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The scoreboard will never be enough
This week, we were named in the Courier Mail as the Sunshine Coast region’s leading school. The article lists the students in the Grammar 2024 Year 12 graduating class who achieved the highest possible marks in their individual subject(s) compared to all other students in the state. It also recognises the students who attained the highest possible marks across all their subjects compared to other students across the state.
Mastery of individual subjects is not the same as an ATAR. An ATAR is a single rank awarded by the tertiary sector and is used to rank students (selectively and by using scaling applied to each subject and by each University) for entry into tertiary degrees within their course offerings.
By comparison, the QCE (Queensland Certificate of Education) Awards are based on raw marks and have not been manipulated or ‘scaled’. The QCE Awards are proof of mastery and are truth telling. There is nowhere to hide. The awards acknowledge students who are near perfect, or, staggeringly, students who did not drop a single mark in their chosen subject(s) throughout the final years of their schooling. Amazing.
2024 Graduates - Top Performing Sunshine Coast Schools
Alongside the students are their teachers. In my view, teachers are the answer to nearly every question that is asked within the context of schools.
Question: How do you help children to reach mastery in their chosen subject(s)? Answer: With the help of our Grammar teachers.
Question: How will you ensure my child feels safe, happy, and valued at school? Answer: With the help of our teachers.
Question: How will my child build confidence in their ability and resilience in their pursuit of mastery? Answer: With the help of our teachers.
The list goes on – good teachers change lives, and good teaching always starts with generosity and connection. At Grammar, we have been discussing the difference between a classroom teacher and a school teacher. A classroom teacher is an exceptional practitioner who supports students to reach mastery through aspiration and inspiration within a particular subject or discipline. A school teacher is a leader of mastery in the classroom but is also a servant-leader on the sidelines, at camps or as a coach or music tutor. A school teacher is both a classroom teacher and a cheerleader for kids. Through their presence, Grammar school teachers support students’ growth and challenges, and enrich connections with students by being role-models in service and faith. And it shows on the scoreboard.
Winning on the scoreboard or league table is not a goal; it’s an outcome. The final scores serve as success indicators or KPI’s. Leading, teaching, mentoring, and caring are the real story. That said, a point in time score should be acknowledged and celebrated, and we wish all our graduates a happy journey as they take the next great step in their lives – leading and aspiring with humility, giving and greatness.
Read more about our success on the Courier Mail website.
Anna Owen
Principal
GRAMMAR LONG LUNCH
- Purchase raffle tickets
- Bid on a fantastic range of items in the Silent Auction
Thank you for your ongoing support – your participation, in any form, truly helps us make an impact.
Thank you
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible sponsors and supporters who have helped bring our parent community together for this year's Long Lunch event!
As our school community continues to expand, this event marks a unique opportunity to reconnect, make new friends and raise funds for initiatives that enrich student learning and ensure every student has access to meaningful opportunities.
Thank you to sponsors and supporters for your generosity.
FROM THE P&F
President
I am glad to be back on Campus after enjoying long service leave during Term 3. A huge thanks to my colleagues from within the Christian Education Department for doing such a great job promoting our Christian mission during my absence. Thank you, Mrs Belinda Modlin, Mrs Karen Maguire and Mrs Caro Emslie for all of your wonderful efforts.
Each morning, our classrooms begin with a short prayer to assist students in focusing on a positive learning mindset at the start of the day. Secondary classes read the following Bible reading and prayer:
Micah chapter 6 verse 8
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
Let Us Pray
Lord Jesus, thank you for the recent holiday break and the opportunity to recharge. May we think, act and speak like you today, this week, the term ahead and always. Help us to be humble and be people who show mercy, just as Jesus displayed for us to follow, Amen.
All the best to you and your children for a strong finish to 2025.
‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him' - Romans 15:13a
Jon Taylor
School Chaplain
CDC School Bus Service Changes
Please be advised that there is a bus service change, approved by DTMR, that could affect Sunshine Coast Grammar School students.
Route changes to the 5729 morning and afternoon bus service come into effect on Monday, 13 October 2025. Further details are available on CDC Queensland's website and in the letter below.
