Stories and highlights
There's always something to celebrate at our school! From exciting events to proud moments and everyday wins, here are some of our highlights.
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Attestations
I just wanted to send you a quick email to extend our congratulations on a stellar performance last night. I was very impressed by the Tchaikovsky. There was a wonderful energy and excellent ensemble work across the whole orchestra. A perfect tempo too! The two accompanying works were excellent also. How lucky the choristers were to have that beautiful orchestral bed to sing upon. I’m so happy I was able to be there for our daughter’s first NHSPA Orchestra performance at the Opera House.
We are so thrilled she is at NHSPA!
- Sarah-Grace Williams, NHSPA Parent + Artistic Director & Chief Conductor of The Metropolitan Orchestra
With the year swiftly coming to an end we just wanted to take a moment to express our appreciation and gratitude for all the educational input, guidance, encouragement, friendship and other support that our son has received over the year, and throughout his years at the school.
It's always wonderful to witness the many achievements of NHSPA students, particularly in the creative space. Thank you for the many wonderful concert performances throughout the year. The commitment to excellence really shines!
- Nicholas, NHSPA parent
Newtown HSPA’s class of 2026 farewelled in style
The Performing Arts High School’s Year 12s took over the Enmore Theatre to celebrate their graduation.
24 September 2026
It wouldn't be a Newtown HSPA event without some dance.
You just knew Year 12 graduation day would be something special at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts - but closing Enmore Road for a parade and taking over Enmore Theatre? This was a day to remember for everyone there.
NSW Police kindly helped by keeping the traffic at bay as the happy cohort made its way down the restaurant strip and into the famous theatre.
From there, it was music, dancing, awards and the roast to end all roasts. No-one was safe as five drama students, dressed as Greek Gods (of course), recounted every scandal, every hilarity and every achievement of the past six years. You could hear the roars of laughter from the street.
Enmore Road came to a standstill as the NHSPA Class of 26 marched through.
Newtown HSPA principal Dr Susan Green addressed the 163 graduating students and explained why she believes the school is so special.
“It is the arts-rich education you have received at Newtown HSPA that sets you apart – that sets you up for life,” Dr Green said.
“The music, dance and drama, the Art, Musicals, exhibitions, presentations, parades, performances, competitions, and celebrations of talent in its many forms – have made your learning joyful. So much of your learning has been so deeply collaborative.”
“Collectively these experiences have enriched your education. They are what make your education at Newtown unique and so very powerful.”
Nobody was safe from the roasting from the Gods.
Perhaps the highlight of a day full of them, was the keynote speech by 2014 NHSPA alumni Jessica Goodfellow.
Jessica topped the state in dance in her HSC year, and has since enjoyed a fabulously varied career, for which she credits her happy time at Newtown - a professional dancer in Barcelona, a choreographer at Sydney Dance Company, an award-winning comedian and a meditation teacher.
“I have my creative fingers in many pies,” Jessica said.
“And I can trace every single one of those pies back to my time at Newtown.”
“I see my friends from Newtown everywhere – in studios, in theatres, in ads, in Moana, in Supergirl!”
“But what you gain at Newtown is not remotely limited to the art form you’ve learned at school. The value of what you’ve learned here is embedded in who you are. Whether you like it or not, Newtown High School of the Performing Arts will follow you into every aspect of your being – how you engage with the world.”
Jessica Goodfellow from the NHSPA Class of 2014 had the theatre in stitches.
The final words belonged to the outgoing school captains.
“It is the environment at NHSPA that allows the dreams of 12-year-olds, who were obsessed with twirling or singing, or creating mini performances for parents who just wanted to go to sleep, to not only be accepted for not being ‘too much’, but to flourish,” said Izzy Preller.
Maya Harriman-Kha urged her peers to embrace the moment.
“We are officially done-ish, officially sewn into the fabric of NHSPA forever,” Maya said.
“No matter where you go in life, which industry you end up in or how long it takes you to come back to the halls of Newtown ... we will have each other, this shared experience, because no one can take away this journey.”
A fitting farewell after six memorable years.
Free Thinking 7P
Performances
Spring Prom - 2026
Where:
NHSPA St George's Hall
When:
Thursday 24th September 6PM
Bring a picnic rug and edible fancies of your choice.
2026 HSC Music Soiree
Where:
NHSPA St George's Hall
When:
Tuesday 1st September 6PM
$5 Donation to enter (cash only)
NHSPA Visual Arts HSC Body of Work Exhibition 2026
Where:
NHSPA St George's Hall
When:
Wednesday 26th August 5PM-8PM
2026 HSC Textile & Design Major Work Fashion Show
Where:
NHSPA Studio Theatre
When:
Wednesday 19th August 6PM-7PM
2026 Drama Showcase Performances
Tickets for our Semester 1 2026 Drama Showcase Performances are now on sale!
