Performing Arts
Music Matters
Performing Arts Cultural Tour - Exciting Plans Revealed!
The Band Room was buzzing with excitement during our information evening last Thursday night, as we unveiled the details of our Performing Arts Cultural Tour to the UK and Austria planned for the June/July holidays next year.
It was wonderful to see such a strong turnout and enthusiasm from students and families alike. Parents of students enrolled in Elective Music, Drama, or the Performing Arts Co-curricular Program in Years 9 – 12 in 2026 should have received an information pack. This includes all key details about the tour, along with answers to the excellent questions raised by parents and students during the session.
This unique experience promises to be both culturally enriching and artistically inspiring – a true highlight for our Performing Arts community.
Just a reminder, deposits are due by Monday 22 September ensure the tour is able to go ahead.
If you have any further questions or require additional information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to: awesthoff@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au or mdodd@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Our Intermediate Jazz played superbly last night at the Forestville RSL Concert. Thank you to all who came to support the students. We look forward to them providing music at the Year 12 Graduation ceremony next Wednesday, as well as our Drumline who will lead the Year 12s as they walk through the Guard of Honour. They will all need to be on a 7:30 am bus from the College for a sound check and rehearsal.
The SPX Performing Arts Department has your weekend entertainment sorted!
Kick things off on Saturday morning with some free live music at the Manly Jazz Festival, where our Senior Jazz Ensemble will be performing on the Jazz Stars of the Future stage near Manly Wharf from 10:00 am –10:45 am – the perfect way to start your day.
Then, on Saturday night, get ready for plenty of laughs at our second PAPA Comedy Night! Last year’s show was such a blast, and you’re welcome to bring along friends and family (adults only, no students) for another fun evening.
Doors open at 7:00pm for an 8:00pm start, with tickets available at the door and a bar serving snacks plus alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (make sure to grab dinner beforehand!). For more information, please read below.
From PAPA - our Performing Arts Parents Association
From PAPA – our Performing Arts Parents Association
This Saturday is the PAPA Comedy Night annual fundraiser 🎤
The night has finally arrived so expect belly laughs, witty banter and a whole lot of good vibes.
Presenting the final line up, with our very own SPX school parent and comedian, Simon Kennedy, as MC.
On the mic:
🙌 Peter Berner
🙌 Jackie Loeb
🙌 Michael Cho
PAPA is raising funds to help upgrade sound and stage equipment for the school, so get on board and support this worthy cause.
$30 per ticket, with beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and light snacks available to purchase on the night. Donations also welcome. Tickets available at the door.
Don't miss out! Book your tickets today – https://events.humanitix.com/spx-papa-comedy-night-2025
A fun and inexpensive night out! Bring your friends!
Mrs Sylvia Ulevik - PAPA President
(papaparents@pandf.spx.nsw.edu.au)
Remaining Performing Arts dates this term:
Manly Jazz Festival – Senior Jazz Band - Saturday 20 September, 10:00 am – 10:45 am (1st band on the ‘Jazz Stars of The Future’ stage near Manly Wharf).
PAPA Comedy Fundraiser – Saturday evening 20 September, 7:00 pm. Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/spx-papa-comedy-night-2025
Year 12 Graduation rehearsal - Tuesday 23 September - Recess to Lunchtime at Oxford Falls (emails have been sent home)
Year 12 Graduation Mass – Tuesday 23 September – Junior and Senior Chorales, OLD Church, 5:00 pm (meet at the music rooms at 4:15 pm. Emails have been sent home)
Year 12 Graduation Ceremony – Wednesday 24 September, Oxford Falls – Intermediate Jazz Band. and Drumline. 7:30 am bus for band members
Elective Music SSO excursion (Years 9 and 10), Sydney Opera House - Thursday 25 September. Information regarding this excursion will be sent home this week.
Performing Arts Festival
Our private tuition studio concerts and drama ensemble showcase is being held in Weeks 2 and 3 next term. Please see the timetable below.
Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Leader of Learning, Performing Arts
Drama Matters
HSC Drama Nominations
Group Project
Congratulations to the Class of 2025 on their well-deserved OnSTAGE nomination for their Group Project. John, Jason, and Jonty performed The Assignment, an outstanding example of ensemble acting and skilful characterisation. The piece explored the technological advances of humankind, ending with a humorous yet thought-provoking warning about the role of AI. The students worked tirelessly to devise and refine this original work, and they should feel extremely proud of their achievement.
Individual Project
Congratulations also to Jonty for his powerful performance as the unhinged terrorist Padric in The Lieutenant of Inishmore. He captured both the violence and the fear within the character, shifting seamlessly from moments of dark humour to serious menace with a single turn of phrase.
Drama Blue Cocurricular Awards
Congratulations to the students who received their Blue Cocurricular Awards at last Friday’s assembly. These students have shown passion and creativity throughout two years of drama ensemble at the College, contributing wholeheartedly to rehearsals, workshops, and performances. Along the way, they have developed not only their dramatic skills but also valuable life skills. They are supportive of their peers, enthusiastic about each new project, and simply enjoy being part of their ensembles each week. John Badger-Rahme was also awarded a Blue.
Upcoming Drama events:
Friday 19 September: Oliver Twist cast & crew meet up in the Sarto from 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm. Please bring snacks to share. We will then head to the old Drama Room for our get-together where there are activities and prizes organised by some of the students.
Thursday 16 October: Year 9 & 10 Drama Excursion to atyp to see Canberra Youth Theatre perform Work, But This Time Like You Mean It.
Thursday 30 October: Junior, Intermediate & Senior Drama performances from 5:50 pm (part of the Performing Arts Week) in the Sarto Centre.
Thursday 20 November: Drama Showcase, a selection of performances from students studying Drama from 2025
Ms Penny Lindley - Leader of Learning, Drama