NAPA News - Week 9, Term 2, 2026
FROM THE DIRECTOR
As Week 9 comes to an end, we head into our final week of Term 2. The year is well and truly flying by, which is a reminder for us all to take each day as it comes and enjoy the journey we are on together. Little improvements being made each day, goals being achieved, challenges being overcome, and confidence growing are often the moments that matter most. While it can be easy to focus on the destination, it is the consistent effort, resilience, and commitment shown along the way that truly shape our students into the artists and people they are becoming.
As we move towards the end of another busy and rewarding term, I encourage our students and families to take a moment to reflect on how far they have come. Every class attended, every rehearsal completed, every new skill learned, and every obstacle faced has contributed to their growth. We are incredibly proud of the dedication our students continue to show and look forward to finishing the term strongly together.
A reminder to check in with the NAPA calendar to ensure you are on top of dates for term 3 and 4 moving forward. Also double check any correspondence from teachers regarding extra rehearsals or changes to class times.
Have a wonderful week all!
QUICK REMINDERS
please read!
Lost property - Please be sure to check this regularly throughout the year.
Jewellery - a quick reminder that excessive jewellery is not to be worn to any NAPA classes and that any earrings worn in dance class should be small studs or sleepers only. No other jewellery should be worn in dance classes, as this creates a safety hazard for dancers and their peers. PLEASE LEAVE AT HOME to avoid losing anything precious.
Footwear - please note that there will be strict guidelines around footwear at NAPA this year. This is for the safety of our young dancers - Jazz, Combo, Technique and Performance Team students must wear jazz shoes - Hip Hop, Tread the Boards and Broadway students must wear sneakers or jazz shoes - Ballet students must wear ballet shoes and Tap students must wear tap shoes. The only class where bare feet will be allowed is lyrical/contemporary, and we recommend students wear black dance or NAPA socks to these classes. Students will not be able to participate in class if they do not have the appropriate footwear.
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
PARKING ISSUES
Earlier this week we received a one star google rating from one of our neighbours due to some of our families still parking illegally in the street. I have put this in several emails and newsletters but ask once again… PLEASE consider our neighbours when parking or dropping off/picking up. I am currently looking at ways to improve our parking but in the meantime please do not block our neighbours driveways, use them to drop off of park illegally in anyway. You will notice that I have opened up 3 extra parks for our patrons behind the gated area. With the help of the P&F we are going to create a safer “kids” zone to sit along side our extra parking spaces. Please ensure you are taking the utmost care if driving into these spots.
Also, if you’d like to give us a good google review to get back our perfect score that would be appreciated! It is unfortunate that our neighbour has taken to google, but I appreciate everyone who has already gone on and added a positive review over the past few days.
CONGRATULATIONS SENIOR ACTORS
Our Senior Tread the Boards class opened their production of ANTIGONE last night to rave reviews! We are incredibly proud of the students, who delivered a powerful and compelling performance of this challenging and thought provoking text. Taking on a classical work such as Antigone requires courage, dedication, and a deep commitment to the craft of acting, and our students rose to the occasion with maturity, skill, and professionalism.
A special thank you must go to Miss Cilla, whose passion for theatre and commitment to her students continues to inspire. She consistently challenges our actors to step outside their comfort zones, tackle complex material, and strive for excellence, while also providing the guidance and support needed for them to flourish as performers and individuals. We are incredibly grateful for the knowledge, creativity, and care she brings to every production.
Congratulations to the entire cast and crew on another outstanding production!
There are still a limited number of seats available for tonight's performance, but be quick as they won't last long! We would love to see you there supporting these talented young performers.
IT’S RAINBOW WEEK!
This week at NAPA we will be celebrating Rainbow Week, an opportunity to celebrate our community in all its colours. As Pride Month draws to a close, we want to take the time to recognise and celebrate the diversity that makes our school such a vibrant and welcoming place. At NAPA, we believe that every person matters and that everyone deserves to feel seen, valued, respected, and included. Rainbow Week is not only a celebration of our LGBTQIA+ community, but also a celebration of the many unique identities, experiences, backgrounds, abilities, cultures, beliefs, and perspectives that make up our NAPA family. The performing arts thrive when people feel safe to be themselves, and we are proud to foster a community where individuality is embraced, differences are celebrated, and everyone belongs.
SO LEAVE THE BLACK GEAR AT HOME AND BRING OUT YOUR BRIGHTEST COLOURS!
Wellbeing
Finding Your Person
The performing arts can be an exciting, inspiring, and rewarding journey. It is also a journey filled with challenges, uncertainty, setbacks, and important decisions. Whether you're navigating auditions, preparing for performances, balancing school and training, or simply trying to figure out your next step, one thing can make all the difference: finding your person.
"Your person" is someone you trust. Someone whose advice you value. Someone who can help guide you when you're unsure of what to do next. In the performing arts, having a mentor can be just as important as developing your technical skills.
