2017 - certainly a year to remember — it has been a long, yet rewarding year for the Tech Crew.

Stage Challenge was our first major event of the year with successes across the board. Raw Division came 1st, while Open Division came 2nd.

Both divisions were awarded with the Excellence in Lighting Design Award which was a big delight for the crew. The set for Open was a boat on scaffolding that broke into pieces to give the effect of it sinking. This design did have its fair share of difficulties trying to get a near flawless separation. In the end it worked well and we were all happy about how it went.

This year's production was Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the biggest production that Burnside has ever put on. It was a challenge getting started with so many things to organise between the different departments. The set was the largest we've had in my five years at Burnside. The castle and town pieces were from Showbiz's production of Beauty and the Beast. However, we still needed to make more set pieces; which was a job for a few crew members, past and present, who had the right skills and gave up their time to make an amazing set. For the show we had a crew of 12. Despite the size of the show and amount of set pieces that needed moving the crew did well. I was impressed with how they performed as we had little time to rehearse the show.

Throughout the year we also get out our portable sound system to use in the main quad for fundraisers or promotional events. One such event was the Environmental Awareness Week run by students during term 2. During this week we provided music in the quad to help create an enjoyable atmosphere for the games and petition at lunch. Aurora was also used for a guest speaker to come and talk about the environment and sustainable practices. Events like these allow us to work and have fun with our friends and fellow students during the year.

I’d like to say thank you to the cast of this year’s production for putting up with me for as long as you did. I was and still am moved by the effort and passion you put into the show. I’m proud to have worked with the best cast Burnside has ever seen and a family I will never forget.

To all the crew that have put their time and hard effort into this year, thank you. I appreciate every bit of work you do and I hope to be back and see some of you next year.

Also a big thank you, from the crew and myself, to Mr Wiltshire for all his help this year. Without the time and commitment he puts into Aurora we would not be able to do what we do.

It was a privilege to be the Head of Crew for 2017 and I wish everyone all the best for 2018.

Nick Glanville — 13GVK