On Monday, the 15th of September, we took nearly 100 Woodend students to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre for this year’s Festival of Music Stars in the Arena. With 70 senior choir students from Years 5 and 6 ready to sing their hearts out, and 23 students from Room 25 prepared to sign the entire national anthem in AUSLAN, we were set to entertain and enjoy a long day of rehearsal followed by performance. This was the first of four shows, so there were lots of technical details to work through. Our students demonstrated great patience and resilience as they worked through the lengthy rehearsal. We were incredibly proud of their outstanding behaviour on and off the stage. They represented our school beautifully, showing respect to their peers, teachers, and audience members, and setting a wonderful example of professionalism and poise.
The Primary Schools Festival of Music is an iconic South Australian tradition that has inspired generations. It gives students the chance to experience artistic excellence, embrace cultural diversity, and celebrate social inclusion through the joy of performance. Each concert featured 1,300 Year 5 and 6 students joining voices in a breathtaking massed choir. Audiences were also treated to Guest Artists from primary and secondary schools, vibrant performances across a range of musical genres, and impressive showcases from the orchestra and troupe. This year’s concert opened with Robbie Williams’ electrifying Let Me Entertain You and closed on a powerful high with John Farnham’s iconic You’re the Voice, complete with stirring bagpipes that lifted the arena. We also sang a variety of commissioned works from over the years; old music – new life, including ‘Won’t Look Down’ composed and written by John Schumann and arranged by Glenn Lehmann.
Stars in the Arena was truly a spectacular celebration of what public school students can achieve when they come together through music and the arts. We are incredibly proud of our students for their hard work, passion, and brilliance on stage.
Room 25 had been honing their AUSLAN skills for several terms in Performing Arts lessons, with plenty of extra practice outside of class, as they learned both verses of the national anthem. Their performance on the night was flawless — not a movement missed. With beaming smiles and clear, precise signing, they captivated the audience in such a large entertainment space. These amazing Year 3 students have inspired our school community and beyond with their inclusivity. We are so proud that they continue to lead the way, signing our anthem at assemblies and showing what it means to celebrate diversity together.
We were also lucky to share the Arena with past Woodend students who were in the orchestra and troupe. Alexis worked with the troupe for her fourth year in a row, telling the stories of the songs through dance, while Indi, Jack, and Harri were members of the orchestra, bringing the music to life.
