THE ARTS

The Arts are alive at Saints with wonderful opportunities for students in 2023. 

Visual Arts 

Year 11 Visual Arts students recently participated in their stimulus excursion exploring a variety of sculptures and artists. The students travelled to the Cairns Museum, Cairns Art Gallery, NorthSite Art Gallery, The Esplanade and Shields Street, where fantastic inspiration was found for students to base their work on. They are developing and interpreting art through individualised perspectives.

Coming up soon is the opportunity for Visual Arts students to participate in Receive and Respond Artistry. Receive and Respond is a wonderful opportunity for students from Year 10 upwards to submit their artwork. If your artwork is accepted, you will be paired with a student from another school. They will respond to your artwork by creating a new artwork, and you will respond to theirs. The work will be exhibited at the end of May when you will meet your partner. You may submit your work done within the last year. Work must be submitted before 27 March.

Students are also encouraged to submit an artwork for the Awards for Excellence in Art Design Exhibition through the Independent Education Union. The theme is Colours of Life and work must be received in Brisbane before 21 July. 

Lastly, next term Year 9 to Year 12 students will have the opportunity to enter the BLA Billboard competition and will stand the chance to have their work displayed on a billboard at the Cairns Show. 

A reminder that students are encouraged and welcomed to work in the art studio on Wednesday afternoons from 2:30pm. Contact Mrs McGovern or Ms Almond for further information regarding these opportunities.

Drama

There are some amazing initiatives taking place at Saints with Drama! Starting in Term 2, Wednesday after school, an all-boys Drama Club will begin its maiden voyage! This will culminate in an all-boys production in McLaughlin Theatre with students not only performing but also learning the art of backstage. To prepare for our all-boys production, McLaughlin Theatre will receive extra love and renewal in costumes and the housing of props. If you have any old clothes, costumes or props for our department, please don’t hesitate to contact us. 

A reminder: Combined Saints Youth Theatre is also up and running. It has started a little earlier this year, with rehearsals taking place at St Monica’s every Monday after school. If you and your sons would like further information about either club, please contact either me or Ms Ballard. 

Film & TV

Building momentum in Term 2, FTV will be promoting a new in-house competition for our junior students. “School Shorts” is a short film competition for students in Years 7 to 10 who are interested in filmmaking and have a story to tell.

There are two categories - Years 7 & 8 and Years 9 & 10. Your sons can enter individually or in groups of no more than four. Films must be a minimum duration of 45 seconds and a maximum duration of five mins, must be rated PG and can be of any genre.  First prize in each category will receive a $200 voucher from your group’s choice of JB Hi Fi, Zing, EB Games or Event Cinemas. To enter, students should contact Mr McCarthy via Teams message by Friday 28 April.

Lastly, stay updated with potential show dates and exciting news on our ARTS Facebook page. Consider joining the Arts as a parent representative in our ‘Friends of The Arts’ group. This group has been created for the purpose of both Music and Arts programs needing parent help to assist with the amazing opportunities to showcase the talent of your sons! Further information about this will be coming out in Term 2. We would love to have you on board!

If you would like any further information on the exciting events occurring for your students, don’t hesitate to contact me or any member of The Arts department for further information.