Students from nine of the Tweed region’s smallest public schools will take over the Murwillumbah Civic Centre tomorrow for the third annual Tweed Small Schools Talent Show.
Bringing together around 20 acts from schools across the region, the event gives young performers the chance to step onto a professional stage and perform in front of an audience of students, families, educators and community members.
Now in its third year, the Talent Show celebrates the diverse skills and creativity found in the Tweed’s small schools and demonstrates that when it comes to opportunity and talent, school size is no barrier.
Participating schools are Fingal Head Public School, Duranbah Public School, Condong Public School, Tumbulgum Public School, Crabbes Creek Public School, Stokers Siding Public School, Dungay Public School, Tyalgum Public School and Crystal Creek Public School.
Opportunity
The event was established by specialist music teacher and event organiser CJ Shaw, who works across a number of the region’s small schools.
Shaw created the Talent Show after seeing that students with a passion for music, dance and performance at smaller schools did not always have the same opportunities to perform for large audiences on professional stages.
‘The idea behind the Talent Show was to bring our schools together and give these students a proper stage, a big audience and the experience of being part of a major performance,’ said Mr Shaw.
‘Three years on, it has become a fantastic celebration of what our small schools can offer. These schools might be small in numbers, but they are big on talent, confidence and opportunity.’
Students begin their journey to the Civic Centre stage at their own school talent shows, where acts are selected to progress to the combined regional event.
Showcase
The result is a showcase spanning music, dance and other performance talents, with students from different school communities coming together to support and celebrate one another.
This year the event will also involve students from Wollumbin High School, strengthening connections between local primary and secondary schools and helping create positive pathways for students as they move into high school.
The partnership reflects a wider focus among Tweed schools on providing students with opportunities beyond their individual school gates through collaboration and shared experiences.
Organisers say the Talent Show is another example of the philosophy behind the region’s small-school community: ‘Small Schools, Big Opportunities’.
Featuring 20 student acts, the third annual Tweed Small Schools Talent Show will be happening tomorrow, Wednesday, 23 September 2026 at 10.30am, at the Murwillumbah Civic Centre.
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