WEEKS of preparation by 16 schools across the shire came to glorious fruition at Eden Marine High School this week as the Sapphire Coast Learning Community (SCLC) celebrated Education Week with a performing arts festival on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
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Two stages were used to showcase the talent of local students who danced, sang and played their way through their numbers and into the hearts of the audience.
Student groups from Bega High School, Eden Marine High School, Bemboka, Candelo, Eden, Pambula, Tathra and Towamba public schools were all involved.
Pieces ranged from impressive rhythms by Tathra Public School’s drumming group to Bega High’s guitar ensemble playing Foster The People’s smash hit Pumped Up Kicks.
The Cobargo school choir stirred emotions with I Am Australian and The Rose, while the room buzzed during a colourful choreographed circus by young dancers from Candelo.
Collaborative efforts between schools included the Combined Schools Choir, a group of 120 students who opened both nights’ entertainment with Dare to Dream to celebrate the London Olympics.
Another collaboration, a rock band, sprang from the recent SCLC music camp.
Mentored by Eden Marine High School music teacher Robyn Martin along with Garry Jones and Lisa Freedman, the band rocked The Car Song by the Cat Empire and On My Mind by Powderfinger.
“The Sapphire Coast Learning Community enables our 16 public schools the opportunity to work together, to share resources and to combine the expertise of our teachers,” Candelo Public School principal Suezanne Bourke said.
“Every year the quality of items continue to improve.”
SCLC coordinator for 2012 Michelle Hulme, principal of Merimbula Public School, said the SCLC had gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2008.
“Not only does the SCLC have combined staff professional learning days, a music camp and the performing arts festival, we are also looking forward to holding a combined schools music excursion to Canberra and a combined schools art exhibition in the coming weeks,” she said.
