Wow, what a term for the Arts!! After so long not being able to perform live it has been our goal to bring the arts back in a big way. I feel so proud of our students for putting themselves out there again, making the most of opportunities that have been on offer and really getting our art department cranking again. It really is a privilege to be amongst so many creative, inspiring, hard working, and amazing students and staff. Showquest has been a big part of this term, it has been really great to see so many creative elements come together to showcase what we can do. Here’s what's been happening:

• Toitu’s Music Month of May - Beautiful performances in the atrium with a mix of piano, singing and acoustic guitar by Hannah Lawrence, Elisa Fitzgerald, Nemo Asawaborisuttikul, Chloe Wu

• The Big Sing Regionals - Madrigali Rouge were awarded the John Leslie Trophy for best performance in other styles category. They travel to Timaru for The Big Sing Cadenza in August.

• Rockquest 2022 - The Sapphire Skies a Year 9 band did really well at regionals and have made it through to the finals. Well done Lila Howley, Sophie Beardmore, Alice Graham, Sylvie Harper, Imogen Hornal and Thanuja Luxmanan who also performed a duo at this event.

• Showquest 2022 - On Monday 20th June, 49 St Hilda's students travelled to Invercargill to compete in Showquest Otago/Southland. The students presented a work on Hinemoana and Papatuanuku - shining a light the wahine toa of our Te Ao Māori stories. The performers were amazing onstage, lighting up the theatre with their energy. We also had some amazing backstage crew supporting the performers. Kapa Haka also performed with mana. Choir, Orchestra and visual artists (Sophie Broadley) who designed the audio-visual projections helped to build an integrated, cohesive piece. 

The Showquest leaders, Lily Knox, Stella Rathbone, Olivia Wilkinson, Amelie Warlow, Lucie Holtz, Tunmise Adebowale, Summer Cooper, Lucia Grimmond, Connie Bennington, Holly Davey, and Poppy Johnson have worked incredibly hard to put the show together. Overall a stunning performance.

It is super exciting to have been awarded 1st place for Otago/Southland Region and gain awards for Best use of Props and Best Theme!

• Artist in Residence - We are very fortunate to have secured Abby Wolfe as our Artist in Residence. Abby is a singer/songwriter and is working with our senior music students. Abby will be a great mentor and inspirational for our students. We are really looking forward to working with Abby during Term 3.

• Life Drawing - Our Year 13 students have recently completed a short course in Life Drawing.

• Debating - Congratulations to Lily Knox who has been selected for the Otago Regional Debating Squad.

• Kapa Haka - This term we have welcomed Manawa Enterprises who will be working with our Kapa Haka group teaching poi dances and waiata. Watch this space!

• Shakespeare - Two student directed Shakespeare performances graced the Kings/Queens Performing Arts stage (amongst an incredible great range of talented contributions from Otago schools). Many other regions went digital this year so we were grateful to perform live in front of our esteemed judges. Evie Rose Grace (playing Puck), won the Terry McTavish award for Best Stage Presence, and was runner up for direct entry to NSSP (where actors are selected to go to the Globe Theatre in London). Amelie Warlow directed Evie, and a colourful cast, in a captivating 15 minute scene from A Midsummer Night's Dream. Stella Bowles and Eliabel Legrand co-directed a fun 5 minute scene from Romeo and Juliet, where their cast created the atmosphere of a formal/social event that teenagers can relate to.