West Moreton Anglican College’s reputation for excellence in a diverse range of areas has been consolidated by the College’s record-breaking year for musical ensembles.
WestMAC Director of Creative Arts and Extra-curricular Programs, Mr Neil Flottmann, said this year the College boasted a record 19 musical ensembles including a 40-member orchestra, a 35-member symphonic band, a percussion ensemble and even a cello consort.
Several hundred students are involved in the College’s music and creative arts programs with Mr Flottmann attributing some of the growth to the Year 3 Strings program and the Band Immersion program in Years 5 and 6.
“Our huge music program is an example of WestMAC’s extensive and high quality extra-curricular program. This is what makes our College stand out,’’ Mr Flottmann said. “For any student with a musical instrument, there is a group they can be in.
“All schools talk about holistic education but WestMAC delivers it. Students can have a fulfilling life experience here at the College.
“Students can follow their dreams and achieve state-wide and nation-wide success at WestMAC.’’
Mr Flottmann said WestMAC was poised to build on their competition success of 2019, when the College won several major trophies including coveted platinum awards for the Symphonic Band and the Big Band in the Prestige Music Fest, while the College’s Chorale won the Adjudicator’s Choice Award for the Best Choir Overall for the whole Ipswich Eisteddfod.
Several of the College’s award-winning choral and instrumental groups will perform at the College’s Open Day, on Saturday 13 March (11am to 3pm).
WestMAC’s Dance program also experienced eisteddfod success across south-east Queensland in 2019.
The College’s award-winning music and dance students will be involved in this year’s WestMAC musical Wicked, to be held at the College’s Lostroh Centre from 3-5 June.
The College boasts more than a dozen clubs including the Friends of the Farm, the award-winning Cattle Show Team, Air Force Cadets, and clubs focused on Environment, Chinese and Equestrian.
“Some of our equestrian students compete at national championships while our Cattle Show Team have achieved first place ribbons at the EKKA,’’ he said.
In Term 2, the College welcomes two new clubs: Robotics and Esports.
WestMAC’s Esports Co-ordinator Mr Shane Moorhouse said the College's Esports program would give students the opportunity to compete against other high schools in the field of competitive gaming.
Mr Moorhouse said WestMAC was a member of the Queensland High Schools Esports League (QHSEL) which is run through the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and includes more than twenty schools across Queensland.
“Esports encompasses more than just gaming, our program has a strong focus on developing students’ communication skills, teamwork, sportsmanship, and resilience, as well as educating students about the dangers of online environments,’’ Mr Moorhouse said.