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Year on year, staff at Newtown High School of Performing Arts (NHSPA) watch with pride as students step out of the gates for the last time, but sometimes that鈥檚 the last they see of them.

This inspired three teachers 鈥� Bel Macedone, Francesca Heinz, and Judith Hoddinott 鈥� to create the school鈥檚 alumni network, which launched recently at the school鈥檚 art gallery.

More than 100 people attended the launch, with alumni graduates dating from the 90s to more recent years.

Musicians and former students Arlo Simms and Owen Gibson performed, with attendees also treated to an exhibition by artist Callum Worsford, a finalist in this year鈥檚 Archibald Exhibition.

Principal Dr Susan Green said the alumni network was a wonderful initiative, which focused on creating spaces to come together and opportunities to support peer development, a key focus for the school.

鈥淚t鈥檚 about connection 鈥� between past and present students, between generations of artists and educators, and between the creative spirit of NHSPA and the wider world,鈥� she said.

Drama teacher Judith Hoddinott, one of the founders, explained, 鈥淲e wanted to capture the energy and vibe of our students and encourage a community, building on the great relationships that we have with students.鈥�

Key to establishing the network was spreading the word, she said.

鈥淲e have contact with lots of former students which we used as our base, and then we knew many former students have their own informal networks, so we infiltrated that too.鈥�

Former students from different cohorts were then invited to come together to help develop the goals of the network. This has already led to the opening up of school art spaces for former students to exhibit in, with plans for mentorships and outreach initiatives.

Callum, who graduated in 2018, was inspired to join the network to connect with students.

鈥淎s an art teacher, I see a lot of opportunity to give direction and perhaps even inspire students through the network,鈥� he said.

He is preparing to give talks on art practice and run workshops at the school.

Michael Hankin, a set and costume designer who graduated in 2006 also attended and said, 鈥淚 thought it would be interesting to see what other former students are up to and perhaps make contacts for diversifying my career.鈥�

The list of high-achieving alumni of Newtown High continues to grow, and with global impact.

Among them, former dance student Melissa Toogood was recently appointed Director of Dance at the world-renowned Julliard school in New York.

鈥淚 never would have achieved what I鈥檝e achieved if it weren鈥檛 for Newtown High School of the Performing Arts,鈥� Ms Toogood said.

鈥淭o have a public school providing mentorship at the level they do is just incredible.鈥�

Judith Hoddinott said around 150 people had already shown interest in the alumni network.

鈥淲e are working towards a network of former students who will come into the school, so students will be inspired to look ahead to where they will be in a few years鈥� time and envision what is available to them in the future.鈥