Scotch Reports Issue 178 (December 2020)

MITCHAM CAMPUS
Performance Arts
in the Primary Years
The poem, ‘The 100 Languages’ by Loris
Malaguzzi 1 , reminds us that the child has
a hundred languages, a hundred ways of
thinking, of playing, of speaking, and the
importance of not separating the head
and the body when learning.
Our Performance Arts program embodies
the use of the whole body to learn.
Children move, dance, sing, mime, act,
play and perform in a multitude of ways.
The transformation of our Junior School
Performing Arts room into a customised
Performing Arts Dance Studio and Drama
Black Box later this term will provide
our students with a purpose-designed
learning space that complements our
programs. The studio will be fitted with
a mirrored wall, cascade flooring as used
by the Australian Ballet, portable barres
and the ability to black-out the space to
create special lighting effects.
1 Loris Malaguzzi is founder of the Reggio Emilia
Approach to learning which inspires our Early
Learning Centre program.
Not only will the studio be used
for Performing Arts classes and
preparations for our Mitcham Campus
musicals, it will further support our
flourishing co-curricular programs.
Junior School children with a special
interest in expressing themselves
through music, singing, oratory and
dance can sign up for a variety of cocurricular
programs.
CALEDONIAN PROGRAM
Highland Dancing with Miss Leonie
continues to be popular with children
of all ages. An important part of our
Scotch heritage, the dancers learn the
basics of the Scottish dances passed
down through generations and highlight
the Celtic spirit of music and dance.
Highland Dancing is always a favourite at
our annual Grandparents’ Day, Ceilidh,
Christmas Pageants and End of Year
Ceremony.
DANCE TROUPES
Mrs Nina Richards (Director and
Choreographer of ‘Stop the Presses’)
leads three Junior Campus Dance troupes
(for Years 3-6 students) at lunchtimes.
They choreograph dance pieces together,
with a focus on enjoyment, teamwork,
exploring movement and developing selfexpression.
Over the past two years our
Year 5 & 6 troupes have competed in the
Ignite Dance Competition and qualified
for the National finals!
CHINESE LION DANCING
AND FAN DANCING
Cultural Dance requires excellent
teamwork, communication and physical
strength. The Chinese Lion Dancing
special interest group works with our
Chinese teacher, Mrs Nhu Trinh. The
students learn the art of traditional story
telling through Lion Dance, accompanied
by Chinese percussion. Our lions perform
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