Performing Arts

Music Matters

Christmas Twilight Concert

Remembrance Day: A heartfelt thank you to the Senior Concert Band, under the direction of Mrs Stella Talati and Year 10 trumpeter, Harry Moran, for their beautiful musical contribution to our Remembrance Day assembly on Monday. We were also privileged to have Knox Grammar's Piping Tutor, Mr Allan Watts, play the bagpipes and whose performance added a profound sense of reverence and ceremony to the service.

Twilight Concert: 21 November. We are excited to invite you to our Twilight Concert on 21 November, where all ensembles will showcase their talents. The concert will start at 5:00 pm and conclude with a festive Christmas Carols sing-along for all to enjoy! It promises to be a truly special evening, and we look forward to seeing you there.

Year 6 students need to be at school by 4:20 pm to receive their BBQ meal ticket and all other performers are asked to meet in Big Brother at 3:30 pm for an important briefing about the evening's schedule and to receive their complimentary performer ticket for the BBQ, kindly sponsored by the PAPA committee and supportive parents. There will also be food, drinks with a bake stall (hosted by the Performing Arts Cultural Tour students as a fundraising initiative) available for the school community to purchase throughout the evening. Blazers not required. There will be some car parking available on the school grounds.

Clipboard enrolments for Private Tuition and Ensembles

‘Performing Arts 2026’ will be open on Clipboard from the start of Week 7 for the whole holiday period.

Ensembles enrolment

All students wishing to be part of an ensemble, whether new or continuing, will need to enrol or re-enrol before Week 1 next year. Ensemble rehearsals for Music and Drama will be starting in Term 1, Week 2. For further enquiries please contact Ensembles Coordinator, Mr Andrew Saar: asaar@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Private Tuition reminders

Students currently enrolled in private instrumental or vocal lessons at the College do not need to reapply for 2026 as enrolments will automatically roll over.

If your son will not be continuing lessons next year, please ensure that 3 weeks’ written notice is provided to his tutor before the end of term, in accordance with College policy and to assist with planning for 2026.

Applications for new private lessons in 2026 will open on Clipboard in the coming weeks.

For any private tuition enquiries, please contact your son’s tutor directly or Mr Stephen Cummins, Coordinator of Private Tuition, at scummins@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Students who have hired instruments are reminded to return them to their tutor or the Music Office after their final lesson or ensemble rehearsal for the term.

For all other enquiries, please contact Ms Merryn Dodd, Performing Arts Administration Assistant, at sperformingarts@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au.

PAPA news

Christmas Twilight Concert - Friday 21 November - Helpers Needed!

We are calling for 15+ volunteers to help from 2:30 pm to set up and cook the BBQ, as well as serve before and during the concert. 1 hour slots available!

Mrs Sylvia Ulevik - PAPA President

(papaparents@pandf.spx.nsw.edu.au)

Term 4 Performing Arts important dates for your diary

Friday 21 November – Christmas Twilight Concert – All Concert Bands, all Jazz Bands, all Percussion Ensembles, Orchestra, Guitar Ensembles, Choirs, Rock Ensemble, Bass Ensemble – more information to come – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 26 November - Forestville RSL, 6:45 pm – Junior Jazz
Tuesday 2 December – Road to Bethlehem – Junior and Senior Chorales and selected musicians
Wednesday 3 December – End of Year Awards assembly – Senior Jazz Band - Oxford Falls

And for next year’s planning:

Term 1, 2025:

Week 3, Monday 9 February, 6:00 pm Performing Arts Information evening, followed by the PAPA AGM at 7:00 pm in the Band room. All welcome.

Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Leader of Learning, Performing Arts

Drama Matters

Elective Drama Showcase – A Celebration of Student Creativity

We are thrilled to invite you to our upcoming Elective Drama Showcase, where students from Year 9 and Year 10 will take to the stage to share the work they’ve developed throughout the year. This is a wonderful opportunity for our young performers to present their talents to peers, families, and the wider school community.

Despite the busy end-of-year schedule, our Drama students have been working with dedication and passion to refine their performances. The showcase will feature a vibrant mix of monologues, group-devised plays, and scenes from Shakespeare, all crafted and rehearsed in the classroom.

Come and support our students as they bring their creativity and storytelling to life.

WHEN: Thursday 20 November (after the Swimming Carnival)

WHERE: Sarto Centre from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Ms Penny Lindley - Leader of Learning, Drama