A mentor doesn't have to be a famous performer or industry professional. It could be a teacher who understands your goals, a senior student who has walked the path before you, a choreographer, director, coach, family friend, or anyone who consistently provides honest, supportive guidance. The most important quality is not their title—it's the trust and respect that exists between you.
One of the greatest benefits of having a mentor is perspective. When we're in the middle of a challenge, it can be difficult to see the bigger picture. A trusted mentor can remind us that setbacks are often temporary, that rejection is a normal part of the industry, and that growth rarely happens in a straight line. Sometimes, all we need is someone to reassure us that we're on the right track.
Having "your person" is also important for your wellbeing. Life doesn't always go according to plan, and challenges aren't limited to the stage or studio. There may be times when you feel overwhelmed, discouraged, or unsure of yourself. Knowing there is someone you can turn to for advice, encouragement, or simply a listening ear can make those moments feel much less daunting.
Mentorship is not about finding someone who has all the answers. It's about finding someone who helps you ask the right questions. A good mentor won't make decisions for you; they'll help you develop the confidence and skills to make informed decisions for yourself.
As performers, we often focus on building our networks. While professional connections are valuable, meaningful relationships are even more important. The people who genuinely invest in your growth, celebrate your successes, and support you through challenges can have a lasting impact on both your career and your personal development.
This week, take a moment to think about who "your person" might be. Is there a teacher whose advice you always seek? A coach who challenges you to be better? A senior student whose journey inspires you? If you already have that person, let them know how much their support means to you. If you haven't found them yet, keep looking. The right mentor often appears when you're willing to learn, listen, and build genuine connections.
In the performing arts, talent can take you far. But having someone in your corner … someone who believes in you, guides you, and helps you navigate the journey … can make all the difference.
CHERUB OF THE WEEK
CONGRATULATIONS, ATLAS!
Congratulations to Atlas, who has been nominated as our Cherub of the Week for her outstanding commitment and work ethic in both Acro Team and 12's Performance Team. Miss Hannah has been incredibly impressed not only by Atlas's focus and dedication in class, but also by the effort she is clearly putting in outside of rehearsals.
Week after week, Atlas arrives prepared, confident in her choreography, and ready to build on the work from previous classes. What has stood out most is her ability to take on board corrections and actively apply them, demonstrating a genuine commitment to growth and improvement. This level of responsibility and self-motivation is a wonderful example of what it means to be a dedicated performer.
Atlas's hard work, positive attitude, and willingness to continually refine her skills are paying off, and it has been fantastic to watch her progress throughout the term. Keep up the amazing work, Atlas, we are so proud of your dedication and the example you set for those around you!
Congratulations, ATLAS… we’re so proud of you! ✨
PERFORMANCE TIPS
Your Reputation Starts Now
When students think about preparing for a career in the performing arts, they often focus on developing their skills. They think about improving their technique, learning new repertoire, building confidence, and gaining performance experience. While all of these things are important, there is another part of your training that is just as valuable: your reputation.
The performing arts industry is often described as a "small world," and for good reason. The teachers, choreographers, directors, accompanists, and industry professionals you work with today may be the people casting shows, leading companies, or sitting on audition panels tomorrow. Even your fellow students may one day become colleagues, creative team members, or employers.
That is why the habits and behaviours you demonstrate in class and rehearsals matter.
Being a talented performer is important, but talent alone is rarely enough. Directors and employers want performers who are reliable, respectful, hardworking, and easy to work with. They want people who arrive prepared, listen to feedback, contribute positively to the room, and support those around them. In many cases, if two performers have similar skill levels, the opportunity will go to the person who has built a reputation for professionalism and positivity.
Every class is an opportunity to practise these skills.
Do you arrive on time and ready to work? Do you give your full attention when instructions are being given? Do you respond respectfully when receiving corrections? Do you support your peers rather than competing against them? These behaviours might seem small, but they leave lasting impressions.
For our senior students who are beginning to think seriously about careers in the industry, it is important to remember that every interaction contributes to your professional reputation. The relationships you build now can open doors years down the track. A teacher may recommend you for an opportunity. A choreographer may remember your work ethic. A former classmate may think of you when a role becomes available.
For our younger students, the same lesson applies. While a professional career may feel a long way off, the habits you develop today become the foundation of the performer you will become tomorrow. Learning to be respectful, resilient, prepared, and kind are skills that will serve you both on and off the stage.
One of the greatest compliments a performer can receive is not, "They're talented." It's, "I'd love to work with them again."
At the end of the day, people remember how you made them feel. They remember the performer who brought positive energy into the room, who worked hard, who accepted feedback gracefully, and who treated others with respect. These qualities not only help create successful rehearsals and performances, they help build long and rewarding careers.
So the next time you walk into class or rehearsal, remember: your reputation isn't something that begins when you enter the industry. It's something you are building every day. Make it one that reflects the best version of yourself.
