At Ravenswood, students in all year groups can participate in an extensive and dynamic performing arts curricular and co-curricular program across Music, Dance, Drama, Technical Theatre, Front-of-House and Speech.
We believe that all students should have the opportunity to be creative and enjoy learning new skills with like-minded peers.
Students showcase their outstanding talents at performances, competitions and productions throughout the year.
As well as numerous House activities, Ravenswood’s Performing Arts events, productions and opportunities include:
- Lunchtime Concerts
- Chapel Services
- Speech Days
- Music Scholars’ Concert
- Junior School Assemblies
- Music and Dance Eisteddfods
- Prep to Year 12 Co-curricular Dance Concerts
- Ravenswood Junior School Dance Showcase
- Years 3 to 4 Drama Club Presentations
- Carols on the Lawn
- Kindergarten to Year 12 Music Showcase
- Year 6 Musical
- Years 3 to 4 Musical
- Prep to Year 2 Nativity Play.
Music
At Ravenswood, learning experiences in music harness students’ creative capacity and the expression of their individual perceptions when performing, composing and listening.
Music enriches students’ educational experiences by fostering confident self-expression, encouraging creative and innovative thinking, and promoting community spirit and involvement.
In Junior School, all students have the opportunity to explore music through a range of curricular and co-curricular programs.
Music is part of the Creative Arts and Practical Arts curriculum, designed to develop a range of skills in playing, listening and music appreciation. Programs include year-group choirs and instrumental ensembles.
There is also a wide variety of co-curricular music programs for students of all ages and levels of ability, including orchestra, strings, vocal and private tuition.
Students of all abilities have many opportunities to participate in assorted bands and ensembles, which helps them learn new skills and encourages practising. It also builds confidence in playing music with others and gives students the opportunity to socialise with peers across different year groups.
Junior School students can join a range of music and vocal ensembles including the Training Band (Beginners), Burrows Band, Sculthorpe Band, Morrison Band, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Holland String Ensemble, Hyde String Ensemble, Tognetti String Ensemble, Grainger String Ensemble, Junior School Vocal Ensemble, RAVO Voices, K–2 Choir, Years 3–4 Choir, Year 5 Choir and the Year 6 Choir.
Instrument hire is available, as is private music tuition before, during or after school.
Ravenswood also offers music scholarships. Applicants must have prior musical knowledge at an above-average level and be willing to commit to an ensemble for the duration of their time at Ravenswood.
Dance
Dance at Ravenswood encourages students to be creative risk-takers, trying new things while developing a wide range of dance skills and techniques.
Our program caters for beginners through to our elite Junior School Dance Company.
The Junior School Dance Companies (for Years 3 to 4 and Years 5 to 6) are audition-only groups, aimed at providing our elite dancers with performance opportunities at eisteddfods and showcases.
After-school co-curricular dance classes are also available in a variety of styles, including Ballet, Broadway Jazz, Contemporary and Lyrical, Hip Hop, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Tap, and Strength and Conditioning.
Drama
Drama at Ravenswood teaches students how to perform or act – but also, more importantly, how to be effective and creative communicators, and how to work as a team towards a common goal.
Drama is part of the Junior School curriculum, with students having fortnightly sessions in which they explore creative expression and get a snapshot of how to bring a character to life on stage. Drama promotes active engagement with the stories of others and encourages empathy and understanding.
In addition, co-curricular Drama offers students unique opportunities to creatively explore themselves, their contexts and their communities. Ravenswood Drama Club encourages students’ interest in the dramatic arts through a practical approach and through participation, rather than competition.
Students are encouraged to be creative and imaginative, and to perform in areas of improvisation, scene and script-work, storytelling and character-building. Drama Club focuses on collaboration, with students participating each semester in a performance for family and friends.
Speech
Speech provides Junior School students with the opportunity to develop effective public-speaking skills in a fun-filled environment. From mime, improvisation and storytelling to debating, formal persuasive speaking and impromptu speaking, Speech helps develop confident and self-assured communicators.
Ravenswood offers private Speech communication tuition before, during and after school for students in Kindergarten to Year 12.
Performances and Productions
In addition, Ravenswood provides many opportunities for Junior School students to showcase their skills and talent through an array of School events and productions. These include musicals, drama and dance productions, as well as regular assemblies, held in the world-class Centenary Centre Lorraine Smith Auditorium.
Performances
- Chapel Services
- Junior School Assemblies
- Years 3 to 4 Drama Club Presentations
Productions
- Prep to Year 2 Nativity Play
- Years 3 to 4 Musical
- Year 6 Musical