Performing Arts 

Drama Matters

Climate Movie

We are working hard on our Climate Movie which now has the working title “Not Dead Yet”. After an intense meeting with Christiaan from the production company, cblok, we are moving on with our concept and finalising our script. It was really useful to get an outsider view of what we are trying to say in the movie. This will definitely influence the final stages of the script.

Dates for filming: April 6 & 7 (school holidays) then a Sunday at the start of Term 2 (TBC). Not all students will be needed every day. 

HSC Drama

The Year 12 students have been workshopping Brecht’s famous play, “Mother Courage and her Children”. These photos are from the opening of the play - Mother Courage’s entrance with her covered cart and children. Students use their experiential experience to learn new theatrical techniques and consider questions of relevance and challenging content for the unit, Significant Plays of the 20th Century. We have also investigated The Laramie Project this term and students will write a comparison essay of both plays in their written trial and HSC examination. 

Years 5 - 8 Playwriting Competition

Reading Australia has partnered with the Australian Children’s Laureate Foundation (ACLF) to present an exciting opportunity for aspiring storytellers! The ACLF manages the biennial appointment of the Australian Children’s Laureate, who champions the transformative power of books, creativity and storytelling among children and young adults. A position held previously by Alison Lester, Boori Monty Prior, Jackie French, Leigh Hobbs and Morris Gleitzman, it is currently occupied by Ursula Dubosarsky, the award-winning author of more than 60 books for young readers. Ursula’s message for 2020–2021 is “Read for Your Life!”, and her vision is for every child to join a library and become a lifelong reader. In honour of Ursula’s second year as Laureate, we are running a competition for students all around Australia! We’re challenging you to put on your creative hat and think about how you can tell a story in a new and exciting way.

Ursula Dubosarsky's new book, Pierre's Not There, revolves around a magical puppet theatre and is partially written in script.  We're asking students to use the book as inspiration for their own scene, and to think about how they would stage it by designing some characters of their own!  The competition is open from now until Friday 30 April 2021.  That means you've got the rest of Term 1 AND the school holidays to work on your entry.  Ursula will be picking two winners, one from each stage, so we hope you'll take up the challenge and get creative.

Please contact Ms Lindley if you are interested in this project.  

For more information, please use the link below:

Ms Penny Lindley - Drama Teacher

Music Matters

Excitement is building in the music Ensembles as we prepare for out first public performances for over a year. Our first performance will be at our Open Day on Saturday. Ensembles have been scheduled throughout the day so refer to your respective directors for details. As always, students should aim to be at school at least 30 minutes before the scheduled performance time and leave time for pack up after. Make sure your uniform is neat and tidy. Unfortunately only people who have booked a place for tours will be allowed on site so it’s a matter of “drop off “ and “pick up” on the day.

This, then, brings me to Thursday 25 March. We are having our Ensembles perform on this day after school. We will be streaming this performance and COVID protocols say we can have a limited audience. As this event will be live-streamed, if you do not wish your son to be filmed, please email privacy@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au. We will also be releasing 100 tickets via Trybooking. Please limit tickets to 1 per family as we anticipate great interest at our first performances with parent involvement. 

There will be no “catering” at this event and ensembles will be expected to leave the site after their performances. We are very keen to get back to performances and are following best practice concerning COVID rules. 

Next term we are looking towards the first of our Twilight Series of concerts featuring our strings, guitars and most exciting, our choir. I look forward to reviewing our performance schedule and will be seeking the input from PAPA, staff and students as to what the best practice may be. In particular, I’m seeking the best way to present all our Ensembles that both gives you the opportunity to see what our students have been working on and allows them to develop as musicians. More to come.

Try Booking Information

Event: Musical Performance, Featuring Bands and Percussion

When: Thursday 25 March

Time:  4.00 pm - 5.30 pm

Where: Junior Playground

COVID Protocols:

• One person per family
• 1.5 square metre seating
• Enter & Exit via Anderson Street
• Complete QR Code on arrival
• Approximately 100 people per session
• If unwell or have any symptoms of COVID-19 please do not attend this event, as per NSW Health.

Closing Date: 25 March 2021

Positive Participation in Weekly Ensembles

As part of our weekly recognition of students who have contributed positively to our Ensembles, I would like to name the following students.  Well done to these boys for their efforts.

Mr Anthony Timmins - Performing Arts Coordinator