AUTHORISED PERFORMANCES FOR SCHOOLS INFORMATION BOOKLET

Performances for Schools

The NSW Department Education & Training is committed to developing children's appreciation, enjoyment and participation in the arts in all its forms as part of their education. It acknowledges that professional performers and practitioners practicing their craft at a high level of educational and artistic competence can provide students with opportunities to experience live performances and presentations.

Performances that tour schools are important resources for all students in New South Wales schools. They:

• Provide all students with opportunities to appreciate a wide range of high quality presentations
• Develop standards of critical awareness, by responding as critical consumers
• Provide opportunities for exploring the actor-audience relationship
• Develop perception and understanding in students
• Enhance many areas of the curriculum
• Should be integrated into the school's teaching and learning program

It is recommended that performances that tour NSW public schools be authorised by the NSW Department of Education & Training.

This process is coordinated by the Performances for Schools Coordinator, through whom initial contact is made.

There are currently over 250 performances authorised to perform in NSW public schools. Authorisation is obtained after application, development and audition with the Department's relevant personnel.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• A completed Application Form may be downloaded from this website and required application fee ($45) should be forwarded to the Performances for Schools Coordinator along with any other appropriate information, publicity or support material.
  
  

  I enclose a $45 application fee including GST Personal cheques not accepted	(Please tick)
  PLEASE NOTE THE $45 IS NOT REFUNDABLE IN THE EVENT OF YOUR APPLICATION BEING DEEMED INELIGIBLE OR WITHDRAWN

  Performers are advised to consult with teachers, curriculum officers and the Coordinator to assess the suitability of their performance.

• You are advised to be familiar with the syllabus documents of the Key Learning Areas of your presentation. Syllabus documents are available on-line at www.boardof studies.nsw.edu.au. Your local school should also have copies.

The 9 Key Learning Areas are:

DEVELOPING YOUR PERFORMANCE

• Schools expect their students to be involved throughout the performance, therefore audience participation is important.
• Your performance should be based on an artistic passion that underpins your need to bring your particular skills to student audiences.
• Performances that have been developed for o the r venues (such as shopping centres etc) do not usually work in schools and are hard to adapt to school audiences. A school environment has different needs.
• Performers need good communication skills with young people, a dynamic and accessible personality as well as a well-tailored product that balances entertainment and education.
• The preparation of TEACHERS NOTES is often an essential part of any presentation. Live performance is an integral part of the school curriculum and teachers will use the performance to support their work in the classroom. Notes can include: a summary of the show, key words used in the show, text from the show such as a song, poem, dialogues, discussion starters, worksheets, bibliography or reference and links to relevant websites, other associations where further information can be obtained.

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AUDITION PROCESS

• The Performances for Schools Coordinator will organise an audience at a host school at a time and date that suits both the school and the performer.
• As a performer you will be expected to present a FREE performance.
• Videos ARE NOT acceptable as an audition.
• An audition panel can consist of a principal, teacher, consultant, parent or community member who will assess the performance based on the performance criteria

CRITERIA USED IN ASSESSMENT

The performance:

• Is it entertaining? Does it hold the student’s interest and provoke reactions?
• Does it exhibit a high professional standard?
• Does it support the curriculum and DET policies?
• Is it a resource that teachers cannot readily provide?
• Is it appropriate to the development level of the students?
• Is it value for money?
• Is the level of student participation and involvement appropriate and effective?
• Are the technical elements of the production of a high quality (ie sets, costumes, props, staging, amplification)?
• Does it address the relevant safety issues of students (where appropriate)?

The performer:

• Does he/she evidence authenticity and integrity in his/her aims, method and form of presentation?
• Does he/she have a good rapport with student audiences?
• Does he/she have good organizational skills?
• Are the teachers' notes/students support material appropriate and useful? (Pre or post performance material)

(Additional criteria may apply for specific programs)

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AUTHORISATION

Following the audition, the Performances for Schools Coordinator is advised of the recommendation.

If successful, a performance will be recommended to be authorised for up to 2 years.

• For authorisation to be current, performers and performing companies need to be registered. A performance may be recommended to be authorised however it will not be listed as an authorised performance until registration is completed. For authorisation to remain current, performers are required to maintain registration by paying an annual fee.
• For reauthorisation the performer will be advised by the Performances for Schools Coordinator the procedure for reauthorisation.

If unsuccessful, the panel will discuss the performance with the performer/s and advise them to the necessary changes to be made to their presentation. Performers may then decide to present at a later date with the recommendations in place or decide not to proceed. Performers should note that approximately 1/3 of all new performances are not authorised at the first audition.

REGISTRATION

• A report is processed by the Performances for Schools Coordinator, with the performer receiving relevant information regarding performing in schools. The performer or performing company will be asked to register.
• Registration is an annual fee of $210 including GST.
• Performers who charge fees for the ir performances are required to have public liability cover. The Department required that performers have at least $10M Public Liability. A list of authorised insurers may be found at www.apra.gov.au. A copy of the performer's current Public Liability Insurance policy must accompany the annual registration fee.
• Performers are also required to undergo the Working with Children Check which includes signing the Prohibited Employment Declaration, Consent to Screening as well as completing the Proof of Identity check.

BOOKINGS

• It is up to each performer to market and organise his/her own bookings.
• Many performers choose to engage an agent who specializes in this task.
• Authorisation does not guarantee schools will make a booking. Be aware it is highly competitive market. Relevance to the school curriculum or DET policies is very important also in schools considering a presentation/ performance.

FEEDBACK FORMS

• After each performance, performers should ask the teachers to complete a Department Feedback Form. This should be returned to the Performances for Schools Coordinator.
• This form SHOULD NOT BE changed by performers.
• Continued positive feedback can assist in the reauthorisation of that performance.
• Unsatisfactory reports will bring immediate investigation by the Department.
• Through the feedback forms, highly recommended performances are eligible for the Frater Award , presented annually. This award was established in 1997 in recognition of the contribution or outstanding professional artists and presenters to Public Education. The award's namesake, June Frater was a dynamic, effective and committed coordinator who had a long standing relationship with the program from 1987-94. She unfortunately passed away due to a terminal illness. The Frater Award is a tribute to performers who have the same commitment, drive and sense of excellence.
  

AUTHORISED PERFORMANCE LISTINGS

All authorised performances are listed on this website. Follow links to Performances for Schools where the database and application are available by clicking the text.

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