NAPA News - Week 3, Term 3, 2026
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Welcome to Week 3 of Term 3!
Another busy week is upon us! This weekend is our Performance Team Concert and then we are straight into Gold Coast Eisteddfod dance groups. Solos are well underway and we are so excited to see how well our cherubs are already doing. Remember that trophies and placing are wonderful but the true joy is found in the moments in between. The growth from last season, the time spent with teammates and the chance to perform for a new audience and showcase your passion.
Well done to everyone who has already competed and chookas to those whose performances are still to come.
Wishing everyone a fantastic week ahead!
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
CONGRATULATIONS CHERUBS
As I included in my opening, some of our cherubs have already begun the GCE season with dance solos. There are too many cherubs to name individually but we must give a special shout-out to the cherubs who were awarded in the special categories.
Caitlynn Verster - 1st place - Senior Musical Theatre Show-off
Bailey Hayes - 2nd place - Senior Musical Theatre Show-off
Lois Scott - 2nd place - Junior Musical Theatre Show-off
Alex Andrews - Adjudicators Encouragement Award
Well done cherubs and a massive thank you to the teachers who supported them through the process.
SO MUCH TO TELL YOU
Our Pre-Senior Tread the Boards class are hard at work on their production of So Much to Tell You. This show is the story of Fourteen-year-old Marina, who is sent to Warrington, a boarding school, after leaving the hospital. She has not spoken since a traumatic incident involving her father that disfigured her and sent her father to prison. Her mother, unable to care for her, has withdrawn from Marina’s life. At Warrington, Marina begins keeping a journal during nightly Prep. Though she remains silent, she watches the other girls closely.
FUN FACT! Miss Kim and Miss Amy were part of this production when we were in youth theatre together! It is one of our absolute favourites.
A NOTE FROM THE P&F
Hello NAPA families. I'm Emma, Zarah's mum, and after this weeks' AGM I've stepped into the role of P&F President.
Before anything else, I want to talk about Nic Fogarty. Nic has held this position for the last three years, and the canteen flooring, the building signage and the front sign upgrade, the NAPA logo in the dance room, the theatre tables all happened on his watch (plus so much more). He has quietly got behind every project put in front of him, and he has done it without fuss or fanfare. What I'd particularly like everyone to know is that Nic has continued in the role for the last seven months despite no longer having a child at NAPA, simply because he cared about this place and wanted to see things through, which tells you everything about him. On a personal note, Nic has been nothing but kind and supportive to me over the last couple of years, and I've learned a lot from watching how he does this.
Robyn Fogarty deserves just as much of a thank you. She has been a constant on the committee, and she is the one who keeps the vending machine running, which means tracking stock, working out what sells, doing the runs and restocking it again and again so that it's full when your kids get to it. It is one of those jobs that only becomes visible when it stops happening, and Robyn has made sure it rarely does. And thank you also to Melissa Stripp, who took on the bar early and carried a genuine heavy load keeping it stocked and staffed. Happily none of this is goodbye as they will all still be around supporting behind the scenes.
Joining me on the committee for the year ahead are Merissa Cole as Vice President, Kirsty Wickens as Secretary and Kimberly Janssen as Treasurer. Our executive positions are now formally filled, but there is still plenty of room around the table, so if being a regular part of the P&F committee sounds like something you'd enjoy, please let me know. You don't need experience or any particular skill set, just an interest in being involved.
Now, to what's next. Over the last six months the P&F ran a makeup class for the junior performance teams, which turned out to be as much about the families getting to know each other as it was about the makeup. We've purchased two black acro mats, and the sound panelling now in the theatre is also thanks to P&F fundraising. Coming up we have our eyes on astro turf for the courtyard and air conditioning for the stage, which I suspect will be met with some enthusiasm by anyone who has ever stood under those lights in February.
But I'd like our focus this year to be as much about the community as the facilities. A studio is really made of the people waiting in the courtyard, the parents clapping at the back of a comp venue for a routine their own child isn’t in. So alongside the astro turf and the air conditioning, I'd like us to find more ways to bring everyone together, across every age group and every level. If you have an idea for something you'd like to see, whether that's social, practical or just an excuse for a coffee, I would genuinely love to hear it.
We'd always love more hands across the year, and if that's you, please say hello. But volunteering is not the only way to be part of this community, and it's genuinely not the measure of anyone's involvement. Sometimes support looks like turning up to a competition to cheer for kids who aren't yours, donating a raffle prize, or providing ideas and support.
If you have an idea, a suggestion or something you think we could do better, my 'door' is open and honestly I’m not too hard to find haha. This is your P&F and it works best when it sounds like all of us.
BIG NEWS!
NAPA College is Growing!
We’re thrilled to announce that in 2027, NAPA College is expanding to include Years 7 & 8, creating an exciting new pathway for young performers ready to combine their education with their passion.
For students who dream of a career in the performing arts, traditional schooling isn’t always the right fit. At NAPA College, we offer an alternative educational pathway where academic learning is integrated with elite training in musical theatre, dance and performance, allowing students to thrive both in the classroom and on the stage.
Our new Middle School program has been designed for passionate young artists who are ready to be challenged, inspired and supported in an environment that truly understands them.
Enrolments for Years 7–12 are now open for 2027.
Email to register for info night: [email protected]
Wellbeing
Learning to Be Proud of Yourself
In the performing arts, we spend so much of our time striving to improve.
We work on the next technique, the next audition, the next exam, the next competition, or the next production. We learn to analyse our performances, accept corrections, and constantly look for ways to grow.
While this mindset helps us become better performers, it can also create a habit that's much harder to break...
We forget to be proud of ourselves.
