Qualifications
Bachelor of Arts Degree with Majors in Speech & Drama & English plus Higher Diploma in Education

Practical Experience
25 years experience overseas and in Australia:

Teaching Drama & Speech to students ranging from primary to Teacher’s Associate level both in the school system (including T.E.E Drama Studies) and private practice (Including Trinity/Guildhall, A.M.E.B & Oracy Australia Examinations).

Preparing students individual and group performances for Festivals, Showcases & auditions.

Overseas experience as an examiner at eisteddfods and festivals.

Past President and current Council Member of the Speech & Drama Teachers Association of W.A

Board Member of Oracy Australia Inc.

AMEB Examiner

Speech and Drama has been an integral part of Atira’s life since starting lessons at the age of 8. A keen performer in the annual Perth Speech and Drama Festival, Atira won numerous prizes in the poetry, monologue and duologue categories during her school years.

Atira has recently graduated from WAAPA with a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Performance Making and was one of the joint recipients to be awarded the Industry Award for her performance in the original work ‘Nocturnal,’ first performed at The Blue Room Theatre in Perth, 2023. ‘Nocturnal,’ will return after further development to The Blue Room Theatre in 2024.

Atira currently runs the drama club at St Mary’s Anglican School, and she also teaches years 4-8 at St Hilda’s Anglican School. Atira is a council member of the Speech and Drama Teachers Association of W.A and is currently undertaking her Associate Diploma in Speech and Drama Teaching (ATCL). Atira is passionate about creating positive environments for developing creativity and imagination and it brings her so much joy to share her passion through Speech and Drama teaching.

Since 2015, Speech and Drama has been an integral part of Janella’s education. She has participated in the annual Perth Speech and Drama Festival and the North of Perth Music Festival, winning numerous prizes in the poetry, prose and monologue categories, including the prestigious Ramsay McLean Perpetual Trophy. During her school years, Janella completed both the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) and London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) Speech and Drama examinations, completing the AMEB Grade 8 Speech and Performance exam in 2020, and the LAMDA Grade 8 Certificate in performance in 2021. In 2022, Janella completed her AMEB Certificate of Speech and Performance (CSPA) for which she received a High Distinction and was awarded the 2023 Anita Le Tessier Award by the AMEB for the most outstanding Speech and Performance candidate, alongside an AMEB award for Excellence. Janella is currently completing her Bachelor of Arts Undergraduate Degree at the University of Western Australia (UWA), majoring in English and Literary Studies, Communications and Media, and Creative Writing, and studying towards her Associate Diploma in Speech and Performance (AMEB). Janella is involved in the University Dramatic Society (UDS) and is an Associate Member of the Speech and Drama Teachers’ Association of Western Australia (STDAWA).

It brings Janella great pleasure to inspire the next generation of performing artists through the teaching of Speech and Drama.

Chrysie started her Speech and Drama journey in 2013, and it soon became an important part of her life. She became a passionate performer at the Speech and Drama festivalsand went on to win numerous awards. These awards include;Winner of Year 11 poetry award 2022 and Highly Commended in the Year 12 Blue-Ribbon Poetry 2023. Speech and Drama has helped Chrysie grow and develop many useful skillsand has greatly boosted her confidence. Chrysie has participated in many school and Redfoot Youth Theatre productions over the years. In addition, she completed numerous Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) examinations. The AMEB Grade 8 Speech and Performance exam was completed in 2022 where she received an A grade.

This year Chrysie will attend The University Western Australia (UWA), studying a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor or Environmental Science. Speech and Drama has always been a crucial part of Chrysie’s life and has had a positive impact on her. She wishes to inspire and continue sharing her passion with students.

Poppie first joined the studio as a student in 2013 and has been an enthusiastic performer at the Annual Speech and Drama Festival since then. She started her journey at Expression Drama Studio, as a fun alternative to speech therapy. During Poppie’s time at the studio her confidence as grown enabling her to win prizes at the Speech and Drama festival.

She has wonhighly commended prizesfor poetry, monologues, and duologue performances. Throughout Poppie’s school years, she has completed numerous grades of AMEB Speech and Drama examinations, most notably completing the Grade 8 AMEB Speech and Drama examination in 2022 receiving an A grade. As well as completing a Trinity London College of Speech and Drama examination and an Oracy Australia Assessment in 2017. Poppie has participated in multiple plays throughout her time at school such as ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’, ‘The Snow Queen’ and ‘Anastasia: The Musical’.

While studying a Bachelor of Environmental Design,majoring in Architecture at The University Western Australia (UWA), Poppie aims to continue her Speech and Drama education through a Certificate of Speech and Drama. She believes that the skills children acquire through participating in Speech and Drama set them up for many aspects of life.

Ruby Meegan studied at Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) majoring in Performance Making in 2016 before moving to Sydney to pursue acting. She was accepted into the Bachelor of Performing Arts at Actors Centre Australia but chose to return to Perth to finish her studies at Notre Dame University, Fremantle. She graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Media and Communications in Film and Theatre. She worked for 2 years as a Youth, Sports and Recreation (YSR) coordinator in indigenous communities of the Northern Territory. She enjoyed working with the Yolngu community youth and held performance related workshops for them in the YSR recreation hall. These activities were aimed towards improving confidence and self-expression, and included dance, music and art workshops in coordination with NT organisations such as Corrugated Iron Youth Arts. She also used her media skills to start a podcast for The Youth Mill, an organisation that encourages young Aboriginal people in creative, nurturing environments that develop acceptance of diversity, culture and identity. Ruby is a past student of Andie Holborn, completing the Trinity College LondonSpeech & Drama Grade 8 examination in 2014. She attributes her love for acting, language and creative expression to Andie’s excellent teaching and mentoring. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Law at Murdoch University, WA. She enjoys helping young people to grow in confidence and creativity through the performing arts.You will see a photo of Ruby performing when younger Under Show-offs – Student Achievements.