Sky is the limit for Southern Stars 2026
Media Release posted Thursday,25 June,2026
Southern Stars 2026 has been officially launched at the BlueScope Visitors Centre with a showcase of performances by talented vocalists from the Southern Stars Performing Company and public school students across southern NSW.
Southern Stars is on August 28 and 29 at the WIN Entertainment Centre.
The 2026 production will soar to new heights, with more than 3500 thousand students participating from 135 public schools in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, South Coast, Southern Highlands, and southern and south-west Sydney.
 
Executive Producer Neal Reed also unveiled this year’s theme at the launch, TAKE FLIGHT.
“In TAKE FLIGHT audiences will embark on a journey of imagination, exploration and discovery.” Mr Reed said.
“They will travel across the globe, from iconic destinations to distant worlds. They will experience the excitement of departure, the joy of adventure and the wonder of discovering what lies beyond the horizon.
“They will journey through places both real and imagined, before ultimately returning home with a renewed appreciation for connection, belonging, and the experiences that shape us.”
The 2026 production is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious and exciting yet, with 3000 students participating in dance and drama ensembles, a 500-strong choir, 400-member Yanggaa Garaba indigenous dance group, an 80-piece orchestra, featured vocalists, and beloved acts such as the NSW Public Schools Millennial Marching Band, circus, signing choir, and Rising Stars.
Veteran Southern Stars performer and Woonona High School teacher Zoe Steele has been appointed as the new Creative Director, 25 years after her debut on the Southern Stars stage. She said the show would feature storytelling and immersive visuals.
“TAKE FLIGHT is about courage, growth and embracing new possibilities,” Ms Steele said.
“The idea came from the notion that every young person has the potential to soar when given the opportunity, support, and confidence to step outside their comfort zone. Also, that every journey begins on the ground.
“From breathtaking circus acts to an arena being transformed into a runway, the production embraces the scale of the WIN Entertainment Centre, while creating moments that allow every performer to feel seen and valued within the larger production.”
The NSW Teachers Federation is the presenting partner for Southern Stars 2026 and President Henry Rajendra reaffirmed their commitment to arts education in public schools across the region.
“Southern Stars exemplifies public education at its best,” Mr Rajendra said.
“We proudly support access to a comprehensive curriculum that includes the arts, where students excel onstage and backstage, making their communities proud.”
More than 12,000 people are expected to attend the four performances at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Friday 28 August (10am and 7pm) and Saturday 29 August (1pm and 7pm).
Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster, with early booking recommended due to high demand.
Southern Stars is sponsored by the NSW Teachers Federation, GM3, BlueScope/WIN Community Partners, Wollongong City Council, University of Wollongong, WIN TV, i98fm, Illawarra Mercury, MSP Photography, and The Arts Unit.
Schools involved in Southern Stars 2026 TAKE FLIGHT:
| Albion Park High School
Albion Park Public School
Albion Park Rail Public School
Appin Public School
Arthur Phillip High School
Austinmer Public School
Balarang Public School
Balgownie Public School
Barrack Heights Public School
Barramurra Public School
Berkeley Public School
Berkeley West Public School
Bomaderry High School
Bowral High School
Bowral Public School
Bradbury Public School
Braidwood Central School
Briar Road Public School
Bulli High School
Claymore Public School
Corrimal East Public School
Corrimal High School
Corrimal Public School
Cringila Public School
Dapto High School
Dapto Public School
Edmonson Park Public School
Endeavour Sports High School
Fairy Meadow Demonstration School
|
Farmborough Road public school
Figtree Heights Public School
Figtree High School
Figtree Public School
Five Islands Secondary School
Flinders Public School
Gerringong Public School
Gledswood Hills High School
Goulburn High School
Gregory Hills Public School
Gwynneville Public School
Gymea Technology High School
Hayes Park Public School
Heathcote East Public School
Heathcote High School
Illawarra Sports High School
Jamberoo Public School
John Warby Public School
Kanahooka High School
Karabar High School
Keira High School
Keiraville Public School
Kemblawarra Public School
Kiama High School
Kirrawee High School
Koonawarra Public School
Kooringal High School
Lake Heights Public School
Lake Illawarra High School
|
| Lake Illawarra South Public School
Lakelands Public School
Lindsay Park Public School
Milton Public school
Minnamurra Public School
Miranda North Public School
Mittagong Public School
Moruya High School
Moruya Public School
Moss Vale High School
Mount Annan Public School
Mount Brown Public School
Mount Keira Public School
Mount Kembla Public School
Mount Ousley Public School
Mount Saint Thomas Public School
Mount Terry Public school
Mount Warrigal Public School
Mulwaree High School
Murrumburrah Public School
Nareena Hills Public School
Narellen Public School
Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School
Newtown Performing Arts High School
North Nowra Public School
Nowra High School
Nowra Public School
Oak Flats High School
Oak Flats Public School
Oran Park Public School
Otford Public School
Picton High School
Pleasant Heights Public School
Port Hacking High School
Queanbeyan South Public School
Riverina Central Choir
Robert Townson High School
Robert Townson Public School
|
Russell Vale Public School
Scarborough Public School
Shoalhaven Heads Public School
Shoalhaven High School
Smith’s Hill High School
Spring Farm Public School
Stanwell Park Public School
Sydney Secondary College Blackwattle Bay Campus
Sylvania High School
Tahmoor Public School
Taren Point Public School
Tarrawanna Public School
The Henry Lawson School
Thirlmere Public School
Thomas Acres Public School
Tomerong Public School
Towradgi Public School
Trundle Central School
Tullimbar Public School
Tumut Public School
Unanderra Public School
Vincentia High School
Vincentia Public School
Warilla High School
Warrawong High School
Windang Public School
Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts
Wollongong Public School
Wollongong Public School
Woonona East Public School
Woonona High School
Woonona Public School
Young High School
Young North Public School
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