Flexischools Allergen Ordering
Flexischools (online ordering system) has now changed the ordering process for children with food allergies. Please refer to the document below for further instructions on this process.
Primary Kiss & Go Car Park
Kelly Somerville
Director of Operations
We have access to so much information now, but with so many opinions and voices online, it can be hard to know what’s accurate. How do we cut through the noise to tell the difference between fact and opinion? Consensus.app is a search engine powered by AI that instantly gathers and summarises research findings from peer-reviewed scientific papers. Type in your question, for example: “does mindfulness help reduce anxiety?” and Consensus provides a clear summary of what scientists have discovered on that topic with links to research papers below, so you can dig deeper. This makes accurate, evidence-based information easily accessible to everyone!
Fiona HarrisSchool Psychologist | Clinical Psychologist
FROM THE HEAD OF PRIMARY
Welcome back to our Grammar community, I hope you had a wonderful break with your family, whether it be to an exotic holiday location, a tent by the beach or just some time off from the day-to-day of school drop off and pick up.
Term 4 is always action-packed, and time goes faster than you ever imagined it could. Student learning programs for Term 4 commenced on day one, and when visiting classrooms, students are already engaged in the possibilities of where their learning programs can take them this term.
The Primary School campus is continuing to change with classrooms under construction, providing an ever-changing backdrop. Each week, our students can see paths, ramps and covered play areas coming to life. It certainly has us all getting very excited for our move into the next stage of the building program. Our Prep playground has also undergone a facelift over the holiday break, thanks to our wonderful grounds team. This is the first stage of the Prep playground improvements.
Beginning next week, we have our 2026 Prep students joining us for their Orientation Day. The 2026 Prep students and parents will be visiting the campus and getting to know the facilities and our wonderful Prep staff.
Already this week, sport has begun in earnest with the Year 3-6 Swimming Carnival being held yesterday. The Swimming Carnival provides an opportunity for all students to represent their House following the Twilight Swimming Carnival, which was held at the beginning of the year to select our school swim team. The Grammar 50 was an excellent addition to the program and crowned our top 50m swimmers in the Primary School.
Uniforms
A student’s appearance at Grammar and in public is of great importance and should be a source of pride. This applies not only to uniforms, but general appearance, including hair and behaviour. Teachers working with parents to support students with their presentation is always a positive start, and we appreciate your support in this area.
A reminder that it is now time for students to wear their summer uniforms. Boys in Years 3-6 are to wear their ties done up correctly with the shirt top button secure coming to school, but may undo their top button and remove their ties at the start of class during Terms 4 and 1. Ties must be replaced before leaving class at the end of the school day.
Year 3 Camp
Year 3 students will be participating in their annual overnight camp to Luther Heights Youth Camp at Coolum, from Thursday 16 to Friday 17 October.
The camp is designed to assist students to develop in the areas of self-awareness, social awareness, self-management skills, relationship skills and responsible decision-making. This camp is an important part of our Outdoor Education Program and it is a vital part of our Year 3 students’ life at our school.
Craig Angel
Head of Primary School
FROM THE DEAN OF CO-CURRICULUM
House Reading Challenge
This year's challenge has officially wrapped up, and we’re thrilled to announce the Chisholm Chargers as this year’s winning House with an impressive 206 points. A big congratulations also goes to Talei S from Year 8, who was drawn as the winner of the major prize basket of goodies. Talei’s win is well deserved, having read an incredible 117 books during Term 3! Thank you to all students who participated. Your enthusiasm and love of reading made this challenge a huge success.
Director of Library Information Services
FROM THE ACTING HEAD OF SECONDARY
There’s a special energy that comes with the start of a new term, and this week has been no exception. Our campus has come alive again with smiles and renewed enthusiasm from both students and staff. We’re especially delighted to welcome new families to our Grammar community — your presence enriches our school and we’re excited to have you with us.
While the core focus of Term 4 remains consistent, there are some important milestones ahead for our senior students. Year 12 students are entering their final stretch, with less than two weeks of regular classes before external exams begin. Meanwhile, our Year 11 students have commenced Unit 3 studies, which contribute directly to their ATAR results. For these students, academic focus is paramount, and we’re proud of the dedication they’re showing.
