Schools

Excursions, workshops and digital classroom resources for students of all levels

Resources

The Opera House’s Teacher Resources provide inspirational activities to stream, read and listen for students in the classroom or learning at home. Teachers should adapt these resources to suit the student age, stage and the lesson outcomes desired.

The resources will kick-start many collaborative conversations with students. From livestreamed talks and tours, to podcasts and videos from past performances, masterclasses and workshops, we've got it covered.

Stream

Read

Listen

Stream

Introduce your students to classical music, take a jazz masterclass with Herbie Hancock or learn about the creative process for Possum Magic. There's so much to discover.

The Coburn Tapestries

Years 3 - 12

Discover the famous Coburn tapestries. Learn about the history behind this great Australian story, and get creative with our teacher resources inspired by these iconic works covering Art, Design and Technology, and Textiles curriculum.

Eddie Woo stands in front of Sydney Opera House steps, smiling at camera, hands reached out in front of him

Eddie Woo: Maths of the Sydney Opera House

Ages 11+

Join award-winning maths teacher, author and Wootube star Eddie Woo on a marvellous adventure around the Opera House; uncovering the mathematical concepts behind the construction and design solutions of the building.

The Artificial Reef Project

Ages 8+

Discover what's living in the water around the Opera House, learn about the project to protect it and ways you can help build a more sustainable future!

Who's in the lift?

Ages 5+

Curious kids step through the giant doors of the scenery lift at the Sydney Opera House and meet some amazing people from the stage and behind the scenes.

Behind the scenes: Set design

Ages 12+

In this series, designer Wendy Todd explains the set design process using Slingsby Theatre Company's production Emil and the Detectives

Make models inspired by Utzon's own designs

Ages 7+

In this five part series with step by step tutorials, explore the design principles of architect Jørn Utzon as you learn to make mini models and daring constructions.

Learn how to make a puppet and bring it to life

Puppet Making

Ages 6+

Learn how to make a dinosaur puppet.

Puppeteering

Ages 6+

Bring a puppet to life in four steps.

Meet the Dinosaurs

Ages 6+

Get up close and personal with the dinosaurs from Erth.

Puppetry Lesson Plans by The Song Room

STEM

STEM at the House

Take a close look at how Science, Maths, Engineering and Technology has influenced the Art, Architecture and Design of one of the world’s most recognisable buildings.

The Human Experience

How is a body like a building, or a building like a body? Explore how the architecture of the Sydney Opera House influences the way people use, work in and enjoy buildings.

Creative Learning Modules

Learn more about the Opera House’s new onsite Workshops and School Tours that align and unpack STEM Subjects from a Creative and Performing Arts lens.

Behind the Scenes of Ishmael

Dead Puppet Society’s Ishmael is a totally unique, futuristic retelling of Herman Melville’s beloved classic, Moby Dick that premiered in 2021. Come behind the scenes with the cast and crew for a rare look into the process involved in creating a brand new show!

Creative Development and Prototyping

Episode 1

The early Creative Development and Prototyping phase, this project kicks off with a first iteration of the script. The creative team come together to test content and see what works. This is a huge period of learning for everyone involved and the process ultimately shapes the direction that the design, script, technology and staging will take.

See what can be achieved when a team of creative people are brought into the same room and how the power of everybody’s collective minds comes together to create a complete story.

Integration of Technology and Design

Episode 2

As the look and feel of the show begins to take shape, meet the people who make this happen behind the scenes including the composer, costume designer and set fabricator. Hear about their process and where their inspiration comes from while exploring about the joys and stresses of creating a brand new world from the ground up!

Rehearsals

Episode 3

The rehearsal period is a highly energizing time for the team as they get to meet once again in a collective, collaborative environment. So much of this stage is about getting together and “playing” as everyone combines their efforts in their different areas of focus to bring the show to life.

Tech Week

Episode 4

After months of work the team finally get to bring the show into a theatre space during tech week and see everything come to life. Take a look at this “last push” to bring all of the elements of the show together and learn about the flexibility and patience required to reach a point where the team are operating as a well-oiled machine with a show that is ready for audiences.

