Dance and Drama Faculty

From the Manager of Co-curricular Drama

Curriculum and Co-curricular Drama 

It has been a big — and very successful — term for Drama. Our students have taken on new challenges, embraced creative risks, and continued to grow both onstage and behind the scenes. From classroom performances to major productions, their enthusiasm and commitment have been inspiring to watch.

As we reflect on the achievements of this term, I would like to take this opportunity to thank a number of people who have contributed to the vibrant life of our Drama department. Our hardworking students, ever-supportive families, and dedicated staff all play a vital role in bringing our program to life.

Most importantly, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks and deepest gratitude to Mrs Elise Tamatea, who will be leaving us at the end of this year. Mrs Tamatea has been an extraordinary supporter of Drama and a driving force behind so many of our department’s successes. Her passion for the arts, her unwavering dedication to her students, and her constant encouragement of creativity have shaped countless memorable experiences within our School community.

Her contributions — whether guiding students through rehearsals, offering thoughtful advice, or ensuring every performance runs smoothly — have left a lasting impact. Mrs Tamatea’s warmth, professionalism, and tireless commitment will be greatly missed, but her influence will continue to be felt for years to come.

On behalf of all our Drama students and staff, we thank her sincerely and wish her every success in her future endeavours.

Year 9 Drama - Monologues 

One of the tasks Year 9 had this year was to reappropriate short monologues from the play 'Alice in Wonderland'. They came up with some unique and creative ideas. As you can see in the class photo, each student developed a costume appropriate to the character and their directorial vision. Well done Year 9 on your first solo performances! You are a very talented class, and I look forward to seeing more of what you can devise in the drama classroom. 

Swoop Physical Theatre - Years 9 and 10 Elective Drama 

On Friday 28 November, Years 9 and 10 Elective Drama students participated in a wonderful physical theatre workshop with Danielle from SWOOP theatre company. The students learnt how to use their bodies to convey dramatic meaning and create engaging shapes on the stage to use in their devising work. Learning how to work together to create physically exciting and visually engaging performances.  

Annabelle from Year 9 said: 

'I found the workshop to be very exciting, as I enjoy Drama as a subject. I found the instructor, Danielle, very bright, enthusiastic and experienced. She taught very cool physical drama exercises, which I found fascinating. I enjoyed the way she made activities and guided us through each one, making them both fun and challenging. Overall, the workshop was very inspiring and enjoyable. Thank you to Mrs Tamatea and Ms Wenman for this opportunity.'

Year 10 Drama Leaders 

One initiative I have been proud of this year as a Drama teacher, has been implementing Drama Leaders. Our Year 10 Elective Drama class have been very keen to mentor younger students in the performing arts. This not only gives them leadership opportunity, but it gives them work experience as well as honing their skills in drama for their own development. This has been incredibly successful, and the students have excelled in this. 

In honour of them and to recognise their hard work and dedication they were presented with certificates and badges for their contributions to the Year 7 orientation program, and leading Junior and Senior Drama Club initiatives. 

Congratulations and many thanks to: 

• Elsa (C10) 
• Indiana (C10) 
• Ella (C10) 
• Will (G10)
• Alby (G10) 
• Alex (G10) 
• Lachlan (G10) 

Shout out to Tech Crew 

This year I have had the honour of managing the student team on Tech Crew. The below students have been instrumental to the running of the performances that have been held at TPHS in 2025. In recognition of these students and their talents and all their effort, I would like to sincerely thank them for all they do. 

Tech Crew is the part of a show that often goes unrecognised as the students are working very hard during and before rehearsals and then behind the scenes backstage and on the lighting and sound for a performance. We are encouraged to remember the applause at the end of the show is also for our backstage and tech crew. Well done and thank you to the following students, we could not do it without you: 

• Harry (G9) 
• Remy (G9) 
• Harli (G9) 
• Anna (C9) 
• Isabella (C9)
• Will (G10) 
• Will (G9) 
• Jasmin (C9) 
• Issac (G9) 
• Samuel (G9) 
• Beau (G9)  
• Eric (G9) 
• Indiana (C9) 

Junior Drama Ensemble Scripts and Drama Activities  

Junior Drama ensemble has had an exciting year this year in co-curricular drama. Students have participated in a series of workshops in improvisation, theatresports, speech and drama exercises and script work. Students prepared for junior performing arts night earlier in the year and more recently students have been working on short scripts, developing characters and staging. 

Thank you to Ms Alice Phillip for supervising this group of students this year and a special thanks to Elsa (C10) and Indiana (C10) for their mentorship of these students throughout the year. These girls went above and beyond in guiding these young dramatists. 

Below are some images of students participating in drama activities lead by Elsa and Indiana the Year 10 Drama leaders and a group performing their short script of 'Snow White':