A Terrific Term of Activities at ASPA Ed
Term 1 at ASPA Education has flown by with a huge range of exciting activities and workshops!
So far in 2023, we have had 57 teachers join us for our Teacher Professional Development Workshops, and visited students across Melbourne and Sydney for multiple school and early childhood programs. While Term 1 has been full of action, Term 2 is set to be even bigger! Read on to learn more about our dynamic Term 1 with ASPA Ed, and discover what singing, dance and drama programs we have planned in Term 2!
Professional Development for Teachers
Our first Teacher PD for 2023, ‘Inspire Your School Choir’ saw teachers come together in Melbourne and Sydney for a day of networking, sharing and extending their choir knowledge. Regardless of experience and confidence levels, it was great to have all teachers participate in two group songs, in addition to refining their conducting technique and learning new ideas and exercises to help revive or establish a choir.
“Sally and Mark were so experienced and engaging and have the best ideas and activities to teach specific concepts.” – Harriett Allcroft, Haileybury College
“Oh my goodness, SO GOOD, not ready for it to end. All the participation, the choir demo, just all of it!” – Jacki Atkinson, Tinternvale PS
Ahead of our return to regional Victoria for Catholic Education Sandhurst’s ‘Festival of the Sacred’ in Term 2, Team APSA Ed visited Shepparton for a special Teacher Network Day. It was a joy to see teachers step into the role of the student and learn new choreography, repertoire and activities to bring into the performing arts classroom.
“The workshop was great, full of great drama, dancing and singing.” – Kathy Allen, St John’s Euroa
“GAMES AND WARM UPS WERE THE BEST!!!” – Michelle Hicks, St Mary’s Mooroopna
School Programs
It isn’t just the teachers who get to have all of the fun with ASPA Ed! In Term 1, ASPA Ed Instructor, Tanya Romeo, visited Green Point Christian College, New South Wales, to deliver a ‘Choir 101’ Workshop and Teacher PD. Working with students across several year levels was an exhilarating experience for Tanya, and she reflects on having a terrific time working with the students and choir teacher, Rebecca Mckeown, to develop the choir’s existing repertoire.
“Tanya was professional, helpful and not condescending with her wonderful skills and choral technique. I would be keen to develop my skills in the future with ASPA.” – Rebecca Mckeown, Green Point CC
Over in Victoria, ASPA Ed Instructor, Mark Puddy, worked with student leaders from Sacred Heart Girls’ College, Oakleigh, to deliver a Performing Arts Seminar ahead of their student-run House Arts Festival. From learning how to put together a rehearsal, to how to engage fellow students, the seminar successfully prepared students for the production process from start to finish.
Early Childhood Programs
In addition to our stand alone workshops, in Term 1 ASPA Ed commenced two year-long Early Childhood Programs at Croydon and Heathmont Bilingual Montessori Early Learning Centres. By exploring simple elements of musicianship, pitch and rhythm; participants are developing their language and communication skills, motor skills, literacy and numeracy, creativity, and overall well-being in preparation for school. We can’t wait to see where these skills develop even further in Term 2!
“The children were so excited to see the ASPA Ed Team. It was lovely to see some big smiles as we sang and danced!” – Tash Findlay, ASPA Ed Instructor
What’s in store for Term 2 with ASPA Ed?
We are thrilled to roll out two School Musical Programs in Term 2 at Concord School and Hartwell Primary School. The programs will span across two terms, with each program individually tailored to suit the needs of the school. We look forward to to returning to Hartwell and Concord, having delivered their School Musical Programs since 2011 and 2012 respectively.
For assistance with your School Musical and to strengthen the vocal, movement and performance skills of your students, enquire now about our School Programs.
If a School Musical Program doesn’t fit into your Term 2 calendar, why not come along to our ‘Spectacular School Concerts’ Teacher PD on Friday May 12! If you’re a teacher in Sydney or Melbourne and are involved in the process of bringing your school production to life, this PD will have you feeling prepared and energised to tackle rehearsals and deliver polished performances.
Following our Term 1 Teacher Network Day in regional Victoria, ASPA Ed will embark on three terms of school visits as part of Catholic Education Sandhurst’s ‘Festival of the Sacred’. The choral arts program began in 2009 as part of a commitment to expand opportunities for students and teachers in the Sandhurst Diocese in the northern region of Victoria, with concerts at the end of every term to showcase the work of the students and connect them with other schools in their region.
In Term 2 Team ASPA Ed will be delivering more singing workshops including our ‘Choir 101’ and ‘Inspire Your School Choir’ Workshops in schools across NSW, QLD and WA. We still have space on our Term 2 calendar, so enquire now if you’d like us to visit your school for a one off workshop or ongoing school program!
And that brings us to school holidays! Don’t forget our ‘Take the Stage’ Performing Arts Holiday Program is happening over the Winter School Holidays. Places are strictly limited so book now to secure your budding performing artists’ spot!
