SPEAK UP! HOLIDAY PROGRAMME | YEARS 1–6
A DIFFERENT ADVENTURE EVERY DAY.
Act in a play. Become a storyteller. Dream up a show. Take on hilarious improv challenges. Stand up and share big ideas.
Speak Up! is five completely different days of acting, speaking, storytelling and creating — designed to get kids engaged, involved and having a brilliant time.
And while they're having fun? They're building the confidence to speak up, join in, share ideas and be themselves.
✓ Book just one day or choose a few
✓ Book more days & save
✓ New stories, themes & adventures every school holidays
✓ No experience needed
✓ Perfect for confident kids AND those who need encouragement
✓ 9am–3pm | Free 8.30am drop-off
Albany & Hobsonville • Limited places per programme
WHICH ADVENTURE WILL THEY CHOOSE?
Five days. Five completely different experiences. Choose their favourite — or book a few and save.
MONDAY — CURTAIN UP!
Perform a play in a day.
The day starts with fun games to warm up, build confidence and help everyone get to know each other.
Children then explore the whole story through drama games and character work, experimenting with voice, movement and expression as they discover the characters and key moments.
Next, it's time to rehearse selected scenes, develop a group ensemble piece and bring individual characters to life.
Every child has the opportunity to perform in a scene, with Years 5–6 students often stepping into larger roles and taking on extra responsibility.
Skills they'll take back to school:
Confidence • Reading aloud • Clear speaking • Teamwork • Creativity
CREATE IT • REHEARSE IT • BRING IT TO LIFE
TUESDAY — BIG IDEAS!
A fun day of speaking and quick-thinking challenges.
We start with games that get everyone talking, laughing and comfortable sharing their ideas.
Then the challenges begin. Children might become an expert on something unexpected, sell a ridiculous invention, persuade us to change a school rule or tackle an impromptu speaking challenge.
Throughout the day, they'll learn how to organise their thoughts, give reasons for their opinions and speak clearly and confidently in front of others.
There are plenty of opportunities to speak individually, in pairs and as part of a team, so children can stretch themselves without feeling like they're giving formal speeches all day.
Skills they'll take back to school:
Public speaking • Organising ideas • Persuasive language • Impromptu speaking • Presentations
THINK IT • SAY IT • MAKE US BELIEVE IT
WEDNESDAY — STORY MAKERS!
Create characters, tell stories and bring imagination to life.
We start with storytelling and drama games that get imaginations working and help the group feel comfortable creating together.
Children explore through group activities what makes a story interesting — from memorable characters and exciting settings to problems, surprises and great endings.
They'll create their own characters and stories, then discover how to use voice, vocabulary, expression and movement to make an audience want to keep listening.
There are opportunities to tell stories individually and collaboratively, making this a great day for children who love creating — whether or not they see themselves as performers.
Skills they'll take back to school:
Story structure • Oral language • Vocabulary • Imagination • Expressive speaking
IMAGINE IT • TELL IT • BRING IT TO LIFE
THURSDAY — CREATE THE SHOW!
Create an original piece of theatre from scratch.
We start with fun group games and creative challenges designed to get ideas flowing and the group working together.
Then the children take the lead. They'll invent characters, develop a storyline and use improvisation to explore what could happen next.
Working together, they'll choose their strongest ideas, develop scenes and create an original group performance to bring their story to life.
There's no finished script telling them what to do. Children need to listen, contribute ideas, solve problems, make decisions and collaborate to create something as a team.
Skills they'll take back to school:
Collaboration • Problem-solving • Leadership • Creative thinking • Listening
DREAM IT • BUILD IT • MAKE IT HAPPEN
FRIDAY — NO WORDS NEEDED!
Fun, active games to build improv, mime and communication skills.
We start with high-energy games that get everyone moving, laughing and comfortable working together.
Children then explore improvisation, mime and physical storytelling, learning how much we can communicate through facial expression, gesture, movement and body language.
They'll create characters, act out situations and stories, and take on improv challenges where they need to listen, respond and adapt to what happens next.
There's no script to memorise and no single right answer — making it a playful way to develop confidence, spontaneity and communication.
Skills they'll take back to school:
Body language • Non-verbal communication • Adaptability • Quick thinking • Social confidence
CREATE • COMMUNICATE • THINK ON YOUR FEET
WILL MY CHILD FIT IN?
They don't need to be confident to come.
Some children arrive ready to jump on stage. Others prefer to watch first and need a little encouragement before they're ready to join in.
Both belong at Speak Up!
Our coaches use games, pairs, small groups and whole-group activities to give children different ways to participate and build confidence without feeling put on the spot.
They don't need to arrive confident. Building confidence is part of the day.
ALREADY LOVES THE SPOTLIGHT?
Perfect. Confident children can take on bigger roles, lead ideas, make creative decisions and stretch their speaking and performance skills.
Our Parent Promise
Every Child Gets Involved
Activities keep children speaking, creating, moving and doing — not sitting on the sidelines.
Shy Kids Are Welcome
Children are encouraged at their own pace. They don't need to arrive loud, outgoing or confident to belong.
Confident Kids Are Challenged
Ready to do more? Confident children get opportunities to lead, create, perform and take on bigger challenges.
Active, Creative Days
Drama, speaking, games, creating, performing, movement and outdoor breaks — not a day spent sitting in front of a screen.
Experienced Coaches
Our coaches know how to encourage different personalities and help every child feel comfortable enough to have a go.
Safe & Supported
Children are supervised throughout the day, with First Aid cover on site and time to rest, eat and recharge.
What Does a Typical Day Look Like?
Every day is different, but there’s a great mix of structured activities, play and downtime.
9:00am – Welcome, games & getting to know each other
Morning – Main programme activities exploring the theme & challenges
Morning tea – Snack, play & time outside or inside
Late morning – Create, rehearse, speak or perform
Lunch – Eat, relax, play & recharge
Afternoon – Games, team challenges, creative activities & preparing for our performance
End of day – A short informal showing of what we’ve created
The right balance of fun, play and learning. Throughout the day, children build confidence, creativity and communication skills through engaging activities, with plenty of time for outdoor play, toys, games, crafts, downtime and making new friends.
Everything parents need to know
WHO: Children in Years 1–6
TIME: 9am–3pm
EARLY DROP-OFF: Free from 8.30am
LOCATIONS: Pinehurst School, Albany & Headquarters, Hobsonville
EXPERIENCE: None needed
BOOKING: Choose one day or book several
MULTI-DAY SAVINGS: The more days you book, the more you save
WHAT TO BRING: Morning tea, lunch, snacks, a water bottle and comfortable clothes they can move in
FAQ
ONE DAY OR A WHOLE NEW WEEK OF ADVENTURES?
Maybe they'll journey into the deep, dark wood.
Maybe they'll persuade us to believe in their Big Idea.
Maybe they'll fly to Neverland, create an entire show from scratch or discover they're brilliant at thinking on their feet.
Every day is different. Every child gets involved.
And somewhere amongst all that playing, laughing, creating and performing, they might discover they're capable of a little more than they thought.
Book one day. Pick their favourites. Or make a week of it.
BOOK MORE DAYS & SAVE
Years 1–6 • 9am–3pm • Free 8.30am drop-off • No experience needed
Places are limited so every child has plenty of opportunities to participate.