Performing Arts

   Communicating with the Specialist Team

We look forward to partnering with you in 2025, and welcome your input:

Penelope Lang (Performing Arts) penelope.lang@education.vic.gov.au 

Wominjeka!

It was an honour to attend the Year Six graduation ceremony last week and hear all of the amazing speeches from our leavers. They did a great job with their chosen song, 'I'll Always Remember You' and I can guarantee you that we will 'always remember you' too. Thank you for allowing me to be your Performing Arts teacher, and I hope you will continue to be creative in some shape or form in the future.

Congratulations to all of the award winners on the night and a BIG congratulations to the very talented and vivacious, Charlie R, who received the Performing Arts award for 2025. This is what I said about him:

Performing Arts Award 2025

It is probably no surprise that The Performing Arts Award for 2025 is being awarded to the one and only Charlie. 

Charlie’s love of singing, dancing and acting has shone through in everything he has achieved at our school.

He has been a previous PA captain, as well as a consistent member of our choir (as a junior and a senior), was the lead vocalist in our first ever school rock band, ‘The Electric Lyrebirds’, he has participated in the Victorian State Schools Spectacular (as both a singer and a dancer), entered USGT on multiple occasions, set up his own lunchtime singing group, performed in multiple videos for our ‘Let’s Talk’ program, had a lead role in our school production, has enthusiastically hosted anything I’ve ask him to and has confidently lead us in our National Anthem at our school assemblies. 

The list of his performing achievements outside of school is just as long.

Needless to say, The Arts hold a very special place in Charlie’s life. It is not just an activity for him…it is a part of who he is.

Charlie, I could stand here and commend you on all these artistic achievements (which I am) but what I really want to congratulate you on is your courage to be yourself.

You’re quirky, funny, creative and dedicated and I love that you march to the beat of your own drum….even when at times that has had its challenges.

I am SOOOOOOO excited that you have been accepted into the Rowville Institute of the Arts in 2026. I have no doubt that you will find a tribe of like- minded people who will inspire you to believe in yourself and to follow your creative dreams. And please remember me when you are famous!

So…as it says on the Performing Arts room door it’s time to….Go forth and be fabulous! 

Whole School Christmas Concert

Thank you so much for attending our whole school Christmas concert on the oval and for supporting your children to enjoy this fabulous event. They have been talking about it non stop since last Thursday. My favourite comment from a student was:

"Ms Lang, I have waited ALL YEAR for tonight'

Here are some comments:

"I loved the staff singing and catching the bubbles"

"The super doopers were the best and we had lots of food on our blanket"

"I loved the Art show the best"

"I loved the people who danced with the big coloured discs" (vsss)

"I loved the sausage dog and the Pug, that was so funny"

"Hanging out with my friends was so much fun"

"I loved watching the flying dogs, that was crazy"

"It was great that we got to hang out with friends"

"It was cool doing the American wave....I mean the Mexican wave"

"I could see parents doing the Nutbush...and some teachers too"

"I liked it when they played 'Golden'before the 3/4s dance"

"The preps dancing with their buddies was so cute"

"I loved the dinosaur dance"

"Pig the Pug was my favourite" (said multiple times - definitely the favourite song)

Thank you to Ms Oakley for taking these gorgeous pictures on the night!

Groove Foundations Instrumental Music Concert

On Thursday 27th November, we were treated to an amazing evening of musical talent! Our students who take part in the Groove Foundations Instrumental Music Program were provided with the opportunity to perform a chosen piece in front of a live audience. 

The confidence and talent on show were breathtaking and inspiring for all to see. Congratulations to all who took part- we can't wait to see the next performance. 

Foothills Community Care - Reverse Advent Calendar

Thank you to all of you for supporting the Foothills Community Care with their Giving Tree and in turn  supporting families in our surrounding communities who are doing it tough this Christmas.  They will be collecting all donated goods on THURSDAY 18th December at approximately 10am. Please feel free to drop off any last minute food or gift items to our front reception area.

Suggested donations include:

🎁 New, unwrapped presents for primary-aged children

🥫 Non-perishable food items for care packages. See the attached Reverse Advent Calendar for some ideas.

Upwey South's Got Talent

We have been busy watching all of the junior and senior entries in USGT. We will be voting next week and the winners will be announced at the final assembly. I have been so proud of the students for showing such support, respect and encouragement whilst being a USGT audience.

Victorian State School's Spectacular - 2026

As you might have heard on the night of our Christmas concert, we have been one of the lucky schools to have been selected to participate in the VSSS for 2026. We will be looking for 20 singers and 16 dancers to represent our school at this incredible event. More information will be sent home and all Expressions of Interest to participate must be received by the end of Week One in Term One, 2026. I will be holding an information session on Thursday to answer any questions from students who have not participated before and might not know what to expect. 

The 2025 VSSS will be televised on TV on Friday 19th December at 7.00pm on Channel 7. I strongly encourage you to tune in to see why we LOVE it so much! You might even spot one of our 16 dancers and be inspired by them to apply!

Finally, I just want to say THANK YOU for supporting the Performing Arts and Instrumental program at USPS. Next year we will be doing a whole school production (all will be revealed) and I can't wait to get creative all over again.

Merry Christmas.

May your days be merry and bright.