A school musical looks, from the outside, like several months of happy chaos, and in many ways it is. But beneath the songs, costumes and bright stage lights, a production is one of the richest learning experiences we can offer a child. Long after the final bow, the lessons remain.
This term, our entire Year 5 cohort is bringing Finding Nemo Jr. to the stage, with performances on 15 and 16 September. More than 100 students are involved as lead performers, ensemble members, singers, dancers and backstage crew. Watching them rehearse week after week, I'm constantly reminded of how much they gain without ever thinking of it as work.
One of the most impressive things to witness has been their creativity in solving problems. Whether it is finding a way to bridge a gap in the storyline, attaching diamantés to costumes, or using silk dance fans to create the illusion of water, students collaborate, experiment and workshop ideas together until they find a solution. The process encourages them to think imaginatively, listen carefully to others and persist when the first idea doesn't quite work.
The most visible change, however, is confidence. There is nothing quite like standing in front of an audience to teach a child that their voice matters. That confidence doesn't stay on the stage. It follows them back into the classroom, into presentations, onto the sporting field and out into the playground. Students begin to trust themselves and discover they are capable of far more than they imagined.
Then there is teamwork, learnt in the only way it truly can be. An ensemble simply doesn't work unless everyone commits to a shared goal. This year, our Donvale students have joined the Kew cast for the entire process, rehearsing and performing side by side. Over the course of the term, children have come to rely on one another, forming friendships that stretch across classes and campuses. It is a wonderful example of community in action.
Resilience grows alongside those relationships. A forgotten line, a missed cue or a costume mishap soon becomes not a catastrophe, but an opportunity to try again. Students learn that mistakes are part of the process and that growth comes from perseverance. I recently overheard one of our lead cast members telling a younger student, ‘By the end of this, we basically become like siblings.’ It was a lovely reminder of the sense of belonging that develops through a shared challenge.
A production also asks a great deal of a child, and that is part of its gift. Students memorise lines, songs and choreography. They maintain focus for long periods, show up when they are tired, and learn to accept feedback without taking it personally. These are the habits of discipline, commitment and responsibility that serve young people well far beyond the theatre.
As I watch our students rehearse, I see the Carey values coming to life. They show Care as they encourage anxious cast members and support one another through challenges. They demonstrate Respect by listening, collaborating and recognising that every role matters. They embrace Growth by taking risks, learning from mistakes and pushing beyond their comfort zones.
Perhaps best of all is the sense of achievement. To spend months working towards something ambitious, and then bring it to life in front of family and friends, is a feeling many adults rarely have the opportunity to experience. Our students will feel it on opening night, and they will carry that memory with them for years to come.
So when you take your seat in September, enjoy the story, the music and the spectacle. But know that the real production has been running for months, and that your child has been growing through every moment of it.
We would love to see you there. Finding Nemo Jr. runs on 15 and 16 September.
Donna Walker
Head of the Arts – Junior School
