Community
13 September, 2024
Skipton to grace state stage
SIXTEEN of Skipton Primary School’s year four, five and six students are gearing up for their performance at the Victorian State Schools Spectacular (VSSS) on Saturday.
The school will be among 80 other Victorian state government schools participating in the VSSS at the John Cain Arena in Melbourne.
Students have been rehearsing dances to eight songs - including Don’t Stop Me Now, Happiness, We Found Love, Happiness, Rapper’s Delight, Hold Back the River and Joy – since early March.
The students said Joy was their favourite of the eight songs, since they get to sing to the upbeat song.
“It’s been hard to remember all the dances,” the students said.
“The hardest dance to learn is We Found Love – it’s really quick.
“We’ve all had to put the songs on USB so we could practice at home as well as at school.
“All the songs are colourful and sort of water-themed.”
The song selection for this year’s VSSS is based on the theme of ‘Splash’, which brings a focus on colour, water and beach-themed performances.
Another key component the students are looking forward to are the costumes, with the school creating T-shirts for the VSSS using paints, glitter and stencils in recent weeks.
“There’s this cool jacket that you can turn inside-out and the entire design changes, baggy shirts and shorts,” the students said.
“They look very different.”
In the months leading up to the performance, students have been practicing with other schools, including Colac Primary School, Mount Clear College, Wheeler’s Hill Secondary College, and Yuille Park Community College.
Acting principal Chanelle Pelchen said the students have been working hard in the practice sessions, with a final rehearsal running from 8am to 5pm today (Friday)
“It’s been so much dedication and hard work put in from families as well, who have been committing to getting the students to and from practices when we need,” she said.
“I can’t wait for the families to see how incredible these kids look when they’re on the stage, and for their emotions because I think they are just going to be blown away when they walk into the arena and have a look at the stage.
“It’s just such an exciting opportunity for kids at government schools to be able to have the chance to perform on such a huge stage like John Cain Arena, perform for over 3000 people for two shows, and for them to be able to be on television.
“To be able to soak it all in and to have that memory to last is pretty special.”
The students will perform twice during the televised event – once at 1pm, and again at 6.30pm.
The students said they were excited, but nervous to be performing alongside many other schools, but are looking forward to all the VSSS will bring.
“There’s going to be a mass choir,” the students said.
“There are going to be stage hands, and they’re all kids.
“We’re going to be in an arena amongst thousands of people, and we’re going to be in the back corner.
“It’s nice to be able to connect with kids from other schools.”