St Agnes' Presents 

Finding Nemo Jr.

Dear Parents and Carers,

We are inching closer to the opening night for our production. I expect it will be another moment where we all feel a sense of pride for our students and our school. 

Imagine being one of the main cast up on stage performing in front of nearly 300 people, two nights in a row. I cannot think of anything more daunting, but for many of our students, it is their time to shine under the bright stage lights. 

We congratulate the main cast for not only their commitment to their roles but also for willingly taking on feedback and continuing to improve. We are proud of these students and know the younger children look up to them in awe as they perform in front of them. It is terrific to now see and hear about the younger children aspiring to be part of the production and taking on the main roles in future years. One of the big benefits of an event such as a production is how it brings the children together, to work as a team. This has been particularly prevalent over the past two weeks, as we have seen the energy in rehearsals go to another level. We wish them well and know they will do an amazing job.

I would like to thank Anna Gugliucciello and Amanda Baker for their tireless work in preparing the students and also liaising with members of the school community to bring this show to life. Their efforts have been ‘above and beyond’ and I am very grateful to them for their commitment. 

Below are some must-read details for next week.

A last-minute reminder for all - Ticket sales close at 4pm on Friday!

Tuesday 16th September

The children will all spend this day at the Kilbreda College in Mentone preparing for the show. We request that all children in Year 5 and 6 be dropped off at Kilbreda College Gate 4 on Como Parade West between 8.30am-8:45am. Children in all other classes will be transported to the theatre by bus and are to be dropped at school as normal. Buses will be leaving school at 10:30am. All children (Prep-Year 6) will be transported back to school by bus at the end of the day. Each child needs to bring with them their recess/lunch and a drink in disposable packaging. All children may wear their sports uniform on this day.

Arrival Times for the Performances

Arrival times at Kilbreda will be the same on both nights. Please note, we have brought forward the Year 5 and 6 arrival time  slightly to ensure we have enough time for costumes, face paint and sound testing.

5:15pm: All Year 5 and 6 to arrive promptly for costumes and face paint

6:00pm: Prep-Year 4 to arrive for costumes

6:30pm: Doors open for guests

7:00 pm sharp: Show begins

All students and guests are to enter via Gate 4 at Kilbreda College, as this is a direct entrance to the theatre. There will be a staff member supervising drop off. Students in Prep-Year 4 are not to be dropped off earlier than 6.00pm please. We understand this is a minor inconvenience for families with children across both year levels, however we need the time to focus on the senior children before the rest of the children arrive. Please plan for it and if needed, work together with other families. Thank you in advance for your support and understanding with this organisation arrangement.

***Please note that for security reasons, the entrance to Kilbreda College will be locked at 7.15pm each night, after the show has commenced. It will be reopened at the conclusion of the performances.

Parking

There is some parking at Kilbreda College, entering via Gate 6, off Como Parade West. There is also parking in the train station car park opposite Kilbreda. Children can be dropped off and then parents can find a park in the surrounding streets if required.

Parents in Change Rooms

The changing rooms on both nights will not be accessible to parents. Parent helpers have been rostered on to assist with makeup for the Year 5/6 students. These helpers have already been organised and no other parents will be permitted into the dressing rooms or backstage. Parents are to leave their children with staff at the entrance, until doors open for guests at 6.30pm.

Interval

As part of the ticket price, a drink and finger food will be served for guests at interval. Food and drink are not to be consumed inside the theatre.

Food and Drinks for the children

Water and a small snack will be supplied to the children during the interval. The children will need to have had dinner before they arrive for the show. Those children with allergies will be provided with popcorn.

Costumes

All costumes will be kept at the theatre and we ask that the children wear something comfortable and easy to take off, to put on costumes and change back into after the show. A note on Operoo has been sent to families outlining the requirements for children’s hair and makeup. If you have any questions about makeup, please contact your Class Rep. Children will change into their costume at the theatre and change out of their costume after the show.

Picking up of children after the show

If parents are not at a performance, they will need to pick up their children from the theatre by 8:40pm. After the children have changed out of their costumes, the staff and ushers will bring them to the theatre where the parents will be sitting. No child is allowed to leave the theatre before the conclusion of either show.

Length of Show

We expect the show to run for approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, including the intermission. The intermission will be approximately 20 minutes, which will allow the children to recharge for the second half of the show.

Use of Cameras

The use of phones, cameras and video cameras is prohibited due to copyright restrictions.

Program Sales and a link to the recording of the show

We have produced a full-colour program, which includes photos of the children and an explanation of the amazing story of Disney’s Finding Nemo Jr. This is a lovely keepsake of this wonderful and memorable event. A link to download a recording of the show will also be available. The option to buy programs and have access to the link with the recording of the show was available at the time of ticket purchase, so if you have already purchased these, there is no action required. If you have not already done so and wish to have these items, please follow the link below:

Morning after Shows

Many of the children will be very tired after the late nights on Tuesday and Wednesday night. I would encourage parents to let their children sleep in the next morning and arrive at school a little late if it is convenient. All staff will be at school from the normal starting time.

We look forward to a wonderful couple of nights for our school community, with the children front and centre in every way. The smiles on the faces of the children as they perform for you, is what I am most looking forward to seeing.

Kind regards,

Lachie.