The Arts

CALYSTA MORGAN

Acting Head of Arts

In April this year, students in Year 4 were privileged to be chosen to be part of ‘Big Dance Australia’, organised by AusDance and Independent Schools Victoria (ISV). A Choreographer visited Oakleigh Grammar to go through the moves with students, based on the theme of ‘Unity’ and utilising elements of Indigenous dance. Students and their families were then able to be part of a flashmob at Federation Square on Saturday, May 4th, as part of the Arts Learning Festival.

Just prior to this performance, our Year 6 students also had the opportunity to be part of the Arts Learning Festival. Travelling by train to the CBD, students worked with Australian composer Graeme Leak to make shakers, drums, glove pipes and other musical curiosities. Graeme was assisted by other musicians Ben and Patrick, and together the whole group rehearsed with their instruments for the Make and Play Orchestra performance at Deakin Edge, also on Saturday, May 4th.

For some Year 6's, public transport without their parents (or for something other than getting to and from a footy match!) was a novelty in itself. When faced with a tent full of saws, hammers, pliers, drills and nails though, the engagement increased! Students were able to use the equipment safely and confidently (the only person requiring First Aid was Mr Felsinger) and problem-solved their way through creating the instruments. The glove pipes, ranging in sound from Didgeridoo, to Bagpipe, to Clarinet, were particularly challenging, with the students needing to work out how to position the gloves to actually produce sound.