Around the Senior School

Year 7 History

Our Year 7 History students have started exploring the various methods needed to Investigate the Ancient Past.  This has required them to start learning about archaeology, time and scientific dating methods.  Some classes have undertaken a case study on Petra:  the lost city.  Through their investigation they have learnt about ancient architecture, cultures, trade and practices.  As part of their study, students have drawn their own versions of the Treasury found in Petra.

Senior Drama Excursion 

On 9-10 February, Years 11 and 12 Drama classes travelled to Sydney for an excitement-filled excursion. Upon arriving in Sydney, we made our way to the Seymour Centre at Sydney University to watch this year's OnSTAGE performance. The program showcased a variety of 2022 HSC Drama Independent and Group Projects. From costume and lighting designs to monologues, scripts and films, our classes watched the exemplary projects in awe, and took notes in inspiration for our own preliminary and HSC projects. The variety of performances took us on a journey through entirely different stories, moods, and themes, ranging from comedic, all the way through to existential. 

Following OnSTAGE, our classes travelled to the Roslyn Packer Theatre to watch Eryn Norvill in Kip William’s incredible adaptation of ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’. The collective favourite experience of the excursion. The breathtakingly innovative production coined the “cine-theatre” genre opened up a whole new world of theatrical possibilities, utilising the subtleties of facial and body expressions, voice, timing, electronics, incorporating live and pre-recorded video with live performance and enabling a single performer to nimbly shapeshift and play all of the dark tale’s 26 characters in an audacious cascade of theatrical transformations to truly create an immersive and entirely unique experience. It proved to be one of the best productions everyone had ever seen. 

Returning to our accommodation from a busy yet extremely exciting day, we were all very tired and slept well in our preparation for Friday. Friday morning, we packed our things, and set of for the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). We toured the university and looked on in wonder at the facilities and variety of classes they provided, from textiles, to acting, singing, dancing, directing and design. We then participated in an improvisation workshop – a space was created in which we all felt comfortable and open with ourselves and each other. The different activities and drills allowed us to all let loose, have fun, and be confident, all while enhancing our improv skills in a judgement free space. As the 2-hour workshop came to an end, we were all on high spirits, which only escalated as we saw ex-Kinross student, current NIDA student, and friend to many: Jonty King. He gave us tips and advice on how to finish year 12 and create a portfolio for pursuing a career in the theatrical arts before we made our departure back to Orange. 

The bus trip back was full of tired, yet excited conversation and the general consensus was made that that was the best excursion everyone had ever been on. 

By Sylvia de Graaff