Mamma Mia
A warm, Mediterranean breeze has swept into Aikman Hall bringing with it the promise of a Greek island and the disco sounds of ABBA. During the Term 2 holidays, the Mamma Mia set, lighting and costumes arrived. In the theatre, we call this exciting time ‘bump in.’ In the second week, the cast and crew spent three big days rehearsing and preparing for what is shaping up to be an outstanding performance season in Week 2.
Be sure to secure your Mamma Mia tickets here. This is a musical occasion not to be missed.
The cast were lucky to have three Haileybury production alumni come back to speak to them. In between rehearsing big dance numbers, our current generation of performers avidly listened to Jackson Peele (OH 2014), Steph Lee (OH 2018) and Thomas Vulcan (OH 2020). These talented graduates are collaborating on the musical The Beep Test — an award-winning musical written and directed by Jackson. It is wonderful to see Haileyburians working and thriving in the performing arts industry beyond school yet so keen to come back and share their experiences. This production has also been selected by VCAA for VCE Drama students to study, so we are very lucky to get an insight into the show. Beep Test tickets can be purchased here.
Keep your eyes on Haileybury socials for more Mamma Mia content and promotions, and please share with the wider community. Tickets are selling fast.
Nicole Smith
Head of Drama and Theatre Studies
Music
A well-deserved break before a musical term ahead
I hope all Haileybury music students and their families have enjoyed a relaxing and well-earned break following a busy term filled with rehearsals and instrumental lessons. Taking time away from the school routine to reconnect with family is essential, especially for young artists looking to maintain their passion and focus over the long term.
For music students, stepping back from weekly rehearsals and lessons — even briefly — offers a valuable opportunity to reset and recharge, just in time for an exciting calendar of concerts set to take place throughout Term 2.
As we gear up for the term ahead, I kindly remind all music families to carefully review the upcoming concert schedule. Attendance at weekly ensemble rehearsals and participation in scheduled performances are core expectations for all instrumental music students.
Key concert dates for Term 2 include:
Junior School String Concert Series
- Castlefield: 22 May
- Newlands: 27 May
- Edrington: 28 May
- City: 30 May
Senior School Concerto Concert
- 5 June at Aikman Hall
Middle School Concert Series
- Castlefield: 18 June
- City: 19 June
- Newlands: 25 June
- Edrington: 26 June
I am looking forward to seeing many of you before and after these events — it is always a pleasure to catch up with our music families. Your ongoing support and presence mean a great deal to us.
Music staff in final preparation for the Senior School musical
For several members of our Senior School music staff, the Easter break provided a perfect window to prepare for their roles in the upcoming production of Mamma Mia, as part of the show’s live pit orchestra. In keeping with the traditions of leading independent schools, Haileybury’s production will feature the professionally licensed orchestral scores, ensuring a top-tier musical experience.
While working together in this setting is always enjoyable for our staff, the complexity of the scores presents an invigorating challenge they all embrace enthusiastically.
A special thank you goes to Robert Latham, Head of Choral Music, for his exceptional leadership as Musical Director and conductor for this production.
Mamma Mia opens this week, and tickets are selling quickly. We would love to see as many music families in the audience as possible. To secure your Mamma Mia tickets please visit the link here.
Performance dates:
- Wednesday 30 April (7.00 pm)
- Thursday 1 May (7.00 pm)
- Friday 2 May (7.00 pm)
- Saturday 3 May (2.00 pm matinee and 7.00 pm evening show)
Rod Marshall
Director of Performing Arts & Head of Haileybury Music
Visual Arts
Creativity in the Age of AI: A Vital Skill for Future-Ready Learners
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries and redefine the future of work, one human quality remains irreplaceable: creativity. In a world where algorithms can analyse, automate, and even mimic certain tasks, it is creative thinking—original ideas, empathy, innovation, and the ability to connect disparate concepts—that will set individuals apart. For students preparing to enter a rapidly evolving world, creativity is not a luxury—it is essential.
Importantly, creativity is not something students either have or don’t. It’s a skill that can be honed with regular practice. While academic rigour remains central in the senior years, it’s equally important that students continue to cultivate habits of creative thinking—across all subject areas, and beyond the classroom. Whether developing unique solutions in STEM subjects, approaching essay writing with a distinct voice, or engaging in co-curricular arts, debating or design challenges, creative skills are in constant demand.
At home, families can help sustain this growth by encouraging their young adults to make time for reflection, curiosity, and creative expression. This might be as simple as keeping a visual journal, exploring passion projects, participating in creative competitions, or engaging in conversations that explore “what’s possible?” rather than “what’s expected.”
In this new era, success won’t be defined by who has the most information, but by who can think differently. Let’s continue to support our students in becoming agile, original thinkers—ready to shape the future with confidence and creativity. Keep an eye on the upcoming LEAP Week in Week 5 program for exciting opportunities to do just that!
Rachelle Rae
Head of Visual Arts Senior School
Pipes & Drums
This month the Pipes & Drums had the honour of performing at the late Mr Tom Poulton’s memorial function at Haileybury City. The band played as guests arrived and during the memorial, performing ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘Highland Cathedral.’
We also performed at the Biggest Playdate charity event. This is a fantastic fundraising event which raises money for the Monash Children’s Cancer Centre in support of the Miranda Foundation. This event is well supported by the Haileybury community, and the Pipes & Drums look forward to supporting this event again next year.
The band’s competition commitments continued this month at the Melbourne Highland Gathering and the Haileybury Competitions. As usual, all three Haileybury bands were outstanding, with our A & B Bands placing in the top three for the Novice Grades.
The excitement is brewing within the Pipes & Drums for the Victorian Championships fast approaching on 17 May at Maryborough.
Daniel Staley
Director of Pipes & Drums
