Arts News Term 4, Week 4

PERFORMING ARTS 2025 TOUR 

We are excited to advertise the 2025 17-Day Performing Arts Tour to the United Kingdom. This trip will give students the opportunity to view live dance, drama and music performances, including West End Shows. Students will have backstage access to spaces like The Globe Theatre, The National Theatre, and The Royal Opera House and also take part in a range of workshops from Stage Combat and Musical Theatre to DJ-ing. The group will tour major historical sites around London and travel to Stratford-Upon-Avon to visit Shakespeare’s birthplace and a full-day visit to the Harry Potter Studios at Leavesden. 

This trip will be packed full of opportunities to experience the performing arts world on a large scale and enrich their learning in their areas of interest. 

Dates: 14 September 2025 - 30 September 2025

Tour Company: Tour Time

Trip Leader: Amanda Woods

If you are interested in finding out more information about this trip we welcome all parents and students who are between Year 10 - 12 this year [will be Year 11 - 13 in 2025] to read the information booklet via this link: UK Trip 2025 - Parent Information Booklet 

Please contact anna.turner@stmargarets.school.nz if you have questions. 

Dance Success

We had some amazing student success at the National Young Performer Competition recently. This is NZ's most prestigious dance competition for the year and to even be selected is a huge feat.

Allie Boon, Nova Gainsford and Claudia Lassen competed together as part of a larger dance troupe and received 10th overall. A massive achievement considering there were 74 troupes performing during this competition.

Milly Ryan also competed in the troupe category and then as a soloist. Being selected as a Year 11 student to perform in the ballet solo category is amazing in its own right! 

We continue to be very proud of all students #takingthefloor in dance competitions up and down the country. Well done girls!!

Middle School Extension Dance Company Performance as part of the Ten Year SMC Foundation Campaign launch.

Our talented Middle School Extension Dance Company, under the guidance of senior student Abi Croft, #tookthefloor to help launch SMC’s foundation campaign on Wednesday, November 3rd, at the Lexus Showrooms.

This was an amazing opportunity for the girls to experience performing in a different venue and for a worthwhile cause. Thank you, dancers, for bringing your energy and enthusiasm to this event. 

Christchurch Music Festival

Town Hall came alive with the sound of children all across Otautahi, performing in the annual Lions Christchurch School Music Festival between the 22nd and 26th of October.

Led by SMC alumni Rachel Wilford, this event truly celebrated the magic and power of music. This year's theme “E tū – Hand in Hand” showcased songs from all over the globe, including Olympic themes, Songs for movies such as Brave and Zootopia, and waiata of our own.
Well done to all the students from years 5, 6 and 7 who worked hard throughout the year to learn all the songs and performance skills for this very special event. 

Thank you to all the teachers, staff, and parents who helped support this event. I particularly heartfelt thank and praise Mrs Wilford for her incredible work conducting and managing such a huge event that benefits so many in our community. 

Congratulations to the following students who successfully auditioned and were accepted into the Music Festival representative groups. These students shone on stage, performing at a superb level for their age:

Senior Representative Choir:

Caitlin Ching (Year 7)

Cordelia Jones (Year 7)

Symphony Orchestra:

Olivia Guan - violin (Year 5)

Julia Nguyen - violin (Year 7)

Kathy Gai - violin (Year 8)

PUFFS

What an amazing opening night of the Year 9 and 10 Combined Production of Puffs with Christ’s College on Tuesday 4th of November. Students from both schools have been working hard to bring this fun and magic-filled show to the stage. Fans of the ‘boy who lived’ novels loved the references and running jokes woven throughout. 

Don’t miss out; you can still purchase your tickets here: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2024/puffs/christchurch 

About the show: 

For seven years a certain boy wizard went to a certain Wizard School and conquered evil. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of the Puffs… who just happened to be there too. A tale for anyone who has never been destined to save the world.

In this hilarious parody of a familiar story, three potential heroes are just trying to make it through a magic school that proves to be very dangerous for children. Alongside them are the Puffs, a group of well-meaning, loyal outsiders with a thing for badgers. Their epic quest takes the classic story to new places and reimagines what a boy wizard hero can be.

We can’t wait to see our students #takethefloor in the Old Boys Theatre between the 5th and 9th of November.

AUDITION OPPORTUNITY

Ovation Theatre is delighted to announce an exciting opportunity for young performers in our community. We are now casting for our 2025 production of Music Man Jr., and we would love your help in spreading the word.

About the Production
A vibrant adaptation of the classic musical
Featuring memorable songs and charming characters
Perfect for young performers aged 10-16
A wonderful opportunity to build confidence and performance skills

This production promises to be a wonderful experience that brings our community together through the magic of musical theatre. We are committed to making this opportunity accessible to as many young people as possible.

Interested parties please visit: www.ovation.nz