Immersed in the Arts: 2026 Arts Tour to Melbourne and Sydney
Forty-six Santa Maria College students from Years 11 and 12 recently returned from an unforgettable Arts Tour to Melbourne and Sydney. It was an experience designed to extend learning beyond the classroom and into the heart of Australia’s creative industries.
Across eight days, students studying Dance, Drama and Visual Arts were immersed in a rich program of workshops, performances and cultural experiences, building both their technical skills and their understanding of the arts in a real-world context.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
The Arts Tour is carefully designed to complement what students study at school. Throughout the trip, they visited leading galleries, theatres and studios, engaging directly with the artists, companies and works they explore in class.
From the moment they arrived in Melbourne, students stepped straight into industry experiences, participating in workshops at renowned venues such as Malthouse Theatre and Chunky Move Studios, and learning from leading choreographers and practitioners.
This hands-on approach continued throughout the tour, with highlights including:
- Workshops with industry professionals across both cities
- A guided street art and graffiti workshop in Melbourne
- Behind-the-scenes tours of major institutions such as the Sydney Opera House
- Performances at world-class venues, including Heathers the Musical in Melbourne and Phantom of the Opera on Sydney Harbour
A Transformative Experience
For Head of Dance & Drama Amanda Huxtable, the value of the tour extends far beyond the itinerary:
“Tours transport participants out of the everyday and into a world focused on one area over an intensive period. I believe the most valuable thing that happens on tour is the deep, cross curriculum learning that students are exposed to and immersed in, and the way this significantly impacts on their growth both as humans and within each creative field.”
Director of Boarding and Dance Teacher, Jane Murray, who went on the tour also reflected on the impact of the experience:
“Tours bring everyone out of their comfort zone and inspire students to fully embrace the opportunity for supersized learning. I loved watching all the students literally grow their skills and love of the arts in front of me over this period.’
Student Reflections
For many students, the tour was both inspiring and perspective-shifting.
Jayshnee, Year 12 Performing Arts Captain, described how the experience challenged and motivated her:
“The arts tour was such an inspiring experience that has changed my perspective and my passion for the performing arts… Each workshop challenged me to think differently and step outside of my comfort zone. I now feel more motivated than ever to continue developing my skills and pursue opportunities in the performing arts.”
Elizabeth, Year 12 Visual Arts Captain, reflected on the shared experience:
“What an amazing trip! Spending the holidays in a group of girls with a shared love of art made each experience entirely unique and unforgettable… It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience which I will remember forever.”
For Anais, a Year 12 Dance student, the opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world practice was a standout:
“A particular highlight on the trip for me was when we got to work with the Bangarra Dance Company… it was great to experience this firsthand and see how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s storytelling and culture drive the creativity of their dance works… it was just a very special part of the tour for me.”
Growth, Connection and Pride
Beyond the performances and workshops, the tour also fostered independence, collaboration and a strong sense of community. Students embraced every opportunity, from early morning flights to full days of activity, representing the College with pride.
Their conduct throughout the tour was exemplary, reflecting a willingness to engage fully, support one another and make the most of every experience.
The 2026 Arts Tour has not only strengthened students’ skills in Dance, Drama and Visual Arts, it has expanded their horizons, deepened their passion, and given them a clearer vision of what is possible in the creative industries.
A truly memorable journey, and one that will continue to shape their creative futures.
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Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
