Teachers' Information Package
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Teachers’ Information Package Table of Contents 3 Welcome 4 Schools Spectacular 2016 – Dream Big 5 Important Contact Information 6 Website and Information Distribution 7 Information – Combined Dance 8 Rehearsals – Combined Dance 9 Information – Combined Choir 11 Rehearsals – Combined Choir 12 Major Combined Rehearsals 14 Dress Rehearsal and Performance Schedules 16 Information – Production Team 17 Travel Subsidy Information 18 Travel Subsidy and Distance Bands 19 Ticketing 20 Security 21 Information Regarding Other Forms 22 Participating Schools, Ensembles and Staff 34 Checklist 35 Deed of Consent Information 36 Deed of Consent 37 Behaviour Code for Students 38 Principal Confirmation Form SCHOOLS SPECTACULAR Teachers Information Package Page | 2 Welcome Welcome to the 2016 Schools Spectacular, DREAM BIG! Congratulations on your successful application to be a part of the show this year along with many other schools from right across the state. The Schools Spectacular is a world-class arena production and the largest annual event of its calibre anywhere in Australia – and arguably the world. From its ability to produce national and international stars, to its role in promoting inclusiveness and reconciliation, the Schools Spectacular has no peer. A show the size and scale of the Schools Spectacular would not be possible without the vital role played by you, our dedicated public school teachers. It is you, the teachers from schools participating in the show, working alongside our talented production and creative teams that allow us to achieve the vision of the Schools Spectacular: to present a unique performance project showcasing public school excellence – involving thousands of students supported by outstanding teachers. Your work allows students to develop and display their passion, creativity, ability and talents as musicians, dancers, vocalists and entertainers to the Australian public and entertainment industry. It also serves to provide a vehicle for students to experience the thrill of performing in front of large audiences both live in the arena and in living rooms around the nation, and the joy of involvement in the performing arts. Hopefully you are also invigorated through the experience. Congratulations again on your involvement. We hope you enjoy the journey of being a part of the 2016 Schools Spectacular. Jane Simmons Sonja Sjolander Executive Producer Creative Director Schools Spectacular Schools Spectacular SCHOOLS SPECTACULAR Teachers Information Package Page | 3 2016 Schools Spectacular ‘Dream Big’ The Schools Spectacular is a huge logistical and creative extravaganza. As such it requires a massive amount of organisation and planning. Please take the time to read through this Teachers’ Information Booklet carefully. A significant change for this year’s show is our 2016 venue ‘Qudos Bank Arena’ at Sydney Olympic Park. This booklet has been updated with information regarding the new venue and additional changes for 2016 and it is important to familiarise yourself with all relevant information contained within it. SCHOOLS SPECTACULAR Teachers Information Package Page | 4 Important Contact Information The primary point of contact for all teachers is Peter Hayward, Operations Manager – [email protected] . Email is the most efficient and reliable means of contact. If you need to directly contact individual coordinators, please refer to the list below. Title Name Phone Email Executive Producer Jane Simmons Director, Arts, Sports and Rosemary Davis Initiatives Creative Director Sonja Sjolander 8512 1174 [email protected] Producer Richard Spiewak 8512 1191 [email protected] Operations Manager Peter Hayward 8512 1190 [email protected] Production Assistant Julijana Antelmi 8512 1194 [email protected] Music Director Stephen Williams 8512 1186 [email protected] Music Producer (to 26/8) Peter McVie 8512 1193 [email protected] R/Music Producer (from 29/8) Peter Copeland 8512 1193 [email protected] Choral Director Ian Jefferson 8512 1181 [email protected] Dance Director - Primary Kirsten Dickason 8512 1178 [email protected] Dance Director - Secondary Sue Rix 8512 1179 [email protected] Postal Address Location Address The Arts Unit The Arts Unit Locked Bag 3003 Cnr. The Boulevarde and Toothill St SUMMER HILL NSW 2130 LEWISHAM NSW 2049 Arts Unit Fax: (02) 9569 6878 SCHOOLS SPECTACULAR Teachers Information Package Page | 5 Websites and Information Distribution Email Communication Email is a vital method of communication for the Schools Spectacular Team and is the main way that all information will be distributed. Please make sure we have the most up to date email address for you and remember to check it often as information may change right up until the last minute. Emails will be sent regularly with updated information regarding important dates and deadlines. All information packages will be available for download via the regular emails. Hard copies of the packages will not be sent out to schools. Schools Spectacular Website