Arts News Term 1, Week 9 2026

SMC Shakespeare success!

Last Saturday students from Year 9 - 13 took to the stage at the Regional SGCNZ Shakespeare Festival, which is always a highlight of the Performing Arts calendar. Our students rose to the challenge and experienced great success.

St Margaret’s College hosted for the first time in a while and it was special to be on home ground and to welcome schools from around Ōtautahi to our campus.

47 girls from Middle and Senior School participated in three scenes featuring 5 or 15 minute excerpts from Romeo and Juliet, Antony and Cleopatra, and The Winter’s Tale.

The Winter’s Tale, directed by Anna Turner, won the best 15 minute excerpt overall and was selected to attend Nationals in Wellington. Congratulations to Anna and the Senior School girls.

Lena Abdinor (Year 13), Zhea De Peralta (Year 10) and Jess Erasmus (Year 13) were all recognised for their outstanding performances. Zhea and Lena were both named Best Supporting Actor, while Jess received the Best Performer Award.

Competing against some of the strongest young actors in Christchurch, all three students performed exceptionally well. Their success reflects their talent, dedication, and hard work, and each of them should be proud of their accomplishments.

The following awards were presented:

A Winter's Tale (Year 11 - 13) directed by Anna Turner

Scene Award - Best use of Music

Lena Abdinor - Best Supporting Actor Award

Jess Erasmus - Best Performer Award

Winner of Best 15 minute selected to go to Nationals.

Romeo and Juliet (Year 9 and 10) directed by Megan Herd

Scene Award - Best Ensemble

Zhea De Peralta - Best Supporting Actor Award

Antony and Cleopatra (Year 12 and 13) student directed by Jess Erasmus

Scene Award - Most Elizabethan Presentation

An interview with an award winner.

Congratulations on your Best supporting actor award Zhea.

What was the best thing about being involved in the Shakespeare festival?

I've been involved with Shakespeare since MDS. It definitely grows your confidence, being around the arts community and seeing so many people being involved in something you enjoy. It’s very welcoming and helps you become more confident and comfortable performing.

What did you learn?

I wasn’t previously involved in drama so I learnt that I was capable of trying things I’ve not done before and achieving. I learnt a lot from watching the seniors - seeing how you're going to grow - you learn from those people too.

What was the most challenging part?

Drama can be very vulnerable, capturing emotions of a character. Performing infront of an audience with so much emotion. Emotion has to come from somewhere inside you and therefore it feels like a very revealing and exposing experience.

What was it like playing one of numerous Juliets?

It was done in a way where one Juliet speaks after the other. That’s why I was surprised to get the award, even though we were speaking individually. Being able to work as a team was important.

How did you feel on the day?

I was very excited on the day, especially to see the other performances, particularly the Seniors. I really enjoyed seeing other schools. I learnt so much from watching last year too.

What did you think when you were awarded the Best supporting actor for Romeo and Juliet?

When they were announcing the awards I wasn’t really expecting it. I didn’t think I’d even be considered. I was giggling to myself as I was going to receive the award. I was proud of myself and shocked at the same time.

What does this mean for the future for you?

I will always have the confidence and motivation to keep going. The award showed me that I’m capable and can achieve both individually and as a team. It made me realise that young people have potential too.

Good luck for your future drama endeavours Zhea!

Photo credit Petra Mingneau

SENIOR ARTS COUNCIL

Hi, I’m Emily Snoep, and I am thrilled to be the Head of Contemporary Music this year! Music is a huge passion of mine as I play the drums and guitar. I’ve been a part of the jazz band and numerous rock bands during my time at SMC, and have enjoyed so many amazing music opportunities that our school has to offer.

