CHINESE OPERA
Chinese opera is a captivating blend of music, theatre, and tradition With its dramatic face paint, elegant costumes, and expressive singing, it brings ancient tales to life in a way that’s both artistic and emotional. Each movement, sound, and colour holds meaning, making it as much about storytelling as it is about performance
NEWS-IN-BRIEF
WORLDBEEDAY
Like our performing arts students, bees also use dance as a method of communication. Whilst humans use dance as a medium to express themselves, bees dance to communicate vital information about the location of flowers which they must collect to produce honey. The direction the bee moves whilst dancing indicates the direction of the flower, whilst the duration of the bee’s dance communicates the distance of the flower.
Listening to Chinese opera can be a unique experience. The melodies, created with traditional instruments like the gong, erhu, and bamboo flute, evoke strong emotions and have even been linked to relaxation and emotional balance It’s a reminder that music, no matter the style, can connect us to history, and even help us feel better.
Fun Fact: In Beijing opera, red face paint usually represents loyalty and bravery, while white often signals a cunning or villainous character!
SHAKESPEAREFESITVAL
Onthe20 ofJune,wewitnessedthebiennialShakespearefestival, aneventcelebratingtheworksofrenowned16thcenturyplaywright WilliamShakespeare.Studentshadtodeveloptheirownadaptations ofShakespeareanplays-liveperformancesandfilmwerethemost popular,butotherartformsweredabbledinaswell.
CongratulationstoMacbethStreetandKingLear(Year9)forwinning CreativeAdaptationandTraditionalLivePerformancerespectivelyA specialshout-outtoThomasPulsford’samazingDonaldTrump impressionandJaxonNg.
AbigthankyoutotheEnglishDepartmentfororganisingthisevent.
KIRAN ESVARAN
ANABEL DEARING
KIRAN ESVARN, NATASHA AU
e Books 2025 p o
Our Secondary Battle of the Books team truly brought their winning energy to the 2025 BOB competition. They secured victory in the semifinal round on 22 May, clinching the win by just ONE single point. That earned them a coveted spot in the Finals of the Dragon Division, hosted by Hong Kong Academy.
They continued to slay the competition in the Finals, holding off Hong Kong Academy, International Christian School and South Island, winning the event with style. With over 32 schools participating in Battle of the Books, it’s a remarkable achievement.
Our Library and Information Services Coordinator, Lesley Stewart, remarked, “Their collaboration, commitment and sharp thinking paid off. The students were incredible!”
WELCOME TO
Broadway, often called “The Great White Way”, is the dazzling heart of American theatre. Nestled in New York City’s storied Theatre District, it has reigned as the pinnacle of live entertainment for over 150 years. Rooted in the traditions of vaudeville, operetta, and even minstrel shows, the Broadway musical has evolved into a genre that blends powerful storytelling with unforgettable music.
The true breakthrough came in the 0th century with shows like oat (1927), which confronted ld themes like race and love song and dance. The so-called Age” in the 1940s and 1950s legendary productions like a! and West Side Story, works rried sophisticated scores with ally compelling narratives. And roadway is more dynamic than otlighting diverse voices, bold and technological innovation like immersive sets and digital effects.
Broadway’s Brightest Stars
Among Broadway’s brightest legends is The Phantom of the Opera (1988), Andrew Lloyd Webber’s haunting masterpiece about love and obsession, featuring unforgettable melodies like “Music of the Night”. After a record-breaking 35-year run, it remains a cultura touchstone.
Then there’s Hamilton (2015) Lin-Manuel Mirand ’ genre-defying hip-hop musical about the life Alexander Hamilton. With a diverse cast and lyr genius, it became a cultural phenomenon. In 20 Hamilton marked its 10-year anniversary with a med performance by the original cast at the Tony Awar including Lin-Manuel, Leslie Odom Jr., Phillipa Soo, a Daveed Diggs. Yes, LOJ returns as Aaron Burr this September — get ready.
Other modern classics have also redefined the stag Wicked (2003) reimagines the world of Oz. It explore the complicated friendship between Glinda and Elphab with iconic numbers like “Defying Gravity”. Hadestow (2019) brings Greek mythology into a folk-pop, Ne Orleans-inspired setting, spinning the tragic love story o Orpheus and Eurydice into something heartbreakingly current.
And, of course, Les Misérables remains a staple. Set in 19th-century France, it follows Jean Valjean, a man imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread, as he tries to rebuild his life in an unjust society. Add Chicago (crime, media manipulation, razzle-dazzle) and West Side Story (a gritty 1950s retelling of Romeo and Juliet) and you’ve got a crash course in Broadway brilliance.
Project Sekai Colourful Stage
Lately, there’s been a Japanese rhythm game that has quickly grown in popularity since its launch.
Lately, there’s been a Japanese rhythm game that has quickly grown in popularity since it’s launch. The name of this game is “Project Sekai Colorful Stage” and it’s a free to play game available to iOS and Android and featuring a wide range of J-pop songs in the song library with Vocaloid tracks and covers by the various band characters. The game consists of six main bands which includes Leo/need, more more jump, Vivid bad squad, Wonderland x Showtime, Night cord at 25:00, and Virtual singer.
The name of this game is “Project Sekai Colorful Stage”. It’s a free to play game available to iOS and Android and featuring a wide range of J-pop songs in the song library with Vocaloid tracks and covers by the various band characters. The game consists of six main bands which include Leo/need, More more jump, Vivid bad squad, Wonderland x Showtime, Night cord at 25:00, and Virtual singer. Leo/need’s song style is more of a J-rock style and often includes Eletric guitars, bass, acoustic drums and a synthesizer or piano.
