Speech and Drama 2018
Introduction As part of the extensive Drama and Dance programme at Perth College, students are provided with the opportunity to take private Speech and Drama lessons with experienced and highly qualified teachers. The teacher in the Senior School, and Co-ordinator of Speech and Drama, is Mrs Deborah Mitchell BA (Training & Development), A.S.D.A from A.M.E.B-UWA. We are delighted to have Deb and her team as part of the dynamic team at Perth College. They bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, enthusiasm and passion for performance and literature. Deb has more than 30 years of experience working in a range of settings, such as private studio work, academic extension programmes (PEAC and Thinking Ahead), and corporate offices. Teaching strategies are learner-centred and student outcomes are designed to be creative, realistic and develop potential in all age groups. Students are engaged in active learning experiences that build confidence and clear speech and drama skills. How can Speech and Drama help my daughter? Building self-esteem and confidence Tools to develop clear speech, voice colour and intensity Develop competent oral communication skills questioning, sharing and conversation Developing active listening skills Developing memory and concentration skills Enhance time management and personal organisation skills Honing research skills Nurturing a love of language Expressive use of body and voice Exploring mime and creative movement Identifying, exploring and implementing the elements of drama and stagecraft Developing public speaking skills Performance and multimedia including microphone technique Developing an appreciation of literature Sharing and presenting work to an audience 2
Speech and Drama performance opportunities available in 2018 The Perth Speech and Drama Festival and North of Perth Festival Public speaking competitions e.g. The Speakers Challenge A.M.E.B. Speech and Drama Exams Small group plays, drama monologues, performance poetry and readers theatre Perth College students have been regular participants and frequent award winners in these competitions. The exams and festivals provide an ideal opportunity for students to put into practice the skills they learn as part of the Speech and Drama programme. However, involvement in any of these performance opportunities is always strongly encouraged, but never compulsory. Students are always offered a choice that best suits their involvement in other aspects of life at Perth College. Speech and Drama Fact Sheet What Speech and Drama Performance opportunities are available for my daughter in 2018? The Perth Speech and Drama Festival: 2018 dates to be confirmed. The Festival is a celebration of language, literature and performance, an initiative of the Speech and Drama Teachers Association of WA and sponsored by the A.M.E.B. and the City of Stirling. Some of the categories include: Drama monologue Poetry speaking Prose speaking Storytelling Show and tell Duologues Participation by everyone is encouraged and highly recommended. Results from current and former Perth College students have been outstanding. The Speakers Challenge Year 6 students only. Week Six, Term Two (date to be confirmed). A prestigious interschool public speaking competition open only to students in Years 6. As part of their year group curriculum requirements, all students in Years 6 will need to prepare a four-minute speech a small number of the most outstanding presentations will represent Perth College at this event. Assistance can be given during Speech and Drama time to help refine the delivery of work it should be noted that students must write their own speeches. 3
The North of Perth Festival: From Week Seven through to Week Nine, Term Three (dates to be confirmed by the organisers of the North of Perth Festival). An eisteddfod sponsored by the City of Bayswater. This Music and Speech and Drama competition attracts performers of the highest standard at Senior School level. This is a different style of Festival to the Speech and Drama Teachers Festival and entry would be recommended for the more experienced and able performer. A.M.E.B Speech and Drama Exams: Week Four, Term Four (dates to be confirmed). As part of the University of Western Australia, the A.M.E.B s qualifications are highly regarded within Australia and internationally. The purpose of the exam is to assess clear speech, drama skills, mime, improvisation, oral interpretation of literature, active listening, questioning, research, poise and conversation skills. Each student presents a programme of performance work to the examiner, within a group setting or individually. The examiners are all teachers, so they try to make the exam experience an enjoyable and positive one. These exams are not compulsory and alternative performance opportunities will be provided for those students not wishing to participate. End of Year Showcase: Week Seven, Term Four (dates to be confirmed). The end-of-year showcase is an intimate theatre experience for students in each year group, where a variety of short drama scenes are presented to parents. This is a popular option for students not participating in an exam. Students not only demonstrate stagecraft and drama skills, but also develop resiliency and teamwork. Small group plays, drama monologues, performance poetry and readers theatre: Most students will have the opportunity to explore these performance aspects throughout the year. 4
What equipment does my daughter need? A display file, so that your daughter s Speech and Drama timetable and performance pieces can be kept safely. Other resources such as a USB memory stick, novel(s), simple props and costumes may be necessary throughout the year. Costs are kept to a minimum. How will my daughter know what time her lesson is each week? By using her Speech and Drama timetable, you and your daughter will know when her lesson time occurs each week. As the normal academic week operates on two rotating timetable cycles, most Speech and Drama lessons will be rotated within the academic timetable. In other words, your daughter s lesson time will be on the same day but at different time slots each week, so that for most of the term students will not be missing the same school subjects, at the same time, each week. Years 11 and 12 students are given priority for lessons outside the normal school day. Parents are reminded lessons for other year groups will tend to be scheduled during normal school time (i.e. not lunch or after school). Your daughter s learning needs are always of paramount importance. Every effort is made to liaise with your daughter s Form teacher and/or Year co-ordinator so suitable lesson times are scheduled. Please consider your daughter s current workload and commitments when deciding to take on extra-curricular activities. 5
Perth College girls: Remarkable women 31 Lawley Crescent Phone: (08) 9471 2100 Mount Lawley WA 6050 Facsimile: (08) 9471 2101 PO Box 25 Mount Lawley WA 6929 info@pc.wa.edu.au www.perthcollege.wa.edu.au Perth College Founded 1902. ABN 60 629 470 092. Cricos Provider No 00445D