A message from the Principal

One of the most exciting dates on our SKiPPS calendar is fast approaching - our annual Celebration of the Arts (CotA) evening. This year’s event will take place on Thursday 23rd October, and promises to be a vibrant and unforgettable showcase of the incredible creativity that thrives here at our school.

For those new to our community, COTA is our whole-school celebration of the Visual and Performing Arts curriculum. It’s an evening when the school is transformed into a giant gallery and performance space, as students share the art, music, movement and drama they’ve been exploring throughout the term. 

Every year carries its own theme, and this year we’re embracing one that’s all about individuality, self-expression and bold ideas — ‘Rebel, Rebel’.

In the lead-up, students have been learning about artists and art movements that were once considered rebellious because they challenged expectations and reshaped culture. 

They’ve explored the bold statements of street art, investigated the lives of change-makers who dared to defy convention, and dived into the world of punk and rock music - even writing and performing their own songs. They’ve been learning a high-energy dance routine with the teachers from STOMP and creating a huge range of visual artworks that reflect the rebellious spirit of the theme.

On the night, families will be able to tour our Art Show, featuring pieces from every student, and gather in the quadrangle to enjoy a dynamic whole-school performance under the stars. It’s always a joyful and energising evening and one of the best ways to celebrate the creativity and courage of our young people.

Costumes

We’re asking all students to come dressed in punk-inspired clothing. This can be as simple as a black t-shirt or something styled after a favourite punk band or musician.

Parents and carers are warmly invited to join the fun too — band t-shirts, tartan, or a splash of black are all great options! There’s no need to buy anything new — second-hand shops and your child’s own wardrobe are perfect places to start.

Over the school holidays, we encourage families to start planning and putting costumes together. Enjoy some of these photos as inspiration for your looks for the night.

Performance Times

A full schedule of meeting points and performance times is included in the letter going home and can also be found below.

How You Can Help

Our Arts team of Chantel and Melanie are always keen to hear from parents who may have some time, either in the lead-up to the event, or on the day itself, to help prepare the performances, setup the Art Show, dress the stage and generally help us make the event happen. Please contact Chantel on chantel.jose@education.vic.gov.au if you can help.

Early next term, SKiPPA, our Parents' Association will also be seeking parent volunteers to help staff our food stalls on the night. We encourage families to consider signing up for a short shift around your child’s performance time, so that you can still enjoy the show while helping make the night a success.

More information will be shared in the first week of Term 4 but for now, mark the evening of Thursday 23rd October in your calendar and get ready for a night full of colour, music, and creativity.

We can’t wait to see SKiPPS rocking out their rebellious side!

Neil Scott

Principal