ASPIRE runs many special programs to help students find there inner creative sprit.
Combined Schools Commemorative ANZAC Event
Saluting the service of those who served, the annual commemorative events narrate the untold stories of Hunter men and women in time of war. Our military heritage is celebrated by educating students and the community. These unique events are researched and delivered by students from the three education sectors.
ASPIRE is heavily involved in the event, working with the committee to provide dramatic interpretation of the narrative. Secondary students who have previously been involved in an Aspire event are invited to be part of the ensemble and work with the Artistic Director to script and rehearse for the event which is staged at the Civic Theatre.
Aspire is incredibly proud to be a part of this important community event!
DioSounds
Each year, more than 450 High School students from all 12 Catholic High Schools in the region perform in the DioSounds music festival to more than 2500 people across two shows at the Civic Theatre.
DioSounds is an initiative of the music teachers in the Catholic Schools of Maitland-Newcastle and showcases the incredible musical talents and skills of students ranging in age from 12 to 18 years.
Each year individuals, small ensembles, choirs and concert bands from all across the diocese, take to the stage with a wide variety of performance items from Contemporary Rock to serious Art Music.
The event provides a unique experience for students, parents, friends and the whole community to see the range of talent coming from Catholic Secondary Schools in the Hunter and Manning regions.
DioSounds promotes the performing arts offered in Catholic schools. The whole community is invited and encouraged to attend the evening performance to enjoy the musical and production talents of young people in the diocese.
Schools that perform and take part in DioSounds include St Bede’s Catholic College, Chisholm; St Mary’s Catholic College, Gateshead; St Pius X High School, Adamstown; San Clemente High School Mayfield; St Paul’s Catholic College, Booragul; St Francis Xavier’s College, Hamilton; All Saints’ College, Maitland; St Joseph’s College, Lochinvar; St Catherine’s Catholic College, Singleton; St Joseph’s High School, Aberdeen; St Clare’s High School, Taree and St Dominic’s Centre, Mayfield.
For more information see your school music teacher.
Song Competition
Aspire 2025 is set in a post-apocalyptic future where
young people are not allowed to feel any emotions. When
mysterious artworks start appearing around the city
questioning whether this is right, a small group of rebels are
inspired to challenge the decisions of their leaders.
The Song Competition will be broken into 4 categories-
PRIMARY SCHOOL
(INDIVIDUAL AND WHOLE CLASS CATEGORIES):
EMOTIONS
What are emotions?
Select an emotion to be the focus of your song
Different ways of expressing emotions
YEARS 7, 8 OR 9: REBELLION
Using ‘rebellion’ as a theme for lyrics and/or music
Think about making a stand
What do people rebel against and how might they go about it?
YEARS 10, 11 OR 12: ARTWORK
Using ‘artwork’ as a theme for lyrics and/or music
You may be inspired by a particular artist or artwork
What effect does art have on people?
Scriptwriting Competition
ASPIRE is introducing a scriptwriting competition in 2025
for secondary students. Interested creative writers are
encouraged to get writing and enter a script to go through
a shortlisting process. There is no theme, and students can
write about whatever they are interested in. Scripts must be
PG rated and be between five and eight minutes in length,
with a maximum of 6 performers.
Once entries close, shortlisted finalists will be sent feedback to consider from the judges, and asked to submit a second draft of their script. The winner of each category will be decided at a live staged reading performance where a guest panel will judge the scripts. There are two categories; Years 7-9 and Years 10 -12.
WOW Gallery
WOW Gallery
In 2024 we had 354 artworks were submitted from students as young as year 1 up to students in year 12. We had both full class groups and individual students submit artwork from 24 schools.