College News

Arts Day: A Kaleidoscope of Creativity and Celebration

Arts Day at the College was an extraordinary celebration of creativity and collaboration, transforming The Common into a vibrant hub of artistic expression. Students and staff immersed themselves in a variety of hands-on activities that catered to all interests and skill levels. The painting station buzzed with activity as students experimented with different techniques. Screen printing workshops allowed students to personalise their own designs, producing unique pieces to proudly take home. 

Spare Parts Puppet Theatre ran a puppet station which offered the chance for students to explore their creativity, while others had fun learning the art of Juggling!

The day’s entertainment was nothing short of spectacular, with dance groups delivering breathtaking routines across a range of styles, captivating the audience with their talent and energy. Our live artist-in-residence, Jacinda Bayne, worked on a canvas, offering a glimpse into her creative processes, inspiring onlookers to express themselves through art. Adding to the festive atmosphere was a roving stilt walker and astronauts, who brought a sense of whimsy and wonder to the event.

Arts Day was more than just an event; it was a celebration of the College community’s creativity, unity and the joy of self-expression!

Battle of the Choirs 2024: Murdoch House Triumphs!

The 2024 Battle of the Choirs, the final event of Arts Day, was a dazzling display of musical talent and school spirit. This year's theme 'Bangers and Mash', inspired our choirs to deliver performances brimming with energy and creativity.

The competition was intense, with each house presenting a unique mash-up of songs that left the audience and judges thoroughly impressed. Judging was based on a range of criteria, including intonation, dynamics, diction, musicality, part singing, memory, creativity, and overall entertainment value.

A special congratulations goes to Murdoch House, which emerged victorious and was crowned the 2024 Battle of the Choirs champions! Their performance stood out for its exceptional blend of musical skill and stage presence, earning them the inaugural trophy awarded for this event.

Big shoutout to all the other houses for their amazing performances! Each one brought something special to the stage, and your hard work and creativity really shone through. Congratulations to Murdoch House for taking the top spot, but a huge thanks to everyone for making this year’s Battle of the Choirs so memorable. You all made it an unforgettable event!

Year 12 Solo Performances

As part of our Arts Day celebrations, Year 12 ATAR and General dance students presented a special showcase featuring their Original Solo Compositions. These talented individuals dedicated significant time and effort to creating and perfecting their pieces, and their talent and hard work were evident in their stunning performances.

Each performance was a unique reflection of the students' creativity, dedication, and passion for dance. Through their compositions, they explored a range of themes, emotions, and movement styles, offering a glimpse into their personal artistic journeys.

Jacinda Bayne Workshop

Last Thursday evening HotHouse Company held a very successful community Arts workshop in the Senior School art rooms with our recent Artist-in-Residence, Jacinda Bayne. Jacinda stepped through the processes of working in watercolours with 20 of the College’s parents and friends. She is a renowned artist and also an amazing teacher, and her scaffolded approach to teaching the use of watercolours allowed all participants, regardless of skill level, to achieve amazing results in two hours. A big thank you to the Friends of the Arts, in particular Mel and Meg, who supplied the wine and the beautiful cheeseboards on the night.

The workshop sold out in four hours and, due to the interest shown in this event, HotHouse Company are planning another community Arts workshop in Term 4, so please follow HotHouse Facebook and Instagram page, as well as the Parent of the Arts socials, to be kept informed about upcoming events.

Ms Louise Elscot

Exhibition Coordinator / Arts Teacher

Year 9 & 10 Visual Art Students Immersed in Rone Exhibition

Our Year 9/10 Visual Art students were lucky enough to visit the blockbuster exhibition at the Art Gallery of WA by street artist Rone. The AGWA’s website describes the artist and his work as:

Emerging from the fertile underground street art scene in Melbourne, Rone has carved a distinct niche for himself, drawing acclaim and growing audiences to his large-scale installations that breathe life into forgotten rooms, buildings and eras. More than just murals, these are collaborations with the very spaces themselves. Lights flicker, sound envelopes, murals cast your eye up and across. Like a puppet master pulling strings, Rone crafts the very atmosphere of your experience. Breaking free from the confines of the traditional gallery model and embracing the impermanence inherent in painting walls, Rone descends on spaces and gives them a voice. His recent triumphs include Empire – a look at lost luxury, manifested by tides swallowing a decaying art deco mansion – and Omega, a noble final cry from the last weatherboard cottage standing.

Time · Rone is the culmination of years, decades and a life spent chasing new artistic horizons, and stepping back to let spaces speak for themselves.

Our students explored Rone’s installation which is spread out across many rooms in the old Centenary gallery space at the back of the art gallery. His work is evocative, nostalgic and, surprisingly, quite moving. We strongly encourage you to visit this show. Tickets can be found here. The exhibition closes on 30 September.

Students also viewed the West Australian Pulse exhibition which features 60 works by 2023 Year 12 Visual Arts graduates from 36 schools across WA.

After a quick pit-stop for lunch, students hopped back on the bus and headed to the Fremantle Arts Centre for the Indian Ocean Craft Trienniale. IOTA24 showcases the work of international craft artists and groups from six Indian Ocean countries: – India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia and South Africa – and includes First Nations Australians and Australians of diverse heritages. The exhibition is beautifully curated and is also highly recommended.

Ms Louise Elscot

Exhibition Coordinator / Visual Arts Teacher

Year 7 Parents and Grandparents Project Utopia Expo: A Showcase of Visionary Ideas

On Thursday 22 August, All Saints' College was abuzz with excitement as Year 7 students presented their innovative ideas at the Parents and Grandparents' Project Utopia Expo. This event was the culmination of weeks of hard work, research, and creative thinking, where students reimagined the future of Fremantle Port through the lens of the Global Sustainable Development Goals.

The Expo was a platform for students to showcase their vision boards and model prototypes, which reflected their understanding of various liveability factors such as cultural heritage, housing, business opportunities, recreation and sustainable infrastructure. These visionary concepts were informed by the students' recent excursion to Fremantle, where they gained first-hand insights into the port's potential for transformation.

Parents, grandparents, teachers and members of the Future of Fremantle Committee attended the Expo, providing valuable feedback and engaging in meaningful discussions with the young designers. The event highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary thinking, collaboration, and real-world learning, as students demonstrated how they could integrate creativity with critical thinking to address complex global challenges.

The Year 7 Project Utopia Expo not only showcased the students' innovative ideas but also celebrated their growth as future leaders and change-makers. Their ability to envision a more sustainable and vibrant Fremantle Port is a testament to the power of education in shaping a better future. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who supported the students throughout this project and look forward to seeing how these young minds will continue to innovate and inspire.

Mr Steven Scotti (Director of the Design Hub) and Mr Paul Green (Head of Transition)

Staff V Students Wheelchair Game Fundraiser

Last Wednesday, Murdoch House organised an exciting staff vs students wheelchair basketball game to raise awareness for Rebound WA, coinciding with the start of the Paralympics. The event was a hit, with students eagerly enjoying their pre-ordered Domino’s pizzas while cheering on the teams in a thrilling match at the ISC.

Adding to the fundraising efforts, the PE department generously donated proceeds from the recent sports shirt celebration day. Thanks to the collective enthusiasm and support of our community, we successfully raised $1,153 for Rebound WA!