Close to 300 students from St Philip’s Christian College will band together this week to tell a tale about perseverance, loyalty and friendship.
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The kindergarten to year 4 students, 260 of them, will perform in the school’s play, Seussical Jr, which under the acting and bright colours has an important message – that a person is a person no matter how small.
Rehearsals began at the beginning of the year under the direction Priscilla Blake, head teacher of music.
The oldest member of the cast is 10 while the youngest is seven.
Mrs Blake said that it is “incredible to pull off a big show at such a young age”.
In Seussical Jr, the Cat in the Hat narrates the story of Horton the Elephant, who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos.
Horton must protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, and he must also guard an abandoned egg that's been left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird.
Although Horton faces ridicule, danger and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him.
The story transports audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus.
“The experience has given the students an appreciation of the arts and also an appreciation of other people’s strengths,” teacher Jema Wright said.
“Often, the focus is on academics or sport but a production like this gives the opportunity for creative and artistic students to shine.”
Mrs Blake said it had been a joy to work alongside all the children and parents involved.
“I’m so proud of what we have accomplished together in Seussical Jr,” she said.
The junior school’s performance is one of many the school body has had the opportunity to take part in the past year.
During the past 18 months the college’s principal, Dr Tim Petterson, an advocate for the creative arts, has supported its first high school musical, Back to the 80’s, the introduction of a beginner music program for students in years 3 to 6 and now the junior school musical.
“Apart from the academic benefits of music involvement and tuition, the college community has been enriched by these experiences,” Dr Petterson said.