Music and Performing Arts
Hola! Amazing Newlands Community. Our wonderful students from Foundation to Year 6 have been immersed in a vibrant and engaging Performing Arts curriculum, where each year level has explored different aspects of music and movement. Here’s a snapshot of what our young learners have been up to:
Foundation & Year 1/2: Discovering Sounds and Movement
Our youngest students have been exploring the world of musical instruments through sound and hands-on experiences. They learned about the four main families of instruments based on how they produce sound:
Idiophones (instruments you shake or strike like maracas or xylophones)
Chordophones (string instruments like guitars or violins)
Aerophones (wind instruments like recorders or flutes)
Membranophones (drums and other percussion instruments with a membrane)
The students listened to, practised with, and learned to identify each instrument by its unique sound.
In dance, they explored how the body moves naturally and how movement can express ideas. They delighted in imitating the dances of a dinosaur and a chicken — fun and imaginative activities that also helped them understand the difference between slow and fast movement, while building coordination and memorization skills.
One of the most exciting moments this term was the whole-school performance of “We Will Rock You”. Students in year 1/2 came together to sing, stomp, drum, and celebrate their musical growth. The performance was not only a showcase of their talent, but a reflection of the teamwork, dedication, and joy that music brings to our school.
Year 3/4: Music with Purpose and Performance
Students in Years 3 and 4 have taken their music and dance learning to the next level. One of their major highlights was preparing and performing "Macarena Recharged", a high-energy remix of the classic dance. Through this project, they practised:
-Maintaining tempo and rhythm
-Using stage space effectively
-Singing in Spanish
-Performing confidently for an audience
They also began rehearsing the drumming beat for the song "Stand Up, Be Loud, Speak Now," which will be video recorded in Term 3. This piece combines drumming on the traditional djembe with movement and performance, giving students an exciting opportunity to share their musical talents with the broader school community.
Year 5/6: From Notation to Cultural Exploration
Students have been developing a deeper understanding of musical structure and cultural significance. Their learning journey included:
-Participating in music and dance games to reinforce rhythm, timing, and teamwork
Learning the basics of music notation, including:
What a staff is
The role of the treble clef
Recognizing and understanding musical notes
-Exploring the ukulele, learning:
Where the instrument comes from
The names of the strings (letters and numbers)
How to play three of the most common chords
As part of Reconciliation Week, students investigated the importance of music to Aboriginal cultures. Through engaging games and storytelling activities, they began to appreciate how music and dance play a vital role in Aboriginal traditions, communication, and community life. This learning will continue throughout the year, with more opportunities to celebrate and connect with local music and dance traditions.
Looking Ahead
Music and dance continue to be powerful tools for expression, learning, and connection. As we look forward to more performances, recordings, and community celebrations, we’re proud of every student’s progress — from the first beat on a drum to the final chord on the ukulele.
To all the parents, teachers, and community members — thank you for your support in nurturing the creative spirit of our students. We can’t wait to show you what’s next!
Let the music play, and the learning continue! 🎶💃🪘