News from Performing Arts

Grade Prep - Music

This term was the start of Performing Arts – Music for the Grade Prep and 2 students for this semester. Allowing students to develop their skills with rhythm and patterns, have sing and play sessions with different songs and instruments, be able to compose short songs and connect back to different types of music and genres is the overall focus. 

It has been wonderful to meet and work with the Prep students. They have been a fantastic year level to introduce music to, and they have shown great interest and enjoyment in learning about new instruments to play, singing and playing instruments to songs and working collaboratively on them to become their own class ensemble. 

Grade 1 - Performing Arts

Our Grade 1 students have been having a wonderful time developing their drama skills through puppetry. Students have explored how to use movement, facial expression and voice to show different emotions and bring their puppet characters to life. Students have been learning and rehearsing a script and have confidently performed their puppet shows for their class. Students will have the opportunity to watch and reflect on their performances, celebrating their successes and identifying skills they can continue to develop in future drama performances. Later in the semester, students will begin developing their dance skills by learning a routine to perform alongside the Prep students at our Mini Concert.

Grade 2 - Music

Students have continued their learning from last year by expanding on their prior knowledge with rhythms and patterns and using instruments for a range of songs. There has been a focus on working with partners or small groups with instruments such as the guitar and it has been great to see them encourage each other when learning set songs and when creating their own.

Grade 3 - Performing Arts

Our Grade 3 students have been developing their drama and expressive skills through a range of different scripts, with each week focusing on a specific performance skill. Students have explored facial expression, movement, voice, gesture and tension to bring characters and stories to life. Students have now chosen a script to rehearse and perform in small groups. They are making creative choices about how to use their expressive skills and have selected sound effects to enhance their performances. The students are currently preparing for an in-class performance, after which they will reflect on their work and evaluate their use of drama skills. Later in the semester, students will begin developing their dance skills by learning a routine to perform alongside the Grade 2 students at our Mini Concert.

Grade 4 - Music

It’s been a wonderful and energetic term in Grade 4 Music, with students diving into singing, playing instruments, listening to great performances, and building their musical confidence.

We began the term by learning simple breathing techniques to support strong, healthy singing. Students enjoyed experimenting with how breath affects tone and control.

A major highlight was learning the famous Jamaican song Day‑O. Students explored all the ensemble parts — singing, drums, shakers, and glockenspiels — and then chose which role they wanted to perform. This gave them a chance to try new instruments, work together, and experience the fun of making music as a group.

Students also strengthened their music‑reading skills, learning to recognise note names along with the treble clef and bass clef. They practised applying these symbols in simple notation tasks and enjoyed seeing how written music connects to what they play and sing.

Our listening lessons were a favourite part of the term. Students watched a performance by the Soweto Gospel Choir and discussed how rhythm, beat, movement, dynamics, and expressive singing make a performance exciting. They also listened to Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata and explored how music can create mood and emotion.

To build rhythmic confidence, students took part in body percussion activities and the very popular class game Pass the Beat Around the Room, which helped them practise keeping a steady beat while working as a team.

Grade 5 - Music 

Grade 5 have had a fantastic term in Music, filled with creativity, teamwork, and plenty of hands‑on learning. We began by revising our treble clef note names, using fun and memorable mnemonics to help students confidently recall each line and space.

Our rhythmic skills got a big boost this term with the return of the bucket drums. Students loved copying and performing rhythmic patterns in unison, building their confidence in keeping a steady beat and working together as an ensemble.

The major focus of the term was our composition unit. Over several weeks, students composed their own 8‑bar melody, then learnt how to transpose and recreate it in GarageBand. This was a challenging process at times, and students showed our school value of resilience as they problem‑solved, refined their ideas, and proudly produced their final digital compositions.

We also explored different musical styles through listening lessons, comparing John Williams’ Imperial March with Gotye’s Eyes Wide Open. Students discussed how elements like rhythm, dynamics, instrumentation, and mood shape the character of each piece.

To finish the term, excitement is already building for what’s coming next — the much‑anticipated Ukulele Unit. Grade 5 students can’t wait to begin learning chords, strumming patterns, and their first song.

Grade 6 - Drama

It has been a wonderfully busy and creative term for our Grade 6 students, who have spent the past several weeks doing what performers do best — rehearsing, rehearsing, and more rehearsing.

Our senior students are preparing for their much‑anticipated Grade 6 production, “Once Upon a Fairytale…”, which will be performed in Week 3. Each student has chosen their performance group and selected a fairytale to bring to life on stage. Some groups have even added their own imaginative twists, rewriting scenes and characters to create something truly original and entertaining. The Grade 6’s are very excited to be performing in front of their peers and teachers. 

A favourite part of the rehearsal process has been exploring the PPS costume and prop collection. Students have had great fun discovering what treasures might help enhance their performance — from dresses and masks to quirky props that add humour, drama, and magic to their storytelling.

Rehearsals have also been a time to refine expressive skills and stagecraft. Students are working hard on expressive skills, voice projection, character movement, and how to use the stage confidently. They are learning that every rehearsal helps shape a stronger, more polished performance.

One of the most special parts of this year’s production has been the incredible support from our whole school community.

• Grade 1 and Grade 5 students have helped create trees for the set.
• Grade 2/3, with the wonderful help of Claire, have made houses during their craft lunchtime groups.
• A dedicated team of Grade 4/5/6 students have spent Monday lunchtimes painting the backdrop.

It is truly heart‑warming to see so many students across the school contributing to the Grade 6 show. Their enthusiasm and teamwork remind us how lucky we are to be part of such a supportive and creative community.

We can’t wait to see “Once Upon a Fairytale…” come to life in Week 3 — it’s shaping up to be something very special

Grade 6 - Band

The band continues to be a wonderful group of students to work with. They have been extremely patient throughout the term as they have not had as many sessions to rehearse as intended. However, they are making great progress with the songs covered so far and will be ready to go for performances next term!

Incursion with Greg

During our Planning Week, our resident librarian Greg brought in his vast range of electronic musical instruments for the students from Grade Prep and Grade 5 to learn, explore and enjoy playing. 

It is great to have Greg offer this incursion to the students because it provides them with an opportunity to create different sounds, beats and patterns that are different to the traditional types of instruments commonly used. 

The feedback from students was fantastic and it was great to see them discover new sounds and compose with them. Thank you Greg!