A special kind of magic was woven last term when students in a support unit class starred in a musical production performed for their school.

Six students from Rose Bay Secondary College in Years 7 to 10 sang and acted their way through The Ghost of Zorro, a unique and heart-warming play based on an age-old plot of good versus evil – with a spooky twist.

Three children (played by Antonia P, Gretel C and Andrew L) stumble upon a haunted house.

They are met by the master of the house (Richard H), who quickly unveils his evil ways.

The children are protected by the ghost of Zorro (Pinchas R) who is rendered powerless when the evil queen (deputy principal Diane Fetherston) steals his sword.

No amount of flattery will convince the queen to return the sword so the children help Zorro to retrieve it and they all live happily ever after.

The college principal, Jim Linton, who has played the banjo for 30 years, made a cameo role as a banjo-playing ghost.

Mr Linton said a production was held every year as a way of integrating the support unit students with the rest of the school.

“It provides them with a lot of discipline and focus – sometimes for children with disabilities it can be hard,” he said.

Music teacher Susan Andrews, who has written and directed the productions for the past four years, said the play was a team effort and included teachers and students in Years 7 to 10 from mainstream classes.

“The whole thing is about process not just the product.

It’s a process that has to be positive and fun and the kids are involved in,” she said.

“The Year 9 and 10 students take on roles of leadership and help look after the Year 7 students.

The three key words this year have been responsibility, helpfulness and focus.

I keep pressing those with them and they help the support class kids so it’s a nice interaction.” Ms Andrews said students from nearby Wairoa School – a school for specific purposes – also attended the production.

Deputy principal Diane Fetherston said although she was “typecast” as the evil queen it was a great opportunity to work with the students and teachers in such a positive environment.

It also allowed her to bond with some of her female students on a different level.

“I don’t usually wear makeup.

I had to get the Year 9 girls to bring their make-up in to do my eyes.

Normally I have them washing it off in my office,” she laughed.