CollegeNews
‘Shakespeare In Love’
Theatre Excursion for
Senior Literature
On July 22nd, ‘Shakespeare in Love’ by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard came to Melbourne. Developed from the Oscar winning film- the play enhanced aspects of comedy and drama.
The actors played multiple roles and became passionate and charismatic characters. Costume design and organisation of scenes were phenomenal. Transitions from scene to scene were handled with wit and poise. Period costumes were fitting and the renaissance setting enhanced audience experience. Some of the Shakespeare jokes weren’t so clear to me, but the production gave me a fresh perspective on how a play should be imagined when reading scripts.
Patrick Naumczyk, Student
We had watched the film “Shakespeare In Love” Mr Toomey took our Year 12 Literature class together with the Year 11 Literature class to see the theatrical version in the city. The theatre was grand and had a unique architecture that was very lavish. This was my first ever viewing of a theatrical performance at a proper theatre and I very much enjoyed it and will consider revisiting the theatre one day. Finally I learnt that there is a lot of technicalities and strategy that goes into creating an immersive play and it’s not just the story and the acting but the execution of the stage performance and lighting that can bring the story to life.
Christopher Grundy, Student
William Shakespeare, is struck by writer’s block. The play was able to take a famous writer, about whom we know so very little, and create an entire narrative about how ‘Romeo and Juliet’ came to be. Overall, the play was amazing - the characters were portrayed astoundingly by the ensemble cast, which also included a dog (a major highlight), coupled with the Elizabethan costumes, astounding sword fighting scenes, clever dialogue and stage design, including a turn table stage making smooth transitions between scenes. We were fortunate enough to attend a Q&A session with the actors and directors of Shakespeare In Love, which helped to enhance our understanding of how the play came to be.
Kathaleeya Ros, Student
The play ‘Shakespeare In Love’ was an astounding production.
The actors conveyed emotions and their characters brilliantly in the way they used their voices, gestures and expressions. The set design was intriguing with items on the stage representing Elizabethan theatre while also incorporating modern day technology, such as a rotating stage. The best part of the play for me was when a dog came out onto stage and tried its best to do tricks. After the play concluded, we met the cast in a Q&A session; we learned about how the play came to be, the costumes, bloopers and how each of the cast members researched their characters and how they came up with unique scenes that were different from the film.
Lucy Doherty, Student
While there are limitations to a performance on stage, the play applies a different effect in mood and immersion in comparison to what a film can recreate. The well-choreographed sword fighting, synergy between lines, and even the shape of the theatre had profound effect on the actors’ voices. Seeing the actors perform right in front of you, with props sometimes going into the crowd, provides a 3D / engaging effect. Expectations before the play cannot be compared to how you will feel after the play experience. A positive and enlightening experience. Jeremiah Mulipola, Student
Michael Toomey, Teacher
SIS Theatre Sports
The SIS Theatre Sports Junior and Senior teams went to St Francis Xavier College in Officer to perform in the SIS Theatre Sports competition.
The Junior team, the ‘Dead Ducks’, had a great time learning new skills and new games given that none of them had ever competed before in a Theatre Sports competition they performed well, led ably by their captain Amber Hendrych. The Senior team, the ‘Midnight Snack Club’ were strong contenders and made their way to the semi-finals in the competition with Ace Mehegan and Tahlia Vella coming up with the best line in the senior competition.
Rachel Towns, Literacy Coach
Musical
School of Rock
Are you ready to rock!? 🎸
Tickets are now on sale for this year’s College Musical "School of Rock". The story of down-on-his-luck rocker Dewey Finn, turning a bunch of stuck-up rich kids into the most rockin’ band to enter Battle of the Bands is told like never before!
Featuring a star of the future student Dion Zapantis in the lead role, once made famous by Jack Black, Dion brings his own style of humour and panache that will leave the house rolling in laughter. It’s a rare musical that deftly balances comedic moments, soaring musical numbers and heartfelt moments provide fun for the whole family.
Tickets are on sale now, get in fast to secure the best seats. Concession and family discount tickets are available, and the show is running over three nights: Thursday 22nd August, Friday 23rd August and Saturday 24th August at the impressive Alexander Theatre, Clayton. Tickets can be purchased here, bring the whole family for a great value night out.
Tickets available here: https://bit.ly/2IU2z3d
Tania Robinson, Arts and Engagement Leader
David Graham, Director of School of Rock: The Musical
Texts and Traditions
Year 10
On Friday 26th July the Year 10 Texts and Traditions class learned about Passover and different kinds of food used by the Israelites to help the students develop their knowledge about life in the Old Testament.
We made unleavened bread, lentil pottage and roast lamb, drinking grape juice as a symbol for wine as we read through the Passover scripture passages. It was great to get a real sense of what life was like back in that time period and helped us with our studies of religious education.
Rachel Towns, Literacy Coach
Graduates' Restaurant
Hospitality Students receive
'Real World' Experience
Representatives from Didasko eLearning Resources (http://www.didasko.com/) recently visited St John’s Regional College to attend a culinary cooking competition. They were blown away by the VCAL/VET Hospitality program here, with students gaining real world experience in the ‘Graduates' Restaurant’ on campus while they study. You can read more about St John’s in this piece written by Gemma McManus for the Didasko website below
Future's Expo
In Term 3 our focus is the future!
It is a time of asking questions about the studies we are currently undertaking and where they may lead us, whilst we reflect on the successes we have had so far, and review the areas which have challenged us. We consider the pathways and dream big about where it is we want to be.
Wednesday July 31 marks the beginning of this important period as we host our annual Futures Expo. This is a fantastic opportunity for students and parents alike, to engage with a variety of education providers and our Learning Area displays, start to critically examine the educational landscapes that lie ahead and map out future pathways for students. It is also a great occasion to speak with teachers about what opportunities and studies St John’s has to offer.
Dion Spoljar, Acting Deputy Principal-Learning and Teaching
Social Media
Be sure to follow our Facebook page and Instagram to keep up with the latest events and student achievements at St John's Regional College.
#SJRC
World Scout Day
On the 1st of August 1907, Lord Baden-Powell ran the first ever Scout camp on Brownsea Island. To celebrate the anniversary, on 1st August each year, known as World Scout Scarf Day, active and former Scouts from around the world are encouraged to wear their scarfs to school or work, to share the "Spirit of Scouting" with the community.
Once a Scout - Always a Scout!
The scarf is a symbol that reminds us of the Scout promise recited and laws we agree to during our investiture into the World Wide Scouting community. It is also a reaffirmation of the origins of Scouting:
‘Duty to My God’, ‘Duty to Others’, and ‘Duty to Self’.
As the World Wide Scouting community wear our scarves around our necks in public today, we show the world that we are proud to be a member of Scouting, the largest youth organisation in the world, and that we are proud to continue the Scouting tradition to “leaving the world bit better than we had found it.”
Christopher Jorissen, Student
Margot James, Teacher
VCAL Victories
Year 12 VCAL students working with Dandenong Council and Emerson High School students mulching and cleaning up the environment . This is a great opportunity for students to learn how to care for and nurture the environment and gain real world experience in gardening, landscaping and construction.
