Music and Drama form an essential part of the learning journey at Penrhos, and we are proud to offer specialised programs that inspire creativity, confidence and collaboration.
These programs are an exciting part of our curriculum, encouraging every student to develop musical skills, perform with confidence and experience the joy of performing arts with others.
JUNIOR MUSIC
Classroom Music (curriculum)
Our Music curriculum in the ELC (Pre-Primary to Year 2) nurtures creativity, self-expression and foundational music skills through an engaging, hands-on approach. Inspired by the Kodály and Orff philosophies and aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework, students explore beat, rhythm, pitch, tempo and dynamics through singing, movement, games and percussion instruments. In Year 2, all students participate in the Strings Program, learning an orchestral string instrument – violin, viola, cello or double bass – in small group lessons with College peripatetic music tutors.
This hands-on approach continues through Years 3 to 6, where students deepen their understanding of musical elements and begin composing and performing using classroom and personal instruments. In Year 5, students join the Band Program, choosing from a range of brass, woodwind and percussion instruments (or continuing their string studies if progressing well), with weekly rehearsals and culminating in a band concert in Term 4. Year 6 students further develop their musicality through more complex composition and performance tasks, including ukulele, keyboard and percussion work.
Across all year levels, students are offered meaningful performance experiences that celebrate growth, creativity and collaboration in music.
Year 2 Strings Program
In Year 2, all students participate in our Strings Program, choosing from a range of classical string instruments. Our peripatetic string tutors conduct weekly small-group lessons, and three times a term students will join together to rehearse as a full orchestra where they learn introductory musicianship skills and ensemble etiquette, such as how to follow the conductor. This hands-on experience introduces students to the joy of playing an instrument and performing together, laying the foundation for musical confidence and teamwork. The program concludes in Term 4 with a Year 2 String Concert in our beautiful College Chapel for our parents and Year 1 student cohort.
🎻 Instruments offered: violin, viola, cello, double bass
Year 5 Band Program
By Year 5, students have the opportunity to explore an even wider range of instruments in our Band Program. Through weekly small-group lessons, students learn a wind instrument (brass or woodwind), bass guitar or percussion. In order to preserve the integrity of the Year 2 String Program, students learning violin, viola, cello or double bass are given the option to continue these instruments instead of learning a new band instrument. This alternate pathway includes weekly group sessions with one of our string peripatetic staff that runs concurrently to the band lessons. The program culminates in a Year 5 Band Concert that features all students performing together as a symphonic band.
To ensure the best fit when choosing to learn a band instrument, students complete a short assessment of their aural skills and physical suitability. They also rank their top five instrument choices, which helps guide instrument allocation.
🎺 Instruments offered: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, alto saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, bass guitar, percussion
Music performances
Students enrolled in instrumental music lessons internally and externally have opportunities to participate in a variety of ensembles that cater to various instruments and playing abilities. These include the Junior Percussion Ensemble, Junior Winds Ensemble, Year 3-4 Mini Mozarts String Orchestra, Year 5-6 Junior Strings Ensemble, Year 3-4 Songbirds Choir, Year 5-6 Junior Voices and our rock band – aptly titled PenRock! for Year 5 and 6 students (audition only).
Some examples of the many performance opportunities for Junior School Music students at Penrhos include:
- Teatime concerts – each year group performs in its own Teatime Concert, showcasing their solo skills on their chosen instrument for their peers, teachers and loved ones. Students are permitted to perform to backing tracks or with our College Piano Accompanist.
- Spring Showcase – a culmination of the year-long dedication and efforts our students contribute to the various music ensembles
- Interhouse Music Eisteddfod – an opportunity for students in Kindergarten to Year 6 to perform solo on their instrument or in a small ensembles in front of their parents and peers.
- External events: PenRock! has been invited to perform in the last two Perth Young Rockers gigs. The Junior Winds and Junior Strings Ensembles participate annually in the WA Schools’ Junior Band & Orchestra Festivals.
JUNIOR DRAMA
Classroom Drama (curriculum)
Drama is enjoyed by students from Pre-Primary to Year 6. Fostering confidence and strong communication skills, as well as more specific performance skills, the Drama program equips our students with the tools that empower them to become strong, empathetic young women with a voice and the ability to use it.
Artsfest – Junior School Production
The Junior School Artsfest production offers the chance for our students to perform on the big stage – in costume, with lights and effects and a paying audience! The exhilaration they experience and sense of community it fosters make any nerves fade into the background as the thrill of applause (and confetti) takes centre stage in their memories.
- 2022 production: Let’s Celebrate! Kids with Character
- 2024 production: Disney’s Aladdin Jnr
- 2025 production: Mary Poppins Jnr
All Junior School students from Years 1 to 6 are involved, making it quite the spectacle with over 250 girls in each production.
- Year 6 students take on the character roles (auditioned)
- Junior School classes become the character chorus and sing the songs
Drama performances
Our Drama Program offers many performance opportunities, including year-group-specific annual events that are always favourites on our events calendar:
- Year 1 students take the roles in the annual Nativity, which is supported by the Year 2 class choir, with Pre-Primary students also starring in a scene or two.
- Year 3 students contribute to the whole-school Easter Service with a drama piece that helps deliver the message of that year’s service
- Year 5 students have the chance to perform a Drama or Music Theatre item at the IPSHA Performing Arts Festival
- Year 6 students deliver a performed reflection at Speech Day at the end of the year (which they help devise), an event attended by all Junior School families
TUITION-BASED PROGRAMS
Penrhos is proud to offer an extensive program of instrumental and vocal peripatetic (private) tuition for students including violin, violin (Suzuki), viola, cello, double bass, harp, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, French horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium/baritone, tuba, orchestral percussion, drum kit, voice, guitar, bass guitar, piano and pipe organ.
There are limitations on available instruments for our Kindergarten to Year 3 students, but from Year 4 onwards any instrument offered at the college is accessible for our students to learn with one of our peripatetic music staff.
Please contact our Music Department for more information, or view our Music Handbook (available online).
Speech and Drama at Penrhos College is a dynamic co-curricular program offered from Year 3 to Year 12, designed to foster confidence, creativity and powerful communication skills. Delivered through private lessons by specialist staff, the program complements classroom Drama and Dance, offering students a tailored experience in voice and performance. Lessons are offered individually, in pairs or small groups, providing the flexibility to support both budding performers and those seeking to strengthen public speaking and interpersonal communication.
Please contact Sally Barendse for more information.
READ MORE ABOUT OUR JUNIOR SCHOOL
