces. The day culminated in a portfolio viewing at the Ian Potter Museum, showcasing the 2024 Top Arts students whose works have been selected for exhibition. This unique experience provided invaluable insights into curatorial roles and responsibilities, exhibition design and ways of presenting artworks in different exhibition spaces and provided students with a visual benchmark for what they can achieve through their individual artmaking practice.

Pipes & Drums

The Pipes & Drums commenced Term 2 with a busy week of performances. The week began with the Senior School Anzac Day Service shortly followed by the annual Anzac Day march in the city. It is an honour for the P&D to perform at these events to remember and pay respect to our Australian and New Zealand soldiers.

Anzac Day meant an early start for the P&D, with more than 70 members marching down Swanston Street to the Shrine of Remembrance, including several new members marching for the first time. This is a huge event on the P&D calendar.

The P&D performed the following day on Rendall Oval, forming a guard of honour for the Haileybury First Football Team as they entered the ground for their first match of the season. It was a pleasure to support our First Football Team, and the atmosphere from the crowd was truly amazing.

On Sunday 17 May, the P&D competed in the Victorian Championships in Maryborough for our final competition of the season.

Daniel Staley

Director of Pipes & Drums