Queenscliff pupils follow the yellow brick road during hit production

QUEENSCLIFF Primary School presented its whole-school production of The Wizard of Oz last Friday.

Every one of their 60 pupils participated in the production, owning the stage through singing, acting and dancing.

Principal Richard Buckingham said it was wonderful to see the community support from more than 400 audience members, as well as generous donations from the local Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale businesses, as well as complimentary use of the Newcomb Secondary College hall.

“Hannah Petrie, the school’s performing arts teacher, spent many hours developing a script where every child had a part as well as providing weekly specialist performing arts sessions,” Mr Buckingham said.

“Queenscliff Primary School is committed to providing all pupils with exposure to the arts and we believe our whole-school production is evidence the development of each pupils’ growth within the arts.”

Jed Hutchens, who played the Wizard, said “It’s so fun to be part of a school that lets us all have these opportunities to build our confidence and ability through performance”, while Bailey Drummond, who played Dorothy, said “It was hard working with the dog when he was wriggling but I was quick to improvise to make sure the show kept going on”.

Kathryn Grima, who played the Wicked Witch of the West excelled with her rendition of “I Put a Spell on You”, as did Inez De La Mer who played Widget (a character developed by Miss Petrie as side-kick to the Wicked Witch) with her version of “He’s the Wizz”.

Miss Petrie said the costumes, sets, and children’s talents and professionalism was a
credit to Queenscliff Primary School’s dedication to their Arts Program.

“All the singing and dancing was beautiful to watch,” she said.

“Many pupils who have never performed in front of a crowd, all had the confidence to last Friday night!

“We can’t wait until next year’s production of ‘QPS on Broadway’.”