About Us

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Southern Stars is an annual arena spectacular held in Wollongong at the WIN Entertainment Centre for public schools. It is open to all public schools across NSW and is an exciting showcase of dance, drama and music performed to a live orchestra by students from Year 2 to Year 12. Since its inception in 2001, more than 50,000 public school students have been given the unforgettable opportunity to experience performing in the event.
With an annual audience of over 12,000 people Southern Stars has cemented itself as a highlight in many schools’ annual calendar.

All schools who wish to apply are accepted!

There is no audition process for school groups. Applications are now open for all NSW public schools who would like to be part of this fantastic event.

Your school can apply for:

Mass Dance
Mass Choir
Mass Drama
Rising Stars Disability Ensemble
Aboriginal Dance Ensemble
(school groups or individual students may apply)
VET Entertainment Industry Crew
Stage Management Team

Student costs are only:

$25.00 participation fee and $25 T Shirt
(required by all students).

$100.00 School participation fee.

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Southern Stars offers a wonderful opportunity for teachers to gain professional teaching experience which addresses the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers in the following areas of the curriculum:

2.2.2 Organise content in coherent well sequenced learning and teaching programs. Through participation in workshops teachers will gain the ability to sequence appropriate teaching strategies that will enhance the ability to choreograph performances.
3.1.2 Set explicit challenging and achievable learning goals for all students. Participants will be able to identify the concepts that support a deep understanding of performance goals relating these to the appropriate ability level of students and planned outcomes for dance.
4.1.3 Model effective practise and support colleagues to implement inclusive strategies that engage and support all students. It is expected that teachers who are acting as mentors will, at all times, model appropriate strategies aimed to ensure all students achieve success.
5.2.2 Provide timely effective and appropriate feedback to students about their achievement relative to their learning goals. Participants will through observation and demonstration analyse and deconstruct performance concepts using a range of practical strategies that clearly communicate these understandings through structured learning goals.
6.3.2 Contribute to collegial discussions and apply constructive feedback from colleagues to improve professional knowledge and practice. Participants will use dialogue and reflection to share and evaluate effective teaching strategies and thus deepen their understanding of dance.

Students who participate in Southern Stars gain the following outcomes in Creative Arts:

Achieve challenging learning goals
Improve self esteem
Learn to establish and maintain respectful collaborative relationships with teachers and peers
Further develop their sense of wellbeing, belonging & connectedness
Have a greater understanding of culture, identity and background if students participate in the Aboriginal dance ensemble
Learn that through participation in music and dance programs they have the opportunity to achieve their full potential in areas of the arts curriculum and also enhance success in other curriculum areas