Arts Highlights – 2025

Culture Hour: Culture Hour has been a vibrant celebration of the Arts, offering our students a rich tapestry of creative experiences. From mastering the fundamentals of photography and exploring the world of fashion design, to experimenting with stop motion animation and learning the art of stage make-up, our students have been immersed in hands-on, imaginative learning.

Workshops in social media content creation, interior decorating and advertising have empowered students to express themselves in modern and meaningful ways. Meanwhile, our drama and performance offerings—from slam poetry, eisteddfod training, debating and public speaking to musical theatre and physical theatre—have given voice to powerful stories and confident expression.

These sessions have not only nurtured artistic skills but also built confidence, collaboration, and critical thinking—skills that will serve our students far beyond the stage or studio.

PA Cocktail Function and Co-Lab: A wonderful collaboration between the PA and the Arts Department, celebrating creativity and community.

House Plays: Another resounding success, showcasing student-led productions filled with originality and flair.

Resonance Performance in collaboration with St Albans College: A moving showcase featuring Grade 12 Dramatic Arts students, the Salon Singers, ensemble players, and a solo vocal performance—an unforgettable evening of artistic excellence. Special mention to our makeup team and stage manager for their behind-the-scenes brilliance.

PhyzzFest 2025: St Mary’s DSG shone at this physical theatre festival hosted by St Stithians College, with two standout performances among 15 electrifying acts.

Paint and Sip: A relaxed and creative evening for parents and teachers, blending art and conversation.

Quiz Night: hosted in collaboration with the PA was a resounding success.

Culture Day: Workshops in Slam Poetry, Photography and social media, Slam poetry, Stage Directing & Lighting Design and Jewellery Making. Competition between houses in Art, Beauty Make-up, DSG Chopped, Vocal groups, ensemble groups, dance groups and fashion show.

Orchestra Achievements: Performances at the Pretoria Eisteddfod, NEA and Cornwall Hill College Orchestra Festival, and a friendly concert with Pretoria Boys High highlighted the ensemble’s growth and musicality.

Symphony of Sounds: A celebration of our music groups in collaboration with the junior school.

Friends in Concert: A collaborative musical event with St Alban’s College and Waterkloof Preparatory School, hosted at DSG. DSG band also performed.

Dance Successes: Strong participation and excellent results at the UMOYA Arts Festival. Representation of South Africa at the Dance Star World Masters in Croatia. Full Gauteng colours for dance sport through SABOD and IDO Africa, with multiple 1st and 2nd placements at Battle of the Giants. Full Gauteng colours for dance sport through SABOD and IDO Africa, with multiple 1st and 2nd placements at Battle of the Giants

Pierneef Festival: A vibrant celebration of culture and communication, with performances in English, Afrikaans, Sepedi, and isiZulu across drama, poetry, public speaking, and reading.

12 overall Trophy winners!

Chapel Choir: Their sacred repertoire at the Ngothando Choir Festival, NEA and ongoing contributions to chapel services added spiritual depth to our school life.

Afrika Phenduka: Our Marimbas performed at the St Stithians Marimba festival and at Friends in Concert.

SMS Choir: Kearsney College visited and performed alongside our SMS singers. They received a gold at the ATKV regional competition and performed at the UPYC Cantus festival.

Tour to Spain & France: A triumphant international tour, winning the Grand Prix prize at Music del Mar in Spain and performing in historic venues across Provence. Friendly concert with Pretoria Boys High.

Debating Team: Advanced to the Atheneum finals after just one round—an impressive achievement.

Content Creation & Podcasting: Students attended a workshop and are finalising the school’s podcast—an exciting new platform for student voice.

Public Speaking Achievements: At the Pretoria Public Speaking Festival, DSG secured 2nd place in both the Grade 9 and Grade 11 group categories. Individual accolades included 6th place and 1st place in the Junior Best Speaker category. At the St Peter’s Arts Festival, four students placed in the Top 10, with DSG earning both Overall Winner and Overall Second Place in the individual category.

Kopano Project Choir: A new initiative inviting staff and alumnae to join in song on 13 September as part of the Alumnae celebration.

DSG’s Got Talent: A joyful showcase of student creativity and performance during It’s a Fiesta.

Chess: DSG celebrates a student who earned Honours as the South African U/18 Girls Chess Champion and ranks among the top 10 internationally.

Awards Term 3 2024 – Term 2 2025

Junior Award: 22 Recipients

Half Colours: 55 Recipients

Full colours: 27 Recipients

Arts Excellence: 13 Recipients

Honours: 4 Recipients

Filia Awards: 1 Recipient