Arts News Term 3, Week 2

Audrey Campbell, Teacher of Digital Technology, as well as Google Educator​/ Google Coach​/ Apple Teacher/ ​Apple Coach​ and Seesaw Ambassador, attended a recent conference and was astounded at the innovation. This is a snapshot of what she experienced - 

Celebrating Amplifying Cultural Connection through Digital Innovation Conference

The recent Amplifying Cultural Connection through Digital Innovation conference was a powerful gathering of minds, hearts, and innovation. Bringing together educators, creatives, and cultural leaders, the event was a celebration of how digital technologies can enhance cultural identity and learning.

Under the guiding themes of Pukeroatanga (Cultural Integration & Immersion), Whakatangata (Excellence in Teaching & Learning), and Hononga (Community Engagement & Participation), the conference inspired attendees to explore deeper connections between culture, community, and digital practice.

A standout workshop, Traditional Carving Meets Digital Design, captivated participants as it merged the beauty and history of Māori carving with cutting-edge digital tools. Attendees experienced firsthand how traditional knowledge and modern technology can co-create new expressions of identity and storytelling.

A highlight of the day was keynote speaker Sir Gordon Tietjens, [former NZ Rugby Sevens Coach], who delivered a powerful kōrero on humility and leadership. With deep wisdom, he reminded us that team success is built on unity, discipline, passion, and – just as importantly – fun. His message left a lasting impact on how we build collaborative cultures in schools and communities.

The conference also showcased exciting innovations, including the possibility of introducing an SMC BOT – an AI-powered assistant designed to serve and support students and staff. This initiative embodies the spirit of digital innovation, providing new ways to amplify student voice and enhance learning.

As the conference closed, it left attendees with renewed inspiration to honour culture, embrace technology, and strengthen the ties that connect us all.

DRAMA
The Senior School Production, The Ash Girl, took place over three nights at the end of last term. Ida Van Kan (PrideFly) and Emma Scott (AngerBird) share their post-production thoughts:

For three months, The Ash Girl cast rehearsed and then took to the stage at the end of last term. This production followed the story of Ash Girl, who conquered her own battles, which led to her finding herself and, in addition, the love of her life. 

Being a part of this production was definitely a highlight of the year. We got to talk to people we didn’t know and make new connections between year levels. This is great for us moving through the senior school, so that those involved have a big sister they can turn to for advice when needed.  It was so much fun watching as we all stepped out of our comfort zones and found our voice. 

Thanks to those in the cast/crew for all the energy and talent everyone put into the show, and thank you to the audience for coming. We hope you enjoyed it! Photo cred: Petra Mingneau

From Senior School to the Middle School Production. We have now launched this year’s production, which will be A Story of Rona by Stephanie Matuku. Auditions will take place Thursday, 24th July, with a workshop on Sunday, 3 Aug, ready for the shows early Term 4, 19-22 October.

This story is a reimagining of the legendary story of Rona and Te Marama (the moon), set in an ancient Māori village. Rona is beautiful but also a mahanui (big mouth) who annoys everyone in her village. Her rival, Kira, does a deal with the patupaiarehe (naughty fairies) who find a taniwha to rid them of Rona. But her beauty wins over both the taniwha and Te Marama, and an epic battle between them ensues.

There will be opportunities for lots of girls to be involved in all areas, and we’re really looking forward to bringing this story to life.

Old girls, Sophie Brownlie and CJ Horrey (class of 2024), took the stage at London's iconic Globe Theatre in a performance of Romeo and Juliet with The Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand Young Shakespeare Company. Their journey began just last year, when as Year 13 students, they competed in the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival, standing out among thousands of students from across New Zealand. Their exceptional talent earned them coveted spots in the prestigious company, showcasing their dedication to the arts and continuing SMC's tradition of success at the Shakespeare Festival.

MUSIC
SOUTHERN JAM
Twelve students from the SMC Jazz Band, from Year 9 to 13, will be travelling to Blenheim at the start of next month.

