Dance 

Preps and Year One

As we come to the end of the first term we reflect back on the key elements that we’ve worked on and put together over the past weeks. As students have learnt all about the different body parts through our warm ups and stretching techniques, they have now started taking us through the paces to start class. Having that fun lesson where students are taking the warm up helps them recognise and understand the different body parts and muscle groups, what stretches we use to warm up those parts identified, and the order in which we do this. This also helps with body awareness in all areas while maintaining familiarity on the left and right sides.                                                                                                                    We also have revisited what we’ve learnt over the weeks regarding shapes, angles, levels, counts, and body parts through rhythm sections and routines. This has helped keep students connected with what we’ve learnt, retaining important key points to build on going into dance classes in the future. This has also helped in other areas such as Physical Education and sports helping the students become more agile in movement.                                                                                                                        YEAR 7’s.                                                                  Year 7’s have been busy completing the task set out of putting together the second half of a routine. Students had a routine started for them with choreography and set positions set out, and had to combine their efforts and work as a team to complete the second part of it. This prompted many different reactions amongst the class, yet also prompted students to be more open minded, to communicate and collaborate to achieve the final goal. The students then had to perform what they had created to fellow students and staff, showing off their creative abilities and flare for the others to see. Both classes brought different elements and concepts to their performance showcasing individuality as a student and a group.                                                                                                                While their performances were well received amongst their piers, this highlighted what team work, commitment, and consistency can achieve and accomplish when all members combine collaborate together. There were so many key important elements that were discussed and reflected upon throughout this process that had nothing to do with dance but rather the outside world. Yet through dance and this process we were able to identify the similarities between both and how they cross over in so many ways. This opened up students to adjusting and elevating their mindset when thinking about other areas in life such as their sports teams, projects, jobs, perception and being proactive.Congratulations to all the students and all you’ve achieved this term, well done!                                                                                                                                                                              Victorian State School Spectacular.                The VSSS dancers have been working extremely hard over the last few weeks and have made amazing progress! We had our second combined Hub dance rehearsal with the other schools this week over at St Albans School which went for the whole day. The students once again represented our Saltwater College community at the highest level with great respect, dedication, and appreciation for the opportunity’s they were experiencing.                                                                                                          They pushed through a long day of rehearsals going over choreography we had previously learnt before adding on new routines to go on top of that. With so much choreography and information being crammed in, they persisted and delivered to their absolute best gaining the respect of the VSSS choreographers and organisers!They have also been working through two dance rehearsals a week showing dedication, commitment, and great teamwork, while creating a positive and uplifting workspace. I am proud of how far the students have come in such a short time and can’t wait to see the progress they make between now and the big show!