Performing Arts

Theatre Studies Excursion – Wednesday, 20 August 

In Week 5 our Year 9-12 Theatre Studies students had the amazing opportunity to head down to Melbourne alongside Loreto College to see Melbourne Theatre Company's production of Kimberly Akimbo. 

As part of their coursework, students analyse and evaluate a live piece of theatre, and our Year 12 students must write about his production on their end of year exam. 

This was an exceptional musical with standout performances by Casey Donovan and Marina Prior amongst others. The production told the story of 16-year-old Kimberly who suffers from a rare genetic condition that causes her to age rapidly, making her appear elderly. The musical was cleverly funny and heart aching at times.  

Purton Oratory Competition – Tuesday, 2 September 

The 84th annual Purton Oratory Competition was a huge success with students from years 7-12 showcasing the art of eloquence and persuasion across the public speaking events. The superb venue of the Music Ensemble Room allowed for the intimate delivery of speeches on a range of topics, and engaging debates with thrilling rebuttal. My sincere thank you to adjudicators Mr. Shane Murphy and Ms. Jen Casey and time keeping by Mr. Dirk Stickland.  

The results of each event are listed below:   

Ms. Mary Purcell Debate Years 7-9  

That Australia should implement a 4-day school week 

Winning Team: Negative Team 

1st Speaker – Harry Clark 

2nd Speaker – Jack Urquhart (best speaker)  

3rd Speaker – Xxavier Ballinger 

Br. H. T Breach Oratory Prepared Speech - Years 7-9  

Prepared five-minute speeches on a topic of the student’s choosing 

1st place – Xxavier Ballinger “My Sunburnt Country” 

2nd place – Brody Gregg “The Power of Giving Back” 

3rd place – Mitchell Shea “We should explore the ocean before space”  

Major Brian Broadribb Impromptu Speaking – Years 7-9 

Impromptu speech based on a topic received on the day.Competitors have5-minutes to prepare a 2–3-minute speech. 

1st place – Xxavier Ballinger - “We learn more from failure than success” 

2nd place – Jack Urquhart - “The greatest risk in life is not taking one” 

3rd place – Jimmy McLeod - “We learn more from failure than success” 

W.T. Doyle Debate - Years 10-12 

That all school and university exams should be open book 

Winning Team: Affirmative Team                                      

1st Speaker – George Rogers     

2nd Speaker – Eli Cudia                             

3rd Speaker – Archer Mohr (best speaker)           

Br. Purton Oratory Prepared Speech - Years 10-12  

Prepared six-minute speeches on a topic of the student’s choosing: 

1st place – Brendan Monaghan “The invisible battle” 

2nd place – Harrison Grant “A ban today, a crisis tomorrow” 

3rd place – Archer Mohr “Writing Tomorrow's Story Today” 

Sir Hugh Devine Impromptu Speaking Years 10-12 

Impromptu speech based on a topic received on the day.Competitors have5-minutes to prepare a 3–4-minute speech. 

1st place – Josh Hayes - “Freedom comes with responsibility”  

2nd place – Patrick Snowden - “The greatest challenge of our time is…” 

3rd place – Riley Hayes - “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” 

Thank you also to: 

• Sonya Roberts for her support in planning, setting up and coordinating the event. 
• Pat Murphy for filming the competition.  
• Tim Snibson for shifting a large amount of music equipment to allow us to use the Ensemble Room. 
• Matt Pankhurst & Katrina Bird for moving their music classes to accommodate us.  
• Maintenance for setting up the chairs.  
• Special guests Allan McKinnon & Major Brian Broadribb for their attendance and support of the Junior events.  
• Katie Spurgo for taking photos of the award winners. 
• All the staff who popped in to watch events throughout the day. 
• The students themselves – please congratulate all the speakers as we couldn’t run this event without their enthusiastic participation.  

Performing Arts Showcase – Tuesday, 9 September  

This week we held the Performing Arts night of nights with our 2025 showcase made up of special performances, video reflections and our annual awards for music, drama, debating and public speaking. It was a night of joy and celebration as we looked back on what has been a ground-breaking year for the Performing Arts at SPC. 

The award winners for Drama, Debating & Public Speaking were:  

• Endeavour – Acting: Abraham Muller 
• Endeavour – Backstage Crew: Thomas Gray 
• Rising Stars: Harrison Caruana & Mylo Wealands 
• Commitment to Excellence: Lucas Woolfe & Dylan Hanley 
• Emerging Talent: Miguel Dunne 
• Enthusiasm for Drama: Jake Arnol & Mitchell Shea 
• Dramatic Debut: Jacob Snowden 
• College Production Award Newsies: Riley Hayes  
• College Production Award Aladdin: Oscar Down 
• Leadership in Drama: Gabe Bristow 
• Walter Cherry Awards  
• Junior School: Ollie Horgan 
• Middle School: Henry Gilbert  
• Senior School: Josh Hayes 
• Senior Technical Crew Leader: Will Vanderkley  
• Performer of the Year: George Rogers  
• Endeavour Debating: Joseph Knobel & Jack Urquhart  
• Endeavour Public Speaking: Savio Jospeh  
• Leadership in Public Speaking Award: Daniel O’Brien  
• Excellence in Debating: Xxavier Ballinger & Archer Mohr 
• Purton Oratory Competition – winners listed above 

Congratulations to all our award winners and to every student who participated in a Performing Arts Co-Curricular program this year. We are so proud of all your achievements and hope you continue to share your talents with the school community.  

Thank you 

My warmest thank you to the staff and students of the Performing Arts who have achieved so much in a busy, yet short term. I hope you all have a safe and happy holidays and come back refreshed for an exciting Term 4 with events such as the Junior Debating program at Ballarat Grammar and our production of Aladdin Jr to look forward to!