Principal's Report

Alice In Wonderland

We were all treated to the most fantastic time with this year's Production. After Hairspray last year we wondered what the Production team could come up with! Alice in Wonderland was perfect - it allowed the talent of our students to be showcased, and was very different to last year.  The Team works to get better each year and it is great they go with doing something so unusual and different that we can't compare!

Congratulations to all the talented actors, singers and dancers.  The energy of each performance grew as they became more assured in their roles.  Amelia Bruinink as Alice was strong and whimsical at the same time, and really captured the essence of the role. Lachlan Cowman as the Mad Hatter was truly mad! The singing and dancing was again at an incredible level and engaged the audience who wanted to sing along with them.  

Congraulations to the Tech Crew and the musicians who accompanied the singing. The lighting and staging with several hundred led screens was something we'd never seen before, and once we had, couldn't imagine them doing it any other way!  The sound was crystal clear which made it easier to follow the words of the singers.  

Congratulations to the Production team who put this showcase of talent on each year - Beryl Birrell, Shane Kruger, Andrew Lewis, Marten Visser, Jacki Baldry, Kate Chamberlain and Ash Gardner.  A special thanks to our volunteers who come back year after year to be part of this 'family' - CLive Savory, Surya Ganesan, Kieren Votesen, Libby Butler and Mikaela Roberts. 

The Front of House team - Clarke Bull and Daniel Brooks and VCAL team are amazing and add to the really professional feel of the event.  Thank you to Mrs Kerry Lewis and the Performing Arts Parents who provide food on all those important occasions to keep the team students energised. And to all the parents who made the amazing costumes!

There is a cast of thousands backstage, and we couldn't do it without you!

There is something about the spirit of the Production that is the essence of Wantirna - I'm sure it's the joing together of so many different people to a common cause, who have a unified sense of having achieved something great at the end. It's never easy, but it's always worth it!

Gala Concert

Congratulations to all in the Music Department for the second Gala Concert we've now had at Federation Square in the BMW Edge theatre.  It is an amazing venue, looking through the floor to ceiling glass out on to the night lights of Melbourne and the Art Centre spire in all its glory.  That glory was reflected inside in the performances of our students - from the Grade 6s in the transition Junior Concert Band through to the Year 12s finishing up after 6 years in the program.  

There were so many highlights the Stage Bands were the coolest dudes I've ever seen perform at Wantirna!  The second piece played by the Senior Concert Band, When the Spring Rain Begins to Fall, showed us why they are the up and coming school band in Victoria. The Finale, with the combined bands and choiirs performing He lives in You from the Lion King gave us all goosebumps.

A huge thank you to our Leader of Performing Arts, Marten Visser, and to his team of Instrumental staff - our students take their inspiration from you!

Thank you to the Parents of Performing Arts for your ongoing support of the program - we couldn't do it without you.

Regency Park and Wantirna Primary Productions

Music must be in the air at the moment!  Wantirna Primary had their annual musical in our theatre last week and by all reports it was a huge success!  Congratulations!

Sadly I missed it, as I was attending the Regency Park production of Robin and Sherwood Hoodies.  It was a terrific night - incredibly talented students delivering some very funning (and sometimes almost naughty!) lines, singing beautifully and dancing superbly!  Welook forward to the Grade 6s joining us next year and continuing to grow their abilities in our p

Beginning of Term 4

We look forward to seeing everyone back in two weeks time, on Monday 3rd October. We hope everyone has a restful break, and that the sun comes out and drys us all out a bit!

Good luck to the Year 12s who will be juggling some rest with a lot of study - not long to go now.

When we come back students will need to be in summer uniform for Term 4.  Could you please use the holidays to ensure dresses haven't become too short over winter, and that there are plenty of white socks!

Enjoy your holidays!

Sue Bell

Principal