Arts News Term 4, Week 4 2026

Student Spotlight

As we start to wrap up the year, it is rewarding to look back on some of the incredible achievements. This time, we recognise the talents of Rose Griffiths. Last year, Rose was selected by the Queensland Ballet Guest Programme in Australia and the Alberta Ballet School, Canada, Summer Intensive Programme.

What did you think when you heard that you’d been accepted into not just one overseas course, but two?

At first I was in shock. I applied just to get myself out there and to see what would happen. I didn’t expect to be successful, but was very happy when I was.

You’ve had a very exciting year so far, Rose. Tell us about your overseas experiences.

I spent a week training in Australia. Ballet training is really tough over there, and they are very strong on technique. The teachers were amazing though, and the other guest dancers were very focused and hardworking. I knew a friend in the Australian ballet programme, so it was very welcoming. We stayed at a hotel 5 mins away from the training venue, which also helped. 

Canada was different, and I was scared at first as I didn’t know anyone. I had to board with others, so I was nervous at first. I was selected and placed with like-minded people. The girls were lovely, and I definitely miss them now, as we were like a family for 3 weeks.

Training hours weren’t as long as I’d first imagined, but we still worked hard, and we were thrown into a couple of different genres. I attended jazz class, which is very different to what I’m used to, and a character class. I learnt about different character dances and experienced a Polish character class as the teacher was Polish.

The experience overall was really lovely, and if I had the opportunity again, I would definitely go.

I also recently heard that I have been accepted into the Legacy Master of Ballet, which is a 4-day intensive course early in January. So I’ll be going over to Australia for 6 days in Sydney for lots more ballet training.

What’s been the highlight of these visits?

The highlight has been experiencing different styles and genres of dance. There is a big difference between Australia and NZ. There are different syllabi available in Australia, and there’s more exposure to a broader range, such as Paris Opera, Russian and Italian dance. It was really good training - the detail was far more rigorous and in more depth.

I also really enjoyed living by myself and being independent in Canada.

What have been the challenges of doing something like this?

Going to a completely new environment overseas was a challenge for me. I was definitely out of my comfort zone as I’d not done that a lot before. 

What’s next for your performing arts career?

I definitely want to do some screen acting work as well as more dance. I have some big competitions next year in Wellington: the South Island Ballet Awards and the Youth American Grand Prix, to name a few.

What do you want to be when you’re older?

A professional dancer in a company. That’s my final goal: to be in a company such as the Paris Opera Ballet.

Thank you, Rose. It’s no surprise that this is your goal for the future, and we wish you luck with your exciting journey.

MUSIC

The Lions Christchurch Music Festival takes place this week at the Town Hall. Each evening, the Town Hall fills with excited students eagerly awaiting their performance on the mighty stage. The festival includes a massed choir, which is comprised of students from almost 90 schools around the Motu. There is also a concert band, orchestra and specialist choirs with auditioned students selected to take part.

Over a hundred girls from SMC participate throughout this week. The SMC choir performed on the opening night, under the direction of the Festival Music Director Rachel Wilford. The girls from Year 5, 6 and 7, are very lucky to have our very own Mrs Wilford assist them with their preparation before the big day.

The Town Hall is a special place to perform with its mighty organ, excellent acoustics and special lighting. The venue was electric, the stage was alight, and there was a general buzz around the audience. There is nothing like the adrenaline of performing with hundreds of others around you at a professional venue.

Please congratulate the following students who perform in the orchestra, choir or concert band every night!  Shevonne Bohlin, Stacey Zhao, Melvena Geng, Tyra Zhang, Isla Ballantyne, Amber Yu, Harriet Grant, Romilly Comyn, Olivia Guan and Alina Tao. 

There will be some tired, but proud students around this week!

The final Itinerant music concert will take place next month in the CLA. This is the last opportunity for students to showcase what they’ve been learning throughout the year, hone their performance skills and perform new or well-loved pieces in a supportive environment.

Please come and support our students as they take to the stage next month.

DANCE

The entire Year 8 performing arts curriculum classes treated many Junior classes to their celebration of different dance styles from around the world.

The girls performed the farandole originating from France, Zorba from Greece and flamenco from Spain. They concluded en masse with a rendition of an Indian Bollywood dance. 

They have been learning about these different dance styles, as well as studying the culture and costumes, or traditional clothes, which they proudly exhibited.

VISUAL ARTS

Last Wednesday evening, our annual Senior Art Exhibition brought together family, staff, and friends to celebrate the creative talents of our Visual Arts students. 

The exhibition highlighted portfolio work from our Year 11-13s across Painting, Photography, Design, and Printmaking. The level of individuality, technical skill, and range and breadth of ideas on display was truly impressive. We are immensely proud of our seniors' mahi toi  - congratulations to all our talented artists!

DEBATING

Our super successful year of debating has continued into Term Four.  SMC reigned supreme against our brother school, Christ’s College, again, retaining both the Whiua te Kupu trophy and the Showcase Debate Cup.  Whiua te Kupu is a competition where we have 5 debates take place all at the same time, one from each year group from Y9-13.  SMC won 4 from 5, so retained the trophy for the 5th time in it's 6 years of existence.  The Showcase Debate is an annual fun final debating event for the Year 13s from our two schools. This year the topic was whether we should ban social media for the over 60s!  Despite the excellent College grey wigs and walking sticks, SMC won the debate and there were plenty of laughs.

