St John Vianney’s Primary School, Waramanga have hosted Big Sing, which saw eight Catholic schools from around Canberra unite to share in a love of music and song.

Dreamed up by long-time friends and music teachers Susan Curbishley, Mother Teresa Primary School, Harrison and Alison Hackwill, Sts Peter and Paul Primary School, Garran, Big Sing gives students a chance to experience the emotional and social benefits of singing.

This term, 315 children from St Jude’s Primary School, Holder; St Thomas the Apostle Primary School, Kambah; St John Vianney’s Primary School, Waramanga; St Monica’s Primary School, Evatt; Mother Teresa Primary School, Harrison; Holy Spirit Primary School, Nicholls; Sts Peter and Paul Primary School, Garran and St Edmund’s Catholic College, Canberra, took part in Big Sing.

“This was such a wonderful opportunity to meet with other music and choir teachers to learn repertoire and share experiences,” said St John Vianney’s Performing Arts teacher, Mary Dietz-Mullamphy. “We are often working solo in schools and this chance to work together was both joyous and educational.”

Students spent the day refining their repertoire, before finishing with a performance of four songs.

“It was fun meeting new people and making new friends,” said Year 5 student Nikita Bremner.

“I loved singing with other schools,” reflected Year 4 student Reyna Clarke.

Year 6 student, Annika Plenty, said “It was one of the best days in my year.”