Performing Arts News

Spectacular arena performance by Warrandyte Primary School

Seventeen Warrandyte Primary School (WPS) students and five past students starred at John Cain Arena on Saturday, September 13, as the Victorian State Schools Spectacular celebrated its 30th year with the dazzling show “VSSS25 - On Air”.

Bringing together 2,500 students from across the state ‘Spec’ is a performance opportunity that the WPS community have seen change lives. Working with creatives and industry professionals like Musical Director, Chong Lim, and Dance Director, Yvette Lee, is an incredible experience which often inspires and encourages the students to pursue a career in Performing Arts. It’s one of the reasons why our school has been a proud participator in the event since 2010. In that time, hundreds of students have benefited from the joy of sharing their love of dance and song with like-minded students, developing important life skills and feeling like rock stars in front of an audience of over 12000 people!

This year’s show was particularly special for WPS. While dancing up a storm on the arena floor to the songs “Move Your Feet” and “Think”, our Year 5 & 6 Mass Dancers were able to look up at the mainstage and draw inspiration from the performance of fellow Year 6 student and principal vocalist, Zack Poole. Zack, who first appeared at Spec in 2023 as part of the WPS Mass Dance team, also featured in the song ‘Dance Monkey’. But it was his smooth, toe-tapping duet to Nat King Cole’s ‘Straighten up and Fly Right’, with older brother Cameron (Year 12 Swinburne Secondary College) that fully showcased his song and dance skills and mature stage presence – as well as creating a moment of proud reflection for family, friends and teachers.

Many were visibly moved watching Zack and Cameron perform so beautifully together. Cameron represented WPS in Mass Dance when he was in Year 5 and 6 and went on to follow his passion for music at secondary performing arts schools and as a highly respected principal vocalist at Spec for four years. It was a privilege to watch his full Spec journey, and to witness Zack following the same exciting path.

Adding to the celebration of the show, was the inclusion of WPS past students Maeva Khazour and Sophie Dibb in the audition-only Victorian State School Choir, along with Izayah Khazour as a principal vocalist. Izayah, who returned to WPS this year as part of his volunteer work with Doncaster Secondary College’s Duke of Edinburgh program, wowed the audience not only with his vocals, but also his rap and whistling skills in the songs ‘Trendsetter’ and ‘I Ain’t Worried’.

The Year 3 & 4 students loved having Izayah share his performance skills and insights with them, and many supported him in the audience. When visiting the school recently, he was greeted with a much-deserved rock star welcome!

The arena performances might be over, but it isn’t about to get quiet in our Bampi rehearsal space for Zack and the Spec Mass Dancers. The students are busy putting on their tap shoes in song and dance rehearsals for the whole school production, ‘Singin’ in the Rain JR’. Film critic David Stratton’s all-time favourite show will be proudly performed by WPS at George Wood Performing Arts Centre on December 10.

150th Stone Building/Wellbeing Ceramic Garden Event performances

Congratulation to all students who participated in the outdoor performances at Wednesday’s special event!

The students worked hard during Auslan classes this term to learn many new signs to accompany a song which would have been known by the WPS students responsible for the 1975 time capsule - “Give Me a Home Among the Gumtrees”. They were delighted when they learnt Kevin O’Mara would be returning to sing the classic Bush Band song with them, as well the popular song “Road to Gundagai”.

Many thanks to Kev for volunteering his time to rehearse and perform with the whole school, and to the current and past students who happily picked up the spoons, lagerphone, washboard, slap-bass and guitar to form a special Bush Band for one-night-only.

We were also treated to three fabulous songs which featured in this year’s Victorian State Schools Spectacular, “Move Your Feet”, “Straighten Up and Fly Right” and “Come Alive”. Big thanks, and congratulations, to Cameron and Zack Poole and Izayah and Maeva Khazour for sharing your incredible vocal talents with our community. Thanks, too, to members of the Year 5/6 Spec Dance team who danced with skill and energy on a very sunny evening!

Finally, a big thank you to Ada’s Grandmother, Heather, and her wonderful band “Orangutango”. Your fabulous music was enjoyed by both the students and families.

Singin’ In the Rain update

Now that the 150th event performances are over, it is full steam ahead for our students in preparing for our whole school production of “Singin’ In the Rain JR”!

Costumes are being organised, and the ticket sale date will soon be announced, so it is important, please, to be notified if any families will be away or if their child/ren will not be participating in the performance.

We are still kindly requesting help with props and set items. Please let me know if you are interested in making, sourcing or loaning any of the below listed props:

1920s-style standing microphones x 2
vintage movie lights on tripod (these could be made or sourced)
5 x newspaper covers (1920s's style) for five characters to hide behind
small 'sound deck' with fake switches and dials (about 60cm across x 40cm down)
donations or loaning of character/Broadway, or tap shoes (black or tan) suitable to fit girls aged Year 4 – 6

Many thanks

Kirsty