School+Community

The catalyst for the introduction of a Performing Arts program at Moreland Primary School was feedback from parents when asked about our IT program. They responded that they loved it but the school needed to provide a balanced curriculum and should include more of the arts. As we have a well established visual arts program we took the decision to introduce a Performing Arts specialist program in 2009. Our Parents' group have been very supportive of this program by raising money and actively assisting with costume design and sewing etc. We anticipate that going forward their enthusiasm will be harnessed through workshops we are able to offer through this extended residencies program. They will actively participate alongside students and staff in design workshops and skills workshops. We feel that we need to develop a broad band of knowledge which will enable our goal of a major production to be sustained as an annual event. In future years we will rely on parents for set and costume design and production, and sound and lighting setup and control. We will use next year to train them which we hop e will also further develop a sense of community. The goal of our project, as just stated, is to conduct a major performance each year in an on-going basis. We desire this to manifest itself in at least three performances, including one matinee and two evening shows. Whilst the evening shows will be open to the whole community, the matinee will be a performance for the school's students and students from our onsite kindergarten and neighbouring kinders and pre-school centres as well as for the students who attend the base school of Brunswick Special Development School which is located on our premises. Also students from Sydney Road Community School, and Coburg Senior High School, schools with whom we have ongoing relationships, will be invited. Opportunities may arise in coming years for all of these groups to participate at varying levels of the production.