Leo/need’s song style is more of a J-rock style and often includes Eletric guitars, bass, acoustic drums and a synthesizer or piano
.
ore more jump has a happy, beat music library,with ngs that are usually ergetic and catchy. Wonderland x showtime delves into a joyful beat similar to Leo/need’s with a background filled with bright colours. On the other hand, Vivid bad squad goes for a nice and chill type of rock (soft rock). Fulfilling many Project Sekai players needs for playing rock. If you enjoy sad and angsty type music, Nightcord might just be your cup of tea. Project Sekai has different levels so people who are beginners would be able to play! This game is considered family friendly.
TTHUNDERBOLTS* HUNDERBOLTS*
A REVIEW
MCU fan or not, Thunderbolts is a movie that is definitely worth watching.
Within the first several minutes, we get an amazing action sequence, with an awesome from-the-top shadow shot. But the film doesn’t just thrive on spectacle, it goes deeper.
The film’s main protagonist is Yelena Belova, the younger sister of the famous Black Widow, Natasha Romanoff, and her struggle with grief and depression following the death of her sister. The film tackles the issue of mental health and its effects, a topic that the MCU has generally avoided. It personifies depression through Bob, showing how good days are a huge contrast to the bad.
Thunderbolts successfully humanises these anti-heroes - from being villains and murderers to people who have been through hell, trying to compensate for the pain they’ve caused. It shows their vulnerabilities and issues, their grief and loss. The characters all have similarities, in both personality and background, and yet they are all individuals. Here’s a ragtag team of former assassins and villains who don’t like working with people, who team up just to defeat a singular person. The film made you instantly feel connected to the characters, even if you hadn’t ever met them before.
This movie also reminds us why we need superheroes; not just to save the world from danger, but to save people. Innocent civilians. There's an entire scene dedicated to the Thunderbolts saving lives as New York City falls into chaos, and it shows the impact of superheroes and why we needed them in the first place.
Another reason why I loved this movie so much was that two of my personal favourite characters, Bucky and Yelena, finally got to share the big screen. However, the two had almost no interaction in the film, despite being marketed as the co-leaders of the Thunderbolts. Whilst both lead the team in their own ways and in different times, it just wasn’t what was expected. It also lacked a little context for Ghost, and specifically the gap between the end of Ant-Man and the Wasp and how she became Valentina’s mercenary.
You can’t beat despair, but you can share hope. Despair is inevitable, but hope cannot be suppressed. It is what carries people through troubled times. With the amount of violence and hatred that we’ve all experienced recently, Thunderbolts* arrives at the perfect moment. It shows that the bravest of people also need support, serving as a reminder that we all need our loved ones to fall back on and that we’re not alone. It’s such a great message to send, especially given the history of these characters.
mus rner
Who is this diva? That would be Chappell Roan, the American singer-songwriter known for her unique take on pop music. Her debut EP, School Nights (2017), didn’t get much attention at the time but things changed drastically with her 2023 studio album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. It was a breakout success, featuring hits like Hot To Go! and Pink Pony Club, which reached #15 and #4 on the charts, respectively. In 2024, her single Good Luck, Babe! became a global top-five hit. Chappell Roan's aesthetic is another standout element, it’s bold, theatrical, and unapologetically pink. Her fashion and style are distinctive, and she didn’t just enter the pop world quietly - she burst onto the scene like a star on the Met Gala red carpet, with paparazzi in hot pursuit.
And let’s not forget her live performances - they’re not just concerts; they’re full-blown theatrical spectacles. Whether she’s twirling in sequins or belting out songs under a disco ball, Chappell Roan knows how to command a stage with the confidence of a Broadway lead and the rebellion of a rock star. Her shows are a celebration of queerness, drama, and maximalist joy, often described as part drag revue, part pop opera. Fans don’t just attend - they show up dressed in pink cowboy hats, glitter tears and neon mesh like they’re part of the performance too. It’s not just a Chappell Roan concert; it’s a whole universe, and she’s the glorious main character.
Elmo
SSPOTLIGHT POTLIGHT Spotlighton...
Congratulations to ALL of the students who took part in the Performing Arts extravaganza this term. Your commitment is impressive. As were your performances!
Mr Travers, Head of Performing Arts, commented, “Highlights for me were our primary Musical Theatre ECA and Show Choir, which opened the show with an energetic performance of Be Our Guest from their upcoming show Beauty and the Beast Jnr. Our secondary bands rocked the stage, I was particularly proud of the Year 9 band who made their stage debut that evening.”
Thanks to the teachers who, as always, go above and beyond in helping us to showcase our hard work and talents.
The Voice Team
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INTERHOUSE BASKETBALL
The gym hall was electric last week as the Secondary Inter-House Basketball Tournament unfolded with thrilling energy. Over the course of several spirited days, teams brought their fiercest competition and house pride to the court. The excitement culminated in a series of nail-biting finals on 6 June, with students giving it their all in front of cheering crowds.
A huge congratulations to all teams who played with passion, resilience, and great sportsmanship throughout the week. The finals were a true celebration of skill, teamwork, and house spirit.
In the finals, Jacaranda’s Junior Girls stormed to a 12–6 victory over Waratah with fast-paced play, while Wattle’s Junior Boys dominated Jacaranda 11–2 through tough defense. Eucalypt swept both Senior divisions, edging out Wattle 4–2 in a tense girls’ match and clinching a dramatic 13–12 win in the boys’ finale.
Word Search
Thanks
Natasha Au
Vienna Choi
Maria Mang
Elmo Wong
Anabel Dearing
Kiran Esvaran
Justin So