Our co-curricular program continues to thrive, with many students actively involved over the break. A standout achievement was our Senior Boys Water Polo team, who brought home gold from the Queensland All Schools Competition — an incredible accomplishment that reflects their hard work and teamwork.
Term 4 is always filled with memorable moments. As the weeks progress, we’ll gather for special assemblies to celebrate student achievements and milestones. These events are a wonderful way to reflect on the year and acknowledge the efforts of our students.
Each new term offers a chance to reset and refocus. We encourage families to help students ease back into school routines, especially if holiday habits have lingered. And as always, if your child needs support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the relevant staff member — we’re here to help.
We’re looking forward to a rewarding and successful Term 4!
Mr Scott Mayall
Acting Head of Secondary
FROM THE SPORTS DEPARTMENT
Athletics
QRSS State Championships
We wish the following students well as they represent the Sunshine Coast Region at the QRSS Athletics Championships in Townsville next week. We look forward to celebrating your performances - Amelie G, Mack C, Ryan K-D, Billy B-P, Amber G, Toby B and Davi NR.
Basketball
CBSQ
On Thursday, 17 September, our First V Boys Basketball team participated in the Champion School of Basketball Finals competition on the Gold Coast. This competition sees the top basketball schools in QLD compete in a four-day carnival. The team played well against both state and national players and finished an impressive 4th in their division, with five wins and two losses. This result has secured the team a place in the tournament next year. Congratulations to all involved.
Good luck to our intermediate girls as they take on the best basketball schools in Queensland next week at the Champion Basketball School of Queensland competition on the Gold Coast. The girls representing Grammar are:
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Daneeka B |
Jada B |
Michelle C |
Lola H |
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Charlie J |
Zara J |
Lily K |
Ruby R |
Equestrian
During the holidays, four students represented Queensland at the Australian Interschool Equestrian Championships at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre. Congratulations to Amelia Bobyreff, Mia Doogue, Birdie Pilcher and Charlotte Richie on their outstanding results:
- Amelia, riding Royal Addiction, had a clear Showjumping round and clear Cross Country in the CCI 1* (1.5m) eventing class, placing 5th.
- Mia, riding Keystone Ultimate Genius, was 3rd overall in Secondary Elementary, 5th in the Medium Dressage test and 3rd overall in the Queensland Senior Dressage Team.
- Birde jumped a clear round and placed 9th in the EvA80.
- Charlotte placed 3rd overall in the Primary 90cm Showjumping and was part of the Queensland Primary Team that won the highest points. She also competed in the Primary Novice Dressage on her horse, Sea, and came 8th overall with the Queensland Primary team and was awarded Reserve Champion team.
Georgia competed in two state events over the holidays - NSW Hack Championships and Show Horse Council Qld Horse of the Year. She was awarded four National tickets, gaining two Championship and two Reserve Champions (one tied for champion but reserve on a count-back) for her rider, 9 - 12 years, open small pony, child’s small pony and first ridden small pony. This qualifies her to compete at Grand Nationals in Sydney in April 2026.
Last term, Year 4 - 6 students took part in Gala Day, enjoying a range of sports on offer and strong competition from other schools. Congratulations to all students for their effort, sportsmanship, and team spirit. A huge thank you to our dedicated staff who coached and mentored students throughout the term.
Gala Day Term 3 Results
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Netball |
Water Polo/Flippaball |
Boys Touch Football |
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1st SCGS 1 Div B Pool 1 |
2nd SCGS Year 4 Flippaball |
1st SCGS Div A |
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1st SCGS 1 Div C |
4th SCGS Water Polo |
1st SCGS 2 Div B Pool 2 |
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2nd SCGS Div A |
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2nd SCGS 1 Div B Pool 1 |
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2nd SCGS 1 Div B Pool 2 |
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5th SCGS Div C |
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3rd SCGS 2 Div B Pool 1 |
Boys Olympic Handball |
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7th SCGS 2 Div C |
1st SCGS 1 Div A |
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1st SCGS 2 Div C |
Boys Volleyball |
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2nd SCGS 3 Div C |
6th SCGS Div B Pool 1 |
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4th SCGS 2 Div A |
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4th SCGS 1 Div C |
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Girls Basketball |
Girls Football (Soccer) |
AFL |
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1st SCGS Div A |
1st SCGS Div B |
2nd SCGS Under 12’s Div A |
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5th SCGS 1 Div B Pool 1 |
1st SCGS Div C |
3rd SCGS Under 12’s Div B |
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5th SCGS 2 Div B Pool 2 |
2nd SCGS Div A |
3rd SCGS Under 10’s |
Primary House Swimming Carnival
Yesterday, our Year 3 - 6 students enjoyed a fantastic day at the Inter-House Swimming Carnival. Unlike the competitive Twilight Carnival held in Term One, this event focused on engaging as many students as possible in a lively and inclusive day of aquatic activities.
