Schools Spectacular will proceed in 2021 with a few changes that will ensure that all students, staff and audience can participate safely. These questions and answers might assist your school’s planning.
Schools Spectacular will proceed in 2021 with a few changes that will ensure that all students, staff and audience can participate safely. These questions and answers might assist your school’s planning.
Q. When will my school be notified about which component of the show (live or digital) we are in?
A. Notifications of acceptance into the show, including which component, will be sent out by the end of July 2021.
Q. How can my school book accommodation and travel if we don’t know yet whether we will be performing live in the arena or as part of the digital component?
A number of accommodation and travel companies are adopting flexible booking arrangements and honouring booking cancellations by providing credit or zero cancellation fees. Schools are advised to check the terms and conditions for any bookings so that informed decisions can be made and appropriate plans can be put in place.
Q. Will both primary and secondary students be performing in the arena?
A. Primary and secondary students from Kindergarten to Year 12 will perform live in the arena and will also be featured in the digital components of the show.
Q. My school has hesitations about endorsing our application until we are certain of the details of our involvement. How can we proceed?
A. Schools should submit an application if they wish to be considered. There will be an opportunity to accept, or reconsider, an offer to participate in the show when notifications of acceptance are communicated at the end of July. More detailed information will be available at that time.
Q. Can schools participate online?
A. Some categories, such as choir, can accommodate schools that are required to travel large distances through online rehearsals. If accepted as a live arena performer, students will be required to be in Sydney for the event and lead-up rehearsals. If accepted into the digital component, it will be possible to participate from a local venue.
Q. Will the event be livestreamed?
A. No, the event will not be livestreamed. There will be a delayed television broadcast that will include content that cannot be included in the live production.
Q. Will there be a live audience?
A. Yes. Currently, the venue can host a capacity audience. Changes to the COVID guidelines may influence final numbers.
Q. When will tickets go on sale?
A. Tickets will be released for sale to the general public in early August. Schools will receive notification of the release date for school bookings at the same time.
Q. What will happen if the event is cancelled after tickets have been purchased?
A. Ticket holders and participating schools will be notified of the process should the event be cancelled.
Ticketek will offer a refund or exchange of a ticket if an event is cancelled, rescheduled or significantly relocated. All liability is limited to the amount for which the ticket was purchased (including any fees or charges). Proof of purchase may be required for any refund or exchange. In most cases, refunds will be automatically processed to the credit card originally used for purchase.
Q. Have safety measures been put in place to support audience attendance and student participation?
A. Yes. Additional measures have been put in place to ensure the health, wellbeing and safety of all participants and audience associated with this event. The NSW Department of Education works closely with NSW Health and the venue to maintain compliance with COVID-19 guidelines. Ongoing revisions will ensure that safety standards are current and health and wellbeing will remain the priority throughout the process.
The venue has implemented its own safety measures – VenueShield. These measures provide the most advanced hygienic safeguards to serve clients, staff, performers, talent and all other visitors to the venue. Protocols have been customised to maximise their effectiveness at the venue.
Q. What support will be provided to participating schools if the event is cancelled?
A. Participating schools will be provided with resources (backing tracks, etc.) to ensure that they can perform, everything that the students will have worked so hard on, for their school and local community.
Schools will not be debited costs associated with participation, including fees for costumes and props, until the conclusion of the event.
We thank you for your questions and appreciate your support as we work together with you to make the 2021 Schools Spectacular a spectacular experience for everyone.
If you have further enquires, these can be directed to Damien McCabe via email at damien.mccabe3@det.nsw.edu.au