Performing in public can be a daunting experience. One of the hallmarks of our students is their willingness to have a go and step up to face challenges outside their comfort zones.  

Over the last two weeks, we have seen shining examples of just how talented our students are and their ability to stand in front of a crowd and perform. I once read that the trick to overcoming being nervous is not to worry about the butterflies in your stomach but to get them to fly in formation.  

One of the central ideas in peak performance theory is the concept of ‘flow’ or being ‘in the zone’ as proposed by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Flow is a state of deep concentration and engagement in an activity where individuals lose track of time and experience a sense of effortless control. 

Over the years I have delivered many speeches, including at conferences with audiences of thousands of people. So public speaking doesn’t really worry me. However, on Wednesday this week it was National Simultaneous Storytime in Australian schools, and I was invited to read a couple of stories to our 3YO and 4YO children in our Early Learning Centre.  

This was a terrifying prospect such as the like I have not experienced before.  

As I sat down on a chair in the ELC, with 60 sets of eyes staring intently at me all from a distance of about a metre, I had a new understanding of what fear truly is. Anyway, I survived the experience, and, in the end, I enjoyed it immensely.  It was really a matter of putting on a performance and not worrying about the butterflies.  

As mentioned in my Blue Ribbon on 10 May, the Senior School Production Song Contest: The Almost Eurovision Experience was a loving parody of the Eurovision Song Contest, involving 24 students in the cast, four on the tech desk (sound/lighting/AV) and six backstage and another 38 ushers and makeup assistants. It was a sheer joy to watch as the students led us through an all singing and dancing romp with many comedic moments and the ever-present ‘kitsch’ which characterises Eurovision. Our Head of Performing Arts, Mr James Brown provides a wonderful reflection of Song Contest in this week’s Blue Ribbon here.   

The second event was Jazz Night held on Wednesday night in The Jamie and Rebecca Gray Theatre. Jazz Night was set up to resemble a night club from the 1920s. For me, Jazz Night is a highlight of our School year. The opportunity to enjoy the performances of our girls singing is something very special. The songs performed on the night were a collection of Jazz and Soul standards. There is always a risk when performing a song which everyone knows so well and is attributed to the greats of world music. Our girls not only carried it off, but also performed with a level of excellence which continues to amaze and inspire me.    

Talking to the girls afterwards it was evident how nervous they had been in the lead up to their performances. As a member of the audience the only thing I saw were accomplished performers. The butterflies may have been fluttering for each girl, but everything on stage was in perfect formation.    

Music matters at St Catherine’s and it will continue to become even more important with the development of our new Music School.