Years 9 - 12

Sovereign Ideas (Premiere)

Join a panel of iconoclastic young Indigenous Australian cultural thinkers and leaders including Emily Johnson, Corey Tutt, Lille Madden, and Ryhan Clapham (aka DOBBY) in this unique NAIDOC event for secondary school students.

Ages 10+

Shaun Tan: Author talk

Discover the creative process behind The Red Tree and The Lost Thing, in this talk featuring best-selling Australian children’s author and illustrator Shaun Tan.

Ages 8+

Jessica Townsend: Author Talk

Tune in to this inspiring talk about creativity and writing with record-breaking Australian children’s author Jessica Townsend. This talk, recorded in 2018, focuses on Jessica’s second book Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow.

Laser Beak Man at the Opera House

Tim Sharp Digital Artist Talk

Ages 9+

We hosted a special digital artist talk for World Autism Day with internationally acclaimed artist and author Tim Sharp. Tim has autism and has won fans from all around the world with his unique sense of humour and original art. Here, Tim appears alongside his mum Judy Sharp, and is interviewed by Jacqueline Marriott.

Through Laser Beak Man's Eyes

Ages 9+

As a fan of the Sydney Opera House, Tim Sharp takes us on a tour of the building and shares with us his unique point of view.

Beauty can be found in diversity, inclusion and looking at the world through the eyes of different people.

Download Tim Sharp Info Sheet

Author talks

Bestselling children’s author and illustrator Matt Stanton on creativity

Ages 4+

Catch up on our exclusive talk with bestselling children's author and illustrator Matt Stanton in celebration of Australian Reading Hour. Find out where Matt gets his inspiration from, his creative process and why reading and stories are important for development.

Herbie Hancock and Karen Manbulloo read Moli det bigibigi

Ages 3+

UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock joins Binjari author and artist Karen Manbulloo to read her book Moli det bigibigi (Molly the Pig).

Possum Magic illustrator Julie Vivas shares her creative process

Drawing the Magic

Ages 5+

Take a look at the creative process behind the iconic characters of Hush and Grandma Poss from Possum Magic with illustrator Julie Vivas.

Behind the Magic

Ages 4+

Drawing inspiration form the world around her, join us on a visit to Julie Vivas' home studio to see where the magic happens.

Introductions to classical music

George meets the orchestra

Ages 3+

Follow George as he chats with players from the Sydney Youth Orchestra and learns all about the four families of the orchestra – strings, brass, woodwind and percussion.

Karen meets the strings family

Ages 5+

Learn about the string family and how musical techniques can be used to create mood, character and setting with Karen Pang and musicians from the Australian Chamber Orchestra on the set of 'There's a Sea in My Bedroom'.

Karen and the composers

Ages 5+

Join Karen Pang along with the composers of 'There’s a Sea in My Bedroom' Dr Daniel Blinkhorn and Associate Professor Paul Stanhope as they find out where music comes from, plus learn some fun ways to start your own composition.

Jazz masterclasses with Herbie Hancock and friends

Ages 12+

UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock and a number of internationally recognised jazz artists lead a series of masterclasses, exploring the history and artistry of jazz music.

After more? Read the director of International Jazz Day, Mika Shino share stories about the legendary Miles Davis, Herbie's legacy in music, and the liberating power of jazz.

Jazz masterclass with
Herbie Hancock

Performance with
Sound Circle

Big Band workshop with Antonio Hart

Rhythm section workshop with Hancock Fellows

Vocal masterclass with
Michael Mayo

Brass workshop with
James Morrison

Discover our music education programs

International Jazz Day Education Program 2019

In celebration of International Jazz Day, 1800 students participated in the ultimate music boot camp with jazz legends including Herbie Hancock, Antonio Hart and James Morrison.

Staatskapelle Berlin Education Project

Watch as 40 young musicians from regional conservatoriums across New South Wales rehearse and play alongside members of the Staatskapelle Berlin.

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Inspiring pieces unpacking creativity.

Popular
Teacher Resources

How do you teach creativity?

An interview with Paul Stanhope, Australian composer, conductor and educator on how the music in the adaptation of There's a Sea in My Bedroom came together.

Liverpool Boys High rewrites the school curriculum with creativity

Principal Mike Saxon and his students are changing the way we learn.

