St George's on Tour
Inside the 2026 Sydney Performing Arts Tour!
After months of preparation, multiple information evenings, planning meetings, rehearsals, check-ins and countless behind-the-scenes logistics, the 2026 Sydney Performing Arts Tour officially took off, and what an unforgettable success it was! From the moment students and families arrived at the airport with their tour jackets, lanyards and excitement levels at an all-time high, the week quickly became filled with extraordinary opportunities, laughter, professional learning and memories our students and staff will treasure for years to come. The group photo at the airport really captured the amount of people involved and the excitement all were feeling!
One of the standout highlights was experiencing Phantom of the Opera on Sydney Harbour, where students witnessed world-class theatre under the stars with the Sydney skyline as a backdrop. It was a breathtaking reminder of the scale and magic of live performance and an inspiring experience for all involved. Students also loved the iconic cabaret dinner boat cruise, which quickly became one of the most talked-about evenings of the trip, especially when Mrs Tagore enthusiastically joined the Can Can dancers to the delight of the entire group! The night perfectly captured the joy, humour and sense of community that defined the tour.
Throughout the week, students participated in an incredible range of industry workshops and experiences. A major highlight included the highly anticipated workshops at Brent Street, where students worked with inspiring industry professionals, including an additional teacher originally from Perth, creating an immediate connection for many students. The experiences at NIDA, Sydney Dance Company were amazing and a highlight was Miss Watson smashing each workshop showing such passion for the arts that is encouraged in our programs every day.
The tour also provided many meaningful moments beyond performance and workshops. Students attended a healing service within the local church community, where many were moved by hearing familiar favourite service hymns performed so beautifully in a new setting. The experience created a strong sense of reflection, gratitude and connection while away from home.
The group embraced every opportunity to build community spirit, from themed dress-up nights and group dinners to the nightly tradition of surprise group gifts delivered to students. Mrs Taylor became famous for her nightly “secret password and lock” updates posted on Teams, helping maintain organisation while also creating a fun and memorable ritual students eagerly anticipated each evening.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Mr Hanssen worked tirelessly triaging lanyards, schedules, technology and logistics, ensuring the group remained organised and moving efficiently across Sydney’s busy transport network. Thanks to the exceptional planning and teamwork of staff and students alike, the group consistently stayed ahead of schedule, even becoming known for operating on the famous “tour 10-minute buffer” that kept everything running smoothly.
Students explored some of Sydney’s most iconic locations and arts experiences throughout the tour, including visits to Sydney Tower Eye, Luna Park Sydney, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Madame Tussauds Sydney and live theatre experiences across the city. Students also gained valuable exposure to professional performance pathways through workshops connected to industry-leading organisations and companies.
Perhaps most importantly, the tour strengthened friendships, independence, resilience and ensemble spirit across the group. Whether navigating public transport together (and the public emailing the school to thank the students for their great public transport etiquette), supporting one another through long days, sharing meals, dressing up for special evenings or simply laughing together during travel moments, students represented the Performing Arts department with extraordinary maturity, kindness and professionalism.
A huge thank you must go to all staff who supported the tour, our families for their trust and support, and most importantly our incredible students, who embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm, gratitude and positivity. The Sydney Performing Arts Tour was a remarkable experience and a celebration of creativity, courage, connection and community.
Ms Jessica McGaw
Head of Dance and Drama