Performing Arts News
Congratulations, Spectacular students!
Big congratulations to the 36 Year 4 – 6 students who represented WPS in Mass Dance and Mass Choir at this year’s Victorian State Schools Spectacular at John Cain Arena last Saturday! It was a huge event, with over 2,000 students from across Victoria showcasing their talents in song, dance, orchestra, aerials, audio-visual displays and filming, event management, costuming and puppeteering. The audience cheered and often gasped in delight – amazed by the professionalism of the production. Some of the highlights shared by members of our school community who were in the audience, included listening to the choir create the sounds of a thunderstorm, the beautiful singing of “Carrying You” in Japanese, “Hearing” accompanied by daring silk aerials and the popular “Firework”, performed with dramatic live fireworks cascading from the arena ceiling.
In dance, our audience said they loved the energy the mass dancers brought to the arena – especially in “Can’t Hold Us”. This song had the arena pumping, with some of our dancers featuring in solo circle choreography, while the choir sang from the stands as past student, Cameron Poole, rocked the arena with his amazing vocals! It was wonderful watching Cam perform on the main stage while his two younger brothers - and current WPS students - Zack and Jai, were the support crew dancing on the floor with our dynamic mass dance team.
In addition to the talent shown by the students in the arena, they must also be congratulated on their commitment and dedication in attending rehearsals over many months, and for the care, kindness and respect they showed one another and all those around them backstage and behind the scenes.
Many thanks to staff members Katie Penhalluriack, Chris Cavill and Rick Griffiths, as well as parent helpers Sally Gill and Gen Stephens, for kindly assisting with supervision at the arena. Thank you, too, to our WPS families for all the love and support you have shown our students and staff throughout the Spec journey – and for appreciating and valuing the teaching of the Arts in general.
The show will be broadcast on Chanel 7 later this year, but in the meantime, you can check out some colourful photos and video clips on the official VSSS232 Facebook page.
‘Waru’ excursion to Arts Centre Melbourne
As an extension of WPS’s “Festival of the Arts”, our Year 1/2 students recently enjoyed an excursion to Arts Centre Melbourne. The excursion gave the students the opportunity to experience a live theatre performance by the Bangarra Dance Theatre. The show was designed especially for young children, with all the lights, sounds and special effects that accompany a professional production. The students loved learning about the culture, dance and music of the Torres Strait Islanders, participating in the story-telling of the life cycle of the little turtle, Migi, as well as engaging in the Auslan interpretation of the performance.
This year in Performing Arts, all our Year 1 – 6 students have now had the opportunity to watch and respond to performances, exhibitions, or music-making at the Arts Centre Melbourne - including the Sidney Myer Music Bowl for our Year 5 & 6 students.
Thank You Kirsty!
In appreciation of going above and beyond the SSS students presented Kirsty with a Ticketek voucher, an Ember voucher and flowers 💐 ❤️