Year 10 student, Max, can be spotted in many places at Haileybury. Whether it is playing on the footy field, training on the athletics track, or taking to the stage, Max is making the most of the many opportunities on offer at the School.
Earlier this year, he was a lead supporting cast member in the Senior School production of Mamma Mia! which played to sell out audiences and standing ovations in Aikman Hall at the School’s Keysborough campus. This followed on from playing the role of Pugsley in the Year 9 Senior Musical production of The Addams Family in 2024.
“My involvement in the musical contributes to my goal of becoming a professional performer. I have learnt much about stagecraft and everything it takes to get a big show together,” he says.
Max loves music and since Year 7 he has been involved in the Haileybury Jazz program and performs vocals and guitar in Haileybury’s Gillespie Jazz Combo.
“As a music student at Haileybury, I have had the opportunity to perform in many contemporary bands. This has been very important to my development as an artist”Max
He is also part of the Haileybury Singers (Haileybury’s most senior choir group) which performs at most of the major concerts during the school year.
“What’s great about the Performing Arts (at Haileybury) is that students must embrace the journey, committing to rehearsal periods that go far longer than the performances. Max embraces this kind of growth mindset, an excellent attitude that extends far beyond the stage,” says Nicole Smith, Head of Drama and Theatre Studies, Senior School).
Outside of school, Max plays guitar and sings at events as a paid solo artist, including Old Haileybury Football functions.
He has performed in a live show at Crown Palms called Futuration – the future of Australian Music and incredibly, he and his younger brother Henry have raised $10,000 for the Good Friday Appeal via busking performances over the last four years.
When he is not on the stage, Max may be found as an enthusiastic participant on the sporting arena.
This year Max had an action-packed summer with touch football. He not only earned his School Colours but also was part of the Haileybury team that qualified for the Victorian championships. To top it all off, the team won the title and became the 2025 Victorian Touch Football champions. Additionally, outside of Haileybury Max represented Victoria in Flag NFL at the AIS in Canberra.
During this winter season, Max is playing football, which included playing a pre-season with the Haileybury Firsts team.
“Taking part in the Haileybury Firsts Football pre-season program was very rewarding. Exposure to the senior athletes and coaches in the school motivated me to keep working on my strength and fitness in the off-season,” he explains.
He also enjoys athletics, with his favourite events being the 800 metres and high jump.
Max says that the expertise and support from the School has helped him to achieve sporting success in and outside of the Haileybury environment. “I have been fortunate to have exposure to some outstanding coaches,” says Max. “This has contributed to my selection in elite programs outside of school, and I have been a recipient of Colours in Years 7, 8 and 9,” he says.
“The School has been incredibly supportive in allowing Max to attend rehearsals and training,” says Paula Crouch, Max’s mum, about all his commitments both in and out of the School.
Max knows that staying organised is the key to keeping on top of his busy schedule and study goals. His approach highlights the value of effective time management to allow him to experience the many opportunities on offer at Haileybury. He allocates time to study in the evenings but also tries to complete most of his work in the classroom.
In addition to his musical and sporting passions, Max is always an active participant in the School’s House activities and events, as a keen member of Aikman House.
“Since moving into the Senior School, Max’s willingness to get involved in numerous activities has been incredibly impressive. He has done so while maintaining a clear sense of modesty and an inclination to contribute to events both on a large and small scale. This has seen him develop a quiet confidence that also enables him to provide leadership in subtle ways within our House,” says Matt Hunter, Head of House – Aikman.
Max plans to continue his active involvement in school life and is relishing the many rewards it provides him with along the way. “It is a great way to learn new skills and develop friendships across all campuses,” he explains.
