Victorian State School Spectacular

As part of Student Excellence, UHS was thrilled to offer an exciting opportunity to take part in the Victorian State School Spectacular (VSSS) for high ability students to create a large-scale puppetry performance showcased live at the John Cain Sports Arena for the 2023 VSSS, held September 9th, 2023. 

The annual VSSS program is an invaluable performing arts opportunity for Victorian Government primary and secondary school students. The program showcases and unites government school communities through working towards a common goal of more students reaching the highest level of achievement in the arts, ensuring kids are happy, healthy and resilient, and building pride in our schools.

The ensemble was led by UHS Drama teacher, Ed Boyle. Mr Boyle has worked as a Director for Circus Oz, Moomba Parade, St Martins Youth Arts Theatre and The Song Room as well as performed with Walking With Dinosaurs Live, WETA Workshop, Legs on the Wall, Theatre of Image, Sydney Theatre Company, and the Henson’s Creature Workshop, and under his creative direction the students devised a twenty minute piece, manipulating two large scale puppets.

Having only 4 weeks to create and refine the piece amidst the busy end of term was no easy feat; however, the ensemble, consisting of students from Years 7 to 12, were true professionals and worked collaboratively together. A huge congratulations to the students involved: Yazid Achary-Khan, Bailey Brown, Riley Dexter, Akshat Doshi, Anais Fernando, Deridre Fleming, Lucy Fogarty, Ruilin Guan, Caminha Luu, Siddharth Mhalgi, Molly O’Mahony, James Rawlings, Sree Senthill and Chloe Snazell. Lastly, a big thank you to Mr Ed Boyle and Ms Maddie Brown, who supported students from development to performance as without them, these opportunities would not be possible.

Veronica Sanders