Head of Elementary Mr Neil Smith Shares His Thoughts - What's the risk of trying?
There is something so uplifting about watching actors and actresses on stage performing a play or musical. To my mind, the pleasure and satisfaction is even greater when those performers are school students, in particular AIS Students.
Tremendous commitment was made by so many to realise a show of the magnitude of last week’s Secondary School production, "Oliver Twist". The time spent planning & preparing, rehearsing, designing sets, creating costumes, learning and working & reworking parts of the show was incredible; hence the joy and jubilation when the show was a success, and the audience went home driven by the spectacle they had just witnessed.
AIS continues to inspire and impress, as our performances get better and better each year. Oliver Twist was no exception; more to the point, it was exceptional. From the incredible piano accompaniment, to the fact that every actor remained on stage for pretty much the duration of the show. It was brave and a risk, but as we know, in life if we don’t dare to dream we will never know what w1e might achieve.
The visual and performing arts are one of the many strengths of our great school. They are so important given the skills, knowledge and attitudes that art, drama and performance can develop. Along with wonderful sporting opportunities, great academic results, innovation and the emphasis on ensuring our children are equipped to flourish in life and make a difference for good.
Having seen the brilliance of the Secondary School whets the appetite for more performances later in the year. This term, we will hold our ensemble evening. Quite simply this evening is a breathtaking, awe-inspiring demonstration of our students brilliance and that of their mentors and coaches, our music team and peripatetic teachers.
Even closer to my heart, is the Term 3 Upper Elementary School (Year 3-5) production. After the success of ‘AIS, Our School’ in 2018, which celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Australian International School, we are delighted to announce that in 2019 we will be staging Walt Disney’s: "The Jungle Book!"
Once again we will be looking to see as many children as possible involved in the show. Whether acting, dancing or singing on stage, designing props and scenery, applying make up or playing music, the show presents a plethora of opportunities for every child to be involved.
We urge you all to take the opportunities extended to you. Have a go, try something new; above all ask yourself “what is the risk in trying?”
