Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta students had the opportunity to shine when the Captivate performing and creative arts program recently hosted its 10th Anniversary Showcase at Quaycentre, Sydney Olympic Park.
The show combined a spectacular musical ensemble of 165 students, backed up by the 1000-student primary choir and 190-student secondary choir singing songs such as One Dream, Come Back to the Sea, Keep your Lamps Trimmed and Burning and River Run Free.
This was complemented by a dance ensemble of 382 dancers who kept audiences enraptured. There was also a secondary drama ensemble of 90 students and a student ‘spoken word choir’ comprising 80 students from four primary schools.
One of the highlights of the performance was the use of puppetry and props to reflect the showcase’s storyline. The impact of the puppets was dramatic, guiding the audience through show’s theme of ‘creativity’: from the igniting of the creative spark, through to creative play, creative block, creative flow, and finally creative genius. The show’s finale was a stunning performance of Rihanna’s Diamonds in the Sky.
Captivate director Mark Hopkins said that for many students involved, it was their first major public performance.
“Others were consolidating many years of practice, rehearsal and performing, honing their skills for HSC practical examinations in the coming weeks or auditions for specialist post school arts study pathways in the coming months.
“Captivate is the program by which all students, regardless of prior experience or the location of their school, can access specialist learning in the arts.
“With a constant stream of research documenting evidence of the cognitive and social benefits of arts participation and learning, it is vital that such learning is part of each child’s education.”
St Andrew’s Primary, Marayong acting Principal Kim McDonald described the show as a rewarding experience for all those involved.
“Students have been rehearsing since February, both during recess and lunch breaks and also at formal off-site rehearsals with other students in the Diocese as well as during the school holidays,’’ Mrs McDonald said.
“This level of collaboration and creativity has provided opportunities for students to express themselves in a unique way. We are so proud of the students and thank them for their commitment, enthusiasm and persistence over such a long period of time.”
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
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13 Sep 2024
From Facebook
In Mathematics, Year 3 have been exploring measurement. We have been using different instruments such as measuring jugs and scales to measure capacity and mass. In Religion, we have been looking at the parable of the Fig Tree. We are making our own Fig Tree to show how our faith is helping us to grow and be fruitful disciples of Jesus. In Geography, we are learning about Australia and its neighbouring countries. We have been using Google Classroom to complete an investigation about a country in the Oceania region. In English we have been reading the book Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda. We have been looking at how authors use different forms of characterisation, including the use of indirect and direct characterisation.![763565872230263_1021635796423268-1]()
10 Sep 2024
From Facebook
Over the past 4 weeks, Mrs Anderiesz, Mrs Diaz, Mrs Brackenbury, as well as the Mitri Family, have been conducting sacramental sessions for those students who are preparing to receive their sacrament of First Holy Communion. However, participation in the sacraments is not just an individual venture, it is something that happens within community because our faith is one that happens within community. Last week at assembly, each Grade was provided with a special frame with the names of the students they have been gifted to pray for. Over the next 5 weeks each Grade will dedicate a special morning prayer to those students, reminding all of us of the sacredness of the Eucharist and the presence of Christ in our lives.
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13 Sep 2024
From Facebook
In Mathematics, Year 3 have been exploring measurement. We have been using different instruments such as measuring jugs and scales to measure capacity and mass. In Religion, we have been looking at the parable of the Fig Tree. We are making our own Fig Tree to show how our faith is helping us to grow and be fruitful disciples of Jesus. In Geography, we are learning about Australia and its neighbouring countries. We have been using Google Classroom to complete an investigation about a country in the Oceania region. In English we have been reading the book Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda. We have been looking at how authors use different forms of characterisation, including the use of indirect and direct characterisation.
10 Sep 2024
From Facebook
Over the past 4 weeks, Mrs Anderiesz, Mrs Diaz, Mrs Brackenbury, as well as the Mitri Family, have been conducting sacramental sessions for those students who are preparing to receive their sacrament of First Holy Communion. However, participation in the sacraments is not just an individual venture, it is something that happens within community because our faith is one that happens within community. Last week at assembly, each Grade was provided with a special frame with the names of the students they have been gifted to pray for. Over the next 5 weeks each Grade will dedicate a special morning prayer to those students, reminding all of us of the sacredness of the Eucharist and the presence of Christ in our lives.
10 Sep 2024
From Facebook
Congrats to this weeks legends! We had merit award recipients, star card recipients and even a girls netball team who smashed the competition to bring home a medal. As always, we thanks our students for helping us to center and strengthen our relationship with God by leading us community in prayer (Yr3)
09 Sep 2024
From Facebook
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From Facebook
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From Facebook
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Thank you to Yr3 for sharing prayer with our community. We congratulate the merit and star card award recipients for their focused learning ๐๐๐๐
01 Sep 2024
From Facebook
HAPPY FATHERS' DAY 2024! We thank our staff for hosting open classrooms for our special visitors ๐๐๐
01 Sep 2024
From Facebook
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From Facebook
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28 Aug 2024
From Facebook
At OLMC our Pastoral Care and Student Management Policy is based upon the principles that lead to Positive Behaviour Support, which are a broad range of whole school, group and individual strategies for achieving significant social and learning outcomes. A major component of this strategy, which families will be a familiar with, are star cards. Star cards are a positive and proactive strategy which focuses upon recognising and celebrating the success of all in the learning environment. As Yr 5 have had an amazing start to Term 3, focusing on displaying active learning behaviours, being responsible for their learning and accepting challenges with a positive mindset and understanding personal boundaries, they received a very interesting reward day. The roles within our classroom were flipped, with our students attending school as the teachers and our teachers becoming the students. They also participated in a band challenge, one that would rival the skills of even our captivate teachers!