Performances:
- Wednesday 17 June 2026 at 6pm
- Thursday 18 June 2026 at 6pm
WHERE
NHSPA Studio Theatre
Cnr Newman St and Whitehorse St, Newtown NSW 2042
In the Spotlight Dance Festival
Tickets for In the Spotlight Dance Festival can be purchased directly from the Seymour Centre Box Office.
Performances:
- Tuesday 9th June - Friday 12th June at 6:15pm and 8:15pm
- Monday 15th June - Tuesday 16th June at 6:15pm and 8:15pm
- Wednesday 17th June at 6:15pm
WHERE
Seymour Centre
Cnr City Rd and Cleveland St
Chippendale NSW 2008
Tickets for Dance Showcase can be purchased directly from the Seymour Centre Box Office.
Performances:
- Saturday 13th June 2026 at 7:30pm
WHERE
Seymour Centre
Cnr City Rd and Cleveland St
Chippendale NSW 2008
Tickets for our Semester 1 2026 Dance Classwork Showcase performances are now on sale!
Performances:
- Tuesday 2 June 2026 at 7pm
- Wednesday 3 June 2026 at 7pm
WHERE
St George's Hall
352 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042
Visual Arts Exhibition - Places and Spaces 2026
Featuring:
- Year 11 Visual Arts - Drawing, Film, Photography and Soundscapes
- Year 11 Photography, Video and Digital Imaging - Still Photography
- Year 8 Painting, Printmaking & Photography - Drawing
Opening Tuesday 19 May between 4–6pm
NHSPA - St George’s Gallery
352 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042
Semester 1 2026 Music Showcase Concerts
Tickets are now on sale!
Big Night Out Concert
- Tuesday 19 May 2026 at 6pm
- Wednesday 20 May 2026 at 6PM
Vivo Concert
- Tuesday 26 May 2026 at 6pm
- Wednesday 27 May 2026 at 6pm
WHERE
St George's Hall
352 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042
The Final Encore
We are excited to announce:
THE FINAL ENCORE
With support from the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW and an Umbrella Event for the Greek Festival of Sydney, 2026, global superstar Dimitris Basis is returning to Sydney to share the stage with the incredible students of Newtown High School of the Performing Arts for their historic final collaboration.
Experience the passion, the energy, and the "global language" of Greek music before the curtain falls on this legendary partnership.
Semester 2 Finale Concert
Thursday 11th December 2025, 7pm - York Theatre, Seymour Centre
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts celebrates the best of Dance, Drama and Music from their 2025 programmes.
Tickets available to purchase through the Seymour Centre Box Office.
Semester 2 Dance Showcase
Wednesday 3rd December 2025, 7pm - Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre
This evening promises to be an outstanding showcase by our Dance and Classical Ballet Companies performing works by Dance Faculty members and guest tutors.
Tickets available to purchase through the Seymour Centre Box Office.
Semester 2 Drama Showcase
Performances by our Years 7, 8, 9 and 10/11 Drama Companies
- Year 7 - Hartley Company
- Year 7 - Hendrikx Company
- Year 7 - Sceats Company
- Year 8 - Hoddinott Company
- Year 8 - Kendall Company
- Year 9 - Manning Company
- Year 9 - Casey Company
- Year 10/11 - Van Munster Company
Semester 2 Music Showcase
ANIMATO MUSIC CONCERT
Tuesday 18 November 2025 at 6.00pm
- Concert Band
- WOMP
- Senior Choir
- Senior Extension Choir
- Zangari Guitar Ensemble
- SWE
- Jazz Orchestra
- Junior Percussion
- Senior Percussion
- Tango Ensemble
- String Quartet
CON BRIO MUSIC CONCERT
Thursday 20 November 2025 at 6.00pm
- Symphonie Orchestra
- Corelli String Ensemble
- Senior String Ensemble
- Junior Choir
- Intermediate Choir
- 7/8 Extension Choir
- 9/10 Extension Choir
- Jazz Combo
- Junior Littlefield Guitars
- Senior Littlefield Guitars
Spring Prom
In the tradition of Proms Concerts, NHSPA invites you to an evening of fine music in a convivial Spring atmosphere. Featuring our HSC performance programs in their final school performance.
Please bring a picnic rug and cushions for comfort, as there will be a very small number of chairs made available around the perimeter of St George's Hall. Your edible fancies of choice are encouraged, such as a fine picnic supper or savoury snacks. As such the P&C Cafe won't be running during this evening.
