Special Programs

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!

More Information

Each year, more than 450 secondary students from all 13 Catholic High Schools in the region perform in the DioSounds music showcase to more than 2500 people across two shows at the Civic Theatre, Newcastle.

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 Joseph’s Catholic College, Aberdeen; Trinity Catholic College, Adamstown; St Paul’s Catholic College, Booragul; St Bede’s Catholic College, Chisholm; St Mary’s Catholic College, Gateshead; St Francis Xavier’s College, Hamilton; St Joseph’s College, Lochinvar; All Saints’ College Maitland; San Clemente Catholic College, Mayfield; St Dominic’s Catholic College, Mayfield; Catherine McAuley Catholic College, Medowie; St Catherine’s Catholic College, Singleton and St Clare’s High School, Taree.

For more information see your school music teacher.

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?

Enter NowMore Info

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.

Enter NowMore Info

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.

2025’s theme is ‘Finding WOW in the Everyday– How ordinary moments can be extraordinary.’

Submissions open: 28 April 2025

Exhibition dates: 12^th– 13^th November at MAP mima, Speers Point

Tickets on sale: 18^th August 2025

ASPIRE invites students to spend 3 days working with a director to create 15-minute performance piece (cut down from a Broadway Jr show) to use for adjudication at the Junior Theatre Festival.

JTF Australia is a two-day festival of all thing’s theatre for young people, and it happens to be held in Newcastle’s very own Civic Precinct. The festival consists of adjudications, student workshops, professional development for teachers, the New Works Showcase, an awards ceremony and the largest collection of Aussie musical theatre lovers all under the one roof!

ASPIRE’s piece for 2024 included songs and dialogue from the hit Broadway show, ‘Legally Blonde the Musical Jr’ and our ensemble won an award for Outstanding Acting. Every ensemble member played a vital role in telling a short version of the story and each performer is on stage at all times throughout. It is a fast paced, high-energy program that will show you everything there is to love about musical theatre.

Dramafest is an exciting event that brings together students from across the diocese for a day filled with specialist drama workshops led by industry professionals as well as allow students to meet peers who share their passion, learn new skills, and, above all, have a blast.

Dramafest isn’t just about honing acting skills; it’s an opportunity for growth and connection.

Creative Arts teachers can also use the day as professional development, to learn new techniques to bring back to their classrooms.

Hosted at Newcastle Town Hall, see your CAPA teachers for more information about how to sign up.

Theatresports is a competition open to elective drama students from Years 9 – 11. It’s a day of improvisation games and exercises, where teams are scored on how well they can entertain, create and sustain a plot, and utilise their technical skills. The competition has been running in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle for over 20 years.

See your CAPA teachers for more information about how to sign up