Blue Mountains students were among those from nine western Sydney high schools who joined forces last Friday, April 28 to prepare for their HSC.
Ninety-two students took part in workshops run by industry professionals at Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School. It was the students’ first opportunity to work on their HSC group drama performances.
“It’s about bringing arts-based opportunities out west rather than asking our kids to consistently go into the city. It makes it easier and the cost is lower,” said Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School drama teacher Anthony Vassallo.
It also helps to have students from different schools share their experiences, he said.
“A major aim is to stop kids thinking that everything is a competition and to instead view collaboration as an opportunity to further themselves,” said Mr Vassallo.
Eryn Butters of Chifley College Senior Campus said this was one of the best parts of the workshops.
“Everyone does things differently so it’s good that we can all come together and share ideas,” she said.
Nepean High School student Jenna Woolley, of Glenbrook, said it was interesting to see how other students had interpreted the HSC group performance project.
“It’s really good to see which methods and techniques other people use that have been effective for them - and then we can take them on board,” she said.
For Penrith High School student Declan Travers, of Springwood, the timing of the workshops was key.
“It’s good that we’re doing it right at the beginning of the process [for our HSC group performances] because we can get many different ideas and use them,” he said.
Senior drama students have to perform an eight to 12 minute group performance involving three to six students for their HSC.
The western Sydney students will come together again at the end of May to present their group performances and get feedback from each other.
Mr Vassallo is confident the bonds they formed last week will last throughout their HSC year.
“Seeing kids who didn’t even know each other two hours earlier working together is great,” he said. “Hopefully they will build networks beyond this day and have those networks [in place] closer to their HSC exams.”
The schools involved included Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School, Penrith Selective High School, St Marys Senior High School, Chifley College, Cambridge Park High School, Glenmore Park High School, Plumpton High School, Northmead Creative and Performing Arts High School and Kingswood High School.