NAPA News - Week 9, Term 2, 2025
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Flu season is officially upon us. There is a lot of sickness going around, so please keep your child home if they are showing any symptoms. I have been out since Wednesday after developing a bad cough Tuesday night, and it is still hanging around. It’s a nasty one. Stay warm, hydrated, and healthy, friends!
QUICK REMINDERS
LOST AND FOUND WILL BE DONATED AT END OF TERM - LAST CHANCE TO CHECK
T-SHIRTS AND WINTER UNIFORMS HAVE ARRIVED - SEE KIMBERLEY AT RECEPTION
FINAL WINTER UNIFORM ORDERS ARE NOW CLOSED
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
celebrating rainbow week
This week, our school is proudly celebrating Rainbow Week in honour of Pride Month. It’s a special time for us to recognise and celebrate the diversity of our school community, and to show our support for LGBTQ+ students, families, and staff. By acknowledging Pride Month, we affirm our commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for everyone. Rainbow Week is a chance to learn, uplift one another, and embrace the values of respect, acceptance, and love. We look forward to a week filled with color, connection, and celebration! Students may wear rainbow attire all week long, but please ensure clothing is still appropriate for class eg ballet, acro etc
CONGRATULATIONS DAKOTA
We are thrilled to announce that Dakota has been chosen to continue playing Annie on the Melbourne leg of the Australian tour of ANNIE. She was the only Sydney cast member who was asked to continue on, showing that her hard work, professionalism, and talent have not gone unnoticed. We could not be prouder of you cherub!
WELCOME TO OUR NEW P&F COMMITTEE
Thank you to everyone who attended our annual general meeting. A big welcome to our new and returning committee members -
PRESIDENT - Nic Fogarty
VICE PRESIDENT - Merissa Cole
SECRETARY - Robyn Fogarty
TREASURER - Kimberley Janssen
FUNDRAISING MANAGER - Emma Miller
FOH/BAR MANAGER - Melissa Lukin-Stripp
We would love some more people to join our sub-committees for fundraising and FOH/Bar, so if you are interested, please email [email protected] to express your interest.
FUNDRAISING UPDATE — We will soon welcome our new vending machine to the building! We are excited to have purchased this ourselves, so we can stock it with lots of goodies for the kids, as well as for our show nights. Please note it will be a card only machine, so we encourage parents to grab their kid’s purchases for them or get them a spriggy card to use.
SAVE THE DATE—NAPA HALLOWEEN DISCO IS BACK!
We are excited to see the return of our favourite night - Halloween Disco!! This will take place on Saturday, November 1st from 6.00-8.30pm. More details will be released closer to the event, but for now make sure you save the date in your calendars!
WEllbeing
Protect Your Sleep, Protect Your Spark:
Why quality rest is essential for young performers’ mental health and creative success
As a performer, your body is your instrument—but your mind is what drives your expression, your passion, and your presence. That’s why one of the most underrated but powerful things you can do for your wellbeing and your craft is to get enough quality sleep.
Why Sleep Matters for Performers
When you're not getting enough rest, your mind can feel foggy, your emotions can feel heavier, and your energy can run low. This makes it harder to retain choreography, process notes from teachers or directors, manage nerves, or bring your best self to an audition or performance.
Sleep is when your brain files away everything you've learned during the day. It’s when your muscles and voice recover. It’s when your nervous system resets and your emotions regulate. Without it, stress and self-doubt can build—and your performance can suffer without you even realising why.
In contrast, when you’re rested:
Your focus improves—so lines, blocking, and lyrics click more easily.
Your emotions are more balanced—so nerves don’t get the best of you.
Your energy is more consistent—so you can give your best in rehearsal and still have fuel for life outside the studio.
Your confidence grows—because your mind and body are working in harmony.
Simple Habits to Support Better Sleep
You don’t need to overhaul your entire life to sleep better. Start with a few small, consistent changes:
Set a regular bedtime and wake-up time, even on weekends. Your body loves routine.
Wind down away from screens at least 30–60 minutes before bed. The blue light from phones and tablets tricks your brain into staying alert.
Create a calming evening ritual: gentle stretches, reading, journaling, listening to quiet music, or even a short meditation can help your body and mind relax.
Don’t overfill your schedule. It’s okay to say no to extra commitments when your body is asking for rest. Burnout isn’t a badge of honour—it’s a warning sign.
