Performing Arts
Haileybury’s Hogwarts: a record-breaking spectacle
Haileybury’s Senior School Play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (High School Edition), brought record-breaking audiences across three spectacular evenings. Many arrived in House colours and wizarding robes, ready to be swept into a world of magic and adventure.
Condensing the professional six-hour production into just over two hours was no small feat, yet the cast and crew rose to the challenge with remarkable creativity and precision. Magical transformations, time travel and alternate realities came to life through stunning lighting, bespoke costumes, and seamless stagecraft. Tyler and Harrison brought warmth and humour to Scorpius Malfoy and Albus Potter, while Drama Captain Simon gave Harry Potter both gravitas and heart.
Taking on such a beloved story was daunting, yet The Cursed Child became a thrilling creative challenge. Every costume was altered to create a vivid Hogwarts, while the talented cast balanced respect for the original with bold new interpretations.
With unrelenting energy and teamwork, the cast and crew delivered a story filled with magic, friendship, family, identity and acceptance.
Nicole Smith
Head of Drama and Theatre Studies
Music
Chamber in the Chapel to Showcase Senior Ensembles
The new term begins with a highlight of the orchestral chamber music calendar, the Chamber in the Chapel concert on Wednesday, 8 October, 7.00 pm – 8.15 pm.
Tickets are not required, and guests/families are most welcome to attend. Audiences will be treated to performances from some of Haileybury’s finest ensemble musicians, with the evening set to highlight the stylistic diversity and exceptional talent within the classical music program.
Special thanks to Mr Thomas Heywood, who will compere the concert. His knowledge and passion for classical music will provide valuable insight for what promises to be a memorable evening.
VCE Music students prepare for performance exams
In the second week back, Haileybury’s VCE Music students will undertake their Unit 4 performance examinations. These assessments represent the pinnacle of their school music journey, requiring each student to present a 20-minute recital program to a panel of external VCAA assessors.
Most of these students began their musical studies in the Junior School, and by this point will have completed around 300 instrumental lessons, participated in more than 500 ensemble rehearsals, and performed at over 100 concerts to thousands of people. In the lead-up to their final recital, the majority will also have logged more than 3,000 hours of individual practice.
Every cohort brings a wide variety of instruments, styles and personalities, and the 2025 VCE group is no exception. This year’s cohort will include performers on contemporary voice, classical voice, piano, synthesiser, electric bass, violin, cello, drumkit, electric guitar, flute, clarinet, French horn, euphonium and saxophone.
These final recitals will not only mark the culmination of years of study but will also showcase the resilience, creativity and dedication that define Haileybury musicians.
Rod Marshall
Director of Performing Arts & Head of Haileybury Music
Visual Arts
Chasing the Vision
Walking through the new Visual Arts building over the past weeks of Term 3 has been nothing short of inspiring. The halls have been alive with energy, pride and a palpable sense of achievement as our senior students put the final touches on their Media, Visual Communication Design, and Art Making and Exhibiting folios — works of passion pursued across the last year.
The sophistication of their work is remarkable, but what is most impressive is the resilience they have shown — seeking feedback, embracing vulnerability and continually pushing themselves to lift their work to the highest level. All of this has been achieved while balancing the pressures of coursework completion and preparing for trial exams, a testament to their determination and creativity.
Our Year 9s ended the term with anticipation, completing their preparatory and developmental work in Media and Art Making and Exhibiting before heading off on their adventures. We look forward to welcoming them back early in Term 4, ready to bring fresh perspectives to the completion of their films and portrait projects.
Meanwhile, our Year 11s have been swept up in the buzz of creativity across every subject area. Their final works reflect a year of discovery — exploring new ideas, responding to inspiration and refining technical skills. The progress they have made is clear in the originality and confidence of their outcomes.
This momentum now carries us towards one of the highlights of our year: the Graduate Exhibition, Chasing the Vision. The exhibition celebrates the creative journeys of our senior students, culminating in a showcase of their extraordinary achievements. Please save the date: Tuesday 14 October, 4.00 pm – 6.00 pm in the Visual Arts Building at Haileybury Keysborough. The opening night will feature refreshments, a formal launch, people’s choice voting, interactive activities, and most importantly, the opportunity to immerse yourself in the visions of our talented young artists, designers and media producers. On the night, we will also announce our three subject ambassadors — top folio students in Art, Media, and Visual Communication Design — who will go on to represent our school at the 2025 Encore of Excellence.
We warmly invite you to join us in celebrating the creativity, dedication and vision of our students.
Rachelle Rae
Head of Visual Arts Senior School
Pipes & Drums
At the beginning of Term 3, the Pipes & Drums were honoured to perform at Haileybury in Concert. Our senior pipers and drummers delivered a fantastic performance, showcasing newly learnt repertoire. Performing on stage at the prestigious Melbourne Recital Centre was an exhilarating experience — truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many of our students.
This month, Haileybury Newlands will host the Haileybury Solo Drumming Competition. This open-grade event welcomes both student and adult competitors. A number of our talented drummers will be participating, and we wish them the very best of luck as they take the stage.
Meanwhile, our competition bands have already begun preparing for the 2026 Pipes & Drums competition season. Many students are progressing into higher-level bands — a proud and rewarding milestone for both students and their tutors.
Daniel Staley
Director of Pipes & Drums