One of which is the Twilight concert. This event is a true standout on our calendar, bringing together all our music, dance and cultural performing arts co-curriculars for one major, combined showcase. Held last night, this year’s concert was a celebration of creativity and making your moments matter. As the lights were twinkling and the atmosphere was humming with excitement, the girls filled up the stage with energy and passion. Our musicians brought some incredible riffs and beautiful songs throughout the orchestras, choirs, jazz and rock groups. The dancers in their various groups showcased their incredible grace and movement across the stage, with energy that captivated the audience. And we were treated to some truly outstanding Kapa Haka and Pasifika Polyfest cultural performances! Well done to everyone involved.

Photo cred: Petra Mingneau

MUSIC

SMC Orchestra (Combined Orchestra) launches straight into an event on the second day of Term 2. The annual Orchestral Extravaganza will take place at Christ’s College Auditorium at 7.30-8.30pm on 29 April, free event. The orchestra will combine with orchestras from both Christ’s College and Rangi Ruru Girls’ School to showcase their musical talent. There is nothing quite like the power of sound when over 100 students combine as a massed orchestra.

Come and support our girls as they perform musical items from the well-known Flower Duet by Delibes - which has often been used for television adverts -  the jazzy rhythms of an arrangement from Gershwin’s An American in Paris, A powerful Warrior Legacy and excerpts from the musical Wicked! The string ensemble will also combine with the strings from the other schools to perform further musical delights. Come and support our musical talents.

DRAMA

Autumn is starting to show its colours and as leaves start to fall, Bottle Lake Forest will be transformed, becoming the perfect place to find a Gruffalo!

As a part of this year's Walking Festival, hundreds of enthusiastic Christchurch preschoolers and their families will eagerly venture into an adventure in the deep, dark woods. 

With so many keen visitors, The Gruffalo each year calls upon St Margaret’s College to help spread the magic. Around 20 of our students volunteered to be guides and dress up as the animals from the Gruffalo story and the native birds of New Zealand. 

Once in the forest, the young children have encounters, some scary, with the SMC mice, foxes, owls and snakes. They also get a chance to meet fantails and hawks, teaching them about the importance of New Zealand native animals. 

Do come along and support the girls, get some fresh air, and have some fun with the Gruffalo and friends. You never know who you may spot along the way! 

Monday 13 April 10am-3.30pm

If postponed due to weather - Tuesday 14 April 10am-3.30pm

LES MISÉRABLES - Senior School Production

The cast and staff have been working incredibly hard in rehearsals to bring this show to life, and this week has seen full runs of both Act One and Act Two before the holiday break. Considering that we started in mid February and it is only just the end of March, this has been a herculean feat! 

The cast are bringing talent, passion and dedication to the role. Their positive attitudes have meant that rehearsals have been slick and there have been many goosebump moments. The sound ringing from the Christ’s College Assembly Hall has been something magical to behold. 

Creative teams have also been in motion; with students creating artwork and painting sets and our ground staff helping with set construction. The Foundation and Community Relations teams from both schools have been instrumental in getting the show ready to launch to the public. 

We look forward to the process ramping up again as we hit the ANZAC weekend intensive. Here’s to a much needed rest before we jump back into it. 

From the soaring heights of "One Day More" to the intimate heartbreak of "Bring Him Home”. Don’t miss your chance to join the uprising—prepare to be moved, inspired, and utterly enthralled. Come with us as we step into the heart of the revolution with this breathtaking production of Les Misérables. Join the incredible student cast and crew from Christ’s College and St. Margaret’s College and experience the phenomenon that has captured the hearts of over 130 million people worldwide. 

May 12-16 7pm | May 16 2pm at Christ’s College Auditorium

Les Misérables - Christchurch - Eventfinda

We have secured a free screening of the Auckland Theatre Company's incredible production of Tiri Te Araroa Woman Far Walking, which is an update to Witi Ihimaera's original by Katie Wolfe. This updated version weaves both Te Reo Māori and Te Reo Pākehā and responds to the current world, or as Witi has put it, reawakens his characters to respond to the world. 

