Primary and high school audition applications for the Hunter School of the Performing Arts (HSPA) have been extended due to recent COVID-19 restrictions.
Those interested in joining the Broadmeadow establishment can now do so up until Sunday 15 August.
With dozens of students and hopeful auditionees affected by the latest health constraints, school principal Tracey Breese said extending the deadline was the right decision.
“With the government rules impacting people across the Central Coast, Greater Sydney and some regional areas, we knew we had to adapt to the conditions,” she explained.
“We’re hoping this extension will encourage those who may be stuck in lockdown to still apply for years 3-11 in 2022.”
Since 1998, HSPA has been the only fully selective performing arts school in NSW.
It delivers developmental programs with a gifted and talented focus on dance, drama and music.
More than 1,200 students from years 3-12 across the Hunter region and the Central Coast currently attend the school.
This year isn’t the first time the school has faced obstacles for their auditions.
Usually conducted in April and August, the in-person auditions in 2020 were forced to be held online due to the initial COVID-19 restrictions.
Deputy principal of the primary school and head of auditions Karen O’Neill said the change was a huge shock to all involved.
“We had to prepare extremely quickly as our auditions were set to occur only a month after we went into lockdown,” she added.
“It was a big change for those auditioning and our teachers as we had to account for unexpected hurdles like poor internet connection, delayed responses and even distorted sound for our music auditions.”
Like most businesses and schools, HSPA soon got the hang of the online auditions and enjoyed a successful year of applicants.
“We had 201 students who were triumphant in the auditions and joined us in 2021,” Mrs O’Neill said.
“We’re hoping to grow this number for our next group of auditionees, especially now that we’re back to in-person auditions and the second round has been extended.”
The auditions are set to take place in person where pupils will prepare for an individual and/or group assessment.
Audition applications have been extended until Sunday 15 August.
For further information about the upcoming primary and high school auditions head to the website, www.huntperforh.schools.nsw.gov.au
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