Welcome to the last newsletter article for the term. What a busy term we have had! 

The year has started productively with new faces including Abe Camden teaching drums and most of our instrumental staff being full. We have started a Primary Drama Academy for Year 5 and 6 students and added to the Dance Academies with a Stage 1 Dance Academy. Mr Haynes and Mr Anderson have started a Primary Rock Band, Tony Rowley has started a primary ensemble called Fun Frets and Emilian Beltzer has initiated a primary guitar ensemble. We have had many excursions including Bravissimo, Encore, Primary Music Camp, Composition and Aural Workshop, Shop Hop Tour, AYO Camp as well as our in-school events including Easter Service, Grandparents Day, Harmony Day and visiting schools. The college musical is also well underway with rehearsals in full swing as the show times occur at the beginning of Term 2. We are wishing all of our students and their families and staff a well-deserved break!

The Little Mermaid Musical - we have sold 70% of tickets already! 

The musical is well underway. Performances will be in Week 2 of Term 2 (Thursday 9th May - Saturday 11th May) and students have been working incredibly hard to bring this musical together. There will be some holiday rehearsals and students have been notified of these. 

Book tickets here > https://www.trybooking.com/CQAZZ

Visit information on our website here > https://www.bdc.nsw.edu.au/events/the-little-mermaid-musical

Thank you to Mrs Caesar, Mr Haynes, Ms Johnson, Ms Smith, Ms Crane, Ms Baldwin, Ms Heather and Nanette Backhouse for all of their work preparing the students for this amazing production. Tickets for the productions are now available so make sure you secure your tickets so you don’t miss out on seeing this wonderful show.

Staffing News

At the end of this term, we will farewell Mrs Rachel Crismale. Mrs Crismale is currently a Performing Arts teacher at the college but has held many different roles in her time here including Primary teacher, Stage Coordinator and even in LRC. We wish her the best of luck in her future endeavours as she takes a position at St Francis Xavier College in Woolgoolga starting in Term 2.

Congratulations also to our violin teacher, Sabine Element, who announced that she and her husband Aidan are expecting their first child in September. This is wonderful news for Sabine and Aidan. We are so happy for them both.

Composition and Aural Workshop

On Tuesday 19th March, Dr Phillip Rutherford from the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music visited the college and presented a whole-day workshop for music students. Dr Rutherford presented an aural workshop on the concepts of music and then followed this with some tips on composing using the concepts.

Students found the day valuable and linked to the coursework covered at school.

Thank you Dr Rutherford for visiting the college.

Primary Music Camp

On Tuesday and Wednesday of week 10 (2nd and 3rd April), students in Primary Music ensembles will attend the Primary Music Camp at Bonville Adventure Centre. This annual camp is a valuable opportunity for our primary ensembles to spend time rehearsing and refining performance pieces. Thank you to our primary ensemble staff including Ms Smith, Mrs Caesar, Ms Meulenbroeks and Mr Jeremy for attending and running these rehearsals.

Colour Run Cake Stall

On the last day of term, Friday 12th April, the Performing Arts faculty will be holding a bake sale during the Colour Run. Funds raised from the bake sale will go back into the Performing Arts faculty to purchase instruments, costumes, lights and other much-needed items.

If you can bake anything and bring it in to sell, please deliver to the ROC on the morning of Friday 12th April. Please ensure containers are labelled so they can be returned and items are written with ingredients included.

We are also seeking some parent volunteers who may be willing to help sell items on the day. If you can help for an hour or more between 10am and 1pm, please contact Ms Rachel Caesar.

Register and donate to the Colour Run here > https://www.trybooking.com/COJYY

Coffs Harbour & District Eisteddfod

Entries for the Coffs Harbour & District Eisteddfod close this Sunday 31 March. Dance, Vocal, Instrumental, Speech and Drama, and Choir sessions welcome BDC's individual and group entries.

Here is the link to Coffs Eisteddfod website where you can find all relevant dates and syllabus information.

Upcoming Events for Your Diary

Rebecca Day
Head of Performing Arts