Welcome back to Term 3. What an amazing start to the term with many events and performances already occurring in the first three weeks. Term 3 has a major focus on HSC with Major Works being assessed by NESA throughout the term. Congratulations to the senior students who presented their Major Works at Seen Ya's on Show on Thursday 25th July in the Theatre. Performances, compositions and film from Dance, Drama and Music were shown to an audience of family, friends and staff and the students did a wonderful job. We wish them the very best of luck with their upcoming exams. Dance is the first subject to be assessed with NESA visiting the College on Thursday 22nd August and Friday 23rd August.

To prepare for the HSC Examination, Dance students performed their performances, composition and films on Friday 2nd August in the Theatre. Congratulations to all students and their classroom teacher Ms Hannah Johnson for the evening and good luck for their final exams.

Term 3 also has a focus on subject selection for students in Years 8-10. Students in Year 10 participated in taster sessions in Week 1 and all students in Years 8 and 10 attended a subject information evening on Wednesday 31st July. There was great interest in the Performing Arts subjects for both World Options and HSC which is wonderful. If anyone has any further questions regarding Dance, Drama and Music from Years 9 and above, please contact either Mrs Day, Ms Johnson, Ms Gudgeon, Mrs Baldwin or Ms Smith.

On Thursday 25th July, the new student leaders for 2024-2025 were inducted at a formal assembly at the college. Congratulations to Camble Scott and Ella Grace-Chowdhury who were appointed as our Arts Captains. The students started their leadership roles actively by MCing Seen Ya's on Show that same evening. Camble and Ella are both talented and dedicated Arts students with great ideas for their positions over the next 12 months. Congratulations Camble and Ella. I would also like to thank the outgoing Arts Captains, Lily Hibbard and Ella Butler for their work in the role for 2023-2024. They were great students to work alongside and I thank them for all that they brought to the role.

Congratulations to Camble Scott (Year 11) who accompanied Michelle der Kinderen at a house concert fundraiser in Coffs Harbour for the Australian Opera Aria Award in the holidays. They performed a short program of Puccini, Mozart, Chopin and Gershwin to an audience of 30 generous donors. On the same day, Camble also played a solo on Clarinet at a Bellingen Youth Orchestra. As well as these prestigious performance opportunities, Camble was busily preparing for his A Mus A examination on clarinet. Congratulations to Camble who passed this difficult and rigorous examination.

Thank you to Zitong Lin (Year 7) who performed at the Welcome Assembly for visiting Japanese exchange students on Wednesday 31st July.

The Secondary Dance Academy this term is working on martial arts inspired choreography. In preparation for this, the students had the opportunity to work with Kinetic Martials Arts on Tuesday 30th July. The students stepped out of their comfort zone to learn new techniques including strikes, kicks and falls. What an amazing opportunity for our dance students.

On Monday 5th August, the college had a visit from Michael Dolce from The Voice. Michael presented a Q&A session in the Theatre for elective and High Performance music students where he spoke about his experiences as a musician as well as The Voice. In Periods 3 and 4, selected students participated in a guitar masterclass with Michael in M1. Students were pushed to improvise and gain confidence with performing and developing their guitar technique.

This term, we will be holding a Battle of the Bands competition on Friday 6th September during Periods 5 and 6 in the Theatre. Thank you to those bands who have entered. We are excited to hear them all! Guest judges and great prizes will be available.

Congratulations to Year 12 student Piper Rieth whose band, Miscommunication performed at the live semi-finals of Boom Clash Rockstar band competition on Saturday 27th July at Paddington RSL. The band had a 15 minute set where they performed 4 original songs that the girls had written together. The band was awarded Audience Choice and have been invited back to Sydney for a photo shoot and another performance opportunity. Ex-BDC students Lenny Rogan (bass guitar) and Jaclyn Wynne (lead vocals) are also members of the band. Congratulations Piper and Miscommunication.

Congratulations to Connor Nathan (10), Olivia Hoare (11) and Ila Greenaway(9) who performed at the Nambucca Valley Arts Centre earlier in the term in a concert with the Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium Academy. The ensemble performed works by Mozart, Beethoven, Dvorak and Mahler.

Thank you to those parents who attended the Term 3 Friends of Performing Arts Meeting on Thursday 1st August. The meeting discussed a range of events that are occurring across the Performing Arts faculty this semester and ideas for the future. If any parents are interested in joining this forum, please contact Mrs Rachel Caesar for further information.

On Wednesday 21st August (Week 5), students in the Primary Drama Academy will participate in a workshop run by Lisa Rogers. Lisa Roger has worked at Camp Creative and has also worked closely with students for On Stage. Lisa will run a workshop where the students will aim to produce a ‘Play in a Day.’ Students will be given scripts and workshop their scenes looking at character development, blocking and other dramatic elements to then put on a play at the end of the day. Thank you to Ms Rachel Caesar for organising this wonderful opportunity and to Ms Katie Gudgeon who will be assisting on the day.

Save the Date! Performing Arts Awards Evening 2024! This event will be held on Thursday 14th November in the Branson Centre starting at 6pm. This evening recognises the talent and commitment of our Performing Arts students across Dance, Drama and Music Extra-curricular groups, academies and ensembles. The evening will consist of a number of performances as well as awards and special guests including BDC alumni. Further information regarding tickets and performances will be provided soon.

String tuition! We are currently seeking a violin and cello teacher to join our instrumental team at the College. If you know of anyone or if you are interested, please contact either myself or Terri Fynch (HR).

Congratulations to BDC students Tim Hardman (10), Lillian Cruwys (10), Sienna Rothacker (10), Malia Crismale (11), Ella Grace-Chowdhury (11) and Ms Katie Gudgeon who were all successful in gaining roles in the upcoming Coffs Harbour Musical Comedy Company Production - We Will Rock You. 

The show runs from Friday 1st - Sunday 24th November with tickets on sale through the Jetty Theatre website:https://aucoffs.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/118316

Thank you to those students who have performed at Secondary Assemblies this term.

Sofia Bravo performed The Forrest Gump Theme on Piano at week 1 and Tabitha Follet sang “On My Own’ from Les Miserables accompanied by Camble Scott at the Week 3 assembly. Thank you to all of our performers.

Upcoming Dates for your Calendar

Rebecca Day
Head of Performing Arts