Performing Arts
2025 Lyrebird Awards
The 2025 Lyrebird Awards took place at Bunjil Place on Sunday, bringing together our wider creative community to celebrate the power and passion of youth theatre. While we are immensely proud of the work created on the Aikman Stage, it was equally inspiring to stand alongside so many talented and innovative young artists from across Victoria. We extend our sincere congratulations to all nominees for their truly outstanding achievement.
It was especially heartening to hear Haileybury acknowledged across so many categories throughout the ceremony. The images and promotional material shared on screen reflected the energy, professionalism and creative spirit that underpin our program and our people.
Ruby Molnar and Alexis King captivated the audience with their beautiful rendition of ‘Slipping Through My Fingers’ from our May production of Mamma Mia! Their performance was both elegant and deeply mature, holding the room in a moment of quiet reflection. In that stillness, many were reminded of the fleeting nature of childhood and the profound, often unspoken bond that exists between parent and child. It is a connection that feels especially fitting as so many of our Haileybury performers now graduate and step out into the world to begin their next adventure.
We are incredibly proud of every student and staff member who has contributed to this year’s work. Thank you for the generosity, commitment and enthusiasm with which you have served our productions and our School.
As the 2025 theatre curtain begins to lower for the final time, we look ahead with anticipation to the next season, including our much-anticipated production of West Side Story and the autumn play.
2025 Lyrebird Award winners
Mamma Mia!
Best Ensemble Performer – Abir Bajpai
Best Solo Song (Female Role) – Alexis King – ‘The
Winner Takes It All’
Cursed Child
Best Sound – Erica D’Angelo
Best Costume – Nicole Smith
Best Cameo Performer – Sahana Rajarajan
Best Dramatic Performance – Arabella Walker
Best Performer in a Lead Male Role – Tyler Allan
Dance Gala 2025
On Wednesday 12 November, 250 Prep to Year 6 students from all four of Haileybury’s Melbourne campuses lit up the stage at the 2025 Haileybury Dance Gala.
This much-loved end-of-year event once again celebrated the hard work, creativity and joy of our after-school dance students. Dancers performed vibrant pieces across jazz, hip hop, lyrical and theatrical genres, filling the theatre with colour, energy and excitement. Sparkling costumes, big smiles and enthusiastic performances made the night truly memorable. Every student shone on stage, and their pride was evident as they stepped off to cheers from the audience.
A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful campus coordinators and coaches, whose dedication across all four campuses makes this program possible. Their commitment to nurturing each dancer ensures such polished and engaging performances.
We also thank our families and friends for their ongoing support.
We look forward to another fantastic year of after-school dance in 2026. Enrolments will open in late January via the myHaileybury app.
Nicole Smith
Head of Drama and Theatre Studies
Music
As we conclude another vibrant and rewarding year in the Music Department, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all students, families and colleagues for their commitment, enthusiasm and trust. Our program continues to flourish because of the shared belief that music is not only an academic pursuit but a vital expression of community, creativity and humanity.
A particular highlight of the final week was the Haileybury Carols at St Paul’s Cathedral last Wednesday evening. The grandeur of the cathedral, paired with the poise and musicianship of our students, created an unforgettable celebration of the season. Performances from our choirs and instrumentalists were met with goodwill and praise from the capacity audience, and it was inspiring to witness the confidence and artistry our young musicians displayed on such a distinguished stage.
This year also marks a significant milestone as we celebrate the retirement of Ms Veronica Rutowicz after 35 years of devoted service as a piano teacher at Haileybury. Veronica’s musicianship, patience and unwavering commitment to her students have shaped generations of young performers. Her influence extends far beyond the studio, and she leaves a legacy of excellent teaching, kindness and deep musical understanding. We thank her sincerely for the immeasurable contribution she has made to Haileybury and wish her every joy in her well-deserved retirement.
Enrolments up for 2026
I am thrilled to report that Haileybury families are enrolling in instrumental tuition at near record rates. In the last month alone more than 80 families have enrolled for music lessons beginning next year. As places within the instrumental program are filling fast several instruments already have waitlists, I would encourage families hoping to secure a place for 2026 to please explore the Instrumental Music Handbook asap.
Have a wonderful summer break everyone.
