High Street Bells Chior

Dear Principal Hanley, 

The High Street Bells Choir members have enjoyed and valued the regular visits by St Monica's College students during 2025. The students have had a very positive effect on the choir through their enthusiastic participation in singing and their interactions with our singers, support workers and volunteers. Some specific contributions are, for example, enhancing our harmonies in several songs by joining 'the harmony group' and introducing a vocal warmup that has become part of our weekly routine (‘Bumble bee…’). Moreover, their cheerful enthusiasm and eagerness to assist with the various tasks that support the choir have been greatly appreciated. The school and their families can be very proud of these young people.

Our choir also benefited enormously from the performances we gave at your annual Spirituality Days both this and last year. The opportunity to sing for a large and very appreciative audience boosted both our spirits and our skills. We are also grateful for the fundraising assistance you have given us.

Quite a few of us also attended the school’s performance of the musical ‘Mama Mia’. We were so impressed with all the student performers. A special treat was when a number of the students performed the title song for us at a regular choir session.

From the very beginning of the choir in 2010, one of our stated purposes was to create opportunities for the general public to gain greater understanding of, interaction with and appreciation of people with disabilities. The relationship we have established with your school, and in particular with Wendy Styring and the students who attend our choir, is an excellent example of how this greater understanding can be fostered in a natural and enjoyable way. We are grateful to all those who have made it possible. 

Yours, 

Dr Julie Contole

Committee President