Written by FMS Music and Drama teacher, Xiomara Barahona- Gordillo
With NESA’s new Creative Arts syllabus to be implemented from 2027, Forestville Montessori School has been quick to act, taking the lead early and officially welcoming drama into our co-curricular program at the start of 2025.
Drama is so much more than being on stage. It develops communication skills, teamwork, and self-esteem. It fosters creativity, helps children gain new perspectives, and gives them an outlet to express themselves with confidence.
Since the start of Term 1, FMS 6-12 students have been participating in weekly drama sessions. Across the year, they have explored everything from storytelling and improvisation to stage presence and collaboration. This term, they have worked hard to bring it all together for their highlight performance: FMS Primary Drama Night.
Before the main event, here is a little insight into what students have been working on so far in drama at FMS.
Lower Primary Drama (6-9 students)
If your 6-9 student has been talking about dinosaurs, camping, or another curious theme this year, chances are it came from drama!
During Term 1, lower primary explored a new theme each week. They learnt how stories are built, how emotions can be expressed on stage, and how posture and stage levels change a performance. Each week ended with a short scene, giving students the chance to practice creativity, confidence, and collaboration.
In Term 2, the focus shifted to preparing for Drama Night. Students were introduced to ensemble work, discovering how teamwork and timing transform individual efforts into one strong performance.
By Term 3, all of that learning came together. The 6-9s prepared two parts for Drama Night: an Ensemble piece and an individual scene of their choice. These scripts combine provided material with the students’ own ideas, resulting in performances that are both polished and personal.
Upper Primary Drama – 9–12 students
The 9-12 students began their year delving deeper into the craft of drama. In Term 1, they focused on storytelling, emotional performance, and improvisation through drama games and short scenes. They studied characterisation, stage presence, and the impact of posture and levels on performance.
By Term 2, their attention turned to play-making. Together, they brainstormed ideas, developed characters, and built their own original script. Through collaborative workshops, the class refined their play, combining theory, creativity, and teamwork into a polished production.
The result is a unique, student-devised play that reflects not only their acting skills but also their ability to collaborate, problem-solve, and bring their imaginations to life on stage.
Drama Night: A Celebration of Learning
Drama Night is a wonderful opportunity for our students to share what they’ve been working on throughout the year. It is a celebration of their creativity, growth, and courage to perform in front of an audience.
We are so proud of the effort, collaboration, and enthusiasm our students have shown in their drama journey so far. We look forward to welcoming parents and the school community to Drama Night – an evening to enjoy, support, and celebrate the talents of our 6–12 students.
See you at Drama Night – we hope you enjoy the show!
