Rock On Stage
July 31, 2019
An audience of almost 1000 packed the Maryknoll Centre at St Mary’s Catholic College in Kingaroy on Friday night to help raise funds for a good cause.
They were attending the annual Rock On Stage concert, a concept that’s proven just as popular with the College’s students as it has with their parents.
What is amazing about Rock On Stage is that it is all put together – from scratch – in just two weeks.
Every year, in third term, the school prunes a few minutes off each period in its normal five-period day to create some special “Rock On Stage” time.
Students use this extra time to decide on an act for their class, select music, arrange costumes and rehearse – all in just a fortnight.
This condensed preparation leaves little room for stage fright to develop or performance exhaustion to set in.
The program is purely voluntary but has become so popular with St Mary’s students that participation levels are close to 100 per cent.
And it culminates in a gold coin donation concert that always draws a capacity crowd.
Apart from introducing students to the performing arts, Rock On Stage also raises funds for the Good Samaritan Kinder School at Bacolod in the Philippines.
This school helps children unable to access early childhood education because of poverty.
The two years the children spend at the kindy prepares them for future schooling.
And thanks to the generosity of donors such as St Mary’s they receive a nutritious meal each day, as well.
Introducing Friday night’s show, principal Angela Myles told the audience St Mary’s has helped support the kindergarten since it was founded 15 years ago.
St Mary’s has been able to send more than $24,000 to it during that time, thanks to the community’s support for Rock On Stage.
Her talk was followed by performances by every grade from Prep to Year 12.
This year, the acts covered themes as diverse as Star Wars to The Lion King.
They were all delivered by the students with enthusiasm, and were met with equally enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Related articles:
- Students Take Up Rock Challenge (2018)
- Class Acts Rock The Stage (2017)
- Students Rock It To Success (2016)
- Parents Win Rock Competition (2015)
- St Mary’s Rocks (And Rolls) On Stage (2013)
- Students Rock On Stage (2012)