The highlight was the inaugural Grammar 50, with Ari W (29.09sec, Lawson Hawks) and Grace M (30.22sec, Sturt Leopards) making history as the first-ever winners. Their names are now proudly etched into Grammar’s sporting legacy.
Following the Grammar 50, students rotated through a variety of aquatic experiences, including Water Polo, Triathlon, and traditional swimming events – all designed to maximise participation and showcase the wonderful opportunities available at Grammar. House spirit was high, and the energy around the pool was infectious. A huge thank you to all staff and students for making the day so memorable. We’re already looking forward to next year’s carnival.
House Championship Results:
- Bradman Bulldogs - 2090 points
- Sturt Leopards - 2087 points
- Lawson Hawks - 1980 points
- Chisholm Chargers - 1785 points
House Spirit Champions - Lawson Hawks
Touch Football
Last term, our Senior Boys team contested the A Division Touch Football final against Matthew Flinders. The boys made a slow start, conceding an early try, before working their way back into the game with structured rucking and sharp goal-line attack. Despite a valiant effort, the boys eventually went down 5–3 to a polished opposition.
Well done to Tommy R (Captain), Zac G, Jack T, Frankie C, Mathias F, Lennox M, Will C, Solomon L, Charlie M, Davi N, Rohan N.
Triathlon
World Triathlon Championships - Wollongong
Next weekend, Addison H and Hannah P will represent Australia in the Junior Women’s Team, Grace B in the Para Team, and Jude B and Will K the Australian Junior Men’s Sprint Distance Team. It is an astonishing achievement to have five Grammar students representing Australia in a World Championship Event. We wish all students every success and can’t wait to celebrate their achievements.
Volleyball
We congratulate Tate C and his QLD Volleyball team on achieving the bronze medal at the Australian Championships in Perth over the recent break. His QLD Beach Volleyball Tour starts this weekend. Good luck Tate!
Water Polo
Queensland All Schools' Competition
Over the first weekend of the September School holidays, four Sunshine Coast Grammar School teams competed in the QLD All Schools’ Water Polo Competition held in Brisbane. In a game for the ages, the Open Boys team were crowned Champions!
The Junior Boys faced a challenging competition, but can take pride in their performance with their impressive win over Trinity Lutheran College, the eventual champions.
The Open and Junior Girls teams competed at St Margaret's Aquatic Centre and at All Hallows’ Aquatic Centre. Both teams were pitted against very strong Brisbane teams who regularly play in the Brisbane Metropolitan competition. It was a fantastic learning experience for the girls and Head Coach Sophia Zamoyski was impressed by the tenacity and resilience shown by both teams, as evidenced by their improvement in each game over the course of the tournament.
Thank you to all parents and players for supporting this tournament. Shout out to Ms Sophia Zamoyski and Mr James Martin for supporting this initiative and for taking such great care of our players.
Paul Cross
Teacher in Charge - Water Polo
SWIMMING
2024/25 Season Awards Night
We held our annual awards night at Blackflag Brewing in Coolum, which was a fantastic venue for this event. A great evening was had by all, with well over 100 attendees entertaining themselves on the table tennis table and basketball ring while the parents enjoyed the variety of beverages on offer. Thanks to all who attended, including swimmers, parents, coaches, aquatic centre staff and school staff.
