This new Performing Arts Precinct brings the power, control and flexibility of pro-grade AV and staging to suburban high school students and staff.
Bentleigh Secondary College hit the jackpot with its new Performing Arts Precinct. It’s a doozy. It’s the sort of facility that might lead the sizzle video of a ritzy private school. And you quickly get the feeling that staff are aware they’ve got something pretty special. Head of Performing Arts Denton Delmenico can’t quite believe his luck, while Assistant Principal Schy Prewett (who’s also a drama teacher) can’t wait to see how the new
PAC impacts on the school and its music and performing arts programs. We’ll hear from them a little later.
The technical facilities are impressive. Marshall Day came in as the theatre consultants while ITE took care of the installation.
It’s an ITE job so you’d be surprised if the project didn’t have an extremely competent stage machinery package – and it does. The rest of the AV is equally capable, combining pro-grade production capabilities with the sort of ease of use you need for Monday morning assembly.
Alex Vandenbossche: “The brief was to create a truly multi-purpose venue for performance. And the AV spec had to reflect that flexibility.”
WYRESTORM NETWORKHD: AT THE CORE
AV-over-IP was always going to be the backbone of the system, and WyreStorm’s NetworkHD platform fit the brief – and budget – beautifully.
“WyreStorm allows us to route any source to any display or projector in the venue,” says Vandenbossche. “And it integrates directly with Q-SYS, which we use for all system control. There’s a plug-in available, so from the Q-SYS touchscreen, users can select sources, route video, and control distribution with no need for external switching hardware.”
Multiple encoder endpoints take feeds from lectern HDMI inputs, the stage manager’s box, and the AVer PTZ camera (used primarily for stage replay). These sources can be distributed throughout the building, including to classrooms repurposed as dressing rooms during productions.
“It’s a game changer for us,” adds Prewett. “Our productions might have 100 kids involved. This way students waiting in dressing rooms can
see and hear what’s happening on stage in real time. It’s high-quality, and it really improves the performer experience.”
AVER CAMERAS: A CLASSROOM FAVOURITE
AVer’s PTZ camera offering is another highlight, providing high-quality visuals at a very digestible price point.
“We’re a bit biased towards AVer,” Vandenbossche admits. “They’ve been rock-solid or us. For the price, nothing else comes close. The SDI and HDMI outputs give us flexibility – we can go straight into a WyreStorm encoder, or
patch into a vision mixer if someone brings one in. That’s important for production mode.”
Used both as a show relay and for capture, the AVer camera’s integration into the Q-SYS ecosystem allows for remote pan/tilt/zoom control directly from the touchscreen interface. Whether it’s a live show, recording a performance, or streaming into overflow rooms, the camera system earns its keep.
DIGITAL PROJECTION BRIGHTENS THE STAGE
One of the standout elements of the AV fitout is the Digital Projection unit – a high-brightness beast that throws crystal-clear imagery from a considerable distance.
“This was actually my first time working with Digital Projection,” admits Vandenbossche. “The consultant specified it – and I have to say, it’s a great unit. The throw distance is significant, but the brightness and clarity are excellent.”
“It’s so powerful we can run a full lighting rig and still get sharp, saturated visuals on the screen,” adds Prewett. “It means we can use it for visual backdrops, titles, and even abstract scenic elements during plays—and it always looks fantastic.”
ONE SCHOOL, MANY POSSIBILITIES
Whether it’s showcasing a school musical, broadcasting a drama performance to classrooms, or hosting external hirers, Bentleigh’s Performing Arts Precinct is built to adapt.
“This facility opens up possibilities,” Delmenico says. “It’s not just for performance. It’s a teaching tool. And from what I’ve seen, no other public school has anything quite like it.”
For Schy Prewett, the investment is already paying dividends: “It’s professional, but still accessible. That’s the sweet spot. And it’s what makes this space so special for our students.”