Bran Nue Dae
The school community is coming together to celebrate NAIDOC week with a screening of the musical comedy-drama film, Bran Nue Dae in the Studio Theatre on Thursday 24th July at 5pm.
Directed by Rachel Perkins and written by Perkins and Reg Cribb. The film is an adaptation of the 1990 stage musical Bran Nue Dae by Jimmy Chi. It tells the coming of age story of an Aboriginal student on the west coast of Australia in the late '60s who runs away from a Catholic boarding school with his cruel headmaster in pursuit, meeting eccentric characters as he journeys back to his hometown.
Bran Nue Dae features a number of Australian stars including Jessica Mauboy, Ernie Dingo, Deborah Mailman, Ningali Lawford, Dan Sultan, Missy Higgins, Geoffrey Rush, Magda Szubanski and Rocky McKenzie.
Semester 1 Drama Showcase
2025 Drama works performed by drama students
Wednesday 25 June and Thursday 26 June 2025
Following Companies performing on both evenings:
- Year 7 - Van Munster Company - Assistant Directors: Cooper Singleton and Evie Ricketson
- Year 7 - Casey Company
- Year 7 - Hardingham Company - Assistant Director Sylvie Daniels
- Year 8 - Hartley Company
- Year 8 - Kendall Company
- Year 9 - Sceats Company
- Year 9 - Hoddinott Company
- Year 10 - Gonda Company
- Year 11 - Hendrikx Company
- Year 11 - Manning Company
Semester 1 Dance Showcase
A showcase of works from Newtown High School of the Performing Arts Dance and Classical Ballet Companies 2025.
Semester 1 Dance Classwork Showcase
Please join the Dance Department in a celebration of class work from Semester 1, 2025. This performance is a showcase of all the classwork our Dance students have been working on this semester, including Dance, Dance Extension and Classical Ballet students.
Newtown Upside Down
Invitation to all our New Students, Parents and Carers, welcome to NEWTOWN UPSIDE DOWN, a journey to what is possible in this unique place of learning!
'BUT...don't be late, late, for this very important date!'
Semester 1 Music Showcase
Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 May
Big Night Out Showcase Concerts will feature the same program items on both nights from every ensemble.
Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 June
Vivo Concerts the following week will feature the same program items on both nights from every ensemble.
BIG NIGHT OUT CONCERT
6:00pm St George's Hall
Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 May 2025
- Concert Band
- WOMP
- Junior Percussion Ensemble
- Junior Choir
- Intermediate Choir
- 7/8 Extension Choir
- 9/10 Extension Choir
- Corelli Chamber Ensemble
- Junior Littlefield Guitar Ensemble
- Senior Littlefield Guitar Ensemble
- Jazz Combo
VIVO CONCERT
6:00pm St George's Hall
Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 June 2025
- Symphony Orchestra
- Senior String Ensemble
- Senior Choir
- Senior Extension Choir
- Senior Percussion Ensemble
- Tango Ensemble
- Zangari Guitar Ensemble
- Symphonic Wind Ensemble
- Jazz Orchestra
Productions
The Maladies by Carmen Nasr
- Wednesday 18 February 2026
- Thursday 19 February 2026
- Friday 20 February 2026
7.00-9.00PM
NHSPA Studio Theatre
Animal Farm
When the animals in the farmyard rebel against their tyrannical farmer and take control of the farm, they hope to create a world where they can be equal, happier and free. But as power shifts and a new leader emerges, they soon face the age-old question: what does it really mean to be equal?
Exploring loss of identity, the seductive allure of privilege, and the corrupting nature of political power, George Orwell's Animal Farm is a classic story of rebellion and treachery, and a timely reminder of the importance of resistance.
Tatty Hennessy's adaptation received its professional premiere in 2025, directed by Amy Leach, co-produced by Leeds Playhouse and Stratford East in association with Nottingham Playhouse, and performed at all three theatres. It was commissioned and first performed by the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain in 2021.
This production marks its Australian Debut. Directed by Warwick Doddrell and featuring an ensemble cast of NHSPA Year 10 Drama students.
Musicals
Legally Blonde
Legally Blonde follows the story of sorority president Elle Woods as she crosses the country on a mission to find love at Harvard Law School. After discovering how the law can be used to help others, she uses her newfound skills to defend a workout-queen in a murder trial, defying the odds and proving that pink can save the day!
Sweeney Todd
An infamous tale, Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to nineteenth-century London, seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which he opens a new barber practice. Mrs Lovett's luck sharply shifts when Todd's thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up... and the carnage has only just begun!
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