Swimming Queensland Open Water Clinic
Coach Luke led the open water swimming clinic at OzSki Resort in Coolum alongside Coach Charlie and several other coaches from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. Around 30 keen open water swimmers were in attendance for this session, which focused on the technical and tactical side of open water swimming. Sunshine Coast Grammar had a number of swimmers in attendance, which is a great sign as we head towards the Queensland Open Water Championships.
Tilly Cup
Coach Charlie Barry, along with two of our club swimmers (Tallow C and Mason K), travelled to the Gold Coast with the Queensland Tilly Cup Team to compete in the three-day event. The team stayed at the Tallebudgera Recreation Centre, trained at Bond University and competed at All Saints Anglican School.
This is the premier age group Queensland Team and an amazing opportunity to gain valuable racing experience in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
Wide Bay Piranhas and Stingers Clinics
During the holidays, Coaches Luke and Charlie led the Wide Bay Regional Clinics right here at the Grammar Aquatic Centre. The Wide Bay Piranhas and Stingers squads are made up of competitive swimmers from around the region (Caboolture to Bundaberg). With around 30-50 swimmers at each of the clinics, the swimmers were exposed to inspiring lessons in swimming efficiency to take back to their home programs.
Brisvegas Camp
The Brisvegas Camp is an initiative of Swimming Queensland, with swimmers selected based on their potential to compete for Australia at the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games. Coach Jayden was selected to attend alongside Grammar Swimmers Kane S and Lola S. This four-day camp was held at the Runaway Bay Sports Super Centre on the Gold Coast and comprised some of the best talent and coaching Queensland has to offer.
Australian Short Course Championships
Coach Luke, along with Grammar student Will J and club swimmers Kane M, Alex R and Isabella V travelled to Melbourne for this Australian Championship event.
All swimmers competed with distinction, with numerous finals swum. Isabella came away with a silver in the 18&U 100m Breaststroke and a bronze in the 18&U 200m Breaststroke.
Bluff to Bar
The Bluff to Bar Ocean Swim hosted by the Alexandra Headland Surf Life Saving Club was held on Saturday with some great results from our swimmers:
- Jake H – 8th Elite, 2nd 15-17 Yrs
- Ari W – 9th 12-14 Yrs
- Carter P – 13th 12-14 Yrs
- Kody S – 5th 15-17 Yrs
- Rylee S – 4th Elite, 3rd 15-17 Yrs
- Audrey M – 9th 12-14 Yrs
- Indi R – 10th 12-14 Yrs
- Cerys D – 1st 15-17 Yrs
- Charlize L – 5th 15-17 Yrs
- Torah C – 7th 12-14 Yrs
UPCOMING EVENTS
District and Regional Trials
District and Sunshine Coast Regional Trials commence next week for some sports. It is important that students monitor announcements closely, taking note of the strict closing dates.
Please contact Mrs Hoffman (Secondary) or Mrs Halloran (Primary) if you have any questions.
Students 10-12 years https://scissa.asn.au/trial-info-primary/
Students 13-19 years https://scissa.asn.au/trial-info-secondary/
Grammar Run Club
Olympian Juan Van Deventer leads the Grammar Run Club on Monday mornings on the training oval at the top of school from 7.00 - 7.45am.
It is wonderful to see so many new students and parents at the Grammar Run Club. These sessions are open to all staff, students P-12 and their parents. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with members of the Grammar community, get fit and have fun in a supportive environment. All abilities are welcome!
Grammar Fitness Centre
Attention all secondary students and athletes
Improve your physical and mental health by exercising regularly, using the Grammar Fitness Centre, free of charge.
The school gym is located in the Aquatic Centre and is available for use by students in Years 7-12 on Monday and Thursday afternoons between 3:15 - 5:00 pm. All you need to bring is a towel, water bottle, covered shoes and a positive attitude. These sessions are supervised and led by a qualified personal trainer who can help create a training program for you.
We value our students and would like to celebrate success through sport. Please email news articles and a maximum of three photos to Mr Withers - awithers@scgs.qld.edu.au (Primary) and Mr Abrahams - jabrahams@scgs.qld.edu.au (Secondary), and we will try to include them in our fortnightly newsletters. It is important that we mention all Grammar students involved in an event, so please include the names of all participants in your article.
