The last week or so has been a great week for showcasing the work of CAPA, the Carmel Academy of Performing Arts.

YOH Fest (Youth on Health Festival) is WA鈥檚 health-themed youth arts festival. It is promoted as 鈥渇using the fun of the arts with health education by providing a platform for young people to share stories around the annual health theme鈥�. The 2025 theme is 鈥淐olour My World鈥� and Ms Crammond鈥檚 hard work with the Yoh Fest crew led to an impressive night of awards for both the Year 7/8 Dance students and the Year 10 Drama students.

Carmel students achieved multiple awards, including merit certificates for 鈥楽trong Conveyance of Emotion鈥� (Year 10 drama) and 鈥楳ost Feel Good Performance鈥� (Year 7/8 dance). We were also the 2025 Healthway Award Winner for the most 鈥楨ffective Exploration of the Health Theme鈥�, which is the overall top award for the heat.

What the audience would not have known was the balagan of huge proportions happening behind the scenes. Although Ms Crammond鈥檚 spirit was apparently not broken at any point, I imagine it came close, considering the challenges that ensued on the day. The bus refused to start, a member of staff became ill, costumes were lost, the essential accompanying music files were corrupted and one of our performers succumbed to sickness at the last moment, necessitating the re-patterning of the dance in the three minutes before the students went on stage. It was wonderful to hear that despite all of this, Carmel students remained composed, professional and unfailingly courteous. We are so proud of them and their thoroughly deserved and highly coveted 鈥楨xcellence in YOH Fest Etiquette鈥� award, which recognises their professionalism and teamwork.

The inaugural student recital evening to showcase our beautiful grand piano was also a fabulous night, with a variety of pieces from my beloved Chopin to an original composition by talented Year 9 student Leor. I loved the talk from Mr Shor who told us the story of Uncle Brian and his gorgeous piano, from which Carmel students now benefit. The generosity of the Shor family is hugely appreciated.

Bouquets to the Arts department staff for all their hard work nurturing the creative talents of the students and hats off to all those performers who have represented the School with pride. We appreciate the dedication that a thriving Arts department demands and are genuinely grateful to all those who enable these events.

Shabbat shalom.

Dr Julie Harris

Principal