Year 6 Musical

Year 6 Production – Pirates of the Curry Bean 

On September 6 & 7, our Year 6 students were finally able to perform their much-delayed production, Pirates of the Curry Bean. The script was witty, had some very funny sight gags and provided a whopping 90 minutes of show each night. This cohort could be forgiven for not believing they would have their turn to perform on the Phoenix Theatre stage throughout the pandemic, but they held their breath, knuckled down, and ultimately delivered a very entertaining show, two years later (than our usual Year 4 production). Maintaining the belief while learning the lines, songs and dances was challenging over such a long period of time, but the resultant performances were hilarious fun!

I take this opportunity to thank the Year 6 students who came on this journey with me, without really knowing what it was about, where they’d end up or how it would turn out. It wasn’t easy, but they put their trust in the script, rehearsals, and the community that a strong common goal creates, delivering amazing results. Every student experienced their own challenges and wins to get on that stage, and I acknowledge their courage in being willing to move forward even when they felt very uncomfortable. Remember the context … Covid-19 sent us home to isolate away from community for the better part of two years, and as a result, being exposed on stage under bright lights was quite the stepping stone for some. 

But from persevering, amazing results have emerged. Growth in personal responsibility; willingness to trust that good things can happen; new friendships have developed because students worked closely together in the show; some students felt the fear but did it anyway; others have found strength and resolve in the encouragement of others … the power of the Year 6 community is a force to be reckoned with!

Thank-you, Leadership, for enabling and empowering me to ensure that the (Year 4) class of 2020 did not miss their opportunity to perform.

Thank-you Year 6 teachers, for teaming up with me to encourage Year 6 performers to be the best that they possibly could be, demanding that students step up when needed, to deliver a higher standard of performance. Thanks, also, for taking over when I was absent.

Thank-you to the core group of Year 6 parents – Annalie Darlington, Sam Thompson and Bre McGrath - who believed we could find a time and a way to deliver this production despite all that was against us, and then worked tirelessly to ensure it happened. Costumes and small props for nearly 100 performers don’t just appear!

Thank-you, Sharna Keeley-West, for volunteering your time and directing expertise once again, even though Keeley is now at secondary school.

Thank-you to Anthony Moran and family for the sets and props you constructed, and the joy they brought!

Thank-you, PMPS staff, for being flexible and supporting the production as much as you were able against the backdrop of your own busy lives.

Lastly, thank-you Port Melbourne Primary School community for buying tickets and coming out to see our student productions. You’ve given eyes to the students who will follow in Year 6’s footsteps soon, helping them to see and aspire to their own contributions when it’s their turn to perform in a production. Who knows what they will get out of it … it’s different for everyone!

Congratulations, Port Melbourne … keep these dates free for the next one … April 4 & 5, 2023                         

Cheers,

Maria