ASPIRE offers a variety of special programs designed to help students discover and nurture their creative potential.
Combined Schools Commemorative ANZAC Event
Saluting the service of those who served, the annual commemorative events narrate the untold stories of Hunter men and women in time of war. Our military heritage is celebrated by educating students and the community. These unique events are researched and delivered by students from the three education sectors.
ASPIRE is heavily involved in the event, working with the committee to provide dramatic interpretation of the narrative. Secondary students who have previously been involved in an ASPIRE event are invited to be part of the ensemble and work with the Artistic Director to script and rehearse for the event which is staged at the Civic Theatre.
Aspire is incredibly proud to be a part of this important community event!
DioSounds
Each year, more than 450 secondary students from all 13 Catholic High Schools in the region perform in the DioSounds music showcase to more than 2500 people across two shows at the Civic Theatre, Newcastle.
DioSounds is an initiative of the music teachers in the Catholic Schools of Maitland-Newcastle and showcases the incredible musical talents and skills of students ranging in age from 12 to 18 years.
Each year individuals, small ensembles, choirs and concert bands from all across the diocese, take to the stage with a wide variety of performance items from Contemporary Rock to serious Art Music.
The event provides a unique experience for students, parents, friends and the whole community to see the range of talent coming from Catholic Secondary Schools in the Hunter and Manning regions.
DioSounds promotes the performing arts offered in Catholic schools. The whole community is invited and encouraged to attend the evening performance to enjoy the musical and production talents of young people in the diocese.
Schools that perform and take part in DioSounds include: St Joseph’s Catholic College, Aberdeen; Trinity Catholic College, Adamstown; St Paul’s Catholic College, Booragul; St Bede’s Catholic College, Chisholm; St Mary’s Catholic College, Gateshead; St Francis Xavier’s College, Hamilton; St Joseph’s College, Lochinvar; All Saints’ College Maitland; San Clemente Catholic College, Mayfield; St Dominic’s Catholic College, Mayfield; Catherine McAuley Catholic College, Medowie; St Catherine’s Catholic College, Singleton and St Clare’s High School, Taree.
For more information see your school music teacher.
Battle of the Bands
Battle of the Bands is a Secondary Schools Competition. 2025 was the first year of the diocesan competition, featuring musical talent from schools in the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese. Each school selected one band to represent their school. Bands performed for an audience and a panel of experts. The winner received a $300 Muso’s Corner voucher. There is also a $100 Muso’s Corner voucher for the group award ‘Most Entertaining’.
Look out for more information to come for 2026!
Song Competition
Aspire 2026 deals with a student who has lost their memory and is struggling to get their brain to switch back on. With this in mind, the starting points for each age group this year are memory, the brain and redemption.
The Song Competition will be broken into 4 categories-
PRIMARY SCHOOL
(INDIVIDUAL AND WHOLE CLASS CATEGORIES):
MEMORY
What is a memory?
What makes something memorable?
What are some examples of good memories?
YEARS 7, 8 OR 9: THE BRAIN
How the brain works.
Thoughts, feelings and actions.
Themes of curiosity.
YEARS 10, 11 OR 12: REDEMPTION
What is redemption?
Exploring the theme of redemption within a story.
Scriptwriting Competition
ASPIRE is introducing a scriptwriting competition in 2025 for secondary students. Interested creative writers are encouraged to get writing and enter a script to go through a shortlisting process. There is no theme, and students can write about whatever they are interested in. Scripts must be PG rated and be between five and eight minutes in length, with a maximum of 6 performers. Once entries close, shortlisted finalists will be sent feedback to consider from the judges and asked to submit a second draft of their script. The winner of each category will be decided at a live staged reading performance where a guest panel will judge the scripts.
There are two categories: Years 7-9 and Years 10 -12.
WOW Gallery
With great success in 2024 and 2025, WOW Gallery will return in 2026, bigger and better than ever!
Submissions open: 20th April 2026
Exhibition dates: 5th – 4th November at MAP mima, Speers Point
Tickets on sale: 17th August 2025
Junior Theatre Festival
ASPIRE invites students to spend 3 days working with a director to create 15-minute performance piece (cut down from a Broadway Jr show) to use for adjudication at the Junior Theatre Festival.
JTF Australia is a two-day festival of all thing’s theatre for young people, and it happens to be held in Newcastle’s very own Civic Precinct. The festival consists of adjudications, student workshops, professional development for teachers, the New Works Showcase, an awards ceremony and the largest collection of Aussie musical theatre lovers all under the one roof!
ASPIRE’s piece for 2024 included songs and dialogue from the hit Broadway show, ‘Legally Blonde the Musical Jr’ and our ensemble won an award for Outstanding Acting. Our piece for 2025 included songs and dialogue from the hit Broadway show, ‘Seussical Jr’ and our ensemble was selected as one of the Outstanding Productions of the festival. This incredible recognition meant our students had the opportunity to perform on the Civic Theatre mainstage, sharing their energy and talent with the entire festival audience of over 1400 people. Every ensemble member plays a vital role in telling a short version of the story and each performer is on stage at all times throughout. It is a fast paced, high-energy program that will show you everything there is to love about musical theatre.
Theatresports
Theatresports is a competition open to elective drama students from Years 9 – 11. It’s a day of improvisation games and exercises, where teams are scored on how well they can entertain, create and sustain a plot, and utilise their technical skills. The competition has been running in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle for over 20 years.
See your CAPA teachers for more information about how to sign up
Dramafest
Dramafest is an exciting event that brings together students from across the diocese for a day filled with specialist drama workshops led by industry professionals as well as allow students to meet peers who share their passion, learn new skills, and, above all, have a blast.
Dramafest isn’t just about honing acting skills; it’s an opportunity for growth and connection.
Creative Arts teachers can also use the day as professional development, to learn new techniques to bring back to their classrooms.
Hosted at Newcastle Town Hall, see your CAPA teachers for more information about how to sign up.
Dance Fest
ASPIRE invited students and teachers to the very first Dance Fest which took place in 2025. This exciting event will brought together dancers from across the diocese for a day filled with specialist workshops led by industry professionals. It also gave students the opportunity to meet peers who share their passion for dance.
Dance Fest is a fast-paced day consisting of 3 different style workshops; Contemporary, Musical Theatre and Jazz. Dancers partake in all three workshops that will be presented by leading industry professionals, therefore a dance skill set of intermediate/advanced is recommended for those attending (these are not beginner workshops).
This opportunity is open to students in years 5-12 and teachers that wish to partake in the workshops (no casual release provided).
Dancers can register for the day by filling out an application form on the Aspire website or by following the QR code.
Hosted at Newcastle Town Hall, places are limited and will be given on a first come first served basis. Save the date, Monday 18th of May, 2026.
Artfest
We’re excited to announce that Aspire ArtFest 2026 is on its way.
At ArtFest, Stage 4, 5, and 6 students from all corners of the diocese will gather for a day of creative exploration. With workshops led by practicing artists, students can experiment, learn new techniques, and connect with others who share their love of Art, all while having a whole lot of fun.
ArtFest isn’t just about developing artistic technique; it’s also about growth, community, and connection.
In addition, Creative Arts teachers are invited to use the day as professional development, gaining fresh ideas and practical techniques to bring back to their classrooms.
More details, including registrations and workshop options, will be coming soon, but for now, please mark the date in your calendars. Monday 11 May 2026, Maitland Regional Art Gallery, 230 High St, Maitland.
