From the Principal

Shine – the MLC School Arts Festival

The absence of performance, exhibitions, and other opportunities for students to demonstrate their talents and creativity over the past few years has reminded us just what an important part these occasions play in the day-to-day life of MLC School. However, this month’s MLC School Arts Festival, Shine, has seen a triumphant return to ‘normal’ and school life feels whole again.

The performances, concerts, and exhibitions that form part of Shine, have confirmed that while they may not have been able to share their work with us over the past two years, our Performing and Visual Arts students and staff have continued to hone their skills and talents.

Following on from the remarkable performances at the Junior School Music Concert and the Senior Years production of Little Women earlier this month,   we were treated to a remarkable concert at the Town Hall on Wednesday 15 June. ReSounding Voices was the very clever title chosen by the Music staff for their first major concert in over two years. The concert was a joyous celebration of the diversity of our community and took us on a journey not just through music from a range of cultural backgrounds but also from classical music to jazz and contemporary styles.

I would like to acknowledge the leadership and hard work of every member of the Music Department who, under the leadership of the Director of Music Trevor Mee and Assistant Director of Music Elizabeth Gilberthorpe, worked tirelessly to bring this concert together.

On Thursday 16 June it was the Design, Art, and Technology (DART) team’s opportunity to shine. This year’s Illuminate theme was “Shine our light on the stories of others and ourselves”. The Art and Design Society shared many stories of the MLC School community through art, from both Junior and Senior school, design and photography displayed throughout the Senior Centre. Folding recycled books donated from the library and old furniture, students from Art and Design Society created a paper art installation on the ground floor. 

Head of Senior School, Neil Scotney and I enjoyed the challenge of judging the House Challenge, which was for students to create a ‘Mini putt-putt golf course’ from recycled materials. Each MLC Senior School House was designated a department – such as English or Music – and represented their department throughout the design of their putt-putt hole. The creativity and imagination of the various courses did not always correlate with great functionality, however Neil did manage to sink a few ‘holes in one’. My excuse is that I obviously tested the less functional courses! The night was rounded out by performances from our dancers, vocalists, and musicians.

Thank you and congratulations to the Design, Art and Technology staff led so capably by their Head of Department Sally Marks. The event was coordinated by Caitlin Boyd with assistance from Camille Softley, Lesley Snelgrove, and the DART Assistants.

It is not only our staff who have worked tirelessly to make these events such a success. Without exception, the MLC School students are willing to step up, take the lead and give their time and expertise to bring such events together. Congratulations to the Music Captain Jacqueline (Year 12) and the Art and Design Captain Sarah-Bronte (Year 12) for their leadership and commitment to excellence and to every student who performed, created a work for exhibition or worked behind the scenes and supported the staff to make these events such a success.

– Lisa Moloney
Principal