Focus on Performing Arts

In the Performing Arts Room

This year, students have dived into the very busy world of Performing Arts. 

Foundation Students

We have spent the last few weeks working on establishing procedures deeply rooted in Positive Class Management which we hope would bloom into clear expectations and routines. Students have been introduced to learning to sing low and high notes with “Bobo”, this will translate to learning solfege on a tone ladder. They have also put on their dancing shoes and learnt to dance to a traditional song from Xinjiang,  Northwest China. 

Through this dance, they explored song structure and also keeping a steady beat. Recently, I have been trying to think of musical lessons reflecting my culture and upbringing, the tune of this Xinjiang folk song was stuck in my head as I remembered practising very hard for this dance when I was in kindergarten! After a late night dive into the internet trying to find this tune, I finally found it and some also some very interesting facts about the intersection between Xinjiang (Uyghur Music) and Brahms. Here is an article if you are curious about this connection and influence!

• “I want the dragon thing again!” ~ Xyla, Foundation B

• “I want to be the dragon next time!” ~ Reuben, Foundation B

Grade 1 & 2 Students

We have started our very exciting unit into learning about the elements of music through playing the ukulele. Besides the joy and satisfaction of being able to play an instrument, there are many benefits in learning the ukulele which helps with upkeeping and improving the neuroplasticity of our brain. In this video, created by acclaimed music educator and brain developer researcher Doctor Anita Collins, you can learn about this impact. We did take a break from our unit to celebrate Lunar New Year. Each year I use drama to share the story of “Nian” and the significance of the lion dance in Chinese culture, this year we also learnt about traditional Chinese dancing.

• “We pretended to be villagers in the play.” ~ Leo FW, 2C

• “Two people in our class got to be the “lion” which terrorises the village.” ~ Izzy U, 2C

• “We learnt a special piece of music on tambourines and drums to scare the “lion” away.” ~ Chloe C, 2C

• “We got to wear pink and red skirts and danced around with it.” Jessie B and Clover M, 2A

• “We got to be the butlers.” Maggie and Reggie, 2A

• “We are tired after ukulele lesson because we are using  all of our brain.” ~ Lachie, 1A

• “I feel the fireworks in my brain.” Rex D, 1A

Grade 3 & 4 Students

We have started this term focusing on what our SWPBS work looks like in all three Performing Arts disciplines. We have spent two lessons demonstrating how we can be safe, respectful, resilient and a learner while dancing and have just begun exploring how to demonstrate our SWPBS work in drama lessons. We will finish the term by discussing and demonstrating how to be safe, resilient, respectful and a learner when using instruments and making music as a group.

Grade 5 & 6 Students

Students have also started this term by focusing on what our SWPBS work looks like in all three Performing Arts disciplines. After demonstrating how to be safe, resilient, a learner and respectful in a dance and drama lesson, we have begun our music work, which we will continue for the rest of the term. We started by reviewing how to play a basic rock beat and will be moving on to playing modified and full chords on guitars and ukuleles.

School Concerts Dates for 2026

As always, we are well underway with preparations for all of our concerts in 2026 – after all, what is Performing Arts without a performance?! We have been busy booking venues, viewing scripts and coordinating with tech staff so we are ready to get our performers singing, dancing, acting and creating.

Grade 1&2 Concert

More information on this concert will come soon!

• Concert date: Tuesday 18 August

• Venue: Kew High School

   

Grade 3&4 Concert

You may have already heard from some very excited students that this year the circus is coming to Fairfield! Next term, The Circus Crew will be coming to FPS on a weekly basis to work with our grade 3 and 4 students to teach them a variety of circus performance skills that will be showcased in a performance. More information regarding the circus lessons, performance times and tickets will be available in the coming weeks.

• Concert date: Thursday 18 June
• Venue: The Centre, Ivanhoe

Grade 5&6 Concert

The big musical all the students look forward to will have a slightly different set up this year. We always struggle to find a venue with enough seating to accommodate the audience for this performance. To combat this, and to see that the grade 5 students have more time on stage, we will be performing our musical over two nights. The grade 6 cast will perform both evenings and the grade 5 classes will perform on one evening. 

We are really excited to try something new this year. By having the performance over two nights we will have more tickets for family members, which in previous years, we have had to limit. We can’t wait to show you how talented FPS performers are… twice!

• First Night Performance: Tuesday 20 October – all Grade 6 and 5A/5B
• Second Night Performance: Wednesday 21 October – all Grade 6 and 5C/5D
• Venue: Kew High School

Brass Program

Our fabulous brass teacher, Sean Nihil from Thornbury High School, will be joining us again this year to continue our brass tuition program. Students who are involved in the program are provided with an instrument to use and free lessons. Those students who were involved last year are able to continue their lessons and we will be opening the program up to new students in grades 4 and 5 who have indicated an interest. If there is more interest than spots available, we will draw names out of a hat. 

Lessons occur after lunch, every second Tuesday in the gym foyer. It is essential that students who are involved in the program bring their instruments for lesson days. The dates for lessons are below:

• 10 Mar
• 24 Mar
• 21 Apr
• 5 May
• 19 May
• 2 Jun
• 16 Jun

Big Band – What a Crew 

Wow – what a crew we have for 2026! We have started the year with a huge group of new and returning musicians who are keen to make music together. We have begun working on a traditional Chinese folk song Lift Your Veil, as well as the Johnny Nash classic, I Can See Clearly Now. We are looking forward to a really productive year in band, with lots of performance opportunities. To help facilitate this, please remind your child to bring their music and instrument (if applicable) every Wednesday.

Committing to Choir

Just a reminder that choir for the rest of the term is held at after lunch on Fridays. We have a great group coming in. A reminder that students will commit to attending this program for the whole year if they choose to sign up by the end of this week.

Olivia Li & Keri Spence

Performing Arts teachers