Mr Justin Abrahams Mr Andrew Withers
Director of Sport (P-12) Assistant Director of Sport - Primary
FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT
Get ready for an exciting afternoon of music, art, and community spirit at Forest Fest on 24 October 2025! This vibrant event will feature performances from all music ensembles, a captivating art show, and entertainment from the staff band.
Guests can enjoy a BBQ hosted by the Music Support Group, along with a variety of refreshments available for purchase. There will also be gift stalls, face painting, and a professional photographer capturing the fun, all set against a backdrop of professional sound and lighting.
Primary students are asked to wear their sports uniform, while secondary students should arrive in concert blacks. Forest Fest is free entry and is a cashless event. Enjoy a fantastic evening of dance, entertainment and celebration with our school community.
Mega Raffle
Purchase a ticket in the Forest Fest Mega Raffle, an exciting opportunity to win incredible prizes while supporting a great cause. All proceeds from ticket sales go directly to the Sunshine Coast Grammar School Music Department. Tickets are just $5 each or 3 for $10 and can be purchased via Events Online.
Volunteers are needed! If you’re able to help, please email Diana at the Music Support Group: msggrammar@gmail.com to register your interest.
Victoria Bradbury
Director of Music Performance
We are thrilled to introduce two additions to our Primary girls' uniform as a substitute for the dress: Blouse and Skort. These items are now available for purchase from the Grammar Shop. The new addition will be introduced as a Secondary uniform item in the future.
Families are encouraged to visit the Grammar Shop to try on the new items.
Skort - $40
Jodi Darr
Shop Coordinator
The perfect opportunity to declutter and support our friends at Bloomhill is upon us. Your old clothes, household items, games, books, electrical appliances, sporting equipment and that bike that you have outgrown will be given a second chance!
The Bloomhill Cancer Care Donation Truck will be on site at the Grammar Function Centre car park from 7:00 - 8:30 am next Friday, 17 October, ready to collect your donations.
We will even be ready to help you unload - it could not be easier. A book, a bag or a boot load - all are welcome. Put it in your diary now - we can't wait to see you next Friday morning.
Happy cleaning!
Coordinator of Community and Service
NOTICEBOARD
Biosphere Festival 2025
29 October to 8 November 2025
Immerse yourself in one of the many events to experience the Sunshine Coast Biosphere.
From bridging cultures with our ‘On Country Cultural Tours’ and Gathaa First Nations Market to being inspired by our leaders of tomorrow at the ‘Future Council’ movie, get ready to immerse yourself in eye-opening Sunshine Coast Biosphere experiences.
Check out the Biosphere Festival program.
Read MoreJanuary School Holiday Acting Workshop
When: Monday 5th January 2026, Tuesday 6th January 2026 and Wednesday 7th January 2026
Times: Monday 5th January and Tuesday 6th January - 10am to 3pm; and Wednesday 7th January - 10am to 4pm
Performance time: 3pm on Wednesday 7th January
What to wear: Theatre blacks (plain long black tights, pants, leggings and a plain black t-shirt)
Book your Tickets here.
Give your child the opportunity to shine on stage in our exciting 3-day film and acting intensive! Designed for young performers of all experience levels, this dynamic program focuses on building confidence, creativity, and performance skills in a fun and supportive environment.
Throughout the intensive, students will engage in a variety of drama activities, including:
- Improvisation games to spark creativity and quick thinking
- Voice and movement exercises to enhance stage presence
- Character development and storytelling techniques
- Script work and scene study to bring stories to life
Under the guidance of experienced instructors, participants will collaborate with their peers to rehearse and prepare for a final showcase performance. On the last day, family and friends are invited to celebrate their achievements as they take the stage to perform what they’ve learned.
This immersive experience not only nurtures a love for acting but also helps children develop essential life skills such as teamwork, communication, and self-expression. Whether your child dreams of a future in theatre or is simply looking for a fun and creative experience, this intensive is the perfect opportunity to explore the magic of performance!
To secure your spot for the holiday workshop, please contact Ms Harvey or complete the online enrolment form.
Places are limited — don’t miss out on the fun!
Read More