LIBERATING EDUCATION 102 ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE STRATHFIELD LUMEN 2024 Ms R Duff Head of Performing Arts PERFORMING ARTS The Performing Arts must be at the heart of every child’s learning experience if they are to have a chance to dream and create, to hold beliefs, and to carry a sense of cultural identity. The Arts are the literacy of the heart. 2024 has been a highly successful year for the Performing Arts Faculty. From Year 5 to Year 12, we have watched the young men in our classes grow and pursue their passion and talent across all facets of the Performing Arts. The HSC results will be published in December; however, we are already aware that this year is one of the most successful in terms of showcase nominations. Jamie Cipollone received the College’s first-ever Individual Performance OnStage nomination in Drama for his harrowing portrayal of Holocaust survivor Primo Levi. In Music, our two guitarists, Christian Stojanovski and Domenic Taranto, both received Encore nominations for their Music I performances. Domenic played his pieces on a guitar he made himself in Industrial Technology. It should also be noted that his guitar was nominated for the Industrial Technology showcase, Shape. All of our Drama and Music students rose to the occasion and excelled in their performances and projects. They should be commended for their commitment to their craft and their pursuit of excellence. As a faculty, we have continued to grow this year as the Performing Arts increases in popularity. With a growing number of students enrolling in Music, Drama, and Entertainment, Ms Janika Armanno has remained as our second Drama teacher, and Mrs Elizabeth Lowrencev has joined our team in a part-time capacity, continuing in this role in 2025. We have continued to embody our Faculty Goal of shining a light on the talents of students in the Performing Arts and inviting the College community to share in their creative ventures. 2024 saw the return of the Enhance Program, giving Year 8 students a day to dip their toes into the waters of the Creative and Performing Arts. It was a joy to witness how much boys who had not previously participated in Drama or Music embraced this new experience. The Arts are meant to be shared with an audience, and we are fortunate to showcase our students’ talents to the SPC community through our assessment evenings. It is always a pleasure to invite family and friends to the Soiree and Showcase evenings to witness their sons’ skills and passion in action. Battle of the Bands continued this year with two bands bringing so much energy to the Duffy that we couldn’t split them, resulting in a tie between The Surfin’ Birds and Overdrive. Being in Years 8 and 9, it’s exciting to see such musical talent emerging at SPC. As always, the bands were mentored and judged by our own rock star and Australian rock icon, Mr. Pete Drummond. Our Theatre Club has also grown, with staff, students, and parents sharing the experience of attending live theatre throughout the year. The Performing Arts co-curricular programs intersect with our curriculum in many ways, uniting the Drama, Music, and Entertainment talents of our students. This year’s Performing Arts production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was our most ambitious undertaking to date and sold out before it even opened. Students received rave reviews for their performances on stage and in the band. From the backstage crew to the band and the actors, everyone involved should be immensely proud. The Concert Band and Orchestra have delivered outstanding performances and supported all College events throughout the year. All of our Theatresports teams, from Year 5 to Year 12, made it through to the semi-finals. Providing a platform for boys in this College to let their light shine through Drama and Music would not be possible without the dedication in the classroom and the countless hours spent outside of school by the talented staff in the Performing Arts department: Ms Janika Armanno, Mr Daniel Freere, Ms Giselle Grape, Mrs Elizabeth Lowrencev, Mrs Ovijach, and Dr David Taylor. It has once again been a privilege to work alongside such innovative, creative, and passionate educators who always prioritise the needs of students, guiding them to achieve their best and take pride in their artistic talents. Benjamin Chase Performing His HSC Drama Piece Year 8 Students Taking Part In The Drama Enhance Day Benjamin Chace Performing His HSC Drama Piece Year 8 Students Taking Part In The Music Enhance Day
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