Speech & Drama
The Speech and Drama program is an extra curricular activity available for students from Years 4 to 12. Speech
and Drama focuses on developing excellent communication and acting performnce skills. Clear, audible and articulate communication is necessary in all areas of life. Speech and Drama is not only for students who enjoy performance but also for students who would like to develop greater confidence in their communication and when presenting to an audience.
Acting skills
Tuition in acting focuses on the vocal and physical expressive techniques for performance, including: acting, mime, movement, characterisation, staging, improvisation and engagement with a range of dramatic literature.
Public speaking and communication skills
Public speaking and communication skills tuition focuses on developing understanding and practise in the
analytical and critical concepts underpinning persuasion, negotiation, summarising and communicating ideas
and opinions in a variety of contexts using verbal and non-verbal skills. All students will have the opportunity
to present their work for parents and friends.
Speech and Drama Coaches
Individual and/or small group lessons will be administered by the Drama Department and tuition will be
conducted by Mrs Meredith Martin (BA BPPM Hon. MA Dip. SD.) Meredith has worked as a Speech and Drama Coach at various private schools. She has adjudicated eisteddfods and festivals and performed with community theatre groups. For more information, please email [email protected]
Reports and Examinations
Each student will receive a written report at the end of each semester. External assessment is available to students wishing to enter examinations conducted by the AMEB (Australian Music Examinations Board).
Parents will be notified about the suitability of such an examination or parents may contact the coach
to discuss this option. Undertaking such an examination requires a clear agreement between the parent, the
coach and the student. A student can only be registered for examinations at the discretion of the coach. The coach, in consultation with the student, will organise rehearsal times for the examination. In order for a student to be enrolled in an AMEB examination, parents must sign an Examination Permission Slip, which clearly outlines the cost for the examination. This form will be provided to you via the coach; without this signed agreement enrolment cannot occur.
If students do not wish to sit an examination, they are able to sit an internal assessment. This assessment will be conducted at the discretion of the coach, in consultation with the parents and students. Examinations take place in May/June and October/November.
Speech & Drama Tuition Fees
Fees are outlined in the table below and are based on 32 lessons per year (16 per semester).
| Per Semester | Per Annum | |
|---|---|---|
| Shared | $619 each | $1,298 each |
| Individual | $1,449 | $2,898 |
Fees will be charged to your College account and are subject to an annual review.
Examination fees range from $80- $209 (Grades) and $130- $188 (Certificates), approximately.
Change of Lesson Times
Lessons will not be made up if a student:
- misses her lesson through forgetfulness
- misses her lesson through illness/absence or an appointment during school hours
- misses her lesson through an un-notified excursion/incursion or test (unless notification has been given to the teacher at least one week prior to the excursion/incursion or test)
- misses her lesson through involvement with a co-curricular sporting activity (e.g. GSV, athletics, etc.)
- misses her lesson due to family/private holidays that are taken during the term, of any length of time.
An email will be sent home outlining the date and time of the missed lesson. Please note that the cost for the missed lessons will not be refunded.
Lessons will be made up if a student:
- public holidays or student free days occur during the term on the day of the lesson
- the coach is absent on the day of the lesson
- the coach was notified in advance (one week) of an excursion/incursion or test (change of lesson time for this reason will occur)
- the student has been ill for a prolonged time (in consultation with the Curriculum Leader: Performing Arts).
If a student is absent from school on the day of her lesson, parents are requested to email the instrument teacher in order to alert the teacher of your child’s absence.
Lessons Location
The Speech and Drama lessons will be undertaken in the Wardell Building. W202 on level 2. Mrs Meredith Martin will be providing the lessons for both individual and shared tuition sessions for all year levels.