Rod Marshall
Director of Performing Arts & Head of Haileybury Music
Visual Arts
Introducing the Art Collective Leaders for 2026
As we wrap up a vibrant and productive year in the Visual Arts, it is a pleasure to introduce the 2026 Art Collective Leadership Team. Stepping into the roles of Captains are Angela Huang and Giorgio Gravina, with Mya Cornell and Leroy Lin joining them as Vice-Captains.
The Art Collective has already hit the ground running with the first event of the 2026 calendar, the Senior School Christmas Quad Party. It was fantastic to see the team come together to deliver festive, holiday-themed creative activities and to start building connections as a group. Their energy and enthusiasm set a wonderful tone for the year ahead.
A special Invitation to our student artists: Haileybury Young Archies Portraiture Competition
Celebrate creativity. Capture someone special.
It is time to pick up your pencils and paper, and fire up your imagination for the Haileybury Young Archie Competition. Create a portrait of someone special to you and show your talent to the school community.
Website:
Age categories
- 5–8 years category: born 4 March 2017 to 3 March 2021
- 9–12 years category: 4 March 2013 to born 3 March 2017
- 13–15 years category: born 4 March 2010 to 3 March 2013
- 16–18s year category: born 4 March 2007 to 3 March 2010
Key dates
- Entries open: 1 December 2025
- Entries close: 6 February 2026 at 5.00 pm
- Judging: 9–13 February 2026
- Haileybury winners announced: 16 February 2026
- Exhibition in the SS HYVA Gallery: 16–27 February 2026
- Winning entries submitted to the official Young Archie Competition: 23 February 2026
How to enter
Create a portrait
Draw, paint or collage a portrait of someone special to you. Your artwork must:
- Be on paper only (not mounted or framed)
- Be A4 to A3 size (210 × 297 mm to 420 × 297 mm)
- Be two-dimensional (paint, pencil, pastel, collage, etc.)
- Be your own original work and creativity
Prepare artwork
- Label the back of the artwork with your name, age, campus and contact details
- Place it in a flat, labelled envelope (do not roll or fold)
- Include the completed entry form
Submitting entries
- Hand your artwork and completed entry form to a Visual Arts teacher or your campus reception between 1 December 2025 and 6 February 2026
Judging and prizes
A Haileybury judging panel will assess all entries based on:
- Relevance to the theme – how well the portrait captures someone meaningful to the artist
- Artistic interpretation – creativity and personal expression
- Merit and originality – skill, imagination and authenticity
Finalists: 10 selected from each age category (5–8, 9–12, 13–15, 16–18) will have their work exhibited in the Haileybury Gallery.
Winners: 10 overall winners will win a $100 Zart Art Voucher and will be submitted to the official Young Archie Competition held by the Art Gallery of New South Wales during the Archibald Prize season.
Further questions
- If you have any questions, please contact:
Scott Doran – Vice Principal Community & Advancement
scott.doran@haileybury.com.au - For further information about the official Young Archie Competition, please refer to the FAQs on the website linked above.
Rachelle Rae
Head of Visual Arts Senior School
Pipes & Drums
The Pipes & Drums attended the Big Melbourne Bagpipe Bash held in Federation Square, taking part in an attempt to break the world record for the most bagpipers performing AC/DC’s ‘It’s a Long Way to the Top.’ The previous record of 333 pipers was surpassed in spectacular fashion, with 374 pipers from across Australia and New Zealand performing on the day. It was an amazing experience for our young pipers, and we were honoured to be part of this world-record-breaking event.
This month has been another busy one for the Pipes & Drums, with performances at all five Celebration of Excellence evenings across the campuses. A standout moment for the group was performing Ed Sheeran’s ‘Castle on the Hill’ as part of the Newlands Campus massed singing item.
Our 2025 Pipes & Drums Captains, Jessie S and Sofia C, were awarded the Victorian Scottish Heritage Cultural Foundation Scholarship and performed at the annual Melbourne Scots Dinner. They represented Haileybury exceptionally well, and their performance was the talk of the night. Congratulations to both Jessie and Sofia on receiving this highly respected scholarship.
On behalf of the Pipes & Drums, we would like to wish all Haileybury families a wonderful festive season break.
Daniel Staley
Director of Pipes & Drums
