Music

The past couple of weeks have continued at a speedy pace.

In Week 8, our Vocal Project and Vocal Ensemble were fortunate to participate in workshops with Mr Kaichiro Kitamura. Kai has been touring Australia with the a capella (unaccompanied) ensemble ‘The Idea of North’ which also features our singing tutor, Mr Luke Thompson. He is the ‘vocal percussionist’ in the group and also sings the baritone line. We learnt that a vocal percussionist does more than just beatbox – Kai can replicate all parts of the drumkit with his mouth, as well as imitating the bass and even trumpet sounds.

Kai was telling us that he grew up with a love of all forms of transport and taught himself how to mimic trains and planes among others. The demo he gave us was incredible!

Vocal Percussionist, Mr Kaichiro Kitamura with the Vocal Ensemble

Autumn Snapshot

This week, we have been filming ensembles during their scheduled rehearsals so that we can release our virtual 'Autumn Snapshot'. These are not necessarily polished rehearsals, but a point in time displaying the work that has been achieved so far in 2025, and teasing you, the audience, about what is to come!

We will let you know when it is released for your viewing pleasure.

Debating

We are currently building some solid teams and skills in our pre-season Tuesday afternoon sessions. A new feature of the SADA competition for many of our students is unplanned debates, where students receive their topic one hour before their debate, and have to plan their speeches without the use of any technology. This week, we incorporated Mr Garreffa and Ms Sharma into the debate – they had to work with the teams and deliver a speech! In addition, we welcomed some of our new Year 7 students who were brave enough to get involved in their first-ever debating session.

We are super excited to have five Year 6 students enrolled in our first JC Debating Team – they will work with Mr Simon Nardecchia and make some visits up to the senior campus to meet their debating big brothers later in the year.

Chess

We have a very healthy number of students engaging in coaching sessions on Wednesdays at recess with David from Chesslife. There are also increasing numbers coming along to gain match practice on Thursday afternoons which is great to see.

We are looking forward to the JC chess club starting in Term 3 – there is always a lot of energy from our younger players!

Drama Club

Mr Sean Carr organised an excursion for the Drama Club staff (including Mr Jarrod Potito, Mr Dylan Widdup and me) during the Fringe Festival. We attended a play entitled 'Shellshocked', held at the Holden St Theatres. It was set in World War 1, as is our play this year, and, whilst there were some harrowing moments, we all commented on how we could imagine some of our students in the roles.

Auditions for 'Journey’s End' are fast approaching. If you are interested, please come to a meeting in the drama theatre at recess of Week 10 to collect scripts and details, and sign up to audition the next week.

As always, questions can be sent through to me at any time.

Ms Alexandra Khafagi
Director of Performing Arts