Students from Ocean Grove’s Surfside Primary School are gearing up for one of the performances of their lives.
On September 13, 16 Year 5 and 6 students will travel to Melbourne Park to participate in two performances for the 30th Victorian State Schools Spectacular at John Cain Arena.
The Surfside students will take part in eight dances as part of the mass dance ensemble, which includes more than 1000 students from state schools across Victoria.
The show also includes a mass choir, a student orchestra, principal dancers and vocalists and specialty acts including from rock bands, roller skaters, circus performers, cheerleaders, acrobats and magicians.
Katrina McCredden is one of three Surfside teachers facilitating the State Schools Spectacular program for the students.
She said with less than a month until the big day, students’ excitement levels were “right up there”.
“It’s been a long process, and it’s hard to explain at the very beginning of rehearsals and everything just how big it is,” Ms McCredden said.
“But as time’s gone on they’ve really picked up the vibe that it’s a massive event, and their excitement is absolutely building to match how big the event actually is.”
Having been accepted into the musical extravaganza late last year, the school held auditions for the 16 spots early this year.
Since term two, students have been involved in weekly rehearsals during lunchtimes, learning the choreography for each dance together and individually at home.
They have also taken part in regional rehearsals in Keilor, where program choreographers help the students coordinate stage positions, facing and timing.
Ms McCredden said the students and their parents had all put in a lot of effort to prepare for the performances.
“The kids have made a really big commitment… they have been amazing at getting together outside of hours at each other’s houses to practise,” she said.
“It’s been really impressive to see that level of commitment without us prompting them too much.”
Programs like the State Schools Spectacular were really important and “such a great opportunity for the kids”, Ms McCredden said.
“In the sense of performing arts, this is the big win,” she said.
“This is the way they can showcase these skills that they’ve been working so hard on, gain that reward of feeling good about themselves and develop that confidence.
“They’re strengthening friendships, developing their organising skills with getting to rehearsals and organising their costumes… there are lots of benefits.”