Auckland Theatre Company have professionally filmed last year's live performances and have released it as a Digital Classroom offering. We are very fortunate to have an incredible opportunity for both staff and students to view this work; especially Drama, Dance, Te Reo Māori and English students. Due to its thematic content it is an excellent professional development opportunity for the wider staff walking the bi-cultural journey of the school too!

Tiri Te Araroa, Woman Far Walking - 6 May 4-5.30pm Charles Luney Auditorium

Tiri Te Araroa - Woman Far Walking Link

DEBATING

It's been a fantastic first term of debating at SMC. We continue to have excellent turnouts at Debate Club on Wednesday lunchtimes, ably led by our student Head of Debating, Lena Abdinor. We have a record-breaking number of teams entered in the inter-school competitions on Thursday evenings, with 15 junior teams and 8 seniors. Both levels have had 2 debates each during Term One, with everyone happy, learning lots and developing their skills and confidence. 

SMC Middle School House Debating Competition will be back during the second half of Term Two. Lena is also starting another lunchtime activity for the group of enthusiastic Year 7 & 8 students. We are looking forward to Debating continuing to grow in strength and numbers, assisting our students to learn how to organise ideas, formulate arguments, speak confidently and clearly, all whilst having fu
 

OPPORTUNITIES

The Piano Centre for Music and the Arts is generously offering free student tickets! (school aged or with student ID).

The following concerts are available for free student tickets - check out our website for full details, and contact us at events@thepiano.nz to secure your tickets.

Jazz / Classical 

Adrian Cox Trio - Club Croco | Wednesday 8 April, 7.30pm

Club Croco delves into alternative repertoire from the early jazz era, capturing and expressing the music's timeless essence. Cox and his trio deliver this with abundant charisma and flair.

Classical

Luu Hong Quang - Sundays at Four | Sunday 12 April, 4.00pm

We open our 2026 Season with the sensational Vietnamese-Australian pianist Luu Hong Quang. A former winner of the esteemed Lev Vlassenko Competition in Brisbane, Quang’s recent recording of the Liszt Transcendental Études released by Rattle has received widespread acclaim.

Musical Theatre

Emily Kristen Morris & JJ Niemann in Concert | Wednesday 15 April, 8.00pm Strictly Limited Tickets

Emily Kristen Morris and JJ Niemann, all the way from NYC, are joining forces for a one-of-a-kind concert experience in New Zealand, performing for one night only in Wellington, Christchurch, and Auckland.

Classical

Lumen Ensemble - Christopher's Classics | Friday 17 April, 7.30pm

Perhaps one of the most apocalyptic, yet awe-inspiring chamber works to emerge from the 20th Century, Quartet for the End of Time is Olivier Messiaen’s defiant message to the powers that be during WWII. 

Musical Theatre / Pop

Izzy Stanners - A star is Born | Saturday 18 April, 7.30pm

Don't miss this very special show where you will witness the fresh, charismatic and incredible vocal talents of this stunning young lady. Sit back and enjoy as Izzy takes you on a musical journey of pop, soul and rhythm & blues, from the Sinatra era right up to the present day. 

Contemporary Classical Crossover 

Daniel Verstappen NZ Tour, with Fiona Pears | Friday 24 April, 7.30pm

Experience a thrilling performance by rewarded Belgian-International pianist and composer Daniel Verstappen, together with Christchurch-based violinist and composer Fiona Pears, bringing an ‘Electrifying’ performance. 

Brass Band

Woolston Brass Presents ANZAC | Saturday 25 April, 2.00pm

Featuring timeless favourites, wartime sing-a-longs, and stirring tributes, this concert captures the essence of ANZAC Day with uplifting patriotism and nostalgia. Perfect for all ages, it's an afternoon to reflect, honour, and celebrate the heritage of the ANZACs.
 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

Gruffalo Walking Festival - 13 Apr

Orchestral Extravaganza - 29 Apr

Film screening Tiri Te Araroa, Woman Far Walking - 6 May

Les Misérables production - 12-16 May