You Deserve to Rest
In the performing arts, there’s often a culture of “go, go, go”—but pushing through exhaustion doesn’t make you stronger. Being rested makes you more resilient. It allows you to bounce back from setbacks, process feedback more calmly, and perform with clarity and passion.
Remember: rest is not a luxury or something you have to earn. It’s a vital part of your training. It’s what allows your creativity to shine and your mental health to stay strong.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
TARA HARGRAVES
HIP HOP SPECIALIST
CLASSES—HIP HOP TEAMS, JUNIOR, INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR HIP HOP
Meet Tara Hargraves, our high-energy Hip Hop Specialist who brings passion, skill, and serious groove to every class she leads!
Tara began dancing at just five years old and has trained in a wide range of styles—but Hip Hop has always been her true love. With years of experience as both a performer and choreographer, she began teaching at age 14, working with both competitive and recreational dancers.
Her talent and leadership have taken her far, including coaching a junior Hip Hop team all the way to the world stage—qualifying for and competing at the prestigious Dance Worlds in Orlando, Florida in 2023.
Currently completing her second year of Full Time training at Dance Force, Tara continues to level up her craft while inspiring the next generation of dancers. Her classes are full of energy, discipline, and creativity—making her a favourite among students of all ages.
We’re proud to have Tara bringing her fierce passion and international experience to our Hip Hop program!
COMING IN TERM 3—CHERUB OF THE WEEK
In Term 3, we’re thrilled to launch a brand-new segment in our newsletter — Cherub of the Week — a special spotlight celebrating the heart and soul of our NAPA community: our students.
Each week, our teachers will nominate one standout student who truly exemplifies what it means to be a NAPA Cherub — someone who radiates kindness, dedication, creativity, and a positive attitude both in and out of class. Whether they’ve shown incredible growth, supported a fellow classmate, gone the extra mile in rehearsals, or simply brightened someone’s day, this is our way of recognising the little legends making a big impact.
We can’t wait to share their stories and celebrate the magic they bring to NAPA every week! 💖
PERFORMANCE TIPS
“I Didn’t Get the Part… Now What?”: Navigating the space between auditions with confidence and purpose
Rejection is part of every performer’s journey—no matter how successful they are today. Even professionals and Hollywood superstars face it regularly. Not getting the part doesn’t mean you aren’t talented, capable, or worthy of a career in the arts. It just means that this particular role wasn’t the right fit at this particular time. And that’s okay.
Auditions and self-tapes are full of variables. Casting decisions are often based on things completely beyond your control—like the look they have in mind, your height compared to another cast member, your vocal range in contrast to the ensemble, or how you "match" with a lead. Sometimes you could give a brilliant audition, and still not get the call. It's not always about talent. It's about fit. And fit is not personal.
So what now?
Feel it, then move through it.
It’s natural to feel disappointed. Acknowledge your feelings. Talk to someone you trust. Cry if you need to. But don’t unpack and live in that moment. Let it pass, then shift your energy forward.Reflect and grow.
What did you learn from the experience? Did you discover something new about a character? Your technique? Your mindset under pressure? Every audition is practice, and every practice is progress. Keep notes. Use each experience to grow stronger, smarter, and more prepared for the next.Keep showing up.
Resilience is one of your most powerful tools as a performer. The people who succeed in this industry are not always the most naturally talented—they’re the ones who keep going. Every “no” gets you closer to your next “yes.” The role that’s truly yours won’t pass you by.Broaden your perspective.
Use the time between auditions to train, create, connect, and recalibrate. Work on your craft. Take a class. Collaborate with friends. Write something. Learn a new skill. There’s so much more to being a performer than auditions—and the more well-rounded you are, the more empowered and confident you become.Celebrate the courage it takes to try.
Just putting yourself out there—preparing, showing up, and performing—is something to be proud of. Most people never even get that far. Every audition is a brave step toward your goals.
Above all, remember: your worth is not determined by any one casting decision. You are more than a role, more than a callback, more than a yes or a no. You are an artist with a journey uniquely your own. Stay focused, stay passionate, and trust that your path—while unpredictable—will unfold in ways more meaningful and exciting than you can imagine right now.
Sometimes, not getting the part isn’t the end of something—it’s the beginning of something better. Keep going. You’re doing beautifully.
