By JESSE GRAHAM
SCHOOLS across the state banded together last weekend and performed en masse at the Victorian State School Spectacular, with the Yarra Valley well represented at the show.
Students from Healesville Primary School, Woori Yallock Primary School and Healesville High School, among others, performed as part of the 3000-strong cast in two shows on Saturday 27 July.
The three-hour shows, which were named There’s No Place Like Home, were held at 11am and 5pm at Melbourne’s Hisense Arena, with students performing to an audience of more than 10,000 at each event.
Healesville High School Performing Arts Centre manager Troy Jansen said the Schools Spectacular event went along with no dramas.
“It was absolutely fantastic, a huge event for the kids,” he said.
“I don’t think you realise what an awesome opportunity it is for the kids until they’re on the stage with thousands of other students.”
“It was good to see their names, the school names, and to have the school represented there.”
Students performed a number of routines at the show, including a Lady Gaga and a Thriller themed dance, with special costumes sent out from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s Performing Arts Unit.
In the lead up to the event, students from each school attended monthly practice sessions in Bayswater and their schools received DVDs of the routines to practise at other times.
Four students from the Healesville High School also attended the event to be part of the technical support crew.
“The kids had an absolute ball,” Mr Jansen said.
“This was the first year we’ve been involved in the mass cast and tech crew – we’ll definitely jump on board next year.”
