In 2022, the focus of the Performing Arts Department is on re-establishing our students’ connection to each other and the school community through music and drama, with all the cognitive and social benefits they offer. Fostering opportunities for social connection to support interpersonal skills, emotional development and motivation are key benefits for students participating in music lessons, ensembles or drama productions.

Term 1 highlights included the long-awaited staging of the 2020 production William Shakespeare’s Land of the Dead featuring students from Years 9 – 12. A magnificent effort from students on and off stage, it was a wonderful showcase of dramatic talent as we welcomed back live audiences to the Healy-Wilson Theatre.

Our wonderful music students were also featured during the College Open Day, with the Ellington Jazz Band and some of our contemporary rock groups entertaining visitors as they explored the campus. March was a busy month in Performing arts, as this was soon followed by the Believe in Music Concert – produced as part of Experience Whitefriars Day – featuring a variety of College ensembles playing to hundreds of screaming primary schoolers. This was a fantastic opportunity for our students across all year levels to participate in the shared, joyful experience of performance.

Look out in Term 2 for the 2022 Junior Production, Murder in the Knife Room, the VCE Theatre Studies Production, The Woman in Black, our Performing Arts Semester Showcase – a new venture for the College and broader community – and a number of lunchtime concerts and soirees. Performing Arts is back and there has never been a better time to get involved!

Mr Matthew Frampton

Learning Leader – Performing Arts