Performing Arts
2023 Haileybury Dance Gala
On Thursday, 9 November, 300 Prep-Year 6 students from all four of Haileybury’s Melbourne campuses participated in the 2023 Haileybury Dance Gala.
The end of year dance gala is always a memorable and special event on our School calendar and a chance to celebrate our after-school dance students and their fabulous work throughout the year.
The Prep-Year 6 after-school dance class students worked tirelessly on multiple items for the dance gala evening which explored various dance genres such as jazz, hip hop, lyrical and theatrical. The night was colourful, energetic and fun filled. All students had a wonderful time, beaming with pride as they came off stage. Congratulations to all students who were involved and thank you to all parents and friends who came along to support the event
The coordination of such a large program, which runs across four campuses can be complex, but the success is largely due to the hard work, time and efforts of our fabulous campus coordinators and coaches. These members of staff and past Haileybury students are very much invested in their classes and students and do a plethora of work each week to ensure the very best outcomes. Their dedication, time and effort is greatly appreciated and it certainly showed on Thursday evening.
We look forward to the after-school dance classes continuing in 2024. Enrolments will open in late January. Please check the myHaileybury app for details.
Teri Batis and Cassie Peele
After School Dance Coordinators
Haileybury Oscars
Haileybury’s second annual Oscars ceremony was held on Thursday, 9 November to celebrate the year that was in our Senior School co-curricular theatre program. The afternoon was organised by our 2023 Drama Captains, Thanh, Laura, Harry and Genevieve.
The event included a whole group dance-off, some beautifully written speeches celebrating the theatre family, lots of yummy food, heaps of fun interactive games and a standing ovation for our departing leaders.
We are delighted to celebrate the year that was and several outstanding productions and events in the co-curricular theatre calendar including Brainstorm (SS City Show), Hard Candy (Theatre Studies Play), The SpongeBob Musical (SS Musical), Beware... For I am Fearless (SS Play), as well as the Keysborough and City VCE Drama ensemble open nights.
The theatre family is a special one and it was a great night as we witnessed the community coming together to sing, dance, eat and shed a few happy tears for a year of great memories.
Nick Waxman
Head of Drama and Theatre Studies
Music
Exams, concert bands and choirs
The Haileybury Music department has been buzzing with activity over the past two weeks, showcasing the talent and dedication of our students across the School.
In the Senior School, Music Performance students successfully completed their final VCE Unit 4 Music Theory exams. These exams cover three key aspects of Music Theory: analysis of recorded music, aural perception and music notation. We all eagerly await the results, scheduled for release on Monday, 11 December. Best of luck to our Unit 4 students!
At the other end of the Haileybury music journey, recently, Junior School students were centre stage at whole school string concerts in Aikman Hall. These high energy concerts provided our youngest musicians with the opportunity to perform at large-scale events, often after just 10 months of instrumental instruction. Witnessing the expressions on the faces of our young performers as they step onto the stage for the first time is a sight to behold. The concert series featured over 600 students and was a remarkable showcase of talent.
In the Middle School, our concert bands, choirs and string orchestras have been hard at work preparing for the upcoming Speech Night performances that begin at the end of next week. These performances, held in front of capacity audiences, offer Middle School musicians a chance to shine as they proudly present their musical achievements to Tom Poulton, Chairman of the School Council, CEO | Principal Derek Scott, the official party and their parents and peers.
The Speech Night series will conclude on Tuesday, 5 December, culminating in a special event where Haileybury’s most academically recognised students attend their final awards ceremony as graduating Year 12 students. Music will play a prominent role at the Senior School Speech Night celebration.
Wrapping up the year, the Music department’s final performance, Haileybury Carols, takes place on Friday, 8 December at Scots’ Church in Collins Street in the heart of Melbourne. I encourage as many families as possible to join us to celebrate the festive season in a culturally diverse manner that provides a fitting end to the school year.
Rod Marshall
Director of Performing Arts & Head of Haileybury Music
Visual Arts
Visual Arts Graduate Exhibition
Excitement is building as we gear up for the Senior Art Exhibition, a celebration of the incredible talent and hard work of our graduating students. Behind the scenes, our Visual Arts department is putting the final touches to what promises to be an unforgettable exhibition.
The exhibition opening will be on Tuesday, 21 November at 6.00 pm in the Sholto Black building. Join us and mingle with the artists and be among the first to witness the impressive array of creations.
In an era that values innovation and creativity, the arts play a pivotal role in shaping well-rounded individuals. Our Senior Art Exhibition goes beyond showcasing visual creativity; it is a testament to the vital role the arts play in our students’ development.
This year, we are proud to feature works spanning VCE Media, Visual Communication and Design, Product Design Technology and Art Making and Exhibiting. The variety of work reflects each student’s unique perspectives and ability to communicate ideas through different mediums. Displaying this rich tapestry of creativity emphasises the interdisciplinary nature of the arts and the profound impact it has on shaping the future leaders and thinkers emerging from our School.
Join us in celebrating the remarkable artistic achievements of our seniors and supporting the thriving arts culture at Haileybury.
Ngaire Thomson
Head of Visual Arts Senior School
Pipes & Drums
Here comes 2024
As the year comes to a close, the Haileybury Pipes & Drums are gearing up for an exciting and busy season of performances. One of our most cherished traditions is playing at the graduations across all campuses of Haileybury, including at the graduation of our online campus, Haileybury Pangea — a Pipes & Drums first.
It is a momentous occasion for the graduating students and their families and we are honoured to provide the soundtrack to their special day.
As we wrap up this year, we are also beginning our search for the 2024 Senior A band leaders. The Pipes & Drums have several leadership opportunities within each band and students are encouraged to apply. Each role carries the responsibilities of being a leading member of the program and the expectations of peers, teachers and staff. These leaders play a crucial role in guiding our band and ensuring we continue to excel in our performances and competitions.
Speaking of competitions, we are already hard at work getting our new material underway for next year. We are constantly striving to improve and push the boundaries of our performance and although we now have a world championship under our belt, we are committed to reaching new heights in our students’ musical capabilities.
As we prepare to bid farewell to another incredible year of music and performances, we are also looking forward to the exciting challenges and opportunities that the future holds for the Haileybury Pipes & Drums.
Lincoln Hilton
Director, Pipes & Drums