From the Principal

The last fortnight has been a special time dedicated to the celebration of music and the dramatic arts. Commencing last week with John XXIII College's annual performance at St George's Cathedral as part of the ‘Concerts at One’ series, our Senior String Quartet, Senior Clarinet Ensemble, Year 10 Cello Trio, Senior Saxophone Ensemble, Barbershop and Senior Voices, Chamber Choir and selected soloists all performed beautifully. 

This week, we continued our celebration of music and drama with Jazz Night at the Ellington, where our jazz musicians relished the opportunity to lean into the challenge of performing at an unfamiliar venue.

On campus this week, Secondary School students have been entertained by five-minute musicals at lunchtime on the Chapel Lawn and a rock band performance. 

In the Primary School, after many weeks of hard work and dedication, our Year 4 Musical, A Dog’s Tale commenced with grandparents enjoying the dress rehearsal today. I extend my particular thanks to the writer and director of our Primary School Musical, Performing Arts teacher, Sasha Cattapan, and our expert Primary School Music teacher, Catherine Haydon. Thanks are also extended to Year 4 teachers, Emily Krikstolaitis and Emma Eisenmann, support staff and our generous parent volunteers.

Finally, on Sunday and Monday this week, the College’s annual Music Eisteddfod brought together 125 Primary students and 175 Secondary students from across the College to perform to live audiences of peers and families, competing for House points to determine the winner of the College Music Shield. I extend my thanks to our College Performing Arts staff for their expertise and generous support of our students’ engagement with music and drama. I also extend my particular thanks to George Tsakisiris and James Kros for their leadership of our College’s Music and Drama program and to the students across the College who so enthusiastically participate in our various music and drama offerings throughout the year.

Daniel Mahon

Principal