Gerringong Public School (GPS) students dazzled at the 2024 Southern Stars event, taking place over Friday 30 and Saturday 31 August. 

Two choirs and two dance groups (Berkley and WEC) from Gerringong assembled at the high school ahead of the event, 19 students involved in the choir performances and 39 across the two dance groups. 

Gerringong Public School Teacher, Michelle McPhillips said her favourite part of the event is seeing the students come together.

“Watching the joy on the students' faces during show week and how excited they are to perform…How the students mix with others and learn new skills, and students push themselves even though they are scared of performing and their excitement when they do it.”

One student tried out for the Southern Stars performance company and one for the First Nations Dance group Yanggaa Garaba Dance Group.

“I loved the community aspect of it and how the children got to talk and make friends from other schools and how we could see the kids shine in a way that NSW Public Education does so well on a large scale”, says Kate Egan, GPS teacher.

Southern Stars began in 2001 with a determination to provide students in the Illawarra area and beyond with performing arts opportunities. The event has since grown into a spectacular that has seen over 50,000 public school students perform since its inception. 

Schools, students, and communities were all encouraged to be part of Southern Stars, the annual event is held at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong and all public school students across NSW are invited to showcase their dance, drama and musical performances.

“It was amazing and fun as we could watch the show, and I could see my parents when I performed,” GPS student Leesha says.  

With an annual audience of around 12,000 people, Southern Stars has cemented itself as a highlight in many schools’ annual calendar.

The Bugle congratulates the children on a job well done, and also their dedicated teachers for all the coaching that went into it.