Episode 1
SPOTLIGHT ON: Southern Cross Catholic College featuring Tony Patton
Tony Patton, Principal of Southern Cross Catholic College (SCCC) and Manager of Applied Learning Vocational Education and Training and Performing Arts, addresses the vision for SCCC as a Centre of Excellence for Sydney Catholic Schools Performing Arts. Tony discusses the philosophy underpinning a Creative Arts education and its importance for students.
Episode 2
SPOTLIGHT ON: Southern Cross Catholic College featuring Eva Spata
Eva Spata is a passionate advocate for the Creative & Performing Arts within schools and beyond. She is the CSNSW representative for the National Arts Committee for ACARA, as well as a member of cross-sectoral CaPA groups who contribute valuable discussion for the formation of the new curriculum. She has delivered professional learning in Music Curriculum across many dioceses in NSW, and is an HSC Music Practical Marker for NESA. Eva has taught Music and Drama in multiple schools in Sydney over her career, and has led dynamic CaPA faculties to grow and develop young performers to become valuable contributors to the professional performing arts industry.
In her own right, Eva is a versatile performer, whose credits include jazz, musical theatre, opera, cabaret, television and radio. Eva is the Executive Producer and Lead Alto for Fusion Vocal Group, who have performed both nationally and internationally for over thirteen years.
In Episode 2 of a series on Southern Cross Catholic College, Eva chats about the new Performing Arts faculty at Southern Cross Catholic College Burwood.
Episode 3
SPOTLIGHT ON: Southern Cross Catholic College featuring Will Emerson
Today’s guest is Year 10 Marist College Eastwood student, Will Emerson. Will began dancing at the age of five at a local dance studio. His journey with Sydney Catholic Schools Performing Arts (CaSPA) started four years ago when Will entered secondary education. He recently auditioned for the ViVA! Dance program at Southern Cross Catholic College (SCCC) which will allow him the opportunity to follow his passion by studying 2 Unit Dance off campus.
In Episode 3, Will chats about his love of dance and the opportunities at SCCC.
Episode 4
SPOTLIGHT ON: Media Arts featuring Ryan Cauchi
Ryan is an award-winning filmmaker and editor. As an editor, his body of work comprises of commercials, promos, reality television programs (primarily for the Seven Network, including House Rules and My Kitchen Rules), feature films, short films and online content.
In 2014, he was nominated by the Australian Screen Editors (ASE) for ‘Best Editing in a Commercial’ for Steadfast Brisbane Roar. Following the success of his 2014 debut short film It Grows! Ryan has turned his attention to an ambitious and well-received series of microfilms – 1 minute or under – in the horror and dark fantasy genre. These microfilms include If You’re Happy and You Know It (2016), the multi-award-winning Cut Off (2017), Fingers (2018), AgeMe™ (2019) and his latest, the nominated, The Golem.
Episode 5
SPOTLIGHT ON: Media Arts featuring Serena Siow
Serena Siow is a Bethany College Hurstville and Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) graduate. Serena is an exemplary model of how positive education plus industry opportunities help to advance your craft and passion. She is a multidisciplinary artist specialising in cinematography, editing and choreographing through narrative and documentary. After graduating from AFTRS last year, Serena’s portfolio features diverse and inclusive storytelling from script to cast and crew. Her recent film credits include cinematography on graduate piece “Like How I Remember”, directing and dancing in ROM’s music video, “All You Need” and cinematography in AFTRS and Jungle’s web series “Life Goals”. Serena has a love of dance and film and is forging a career combining her two passions.
Episode 6
SPOTLIGHT ON: Media Arts featuring Jason Reyes
Jason Reyes is an experienced secondary teacher from Good Samaritan Catholic College Hinchinbrook. Jason has immersed himself in Media Arts education and has pioneered and encouraged many students to join the Media Arts team at his school. Over the last eight years, under Jason’s leadership, Good Samaritan Catholic College has taken out the winning title of CaSPA’s short film competition across Sydney Catholic Schools on numerous occasions. Jason shares his experience and great talents in the area of Media Arts education.
Episode 7
SPOTLIGHT ON: Media Arts featuring Good Samaritan Catholic College Hinchinbrook
Students are encouraged to imagine, design, create and respond using their knowledge, understanding and skills to represent meaning associated with personal and global views. They do this through communication technologies such as television, film, video, newspapers, radio, video games, the internet and mobile media. Students learn about the role of the artist and designer, their contribution to society, and the significance of the creative industries.
In this episode, Year 8 students – Jamie, Gabi and Gabriella from the Good Samaritan Catholic College Hinchinbrook, share their experiences as members of the Media Arts team.
Episode 8
SPOTLIGHT ON: Cultural Arts featuring Stuart McMinn
Stuart is a descendant from the Dharug and Waka Waka people. Stuart has spent the last 13 years traveling and learning traditional song and dance from various mobs throughout Australia. Stuart has taken part in many traditional corroborees and performed throughout Australia and overseas on many occasions. Stuart is the owner and principal song man of Minning Minni Kaiwarrine (Night No More) Cultural Dance Company. The company spends a lot of time working with school students, corporate companies and government organisations teaching Aboriginal culture, dance, spirituality and traditional ways of being. Stuart is also the Artistic Advisor of Cultural and Dance to Sydney Catholic Schools Performing Arts.
Episode 9
SPOTLIGHT ON: Cultural Arts featuring Chandler Connell
Chandler Connell is a young emerging Indigenous Artist from the Wiradjuri and Ngunnawal country. Chandler is a traditional Guwra dancer and is studying his Diploma at NAISDA Dance College while co-devising a new work called “Jurrungu Ngan-ga” with Marrugeku.
Episode 10
SPOTLIGHT ON: Cultural Arts featuring Olivia Denis
Olivia Denis is a alumni of Sydney Catholic Schools having graduated from Saint Ursula’s College Kingsgrove in 2018. Olivia is currently a tertiary student studying a Bachelor of Arts wit a Double Major in Political Science and Indigenous Studies at the University of Sydney. Olivia joined Sydney Catholic Schools Performing Arts Goodjarga Performance Ensemble as a Year 9 student after being selected to participate in the National Aboriginal Islander Skills Development Association dance camp. Today, she continues her involvement with Goodjarga as a mentor and tutor.
