Drama students take out gold in AHIGS Festival of Speech
Wenona came first in Drama at the Association of Heads of Independent Girls' Schools (AHIGS) Festival of Speech held at Abbotsleigh on Saturday 22 October, 2016.
The four Year 11 Drama students â Indi, Alyssa, Claire and Sarah â created a performance on the nominated theme âOver the Rainbowâ. They designed their performance around the idea of conformity, using the concept âover the rainbowâ to represent the struggle for individuality in a society that restricts and defines.
âWe have used the businessman stereotype to highlight the way society forces men into certain limiting careers and lifestyles that leave no scope for individuality and personal aspiration,â Indi of Year 11 explained. They incorporated Harold Arlen and Edgar Yipsel Harburgâs song âOver the Rainbowâ, well-known from the Wizard of Oz, to signify âthe individualâs attempt to resist societyâs pressure to conform and strive for their potential âover the rainbowâ," Indi said.
This year marks the AHIGS centenary, and for Wenona, it marks 90 years of participation. Wenona has succeeded in the Independent Girlsâ Schools Speaking Competition since 1926, sharing second place in 2000 and third in 2001. The School has also participated in AHIGS Archdale Debating competition and the Tildesley Tennis Shield competition.
The Festival of Speech program encompasses Drama, Reading, Debating, Poetry, Current Affairs, Religion and Ethics and Public Speaking. In 2016, 24 Wenona students participated across all seven sections, competing against 31 other schools.
Pictured: Wenona's Junior Debating team (China, Chiara, Hayden and Brooke) at Abbotsleigh.