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State School Spectacular

About the Spectacular 

The annual Victorian State Schools Spectacular program is an invaluable performing arts opportunity for Victoria’s government primary and secondary school students.

The program showcases and unites government school communities through working towards a common goal of more students reaching the highest level of achievement in the arts, ensuring kids are happy, healthy and resilient, and building pride in our schools.

The Spectacular has become an invaluable rite of passage for Victoria’s top young talent, and a cherished, memorable education experience for all participants.

VCASS is proud to announce the following students have also been chosen to be part of the 2022 State School Spectacular which will be held on Saturday 10 September at Rod Laver Arena.

• Bella (Year 10) - Featured Principal Vocalist 
• Ethan (Year 11) - Drum Kit in the house band 
• Dom (Year 11) - Keyboard in the house band 

Tait Performing Arts Association - 31 May

The Tait Performing Arts Association has had a long running association with VCASS. VCASS held a concert on Tuesday 31 May and invited those associated with Tait Performing Arts to come and see the great work the students do at VCASS.  Tait created a special award for VCASS students which helps both financially as well as personal support.  We'd like to thank @taitmemorialtrust for their ongoing support.

I am thrilled that VCASS and The Tait Performing Arts Association and The Tait Memorial Trust UK can at last hold a concert to celebrate our collaboration. The Tait Trust was formed 30 years ago in London to support a young opera singer from Melbourne, Liane Keegan, to help her while studying at the National Opera studio in London. I know she may be with you tonight.

Here we are 30 years on having supported 300 young performing artists and ballet dancers, many on the International stage! We have given out more than a million pounds to help young musicians mainly from Australia and some from New Zealand studying in the UK.

Before lockdown we visited VCASS in Melbourne with inspiration from our artistic director Caroline Almonte, it was with such enthusiasm that we created a special award for overseas students recommended by VCASS. 

Lockdown did not help us until now, so I hope we can raise a glass to celebrate our future together from Melbourne to London when the Tait award will be granted to one of the lucky students to study in the UK next year. We have charitable status so please help if you can.

Thank you to the TPAA committee and Vice President Diana Murray, Robyn Hollands and Caroline Almonte who have helped to get this evening together.

We would particularly like to acknowledge all the wonderful work done by Michael Sargeant and his team at VCASS in putting this concert together.

Thank you for coming and supporting us. Have a wonderful night and sorry not to be with you this evening.

State Principals Conference: 30-31 May 2022

Carlen, Olivia and Raistlin recently represented VCASS by welcoming over 1000 School Principals to the Plenary Theatre at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre for a two day conference. Does anyone know what the collective noun for a gathering of Principals would be.....?

Year 12 Formal - 9 June | Quat Quatta | Ripponlea

On the 9th of June, the year 12’s of 2022 gathered at Quat Quatta for the biggest night of the year: formal. After the past two years being full of uncertainty and disruptions, their night was a time they could all finally let loose in a rarely collective setting for one of their final hurrah’s, singing at the top of their lungs and going bare feet on the dance floor. Everyone was dressed in the VCASS style of complete uniqueness and individuality, from suits and corset dresses to platform heels and decorated RAT earrings. Students and teachers voted on a series of award, and the following list are the incredible winners: 

Madison - Best Dressed at Formal, Elli - Best Style, Felicity - Most Likely to be a Trophy Wife, Ellen - Most Likely to be Hit by a Tram at Stop 19, Leah - Most Likely to be Mistaken for Another Stream, Mr Heynsbergh - Best Dressed Teacher. 

On behalf of the entire cohort, we would like to deeply thank our school captains, Mary  and Madison, and our teachers for putting together the ethereal event, and extend this to the employees at Quat Quatta for their accommodations.

Golf Specialist

Maisy is the sole golf specialist at VCASS.  Maisy joined VCASS in 2019 in Year 7.   When the other specialisms are in training, Maisy heads to the course, the driving range or the gym to develop her golf.  A typical day for Maisy looks something like this. 

An early morning gym session and 1.5 hours on the driving range. Then it's off to VCASS. After school Maisy heads off to the course to play 9 holes. 

Alternatively, Maisy comes into VCASS first thing. Then she heads off for an on course lesson and 9 holes. 

On the weekends, Maisy will play one tournament round on Saturday. Sunday is reserved for homework and a gym session. 

Recent tournaments that Maisy has participated in: 

• The Royal Melbourne Classic
• The Kingston Heath Junior Open.

On the coming holidays Maisy will participate in the Peninsular Kingswood Junior Open  and The Woodlands Junior Open.

Recently Maisy played a mixed tournament with her father. That day Maisy shot 36 points i.e., she played to her handicap.  We look forward to hearing of more success stories from Maisy.

Body Kindness Week - Butterfly Foundation

On the 16th of June, we celebrated Body Kindness Day in support of the Butterfly Foundation. The Butterfly Foundation is a national charity that supports Australians with all things body-related. They provide innovative treatments and resources like helplines and online chat services. They have a strong social media presence that helps them raise awareness, reduce stigma and increase help-seeking in relation to negative body image. A positive body image is possible and essential to our overall state of well-being. Our body image is formed by the thoughts, feelings and attitudes we have about our bodies. This includes our shape, size, weight, gender identity, and the way our body functions for us. The idea of body kindness and body neutrality is really important to me, especially as a performer. We encouraged everyone to dress up in their best butterfly attire and we started the day by collecting donations and handing out butterfly temporary tattoos, we then had a whole school assembly in which each stream showcased something butterfly related. Theatre arts shared a piece showing the message ‘be kinder to yourself with affirmations and placards. The visual artists shared a really wholesome and kind piece involving compliments to their classmates. Leah from the music stream performed the song ‘Scars to your beautiful’ which was amazing. And Ruby from the dance stream put together a video of a beautifully devised dance piece. We then had best dressed and best make-up awards, congratulations to everyone who won!

Thank you to everyone who donated and helped out on the day!

Pride Collective

This term VCASS has started the Pride collective, so far we have been working on ways that the school can improve policy around inclusion and support for LGBTQIA+ people at the school. We are also starting to plan a wear it purple day for semester two, which is a day to raise awareness for and educate about issues that affect the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Wellbeing - Elephant Ed

As part of our wellbeing exploration of respectful relationships, organisation Elephant Ed spoke to us about the challenging yet important topic of privilege and consent. In an open and comfortable conversation lead by a relatable young presenter, the discussion centred around intersectionality, encouraging an open mind whilst not skipping past perhaps uncomfortable topics that are often not openly discussed. I enjoyed the new perspective we explored which provoked myself and many of my peers to consider our own privilege and how these may or may not be subconsciously affecting our lives.