Putting on a Spectacular show

five secondary school-aged girls in black dresses pose  in dancing style​For students at Rowville Secondary College’s Institute of the Arts, landing a coveted role in the Victorian State Schools Spectacular is every bit as prestigious as making a state or national sporting team.

The school has been participating in the Spectacular since 2008, with 27 students involved in all aspects of this year’s show. Principal Julie Kennedy said improved confidence, physical fitness, resilience and a genuine love of arts are among the special benefits these students are getting from their involvement.  

“The success of being involved builds their self-esteem and we believe if you build a student’s confidence, it helps them to take positive risks in learning and in life.

More than 3000 students from 200 schools across Victoria perform in the professionally staged production which features a 64-piece orchestra, 30 lead vocalists, 16 principal dancers, 20 ensemble dancers, 1300 voice choir, 1200 massed dancers, 8 backing vocalists, skaters and puppeteers.

The Spectacular showcases the state’s most talented students, but also gives valuable performance opportunities to schools through the massed dance and choir. All students receive expert tuition from industry professionals throughout the eight-month lead up to the Hisense Arena shows. "Our students talk about it so optimistically that other students have been enthusiastic about becoming involved,” Julie said.

“It’s much more broad than just artistic because of the scale and number of students, they have to fit in, learn to work with others, be organised and committed. "It teaches them the skills to be successful adults - that’s the power of it.”

For more information on the Victorian State Schools Spectacular, see:

As featured in Leader Newspapers on 8 May, 2017.