Black Bear Magic

We caught up with Candy Bowers and Melbourne rapper P-UniQue to chat the origins of hip hop fairytale One the Bear, as well as bear-y important things like teenage identity and hip-hop in Australia.

The education conversation Australia has to have

Finnish educator and author Pasi Sahlberg writes on the chasm of inequality that exists in the Australian school system.

School kids write migrant family stories into song

Students from Lansvale Public sing history and humour with musician Luke Escombe, as part of our Creative Leadership in Learning program.

A decade of creativity: Giving children a voice

It started with just a trestle table and some colouring pages. Now, a decade later, ‘Creative Play’ is a fully-fledged artistic program, involving over 20,000 children each year.

Written resources for teachers

These resources relate to our free live stream tours, workshops and talks for classrooms.

Stage 1

Places and Spaces

Early Stage 1 & Stage 1

Staging Stories

Early Stage 1 & Stage 1

Guwanyi Walama

Digital Live Stream

Stages 2 & 3

Listen

Introduce your little ones to classical music, or be inspired by an author talk with our podcasts and playlists curated for kids.

Arty Farty
Classic Kids

Arty Farty – A Podcast for Kids

Our podcast Arty Farty – A Podcast for Kids has been created especially for Kid Creatives. We’re excited to share special moments, insights, tips, tricks and more from kids themselves, and creative types who appear here at the House.

Listen now

Featured episodes

Season 3: House Call

Curious kids phoned us with their questions and we've answered them in this brand new season of Arty Farty with the help of people from the stage and behind the scenes.

Bennelong Point image attached to a telephone

Before the House with Rhoda Roberts

Ages 6+

Hear all about the rich Indigenous history that existed in Sydney long before the Opera House was built.

Dinosaurs in the House with Scott Wright

Ages 6+

Have you ever seen a dinosaur at the Opera House? We have all kinds of things on its stages, and dinosaurs sound like they could be one of them!

Houses Guests with Valerie Ng

Ages 6+

Is the Queen the most famous person to have visited the Opera House? Take a journey down into the vaults of the Opera House to talk to the person who’s an expert on all the Sydney Opera House records and photos.

Season 2: Creative Conversations

Learn about the creative process and inspiration behind well-known artists. These conversations will spark the imagination of children and adults alike.

kevin mccloud grand designs its a long story podcast

David Walliams

Ages 6+

David talks about his bestselling novel Billionaire Boy and the unlikely places he's found inspiration.

Matt Stanton

Ages 4+

Author of the Funny Kids series, listen to how Matt starts getting words onto a page and how important reading is to creating stories.

Tim Sharp

Ages 9+

Join Tim and his mum Judy as they discuss Tim's early years being diagnosed with autism, his life as an artist and creator and where this dream has taken him.

Classic Kids

Ages 2+

Introduce young listeners to musical soundscapes and classical compositions with the Classic Kids podcast and our interactive activity sheets.

Through sounds and storytelling, these resources are designed to help kids learn about the instrument families and develop their musical vocabulary.

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Embed creativity into your school

Explore Creative Leadership in Learning, an innovative Opera House program that brings the artistic resources and creative processes of the Sydney Opera House into school eco-systems.

Find out more

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Schools

Excursions, workshops and digital classroom resources for students of all levels

Resources

Stream

Puppet Making

Ages 6+

Puppeteering

Ages 6+

Meet the Dinosaurs

Ages 6+

STEM @ The House

STEM at the House

The Human Experience

The Human Experience

Creative Learning Modules

Creative Learning Modules

Behind the Scenes of Ishmael: Episode 1 – Creative Development and Prototyping

Behind the Scenes of Ishmael: Episode 2 – Integration of Technology and Design

Behind the Scenes of Ishmael: Episode 3 – Rehearsals

Behind the Scenes of Ishmael: Episode 4 – Tech Week

Jazz masterclass with Herbie Hancock

Performance with Sound Circle

Big Band workshop with Antonio Hart

Read

Listen

Ages 6+

Ages 6+

Ages 6+

David Walliams

Ages 6+

Matt Stanton

Ages 4+

Tim Sharp

Ages 9+

Embed creativity into your school

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Jazz masterclass with
Herbie Hancock

Performance with
Sound Circle