Junior Regionals tournament was held at the University of Canterbury on Sunday 18 October, and we had 6 teams competing (4x Y10S, 1 Y9 and 1 novice Y11 team).  Everyone had a great day and developed their skills further in three rounds.  Our Y10 team, who won the inter-school competition (Hera, Divya & Zhea), broke into the semi-finals, where they had a good debate against Burnside, but narrowly lost. 

We have a couple more debating events still to come this year: Nga Kete Cup is another one-day tournament for Year 9-10 girls and SMC will be hosting this on Saturday 21 November with six schools debating. We have our Middle School House Debating Final in Week 5, once the Year 10s are back from camp, and we'll end the year in Week 6 with a Debate Club Wednesday lunchtime pizza party to cap off a superb year of debating.

CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY

Our Year 13 Textiles students brought creativity and style to the runway at the Arts Celebration, showcasing garments that gave historical fashion a contemporary twist. Each outfit reflected its designer’s individual vision, combining thoughtful design with skilful construction. Together, the collection celebrated the students’ hard work, creative confidence and growing expertise—a memorable finale to their school textiles journey. 

Congratulations (from L to R) to Siena Bejjani, Isla O'Donnell, Nova Gainsford, Paige Roberts, Emily Griffin, Maddie Hutchings, Maddison Elstob and Nina Drummond

KAPA HAKA

Tūhono
Year 3,4 and 5 classes will take part in the Tūhono Kapa Haka Festival at the end of November at the Town Hall. They are rehearsing each week and starting to look and sound amazing. It is a wonderful opportunity for our girls to show off their significant mahi and developing skills in this area.

Tickets are available via Humanitix via the attached link: Tūhono tickets

MIDDLE SCHOOL ARTS COMMITTEE

The Committee will be hosting an arts event for their fellow peers next month, based on Aboriginal paintings and storytelling. They would love Middle Schoolers to try their hand at some of these. Lollies and prizes will be provided!

Thursday lunchtime, 19 November.

CELEBRATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Rose Martin has been selected into the New Zealand Secondary Schools choir as 1st Soprano, which is very exciting for her. It is for two years, with 7 courses/tours over the next couple of years. With only 56 students (boys and girls) selected across the country, she has done really well.

It includes an international tour in the July holidays 2028, so Rose is going to be super busy!

Congratulations to Indie Symonds, Nova Gainsford, Stella Dick, Charli Forman, Amy Gilbert, Siena McGillivray and Zara Bristed on an outstanding achievement, placing 3rd in the Troupe section at the National Young Performer Awards! A fantastic result and a wonderful recognition of their hard work and talent. Well done, girls!

Tessa De Wit performed ‘On my own’ at the Platform Competition run by the Kind Foundation last weekend. After getting through a rigorous audition process, 20 finalists provided an evening of supreme entertainment with some of the brightest and best talented young people in Christchurch performing live. It may be one of the last times Tessa performs here before embarking on her singing journey in Melbourne.

OPPORTUNITIES

Are you looking for a memorable family outing to kick off the festive season? The Christchurch City Choir and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (CSO) are performing Handel’s iconic Messiah at the Christchurch Town Hall on Saturday, December 5th. 

Discounted Child, Student, Senior, and Family (2A + 2C) ticket options are available now via Ticketmaster. Go to citychoir.co.nz/messiah2026 to find out more.

NZ Choral Federation is hosting a regional singing workshop next month. David Squire, who directed our Sisters of the Church, is co-presenting, and it should not be missed!

New Zealand’s hit movie Tinā has entranced audiences throughout the country. Miki Magasiva’s debut feature film centres around the formation of a school choir that goes on to perform at the NZCF Big Sing festival, and is full of great music.

In this workshop, you’ll work with two of the inspirational choir leaders who were involved in the film, getting a unique insight into the music in the powerful Samoan/NZ film.

With Tuilagi Dr Igelese Ete, you will explore the vocalisation, melodies, meanings and cultural significance of Samoan songs, the harmonic richness of Samoan choral traditions, including a special exploration of music from the film Tinā.

With David Squire, you’ll have an opportunity to sing some of the songs from the film, with the conductor who directed the choir in the movie!

Date: Sunday 15 November

Location: The Art Centre, Christchurch

For more information and to register, go to: https://nzcf.org.nz/events/nzcf-events/regional-workshops/canterbury-west-coast-regional-workshop

The CSO flute workshop is coming up at the end of the week for all budding flautists.

It’s a chance to hang out with other people who love the flute, play together, and learn a few tips!   

Take part in some flute fun on Saturday 7 November 2:30pm-5pm. It’s not too late to join the session.

CSO Principal Flute, Hye-Won Suh, and Associate Principal Flute, Margo Askin, are putting together a great afternoon for everyone.  All ages and all stages of ability are very welcome.

For more information, and to register to join this entertaining and enlightening afternoon with the flute community, use the following link to register.

Once registered, you will receive music for the ensemble component of the afternoon.

And on Friday 6 November from 6pm-8pm there will be the CSO’s first Harp workshop with Helen Webby. This is a great opportunity for the growing group of harpists around Christchurch.

The link to join is here

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Middle School Arts Assembly - 10 Nov

Itinerant Music Concert - 18 Nov

Tūhono Kapa Haka Festival - 28 Nov

Carol Services - 30 Nov