How many times have you finished a performance and immediately thought:
"I missed that turn."
"I should have sung that note better."
"I forgot that line."
"I wish I had smiled more."
It's natural to reflect on what we'd like to improve, but if we skip over everything we did well, we rob ourselves of the joy that comes from achieving something we've worked incredibly hard for. Growth and pride can exist together.
Being proud of yourself doesn't mean you think you're perfect. It doesn't mean you've stopped learning or that there's nothing left to improve. It simply means taking a moment to acknowledge how far you've come before focusing on where you want to go next.
Maybe you performed on stage for the very first time.
Maybe you conquered your nerves.
Maybe you finally nailed a difficult dance step.
Maybe you spoke louder, sang with more confidence, or smiled through an entire routine.
Maybe you simply showed up on a day when you didn't feel your best.
These are all victories worth celebrating.
At NAPA, we encourage our students to reflect after every performance. But before asking yourself, "What could I have done better?" try asking yourself, "What am I proud of?" You might be surprised by the answer.
Learning to celebrate your own achievements builds confidence, resilience, and a healthy relationship with personal growth. It reminds us that success isn't just about the outcome, it's about the courage to keep showing up, trying again, and becoming a little better each day.
So this week, take a moment to recognise your own achievements, no matter how big or small.
Celebrate the hours of practice that nobody saw.
Celebrate the courage it took to step on stage.
Celebrate the progress you've made since the beginning of the year.
Most importantly, give yourself permission to enjoy the moment before rushing on to the next goal.
Because while there's always another performance, another competition, or another challenge waiting around the corner, there's only one person who has lived every step of your journey.
Be kind to that person.
Be proud of that person.
They've earned it.
CHERUB OF THE WEEK
CONGRATULATIONS, DECLAN!
This week's Cherub of the Week is the wonderful Declan!
Declan is a valued member of our Broadway, Tread the Boards, and Dance Programs, and continues to impress us with his outstanding work ethic and positive attitude. Whether he's in rehearsal or the classroom, Declan consistently arrives prepared, with his lines learnt, harmonies polished, and ready to give 100% to every session.
One of Declan's greatest strengths is his eagerness to learn. He embraces feedback, remains focused throughout rehearsals, and is always looking for ways to improve. Combined with his supportive nature and willingness to work as part of a team, he is a fantastic example of the kind of performer we strive to develop at NAPA.
Many of you will remember Declan from his delightful performances as Winnie the Pooh and Mr Mayor in Seussical, where he charmed audiences with his stage presence and commitment to his roles. It's been wonderful to watch him continue to grow in confidence and skill, and we know there are many exciting performances ahead of him.
Congratulations, Declan! Thank you for your dedication, enthusiasm, and the positive energy you bring to NAPA each and every week. We're incredibly proud to have you as part of our community. ✨
PERFORMANCE TIPS
Knowing When to Step Up… and When to Step Back
As children move into middle school, something important begins to shift.
They're no longer the little dancers or performers who rely on their caregivers to remember every class, pack every bag, or speak to every teacher on their behalf. They're beginning the journey towards becoming young artists… capable, independent, and responsible. For caregivers, this can be one of the hardest transitions to navigate.
As caregivers, our instinct is to help. We remind them about rehearsals, carry their costumes, pack their dance shoes, check their timetable, organise their music, and solve problems before they even arise. It comes from a place of love. But there comes a point where the greatest support we can give our children isn't doing more for them... It's allowing them to do more for themselves.
The performing arts demand far more than talent. They require organisation, discipline, accountability, resilience, and preparation. These are skills that can't be taught in a single class, they're developed through experience and responsibility.
Around the ages of 11 and 12 is the perfect time to begin handing over some of that responsibility.
Can they check the NAPA calendar themselves?
Do they know what classes they have tomorrow?
Have they packed their own dance bag?
Do they know when costumes are needed?
Can they communicate respectfully with a teacher if they have a question?
These may seem like small tasks, but together they build confidence and ownership.
It's equally important to remember that independence doesn't mean expecting our children to manage everything on their own. While it's healthy for young people to take responsibility for their preparation, organisation, and communication, they still need the support and security that comes from being part of a family. At this age, caregivers continue to play a vital role in providing guidance, encouragement, transport when needed, nutritious meals, and a stable home environment. As children learn to take ownership of their commitments, they do so knowing they have adults beside them, not because they've been expected to navigate it all alone. The goal isn't complete independence overnight, it's gradually building capable young people who are supported as they grow.
Of course, this doesn't mean stepping away completely. Our children still need guidance, encouragement, and support. They will forget things. They'll make mistakes. They'll leave a shoe at home, miss an email, or realise they've forgotten a costume item. While it's tempting to rescue them every time, those moments often become the greatest teachers.
In the professional performing arts industry, no one is there to pack your bag, remember your rehearsal schedule, or chase you for your music. Directors and choreographers expect performers to arrive prepared, take responsibility, and communicate effectively. These habits begin long before a student walks into their first professional audition.
At NAPA, we're passionate about developing not only skilled performers, but capable young people who are ready for whatever path they choose. Independence is one of the greatest gifts we can give them, and it grows when responsibility is gradually placed into their hands.
So, if your child is entering middle school, perhaps this is the term to ask yourself:
"What can I step back from, so they can step up?"
You might be surprised by just how capable they are. And when they do stumble (as all young people do) remember that mistakes aren't failures. They're opportunities to learn, grow, and become more resilient.
After all, our goal isn't to raise children who always need us. It's to raise young people who know they can rely on themselves. Because the most successful performers aren't just talented.
They're prepared.
They're accountable.
They're dependable.
And those qualities are learned long before they ever step into the spotlight.
