Red carpet & remarkable stars
Our Performing Arts Awards evening was held on 15 October to celebrate our most outstanding Drama, Dance and Music performers across 2026.
As students arrived on the red carpet in their finery, they were interviewed by members of our Student Media Team, giving the night the real feeling of a showbusiness event. In between the presentation of certificates and trophies recognising exceptional performance, leadership and service throughout the year, the audience was treated to a showcase of some of Avondale College's most acclaimed acts.
Drama students performed a scene from Julius Caesar, reimagined in 21st-century America, which received national recognition at this year's Shakespeare Festival. The I Love You Song from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, was then performed by Showdown LIVE nominees Eliza Gleeson, Raquel Halalele and Gideon Vaopunimatagi, and moved many to tears (including a certain Director of Drama!) Swing 46, one of Avondale's most highly decorated music groups, took to the stage to perform Beautiful Love. Following multiple victories at national jazz competitions, the group, consisting of Rose Elijas, Alex Hutchinson-Jones, Max McCulloch, Andrew Pedrezuela and Felix Wong, has built a reputation for excellence while also becoming the best of friends. Rounding off a truly superb evening's entertainment, the ADK Dance Crew took to the stage fresh from their first-place victory at the K-Beat nationals.
The highest honours for Drama went to Ava Phipps for Most Outstanding Performance (Drama), Namah Nagpal for Most Outstanding Performance (Comedy) and Head Girl Lola Kelleher received the award for Outstanding Leadership, Excellence and Contribution to Drama. It was no surprise that the Co-curricular Group of the Year award went to the Julius Caesar crew.
The School Show was also celebrated, with Galvin Alquetra receiving the trophy for Outstanding Performer in the School Show for his portrayal of the delightfully arrogant William Barfée.
In Dance, the highest leadership honour went to Shanaya Krishna, who received the Leadership in Dance Trophy in recognition of the example she has set through her dedication, generosity and commitment to younger students. Ella Eketone was awarded the trophy for Outstanding Leadership, Excellence and Contribution to Dance, while the ADK Dance Crew was recognised as Co-curricular Group of the Year following an exceptional year of competition success.
Music's premier awards recognised excellence, leadership and service. Faa'galo Wells Collins received the trophy for Outstanding Leadership in Music, Matthew Tauro was recognised for Outstanding Contribution to Music, and Maaike Magalogo was awarded the Tony Jansen Cup for Service to Music. Trophy winners were also celebrated across the specialist music disciplines, with Rose Elijas recognised in Jazz, Louis De Biasio in Classical Music, Maddie Paeaia in Vocal Music and Gideon Vaopunimatagi in Contemporary Music.
The evening's highest honour, Performing Artist of the Year, was awarded to Maddie Paeaia. Throughout 2026, Maddie demonstrated exceptional versatility and commitment across multiple performing arts disciplines, earning recognition for outstanding achievement in both Music and the School Show programme.
Heartfelt valedictory speeches were given by Lola Kelleher for Drama, Rose Elijas for Music and Ella Eketone for Dance, rounding off the evening with reflections on how their time in the arts at Avcol has shaped them as performers and as people.
Congratulations to all our 2026 award winners, and thank you to our amazing performing arts teachers and especially our Directors: Ms Stone, Ms Twentyman and Miss Hewitt for their tireless championing of Avcol performing arts.
A full list of award winners can be found below:
