General News
18 June, 2025
Poppy-Grace part of double state success
Poppy-Grace Newton, a year nine Presbyterian Ladies College Armidale (PLC Armidale) boarder and Gilgandra girl, is again a state champion, this time in ‘Physical Theatre’.
Contributed by Presbyterian Ladies College, Armidale
The daughter of locals Andrew and Amanda Newtown, Poppy-Grace is excelling in the creative field as PLC Armidale is celebrating a triumphant return from the 2025 Shakespeare Carnival State Finals.
Two of their three competing PLC Armidale teams were crowned state champions recently at Sydney’s Seymour Centre.
The all-girls’ college dance and physical theatre teams dazzled judges with their powerful, creative interpretations of Shakespearean themes, securing the top titles in their categories at the prestigious state-wide event, presented by ‘Sport For Jove’.
Poppy-Grace joined Olive McFarlane to deliver a dynamic and emotionally resonant physical theatre piece based on ‘Hamlet’ to be crowned state physical theatre champions.
Last year Poppy-Grace and Olive were 2024 Dance State Champions as the youngest ever to go to state level in the history of the competition.
The PLC dance duo, Molly Chard and Lucy Ward, captivated audiences with their hypnotic performance inspired by ‘The Taming of the Shrew’.
Both teams demonstrated exceptional skill, originality, and passion - qualities that have become hallmarks of PLC Armidale’s presence at the carnival.
The PLC Armidale Drama Ensemble team also competed strongly with their striking interpretation of Julius Caesar, showcasing contemporary delivery of the original script, impressive physicality and stagecraft, including a stunning death scene. Mrs Jo Wysel, head of creative and performing arts, praised the students for their artistry and highlighted the broader value of performance in education:
“Drama and performance not only develop creativity and expression, but also build deep academic and emotional intelligence,” she said.
“These disciplines support learning across all subjects by encouraging critical thinking, empathy, collaboration, and communication - all skills that are vital for success in every field.”
The Shakespeare Carnival, run by the Sport For Jove Theatre Company, is a state-wide initiative encouraging students to reimagine the world of Shakespeare through performance, movement, music and film. It challenges students to explore complex texts creatively while building confidence, teamwork and literacy.
This year’s success marks a back-to-back achievement for PLC Armidale, following two state wins in 2024 in addition to numerous other wins throughout the carnival’s history.
“The continued excellence of our students is a testament to their dedication and the vibrant arts culture nurtured within the college,” PLC Armidale principal Mrs Nicola Taylor said, reflecting on the school’s long-standing involvement in the carnival.
“We’ve proudly supported the Shakespeare Carnival since its inception in 2016, and it has been extraordinary to watch it grow into such a meaningful and enriching program for students across NSW.
Poppy-Grace will now perform in the college’s production of ‘Mary Poppins’ at the Armidale Town Hall. The 70-strong all-girl cast will perform eight shows.