The annual Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival event is one of a kind and provides an opportunity for young musicians to compete, perform and learn from other well-respected musicians. Students experience top-quality jazz, along with a Finale Gala Concert, held at the ASB Theatre, Blenheim.

The Finale Gala Concert will showcase all the participating schools, the winners of the competition and The All Stars Band, who will perform alongside the prestigious judges. This band is comprised of the top-achieving students who rehearse together with the Judges to bring a unique experience for both the students and the audience.

There will also be numerous performances around the region at cafes and restaurants during the Festival. We look forward to hearing about the SMC Jazz Band’s experience.

MIDDLE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The Committee will be holding a Talent Show for the Junior School on Tuesday, 5 August. This date has now changed from the previous week, and we are still accepting performers. A variety of acts - singing, dancing, comedy and even a sprinkling of magic - will be showcased in front of an appreciative audience. All Juniors are welcome in the Black Box at 1pm for a lunchtime of entertainment.  

CELEBRATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS…during the school holiday.
While many people were enjoying the holidays with a well-earned sleep-in, others were braving the wintry weather to compete and perform across the motu. 

Who lives in a pineapple at the bottom of the sea and became the hottest star on Broadway? It’s…SpongeBob SquarePants and his aquatic friends in the underwater City of Bikini Bottom! 

SMC girls have been performing in the Court Theatre Musical during the school holiday and the show has had fantastic reviews. Teachers who saw it talked of the great energy, enthusiasm and fabulous costumes.

Congratulations to: Alice West, Year 9, Year 10 students Matilda Abbott and Scarlett Gardner, Year 11 students Phoebe Jones and Tessa de Wit and Nevaeh Shand, Year 13. It also featured boys from our brother school, Christ’s College.

The Christchurch Speech and Drama Competitions were held at Heaton Intermediate School Auditorium from Saturday, 28 June - Tuesday 1 July.

SMC Speech and Drama students from year 3 to year 13 competed in classes in poetry recitation, readings, dramatic extracts, speeches and improvisation. Collectively, SMC students won over 30 medals and over 30 ribbons, and four students won trophies:

Anna Qui won the most significant award of the competition, the English Speaking Union Scholarship, for coming in first place with a fifteen-minute themed programme of poetry, prose and drama, receiving $500, and the Noeline McAleer Challenge Cup and the Neta Neale Memorial Trophy. She was also named the Christchurch nominee for the National Young Performer of the Year, and will compete in the NYP in Palmerston North at Labour Weekend.

Maddie Coughlan won the Margaret Josling Challenge Cup for Character Work, awarded for best storytelling across the whole competition, for her prose reading, and the English Speaking Union Cup for winning class 62 NZ Poetry & Prose.

Sophia Wu won the Novice 12 - Under 16 Donna Marie Bartlett Challenge Cup for highest points in classes 41 and 42.

Nari Yoon won the Anthony Ford Challenge Cup - Boys & Girls 8-10 and the Rosemary Bartlett Challenge Cup for highest points 8 - Under 10 in poetry recitation and reading classes.

Original Poetry - Under 13 yrs

Libby Foulds First Place

Alexandra Smith Highly Commended

Improvisation Duo - Under 13 yrs

Alexandra Smith Third Place

Prepared Prose Reading - 12 & under 14 yrs

Libby Foulds Third Place

Prepared Poetry Reading - 12 & under 14 yrs

Alexandra Smith Third Place

Reading At Sight - 12 & under 14 yrs

Libby Foulds Third Place

Alexandra Smith Very Highly Commended

Prepared Prose Reading - 10 & under 12 yrs

Caroline Shallcrass Second Place

Dramatic Extract - 10 & under 12 yrs

Caroline Shallcrass Second Place

Novice Own Selection Poem - 10 & under 12 yrs

Isla Newbrook Very Highly Commended

Poppy Prebble Highly Commended

Prepared Poetry Reading - 10 & under 12 yrs

Caroline Shallcrass Very Highly Commended

Isla Newbrook Highly Commended

Isla Fearon Commended

Poppy Prebble Commended

Not only were the girls outstanding in their achievements, but their behaviour, support of others and sportsmanship were also outstanding. The Speech and Drama teachers were all very proud of their cohort.

