Performing Arts

Music Matters

Congratulations to our Year 12 HSC Music students on their fabulous performances last night at the HSC Showcase: Splinters, Splashes, Sounds, Snaps, Stage and Stories. Each performance was a true reflection of their talent, dedication, and the many hours of rehearsal and preparation that went into this milestone event.

A heartfelt thank you goes to our Music staff and accompanists for their tireless support, guidance, and encouragement throughout the HSC journey. Your commitment to nurturing creativity, skill, and confidence in our students has been invaluable in helping them shine on stage.

We are so proud of our students and deeply grateful to our Music staff and accompanists for making this showcase such a memorable and inspiring celebration of music. We wish our musicians all the very best for their upcoming HSC Practical exams on 9 September (Music 1) and 11 September (Music 2 and Extension).

‘Farewell to Seniors’ Twilight Concert

Please join us for our annual ‘Farewell to Seniors’ Twilight Concert next Friday, 5 September at 5:00 pm in the gym.

This special evening is one of the highlights of our Performing Arts calendar as we come together to celebrate and acknowledge the creativity, passion, and contribution of our Year 12 students. The concert will feature a vibrant program, showcasing the talent of students in our Senior School, including ensemble and solo performances.

Most importantly, this concert provides us with a wonderful opportunity to farewell our senior students in style, thanking them for the joy, leadership, and inspiration they have brought to the Performing Arts during their time at school.

We warmly invite families, friends, and our wider school community to share in this memorable evening as we celebrate our seniors and wish them every success in the exciting journey ahead.

The following ensembles will be performing:

College Orchestra
Intermediate Concert Band
Senior Concert Band
Junior Jazz Band
Intermediate Jazz Band
Senior Jazz Band
Senior Percussion Ensemble
Rock Ensemble
Bass Guitar Ensemble
Year 12 HSC soloists

Students will meet in the gym after school to receive their wristband for a BBQ afternoon tea, kindly supplied by PAPA.

Intermediate Concert Band news

Well done to our Intermediate Concert Band members and their ensemble director, Ms Laura Power, for their magnificent performances at the NSW State Band Championships last weekend. Not only did the band perform with great skill and musicality, but they also represented our school with pride and professionalism.

Their behaviour throughout the event was exemplary, reflecting the dedication, teamwork, and discipline that are at the heart of our music program. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and the way they showcased both their talent and their commitment to excellence.

Congratulations to Ms Power and all band members on this outstanding accomplishment!

Chatswood Street Fair and Parade

Our illustrious Drumline, under the guidance of Mr Ian Talati, will be leading students and staff from the College, Mercy College, Our Lady of Dolours Primary School and members of the Parish in the Chatswood Street Fair Parade on Saturday, 6 September.

Students are to be in school uniform and meet Mr Talati at the Band Room at 12:30 pm. Please note: Kirk Street is closed from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm.

Best parking at The Concourse.

An email with more details will be sent to parents of Drumline members soon.

HSC MUSIC PERFORMANCE DATES: We have been advised our HSC Performance dates are as follows:

Music 1 - Tuesday 9 September from 8:30 am

Music Extension and Music 2 - Thursday 11 September from 8:30 am

Please note the Band Room and Chamber Music Rooms will be unable to be accessed during these times and students will need to put their instruments in the Music Office.

From PAPA

🎤PAPA Comedy Night annual fundraiser – Saturday 20 September – Peter Berner live 🎤

The SPX community is invited to see some of the sharpest (and funniest) comedic minds take the stage, including Australian comedy royalty and broadcasting legend, Peter Berner.

🎤 About Peter Berner: You've seen Peter on The B Team with Peter Berner, Einstein Factor, Backberner, The Loaded Brush, Good News Week, Rove, Sunrise and The Footy Show.

🎤 Support new school equipment: PAPA is raising funds to help upgrade sound and lighting equipment for the school, so get on board to support this worthy cause.

🎤 $30 per ticket: beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and snacks available to purchase on the night. Donations also welcome.

🎤 Book your tickets now: https://events.humanitix.com/spx-papa-comedy-night-2025

Farewell to Seniors Twilight Concert – Friday 5 September

We are calling for 10+ volunteers to help set up, cook and pack up the BBQ at the Farewell to Senior's Twilight Concert on Friday 5 September.

Mrs Sylvia Ulevik - PAPA President

(papaparents@pandf.spx.nsw.edu.au)

Important Performing Arts dates this term:

Father's Day Mass and Breakfast - Friday 5 September, OLD Church, Junior and Senior Chorales
‘Farewell to Seniors’ Twilight Concert – Friday 5 September, College gym
Drumline at Street Fair Parade - Saturday 6 September. Meet at school at 12:30 pm. Parking only available at the Concourse due to street closures. Email with details to come.
Cocurricular Colour Awards Ceremony - Monday 8 September, The Concourse, Senior Jazz Band
Forestville RSL Concert - Wednesday 17 September - Intermediate Jazz Ensemble
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
Year 12 Graduation Mass - Tuesday 23 September, OLD Church, Junior and Senior Chorales, 5:00 pm
Year 12 Graduation Ceremony - Wednesday 24 September, Oxford Falls, Intermediate Jazz Ensemble
Elective Music SSO excursion (Years 9 – 10), Thursday 25 September, Sydney Opera House

Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Leader of Learning, Performing Arts

Drama Matters

HSC Major Works: Splinters, Splashes, Sound, Snaps, Stage & Stories

Well done to the Class of 2025 who presented their practical work in Music Room 2 on Wednesday 27 August. It was a great preparation for Friday’s examination. Thank you to all who managed to attend.

Group Project: The Assignment

Jason Kristianto presented Blackout monologue

Jonty Cortis-Jones presented Lieutenant of Inishmore monologue

Costume Design Exhibition: John Badger-Rahme for Girl Asleep

HSC Examination

Students in Elective Drama classes in Years 9 and 10 will be part of the audience on Friday morning for the HSC practical examination. This will be held in the Sarto Centre, and students are asked to arrive by 8:00 am. Drama is the only performance subject able to have an audience witness an HSC examination, and it really does make a difference for those students performing. It also reinforces how important the audience is in the role of theatre and theatre making.

Peter Brook wrote:

'I can take any empty space and call it a bare stage. A man walks across this empty space whilst someone else is watching him, and this is all that is needed for an act of theatre to be engaged.'

Upcoming Drama events:

Friday 29 August: HSC Drama practical examinations from 8:30 am
Friday 5 September: Oliver Twist cast, crew & musician meet up in the Sarto from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm. From 5:00 pm we will say Farewell to the Seniors at the Twilight Concert.
Wednesday 10 September: The Talented Mr Ripley at Sydney Theatre Company for Year 9 & 10 Elective Drama

Ms Penny Lindley - Leader of Learning, Drama