End of Year Celebrations
The Christmas concert is always a highlight of the year and in many ways represents the culmination of the musical learning and understanding that develops throughout the year. It is wonderful to hear such beautiful singing, and see the fun and excitement the students experience in sharing their amazing concert with their parents. The Early Learning Centre performed a beautiful arrangement of Dick Bruna’s story The Christmas Book for their annual Christmas Concert. The children shined during the performance, wearing beautiful costumes, and singing together perfectly, along with performing with percussion instruments. The Pre-Kindergarten classes performed You Will Find a Baby and Gold and Myrrh and Frankincense, both highlighting the ability of the children to carefully observe conducting cues and respond verbally. The Pre-School class performed Star Light, Star Bright, complemented with spectacular gestures and a solo metallic percussion section. Thank you to the dedication and direction of the classroom teachers and support staff and our technical theatre staff for making these wonderfully memorable events.
THE CANBERRAN 2011
Calling All Little Angels
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“Calling all little angels, won’t you come and join in our Christmas song.......the whole world can sing along.” These were the fitting final words to the Early Childhood 2011 Christmas Concerts, Little Angels, a musical based on the story of the Nativity. The story was brought alive by the very capable Year 2 storytellers and actors, ably portraying the surprise of Mary and Joseph, the glory of the Angel Gabriel, the extremely clever and sneaky Wise Men, a frightening King Herod, his threatening soldiers, and the sleepy shepherds who thought they must be dreaming. All Year 2 students worked incredibly hard to not only learn their lines, but deliver them with expression and refinement. The concert opened with a beautiful and starry Kindergarten song and dance, telling Mary to see the shining stars, listen to the joyful song of the Angels, and not to be scared or surprised. Northside enjoyed
a beautiful dance sequence performed by the PreKindergarten students. Year 1 used their instruments to play the song of the Wise Men on their journey over hills and down through the valleys. The Year 2 boys were wonderful as the groovy security detail for the Inns of Bethlehem, telling Mary and Joseph that there was no room in the town, no matter how tired and weary they were, and the Year 2 girls danced a beautiful and delicate ballet lullaby to rock the baby Jesus to sleep. The music was greatly enhanced by the contribution of the “Reindeer Band”, Jeanine Keenan on piano, Craig Woodland on keyboard and two Year 11 boys, Luke Gavin on drums and Jack Johnson on bass guitar. Their contribution is greatly appreciated. All teachers, assistants and specialist staff were very much involved in concert preparations, including painting backdrops, making costumes, issuing tickets, and changing costumes on the night all while continuing with their ordinary learning in the midst of it all. Thank you to all the staff who contributed so much to this event, including Felix Schwartz, who graciously and calmy managed sound, lighting, staging and all the small unexpected things that take place in theatre! Thank you too, to the many parents and grandparents who assisted with costumes. I would like to add a personal acknowledgement of the hard work Mrs Karyn Brown did during Term 3, to ensure that all preparations for the concert were in place so that I was able to step in to her role so smoothly. Kylie Van Dijk Music Teacher Southside and Northside
Year 6 Graduation The last week of term is always an exceptionally special one for the Year 6 boys and their parents. It was fabulous to see families arrive early on the Wednesday morning for a bacon and egg roll breakfast, a tradition for many years, followed by the Graduation Chapel Service. It was a chance for families and friends to gather and celebrate the journey of the graduating class. It was wonderful