Rose Martin Y10 was also busy during the school holidays as she took part in the Christchurch Vocal Competitions, and although there were low numbers in some of her age group sections, she gained First place in the Mounsey Memorial and the Profiling a New Zealand composer section. She also received awards for her performances in several other categories. Keep singing, Rose!

Briar Sharp Y10 performed in the finals of the Platform at the weekend, at Papa Hou as one of 17 finalists: 9 were musical performers and 8 were movement performers. Briar was one of the youngest contestants, competing against 17-19 years.

She performed a song with an acoustic guitar only. Whilst the talent was unbelievably good and very diverse, she won the music award with a $1000 prize. Congratulations Briar!

Stella Lee flew all the way to the USA to compete in the 47th Showstopper Dance

Competition Finals. This competition is America’s #1 Dance Competition, and Stella absolutely smashed it. 

She won her Jazz and Lyrical solos and received the top Crystal Award for both dances in the 9-year-old competitive category, and she was crowned Overall National Junior Champion 9-11 years with a series of scholarships and money. Well done, Stella!   

REQUEST
The dance department needs more hangers for costumes - the ones with clips to secure pants, skirts etc. If you have any to give away, please donate them to the department, and they will be very grateful. Thank you. 

WHAT’S ON TERM 3?...a few things:

NZ Playhouse in school (Yr 0-6) - Thursday 24 July

House Singing - Friday 25 July

MDS Arts Committee Talent Show for Juniors - Tuesday 5 Aug

TheatreFest Regional Festival - Sat 7pm session 2/Sun 2/3 August session 3 at 2pm

Impromptu Debating Cup - Sun 3 August 

ePro8 Inter-School competitions Yr 5/6 & Yr 7/8 - Wednesday 6 August

Southern Jam Jazz Festival - Tuesday 5-Saturday 9 August

BandQuest - Thursday 14 August

TheatreSports (Snr Competition) - 16 or 17 August

Dance Showcase (MDS/Snr) - Saturday 23 August

Itinerant Music Concert - Monday 1 September

Speech and Drama Showcase - Tuesday 2 September

Encore - Wednesday 3 September

Lions Christchurch Music Festival Rehearsal - 10 September

Arts Awards - Thursday 11 September

Music Showcase - Thursday 11 September

Regional Debating - Sun 14 Sep

OPPORTUNITIES
48Hours Film Festival competition.

48hours is the biggest film-making competition in the country, with over 500 teams competing over one weekend, and a third of those teams are school teams. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFO75StB8-8 

What is 48Hours?

This year, the competition runs from 7pm on August 15th to 7pm on August 17th.

Teams have to write, shoot and edit a 5-minute short film in one weekend.

Your genre and required elements are announced minutes before the competition starts, so you can't plan in advance what story you're going to tell.

In Christchurch, there are 20-30 school teams every year, and the winning school sees their film played on the big screen at EntX theatre.

You can find out heaps more about prizes, competition rules and other school team info at

https://www.48hours.co.nz/about/ 

For many students, the 48-hour film festival is the beginning of their film industry journey, and many filmmaking pioneers credit 48hours for pushing them creatively and driving them to future success (including Taika Waititi!)

How Do I Sign Up Our Team?

Please read all the information on our school registration info page before signing up a team
https://www.48hours.co.nz/register/register-your-school-team/ 

School Teams Training Workshop

The session on 7 August will run from 4-6pm at The Grange Theatre and is absolutely free. This is a great opportunity to meet other creative kids around the city and gather all the tips and tricks you'll want to know for the competition. An RSVP form will be made available to all teams that have registered.