Seeking a task that aligns with the new SCSA Drama strands – Explore, Create,
Perform?
The Oracy Australia Inc. Group Speaking syllabus was recently showcased by Year
9 and 10 students at Swan Christian College, Middle Swan. Twenty-one students
presented If I Could Go Back, a compelling program exploring the impact of time on
significant moments in young people’s lives. Through self-devised scenes in small
groups, students demonstrated outstanding achievement across Oracy’s
assessment strands.
Students met the Presenting and Performing requirement by using “performance
skills relevant to style and/or form to sustain belief, roles and characters… for
audiences.” They refined Vocal Expression, demonstrating clarity, modulation,
pacing, and projection to convey dramatic action. The task also
addressed Collaborative Making, with students working together to “plan, direct,
produce, rehearse and refine performances.”
Under the direction of Drama Teacher Ms Jane Hille, students utilised choral
speaking, dynamic movement, and effective lighting and sound to enhance their
performance. The group assessment provided an inclusive opportunity for all
students to explore, create, and perform, while developing their understanding of
dramatic elements and conventions.
Ms Hille, who has taught at Swan Christian College for thirteen years, works closely
with Head of Performing Arts Mr Andrew Matthews leading rewarding productions
and delivering a high-quality performing arts program. They are both strong
advocates for the value of using Oracy’s programs in drama education –
“Oracy affords students a significant opportunity to extend themselves, both within
the English and Drama curriculums.
In Drama, Oracy provides students with the experience of an external assessor, and
to present pieces similar to Year 12 external practical examinations. Excellent
preparation.” – Mr Andrew Matthews, 2026