Student creative team

This is an opportunity for students to present their creative ideas as textile artwear, styling or costume. The pieces may be displayed and/or paraded within the context of the Schools Spectacular. 

This opportunity is open to all students in Years 5 – 12 who attend a NSW public school. Students located in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas are encouraged to apply.

Successful applicants may have their work paraded in the arena, and/or at associated events, or exhibited in the digital display to profile their creativity and ingenuity in artwear creative costume design. Students demonstrating an interest in costume design and/or styling may be invited to join production meetings.

Students may submit photos of their designs that have been made or concept drawings. Concept drawings that are shortlisted will be best suited to the Schools Spectacular digital display.

Design criteria

Submissions may include, but not limited to:

• a full outfit and accessories
• just an outfit or just accessories
• large, bold and striking enough to be seen in the large arena
• designed with an artistic statement in mind such as recycling, or purely for art’s sake
• suitable for wearing by a student in a public profile setting
• designed by an individual student or as a collaboration between a group of students
• able to be transported to the arena for the event in November
• there is no limit to the number of entries an individual can make.

How to apply

1. Fill out the application form
2. Upload your materials to the application form

Applications close Friday, 9 May at 5:00 pm All applicants will be notified by the end of Term 2 of their results.

This is an opportunity for students who have an interest in graphic design and digital content produced to support the visual aspects of the show. 

This opportunity is open to all students in Years 5 – 12 who attend a NSW public school. Students located in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas are encouraged to apply.

Successful applicants may be invited to work with the production team and invited to production meetings to generate content for the show. They may also have their work paraded in the arena, and/or at associated events, or exhibited in the digital display to profile their creativity.

How to apply

1. Please complete the online application form below and upload a 1 minute video introducing yourself, including a brief explanation of why you’d like to be on the graphic design team.

2. If you have any sample works, please share a link to these as part of the application. This may include drawings, photos or videos. We suggest you upload samples to Google Drive and share the link to the folder. Please ensure the privacy settings allow for the panel to have access to the files.

Applications close Friday, 9 May at 5:00 pm. All applicants will be notified by the end of Term 2 of their results.

This is an opportunity for students who have an interest in puppet design to submit their ideas for this year's production. 

This opportunity is open to all students in Years 5 – 12 who attend a NSW public school. Students located in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas are encouraged to apply.

Successful applicants may be invited to work with the production team on the design of puppets for this year's show. They may also have their work paraded in the arena, and/or at associated events, or exhibited in the digital display to profile their creativity.

How to apply

Please complete the online application form below and upload a 1 minute video introducing yourself, including a brief explanation of why you’d like to be on the puppet team.

Applications close Friday, 9 May at 5:00 pm All applicants will be notified by the end of Term 2 of their results.

We are looking for student choreographers to work alongside the dance team to creatively and logistically develop an item for the 2024 Schools Spectacular.

This role could be used to record work placement hours for the Assistant Dance Teaching course, if applicable. 

This opportunity is open to all students in Years 10 – 12 who attend a NSW public school. Students located in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas are encouraged to apply.

Role description

Students will collaborate with designated dance team members to devise an item for the 2024 Schools Spectacular. This may include:

• gaining insight into the process of developing the dance components of the Schools Spectacular
• contributing to the development of the intent and vision for an allocated segment, including choreography, formations and storytelling
• supporting the development of choreographic resources for schools
• contributing to the design of costumes and handheld props for a segment
• considering the impact of the item within the whole context of the show
• planning the rehearsal structure and learning about teaching strategies
• leading warm-ups
• demonstrating movement sequences at rehearsals
• attending selected rehearsals during Term 4 (online option available).

Selection criteria

Students must be able to demonstrate:

• a strong understanding of safe dance practice
• accomplished dance technique and performance quality
• sequences and creativity appropriate for an arena show
• effective communication and interpersonal skills.

How to apply

Please complete the online application form below and upload two audition videos.

Audition video 1 requirements

• A 1 minute video introducing yourself, including a brief explanation of why you’d like to be a student choreographer

Audition video 2 requirements

• A 2–3 minute self-choreographed work (solo or group)
• If submitting a video of a group, you must also feature in the video and identify yourself
• Choose appropriate music to accompany your choreography
• Please wear comfortable, form-fitting dance attire

 Applications close Friday, 9 May at 5:00 pm All applicants will be notified by the end of Term 2 of their results.

We are looking for a student-devised original music composition, using the 2025 theme as inspiration.

The theme may inspire the lyrics for the song or the tone of the music or any other element. Students can interpret the theme in any way they choose.

This opportunity is open to all students in Years 5 – 12 who attend a NSW public school. Students located in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas are encouraged to apply.

Composition criteria

The composition may be:

• vocal and instrumental or just instrumental
• composed with lyrics or without. Submitted with music notes, a piano vocal chart, or a digitally recorded track. Whatever works for you!
• in any musical style so long as it is in keeping with the Schools Spectacular event
• submitted by a single student or as a collaboration between multiple students. The runtime for each composition must be 2:30 to 3:00 minutes max.

The Schools Spectacular team will work with the successful applicant to further develop the composition for the event. This may include arranging it for the musical forces available. 

Students who are successful in being short-listed for this category may have their work featured in the Schools Spectacular digital display. 

We welcome the variety and breadth of music, so do not hesitate to submit your unique work.

How to apply

1. Fill out the application form
2. Upload your materials to the application form (either a file upload or a link to a shareable folder e.g. Google Drive)

Applications close Friday, 9 May at 5:00 pm All applicants will be notified by the end of Term 2 of their results.

Get ready to unleash your storytelling prowess in the Spectacular Short Story category! This is not just a writing exercise - your story might become the foundation for a spectacular performance at this year's Schools Spectacular. So, buckle up and let your creativity take the stage as you spin tales that captivate and inspire. 

This opportunity is open to all students in Kindergarten – Year 12 who attend a NSW public school. Students located in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas are encouraged to apply.

Students who are successful in being short-listed for this category may have their work featured in the Schools Spectacular digital display.

Story criteria

Your story must:

• be between 300-1000 words (preferably typed)
• comply with the NSW Department of Education’s values.

You may like to include pictures as a part of your story to help convey your vision, though this is not essential.

How to apply

1. Fill out the application form
2. Attach your story to the application form

Applications close Friday, 9 May at 5:00 pm All applicants will be notified by the end of Term 2 of their results.

This opportunity is open to all students in Year 7 – Year 12 who attend a NSW public school. Students located in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas are encouraged to apply.

This category is open to students who have creative skills and talents in an area not otherwise described.  Students who feel like they have potential in the creative domain and would like to contribute their talent to the Schools Spectacular should apply for this category. The creative and production team would love to hear about your area of creativity.

Submit a description and/or supporting materials that will best showcase your talents and vision to the team. You may also like to suggest how your area of creativity can be integrated into the event.

How to apply

1. Fill out the application form
2. Attach your supporting materials to the application form

Applications close Friday, 9 May at 5:00 pm All applicants will be notified by the end of Term 2 of their results.