Focus on Performing Arts

Performing Arts Focus

It’s another action-packed term in Performing Arts! Our Grade 5/6 students have been working round the clock to prepare for their concert, ‘Let the Games Begin’. Our Choir, Band and Brass students are busy preparing for the end of year performance, and all of our students have been working hard in class learning, creating and collaborating.

Foundation

This term we have been learning all about the elements of drama. We have been using our faces, voices and bodies to create different places, times and characters.

We have also been extending our knowledge of music and notation. We have been learning how to read and play basic rhythms and we will finish the term by looking at chords charts and jamming to some of our favourite songs!

Grades 1 & 2

We have been flexing our dramatic muscles this term. We began by agreeing on ways that we can learn and have fun together safely. In groups, students have looked at different elements of drama and have had many opportunities to share their creations to the class.

We are finishing the term by rehearsing and presenting small group plays. Each group is focussing on blocking and adding interest to their stories.

Grades 3 & 4

One of the things which interest and influence our teaching in Performing Arts greatly is the subject's ability to be a medium to contextualise concepts for our children. On the surface this term we have learning about rhythm and solfege, if you pry into our curriculum, you will see that we have been exploring art forms from all over the world and marvelling at how Performing Arts encapsulates history and cultural identity. 

Some of these arts we have been learning about include “Tinkling” from The Philippines, “Dikir Barat” in Indonesia, “Mochi making festivals” in Japan and “Hopscotch” from West Africa, “Cup Song” and folk songs from North America. I hope the children had an enlightening time learning about these songs and traditions. As the end of the year of approaches the children are creating their own tradition by curating and directing a class festive variety show. The items are a reflection of what they have learnt in Performing Arts this year with a very merry theme. I cannot wait to watch this creative enterprise.

Grades 5 & 6

We end the year in Performing Arts with our final year level concert. While we call it a concert, it is in reality a musical production. Our students write part of the script and select a soundtrack to accompany the production. Classes are part of the swing and ensemble. Children also help as stage managers and directors, assisting their teachers in the production. This year we have integrated the design and technology aspect of prop building into our inquiry curriculum. This has resulted in children designing most of their props and costumes for their production (of course we have many fantastic parent volunteers who have helped in this endeavour). This year 60 of our Grade 6s have opted to have a speaking role in the production. It is very exciting and we are proud that our students are confident actors, singers and dancers. We cannot wait to see their performance this Thursday at Kew High School.

Choir, Band & Brass

Did you see our incredible community performance at this term’s assembly?! It’s so wonderful to have a space to showcase how talented and collaborative our FPS students and parents are. Thank you so much to Mike Pascoe (parent) for helping with tech support!

As always, we will finish our Performing Arts year with our Festive End of Year Concert, on Tuesday 10 December, at 4:30pm in the Old Hall. This is one of the jewels of the Performing Arts crown – it’s such a special, warm and joyous way to finish the year and farewell our year 6 performers. We look forward to seeing you all there!

~ Olivia Li & Keri Spence, Performing Arts Teachers