The Schools Spectacular website, www.schoolsspectacular.com.au, is the site to direct parents and members of the general public to for information about the show as well as information regarding purchasing individual tickets. Teachers, students and members of school communities are encouraged to visit the website and keep up to day with all the news of this year’s show! Schools Spectacular Social Media The Schools Spectacular Facebook page has gone from strength to strength over the past few years and now has over 22,000 likes! This page will allow everyone to follow what’s happening in the lead up to Spec with key activities and updates from rehearsals. You will also gain an insight into what goes on behind the scenes and find out information on ticketing and promotions. Check it out at www.facebook.com/schoolsspectacular. We want as many people to ‘like’ Schools Spectacular on Facebook as possible so we can continue to spread the word about this fantastic event! Between our Teachers Meeting and the show last year our ‘Likes’ increased over 100%! Let’s try and do the same this year! The Schools Spectacular is also active on Twitter (@SchoolsSpec) and Instagram (schoolsspectacular, #Spec16), so make sure you stay across the activity on all of our social channels. SCHOOLS SPECTACULAR Teachers Information Package Page | 6 Information – Combined Dance Including Combined Dance, Aboriginal Dance Ensemble, D’Arts Dance Ensemble and B-Boys Dance Ensemble General Rehearsal Information . There will be three to five dance rehearsals as well as the major combined dance rehearsals for your segment (if the rehearsals are in school time, schools are to provide relief). Please check the Dance Rehearsal schedule carefully to ensure you are aware of all rehearsals you need to attend. Any rehearsals scheduled for Wednesday 23 November are compulsory for all schools - both metropolitan and non-metropolitan, as are all rehearsals and performances on Thursday 24, Friday 25 and Saturday 26 November. You must adhere strictly to the numbers that you have been allocated. In some cases it may be necessary to have a reserve in case of injury or illness. Choreographic copyright – please seek permission from the choreographer if you wish to use the piece at other times, such as school concerts. Music • Dance Rehearsal Tracks are recorded to assist teachers in preparation of dance items in the show. • Musical arrangements will have the same form and feel as the tracks. Be aware that the live performance will never be an exact replication of the recorded version. • All tracks will be distributed electronically – we will not be creating CD versions in 2016. Costumes • Kirsten Dickason (Primary) and Sue Rix (Secondary), as part of their role as Dance Directors, will oversee the design elements and costume coordination of this year’s show. • They will liaise between the choreographer and the school contact teacher to ensure that all schools have the correct information in a timely fashion. • The costume information will be communicated to the contact teacher of the school. • Schools are responsible for payment for their allocated costumes. • Every effort will be made to keep costume costs to a minimum and, where appropriate, options will be provided. • Schools with costume concerns should contact Kirsten or Sue via email. Finale • A YouTube teaching video of the finale will be available from the start of Term 4. Schools will need to learn the choreography by the First Combined Rehearsal. Choreography for the finale will NOT be taught on this day. • A Finale Pack will be given to you prior to the First Combined Rehearsal. This pack will include information about placement on the arena. • Please make sure you familiarise yourself and your students with your school’s placement, entrance and exits. SCHOOLS SPECTACULAR Teachers Information Package Page | 7 Rehearsals – Combined Dance Including Combined Dance, Aboriginal Dance Ensemble and Boys Hip Hop Ensemble NOTE: For information regarding the final rehearsals and performances on Thursday 24, Friday 25 and Saturday 26 November, please refer to pages 14-15. All Dance Groups Rehearsal Date Location Time First Combined Monday 31 October Qudos Bank Arena Times TBC Dance Rehearsal Second Combined Wednesday 23 and Qudos Bank Arena Times TBC Dance Rehearsal Thursday 24 November Please refer to page 13-14 for further information about these rehearsals. For all other Dance Rehearsals, please refer to the separate Dance Rehearsal Package. SCHOOLS SPECTACULAR Teachers Information Package Page | 8 Information – Combined Choir General Information . In 2016 the size of the choir has been increased to give more schools the opportunity of being involved. Within the choir, schools are allocated places according to musical balance and seating constraints, and to ensure balanced vocal parts. Any queries regarding the choir should be directed to Ian Jefferson, Choral Director. Music . Choir music will be available at the end of Term 3. Students and staff should bring printed copies of their music to all rehearsals.