During the first week of June students from 13 Clarence Valley schools come together to compete in the City of Grafton Eisteddfod Society’s 70^th annual Eisteddfod for Schools. Sections included verse speaking, choir, musical groups and dance.

Schools have always played a very important part of Grafton’s eisteddfods. The first President of the Grafton Eisteddfod Society back in 1954 was Mr. G. Fiddes, the Headmaster of Grafton Primary School – and their first Patron was Mr. J. A. Thomson, the District Inspector of Schools. A “Schools’ Day” was held on Thursday April 21, 1955, at the Saraton Theatre as part of the first Grafton eisteddfod. There were sections in the Schedule specifically for Infants, Primary, High Schools and small schools – and that tradition has continued.

Most people who have grown up in Grafton have a story about attending the Schools’ Eisteddfod when they were at school, be it for singing in the choir, playing the recorder, being in the school band or group poetry verse speaking, for which they all speak fondly.

This year we saw the South Grafton High auditorium filled to the brim with bussed in school students, parents, loved ones and community spectators. It was a hive of activity and excitement.

Adjudicator, Helen Little, was so impressed by the performances she frequently doubled up on awards and provided additional encouragement awards.  

Helen acknowledged the additional time teachers, Principals and school support staff take in preparing the students for their performances, with practices usually occurring during staff and student’s lunch breaks. Helen also commended all the students participating and encouraged them to keep including music, public speaking and dance in their lives to build their confidence and skills, and to have fun with their fellow students.

The City of Grafton Eisteddfod Society thanks all schools involved, the volunteers, South Grafton High School, the adjudicator and our sponsors.

Louise Leslie

Results

Sec 17 – Primary Schools – Instrumental Group (Years 3 – 6)

1^st Grafton Public School; 2^nd South Grafton Public School.

Sec 02 – Infants Schools – Instrumental Group (K- Year 2)

1^st South Grafton Public School.

Sec 19 – Primary Schools – Guitar Group (Years 3 – 6)

1^st Westlawn Public School; 2^nd Grafton Public School.

Sec 04 – Infants Schools – Choral Verse Speaking (K- Year 2)

1^st South Grafton Public School. 

Sec 24 – Primary Schools – Junior Choral Verse Speaking (Years 3 – 4)

1^st South Grafton Public School.

Sec 25 – Primary Schools – Senior Choral Verse Speaking (Years 5 – 6)

1^st South Grafton Public School; 2^nd St. Mary’s Primary School. 

Sec 23 – Primary Schools – Small Choir (Years 3 – 6)

1^st South Grafton Public School (B); 2^nd St Joseph’s Primary School; HC South Grafton Public School (A) / St. Andrews Christian School.

Sec 01 – Infants Schools – Infants Choir (K – Year 2)

1^st South Grafton Public School; 2^nd Westlawn Public School; HC St. Mary’s Primary School.

Sec 15 – Primary Schools – Junior Choir (Years 3 – 4)

1^st St Joseph’s Primary School.

Sec 16 – Primary Schools – Senior Choir (Years 5 – 6)

1^st South Grafton Public School; 2^nd Westlawn Public School / St. Mary’s Primary School. 

Sec 03 – Infants Schools – Creative Dancing (K- Year 2)

1^st South Grafton Public School (D) 91; 2^nd St Mary’s Primary School 90, South Grafton Public School (C) 90; HC South Grafton Public School (A), South Grafton Public School (B), Westlawn Public School.

Sec 08 – Small Schools – Instrumental Group (Years K – 6)

1^st Ulmarra Public School (A) / Ulmarra Public School (B).

Sec 09 – Small Schools – Choir (Years K – 6)

1^st Palmers Island Public School; 2^nd Ulmarra Public School / Lawrence Public School. 

Sec 10 – Small Schools – Creative Dancing (K – Year 6)

1^st Lawrence Public School; 2^nd Harwood Island Public School / Gillwinga Public School (A); HC Iluka Public School / Palmers Island Public School / Gillwinga Public School (B).

Sec 21 – Primary Schools – Dance Group – Creative Dancing (Years 3 – 4)

1^st Grafton Public School; 2^nd South Grafton Public School (B) / South Grafton Public School (A); HC Westlawn Public School.

Sec 22 – Primary Schools – Dance Group – Creative Dancing (Years 5 – 6)

1^st St. Mary’s Primary School; 2^nd South Grafton Public School (B); HC Westlawn Public School, South Grafton Public School (A), Grafton Public School.

See more photos on page 14 of the 12th June edition or the CVI Facebook page.