The Arts
MUSIC
Middle School Concert
Our Middle School Concert was a fantastic celebration of student learning and musical achievement, with students from years 7, 8 and 9 showcasing the repertoire they have been developing throughout the semester.
A highlight of the evening was the debut performance of our year 7 Music students, who took to the stage with enthusiasm and confidence, performing for a public audience for the first time. Year 8 students impressed the crowd with performances of Ghostbusters and The Final Countdown, while the year 9 students demonstrated their growing musicianship through performances of The Incredibles and Born to Be Wild.
The concert attracted an incredible audience, with standing room only by the time performances began. It was wonderful to see so many families and community members supporting our young musicians and celebrating their hard work. Congratulations to all students involved on a memorable evening of music-making and to Music teachers Ms. Sarre, Ms. Horne and Ms. Down.
Article by Suriya Down | Senior Leader | Director of Music and The Arts
ASO Unwrapped Rehearsal
Year 9 and 10 Music students recently attended an Adelaide Symphony Orchestra Unwrapped Rehearsal at the Adelaide Town Hall, providing a valuable insight into the professional rehearsal process.
Students observed the orchestra rehearsing works by Mahler and Shostakovich, gaining a deeper understanding of ensemble communication, rehearsal techniques and professional performance etiquette. The experience offered students a unique opportunity to see how professional musicians refine their performances and respond to feedback in real time.
This excursion will directly inform students’ own rehearsal practices and concert preparation, while also strengthening their understanding of audience etiquette and expectations within professional performance settings. It was an inspiring and educational experience for all involved.
Article by Suriya Down | Senior Leader | Director of Music and The Arts
Soloist at the Adelaide Festival
In the middle of term 1, Ethan L, a year 9 student, was part of a Stephanie Lake Company production of her modern ballet The Chronicles at the Adelaide Festival, in which he sang as the soloist for 5 shows, accompanied by a group of approximately 20 other young performers aged between 8 and 16. All of the singers were selected from Young Adelaide Voices, a professional choral organisation that provides exceptional choral education within a friendly, positive and non-competitive environment.
Ethan is a part of their First Concert Choir, one of Young Adelaide Voices (YAV) two flagship choir groups, which consists of experienced choristers who perform at a range of public and private events both locally and elsewhere.
This was a great opportunity for Ethan to perform as a soloist at this prestigious event.
DANCE
Dance Showcase
The APHS Dance Showcase was a vibrant and energetic celebration of movement, creativity and performance. Students from year 9 Dance and SACE Dance presented a diverse program featuring solo performances, small group works and full-class dances.
The evening showcased both teacher-choreographed works by Dance teacher Kate Donovan and original student choreographies, highlighting the creativity, commitment and artistic growth of our dancers. Audiences were taken on a journey through the decades, with performances exploring a variety of dance styles, themes and influences.
The passion and enthusiasm of our students shone throughout the evening, creating an atmosphere full of energy and excitement. Congratulations to all performers and to Ms Donovan for her dedication in supporting students to develop their confidence and artistry on stage.
Article by Suriya Down | Senior Leader | Director of Music and The Arts
Aerobics
A newly formed aerobics group has started training every Wednesday lunchtime, with 12 enthusiastic students already participating. Students have been developing their fitness, coordination and teamwork skills while beginning work on routines for two upcoming competitions next term.
It has been fantastic to see such strong commitment and enthusiasm from the group and we look forward to watching their progress as they prepare for their first competitive performances.
Article by Suriya Down | Senior Leader | Director of Music and The Arts
DRAMA
Year 9 Drama – Pantalone Throws a Fit
On Thursday 4 June, our Year 9 Drama students delivered an energetic and highly entertaining performance of Pantalone Throws a Fit, an engaging example of Commedia dell’Arte which the class has been studying this semester.
The audience was treated to plenty of laughs and enthusiastic applause throughout the production.
Standout performances included:
- Jayden I as the irascible hypochondriac Pantelone
- Ella McI as his wife, Smeraldina
- Alby R as the wily Alecchino
- Jax G who stole every scene as Capitano
The class demonstrated excellent teamwork and skill, impressing everyone with their quick-paced humour and characterisation. Special thanks to Ms Jaensch for her dedicated work with the group, as well as to Ms Down and other backstage supporters who helped make the night a success.
Congratulations to all involved for their outstanding achievement.
Drama Excursion
Year 9, 11 and 12 Drama students recently attended the State Theatre Company South Australia’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest.
This contemporary interpretation of Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy provided students with the opportunity to experience professional theatre and analyse how directors and performers reimagine classic texts for modern audiences.
Students were particularly engaged by the production’s creative staging, strong character performances and comedic timing. The excursion supported classroom learning by allowing students to observe dramatic techniques, performance styles and production elements in a professional setting.
The experience sparked valuable discussions about interpretation, design and audience engagement, providing inspiration for students’ own creative and analytical work in Drama.
Article by Suriya Down | Senior Leader | Director of Music and The Arts
Published author
At the start of the year, Ethan L, a year 9 student, became a published writer after being invited to contribute to an anthology of poems and short stories on the theme of The Afterlife, published by the Teen Writers' Club of Adelaide.
The Teen Writers Club is organised by Writers SA and is hosted by South Adelaide local author Adam Cece. It is open to teens interested in writing and improving their skills by receiving feedback from published authors and socialising with Australia’s potential future writers. This anthology was made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the State Library.
This book is available in South Australia’s Library network, so if you’re interested, you can borrow it to read it for yourself.
VISUAL ART
Year 8 Art students explore value and realism through charcoal drawing
This term, our year 8 Art students have delved into the concept of value, investigating how subtle gradations between light and dark can be used to convey three-dimensional form.
With this foundational understanding, students undertook the challenge of creating detailed charcoal drawings focused on the back of a person's head.
Through experimentation with directional lines and nuanced shading, students honed their ability to render hair texture and depth.
Their careful observations and skillful application of technique brought each artwork to life, creating a realistic sense of volume and dimension.
This project offered students an engaging opportunity to develop their observational skills while deepening their appreciation for the power of value in creating convincing, tactile representations. The results are impressive, showcasing both artistic growth and newfound confidence in charcoal drawing.
Article by Aimee Sweet (Cullen) | Visual Art and Photography Teacher