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650 students showcase the Peninsula Catholic Schools Festival of Song

 

Students at Catholic primary schools across the Peninsula unleashed their inner performer when they took to the stage for the Australian Arts Alive (a3) Choral Festival.  The innovative program of music and movement workshops culminated in a musical spectacular, involving all 650 students in Years 5 and 6 from each of the Catholic schools in the Peninsula Learning Community of Catholic Schools (PLCCS).

Co-ordinating Principal, Josie Vescio of St Rose Catholic School at Collaroy Plateau, said the a3 program was a rich experience not only for students, but for teachers as well.

Mrs Vescio said all 35 teachers of Years 5 and 6 students from the 12 Peninsula Catholic Schools took part in the program, as well as selected teachers of choir and music.

The Catholic Schools Office Diocese of Broken Bay has entered into a partnership with a3-Australian Arts Alive, a branch of the Australian School of the Performing Arts which offers high quality performing arts experiences to young people throughout the country. The Australian School of the Performing Arts, possibly best known for the Australian Girls Choir and their involvement in the QANTAS “I still call Australia home” campaign, has provided workshops for the individual Catholic schools from Avalon, Balgowlah, Collaroy Plateau, Davidson, Dee Why, Forestville, Freshwater, Manly, Manly Vale, Mona Vale, Narrabeen and Narraweena.

Peninsula Schools Consultant, Miss Anne Duncan, said the a3 program, was a magnificent experience for the students.

 “The children worked with the a3 team each fortnight in their own school, practising their performance items and having a great time engaging with the a3 staff,” she said.  “It was so energising to see every student from Years 5 and 6 actively involved in music, singing and acting out the parts.”

Miss Duncan said the final musical production, involving all the students, was a spectacular celebration of music, movement and fun. The workshops included popular and sacred songs, fun and high energy dance routines, as well as games and activities to develop the students’ performance skills, confidence and teamwork.

 “The quality of their individual performances was so high that we were all extremely excited about the en masse choir performance!  It has been worth the whole preparation period just to experience the quality and passion of these students!”