The Arts

Practically Perfect Preparation

There are some Sundays that feel a little bit enchanted and Sunday, 8 February was absolutely one of them.  We were thrilled to welcome Louise Bell to the Academy of Mary Immaculate for a special Mary Poppins master class, where our cast worked intensively on the iconic number Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.  Yes, the tongue twister that has defeated many a confident actor.  Watching our students tackle it with focus, stamina and joy was something special.

Louise brings extraordinary professional insight to this production.  She was part of the original Australian production of Mary Poppins at Her Majesty's Theatre in 2010 and most recently assisted with casting for the professional revival at the Lyric Theatre in 2022.  This show is deeply personal to her and that passion was felt in every moment of the workshop.

In just one session, our students refined choreography, sharpened timing, strengthened their vocal clarity and deepened their storytelling.  Louise challenged them with the precision and energy required at a professional level, while also celebrating their work ethic and respectful approach.  It was a masterclass not only in dance, but in discipline, generosity and ensemble collaboration.

A huge thank you to Louise for so generously sharing her expertise, and to her fabulous assistant Stephanie Grivas, who supported the rehearsal throughout the day. Opportunities like this bridge the gap between school performance and the professional stage and remind our students that excellence is built through commitment, courage and a willingness to say yes to something that feels just a little bit Supercalifragilistic!

We cannot wait to see the magic our cast will create when Mary Poppins opens in May. The bar has been set sky high, practically on the rooftops of Cherry Tree Lane.

Ms Olivia Hamilton

Performing Arts Learning Leader

 Courage to Care Logo

At the end of last year, as Art Academy members, Sam Tillo and I were invited by Ms Evans to design a logo for the 2026 College theme, Courage to Care, selected by the Student Leadership Team. 

To begin, Ms Evans and Ms Muller organised a brainstorming session with student leaders to explore how this theme could be represented visually.   We discussed font styles, reviewed previous College theme designs and researched organisations and logos for inspiration.  From these conversations, several key motifs emerged: a heart to represent compassion and comfort (also linking to the Sacred Heart), open hands to symbolise both courage and care in action, and a flame to reflect warmth, spirit and the idea of courage being kindled in others.  We also incorporated the College colours of blue, yellow and orange to help convey warmth and light.

Sam then developed a range of concepts using Procreate, which we presented to the Senior Student Leadership Team.   After discussion, the options were narrowed to three, and Sr Mary made the final selection.  

The chosen design combines the flame, hands and heart.  The flame represents the spirit of courage and its power to inspire positive action, while the open hands and heart symbolise compassion and initiative.  The hand formation also suggests a sprouting seedling, representing growth and the positive change that can come from having the courage to care.  The arched form subtly reflects the Mercy heritage of our school and our commitment to living Mercy values each day. 

With the support of past Academy students now working as Art Assistants, we refined the final design.  Evie Morris developed custom typography after we were unable to use our original font due to copyright restrictions, and Allegra Postiglioni ensured the logo was versatile and adaptable for a range of contexts.

It was a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with members of the Academy community. Thank you to everyone involved, so many voices were heard and valued throughout this process.  We are proud to see the Courage to Care logo representing our College throughout 2026.

Trinity Liang-Cardenas 12B

Art Academy Member

Autumn Music Concert

The Academy of Mary Immaculate presents the annual Autumn Music Concert on Thursday, 19 March, commencing at 6:30pm.  This performing arts concert features predominantly classical repertoire from a selection of accomplished student musicians, Isabella Strings and AMICCI.  Please arrive to the Ursula Frayne Chapel, Academy of Mary Immaculate, 88 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy from 6:00pm for a 6:30pm start, concluding at around 8:00pm.

The Performing Arts department look forward to welcoming all of the Academy community to this free event.  Alumni, parents, guardians, relatives and staff are invited to attend, in support of the instrumental program at the College.

Ms Mirelle Morris

Instrumental Music Coordinator