Dear members of the Mount Lilydale Mercy College community
Well, it is done and dusted, the Pink Panther has struck again and what a successful striking it was. After major school events, I often reflect on their success and conclude that success is not only in the nature of the outcome, but the great learning processes undertaken to achieve that outcome. In fact, the learning is the most important part of the process. I am not sure if success is the right word for this year’s College play as it seems too simple a word and does not portray the measure of that success. The completeness and superb production qualities cannot be understated.
Firstly, I must profess to being one of the few who is not a Peter Sellers fan, as this genre is far too slapstick and visual for me. Although, having said that, I recognise that the label “comedic genius” has been used to describe him. Given that 12 Pink Panther films were made I must be missing something, so perhaps it is time for me to revisit them. The version of the play that I have just witnessed in the round at Centennial Hall would suggest such. The 2018 production of the play presented by the Year 12 Theatre Studies class is certainly a theatrical experience of which we can all be proud. As members of the Mount Lilydale Mercy College community we can all acclaim its success and we can all claim to be a part of it.
If you missed the opportunity to experience being an audience member then diarise next year’s production now. Perhaps it will be Revenge of the Pink Panther or Romance of the Pink Panther – as whatever it is it does not matter. The process that is now in place and the professional way in which these plays are produced ensures a great experience. The students themselves said it: “The concept is a simple one. The Year 12 Theatre Studies class must produce a show. Whilst it sounds simple much effort is required.” The students managed:
- Production Management
- Direction
- Stage Management
- Publicity
- Lighting
- Sound
- Set
- Props
- Costume
- Makeup
And then to top it off, even acting. I have no idea how they remember so many lines, with the impromptu segways when needed.
Now while I have no idea what most of this entails, I know the staff directing them and teaching them these skills do. Staff like Mr Kamahl Russell ably supported by Mrs Emily Cerra worked countless hours with our students and their efforts cannot be minimalised. So too the many other staff that support these productions through ticket sales, parking, canteen or student supervision. Whilst I attended the show on Friday night and helped on Saturday night I missed the speeches and acknowledgements, but I understand a Year 12 student described the experience of being in the Play, as like joining a family. At the start you learn from the older students and then it is your turn to teach. It is a beautiful analogy and one which depicts our community very well.
Congratulations to the Mr Kamahl Russell and Mrs Emily Cerra. Congratulations to the Theatre Studies class. Congratulations to our College staff. Congratulations to our extended community. The Pink Panther did strike again and ever so successfully.
On a very different note you may remember some time ago there was a Netflix series released called 13 Reasons Why which raised significant concern from schools and the health sector about its content to such an extent that there was significant demand on the mental health sector. At the time I expressed concerns about younger students watching it and its suitability for youth under 15 with a rating of MA15+. The Netflix series exposed viewers to risky suicide content that may have led to distressing reactions. Season 2 of the series is to be released tonight (Friday 18 May 2018). In preparation for the series Headspace (the national youth mental health foundation) and Netflix have collaborated to develop resources and discussion guides to assist in having safe conversations about the confronting themes. All these resources can be found on the Headspace website and the 13reasonswhy.info website. Parents and families should consider the potential impact of watching this series and exposing children to the content of this series.
God bless
Philip A Morison
Principal
