Dance 

Year Two and Three's.                                                  Students have settled into Term Two well, and have already shown great improvement throughout the weeks already. In their warm up and stretching phase of class, they have become more conscious of their body, control and placement, and are executing the correct procedures and technique with minimal assistance or direction. This shows an increase in body awareness and being able to adapt and self correct, without being prompted which is great progress. Their flexibility has improved expanding their range of movement, which also helps open up their minds more so when following through with tasks and exercises. This enables students to apply themselves more openly while subconsciously building confidence in the process.                                                                                                                              This last couple of weeks we have been working on the elements of contrast in movement, and how contrast relates to other elements we encounter in our every day life. Students learnt the variance between light and shade in choreography, the difference between power and softness, range in movement from big and open combinations to small and detailed, while maintaining a connecting energy between all elements displayed. Everyone executed the tasks set out very well and worked amazingly as a team with great syncopation, timing and musicality. A fun couple of weeks that was enjoyed by all.    

                                                                                             Year 7's.                                                                  After a great start by the Year 7 students over the last few weeks, they have maintained that consistency, discipline, and dedication to all that has been set out in front of them. Upon completing the previous tasks of working with chairs as props, students identified and related to many important factors and elements that also cross over to their personal lives, and how if affects them. The students now approach dance with a different mindset, optimistic in their views, while self aware, and open to receiving new information, that they know will somehow impact their journey ahead.                                                                                                               This has been great preparation to the next task set out, of creating a group routine together from the absolute beginning. This is a group task where students have been given the song My Shot from the musical Hamilton, and have to combine their efforts to create and choreograph a routine to a song and style that they've never heard of, or can relate to. As I would normally start the routine and get them to add on afterwards, I decided to switch the order allowing the students to create and set the benchmark from the very beginning. Teamwork, problem solving, communication, compromise, risk taking, and being open minded and pushing the boundaries, are some of the key ingredients to achieving the goal set out. It's been a great start and can't wait to see the end result.         

                                                                                           Victorian State School Spectacular.             The VSSS dancers have risen to the occasion in spectacular form at the recent Third Hub combined schools rehearsal! All students who attended the full day rehearsal were so professional in their approach and work ethic, and represented Saltwater College and the community to such a high standard. They learnt yet another full routine that will be performed in the upcoming shows in September, while cleaning details in choreography in the other routines. Our students set the bar high in many areas ranging from their discipline and dedication, commitment to the choreography and work required, attention to detail, following precise instructions, and for their common curtesy, manners, and respect.                                                                                                                             All teachers on board and also VSSS staff and crew were impressed and proud of the way students applied and represented themselves and the school and look forward to the next major Hub rehearsal on Friday 29th July. This will be the biggest rehearsal yet with 20 combined schools all rehearsing at the same time! Weekly rehearsals continue as we prepare for what's yet to come!