Semester One at a Glance – Performing Arts

We have started off the year on a positive note, with two Junior School Music Recitals last term and a Music Assembly to celebrate the end of Term 1. The girls ended Term 1 with some great performances in Choir, Strings, Percussion, and Speech and Drama. We have some big events to look forward to this term. Please save these dates in your calendar.  

Events in Week 5

• Music Recitals (Junior and Senior School Combined) – Wednesday 15 May and Thursday 16 May at 3:40pm till 4:30pm.  
• Special Visitors’ Morning – Friday 17 May  

Events in Week 10

• Junior School Music Assembly – change of date and location – Thursday 20 June in the Senior School Hall.  

Our Ensembles rehearse each week in preparation for Music Assemblies, VSMF performances in Term 3 and the Junior School Concert in Term 4.  

In Term 3, Week 10, 16 to 20 September, we will hold another Arts Week for Barbreck Girls. This year’s theme is all about Aboriginal culture. The girls will be immersed in Aboriginal Cultural Education in Language and the Arts with opportunities to learn about Indigenous dance, drama, music, and visual arts to understand how art is tightly knit into Aboriginal culture and identity. We have invited some special artists that will lead various sessions throughout the week.  

A glance from the classroom

Our Prep girls are enjoying their time in Performing Arts. We have been exploring the beat, rhythm, pitch, dynamics, and tempo of music by learning, actively listening, and moving to different songs.  

Our Prep girls have a good foundation of music elements such as, beat, feeling simple rhythm and limited-range songs from their Music lessons in the ELC. This solid groundwork allows the girls to progress quickly when introduced to higher-level concepts in the Music Curriculum.  

In Prep, our girls find their speaking and singing voice. They gain the confidence and skills to sing in tune and move to music independently, or in a collaborative setting. In the photos below, our Prep girls have identified the rhythm pattern to Engine Engine Number Nine and Bounce High.  

We are discussing the form of the songs they learn, which rhythm pattern is the same and which is different. They are creating their own rhythm sequence with for AAAA or ABAB. The students are proud of their work and have significantly improved their rhythm note writing since Term 1.  

Their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skill development is evident in their fabulous note writing which is a tribute to the fantastic work they are doing in the classroom.  

An update from our Junior School Music Captains

Our dynamic trio, Isabella Hampson, Elaine Li, and Alexandra (Alexi) Kusumah have confidently stepped into their roles as Junior School Music Captains by speaking at Assembly and leading the Junior School Music Recital last term. Our Year 6 leaders have thought carefully about what they want to achieve this year as Music Captains.  

Isabella Hampson

“A leadership skill I have worked on since being a Music Captain is public speaking. I have also now learned how to incorporate other people’s ideas through this role, as well as understanding everyone’s views and opinions. I have had a wonderful time being engaged with my Co-Captains (Alexi and Elaine) and working with Miss Dhono Isworo.”

“Some highlights of being a Music Captain have been hosting music recitals, and speaking at assemblies, specifically music assemblies. It’s been a wonderful experience so far, being a leader of the Junior School, and working with Elaine, Isabella, and Ms Dhono Isworo. I have enjoyed working with them and can’t wait to continue in this position.”

Alexandra (Alexi) Kusumah

Elaine Li

“My goal for this year is to incorporate both Alexi and Bella’s ideas into this role. This past term has been wonderful with recitals, assemblies, and other parts of my role as Music Captain. I would love to make sure that every student at St Catherine’s has a joy for music, whether it’s singing or playing an instrument. Making the whole School community happy reassures me that I’m doing well in my role. I have only started a fraction of my journey here. Later this year, I would love to add some fun activities for the School!”