Proud parents lined up to see their children join hundreds of others on stage at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre.

Bathurst Eisteddfod Society president Paula Elbourne said many of the competing schools brought between 40 and 80 students to the theatre to perform. 

She said it was a big day, but the kids were fantastic and very respectful of other competitors. 

The verse speaking choirs are always some of the biggest days, along with the singing choirs and dance troupes.

Ms Elbourne said there were lots of proud parents, grandparents and even great-grandparents in the audience.

Cathedral School had a number of classes performing yesterday.

Year four teacher Emma English said her group recited If You Go Softly and Don’t Touch Me.

She said she tries to choose contrasting poems – one serious and one more light-hearted.

“Also, we are looking for something to engage the audience,” she said. 

Ms English said the students had only been practising for two weeks.

“We brought it together very quickly,” she said.

Ms English said adjudicators look for enunciation, facial expressions and pitch, among other elements.

She said performing in the eisteddfod gives children experience on the stage and builds their self-confidence.

Ms English said it also fulfils an important part of the education curriculum. 

Cathedral School had around 110 students performing at BMEC yesterday.

“They get very excited about performing,” Ms English said.

St Philomena’s year five/six teacher Shane Hanley was also on hand yesterday with 60 students from the school.

He said he has been preparing students for the eisteddfod for the past 20 years.

St Phil’s kindergarten students placed second yesterday, as did the year one/twos.

“A lot of children wouldn’t have the opportunity to go on stage if it wasn’t for the eisteddfod,” Mr Hanley said.

“For some of these year six students this will be their last chance at being in the eisteddfod.

“The fact that they have to stand on a stage and perform is good for their confidence and self-esteem.”

The year five and six students from St Philomena’s performed The Viper and Our Family Goes Shopping, a poem they really enjoyed reciting.

Mr Hanley said the pieces have to have contrast and they must be entertaining to hold the children’s interest.

“I find they enjoy it more if we keep our preparation short,” he said.

Mr Hanley said St Phil’s is always keen to get out into the community and perform.

He added that most of the parents of children in the year five/six group were there yesterday for support and encouragement.

“Performing in the eisteddfod is a great tradition and the school is so proud of all our kids,” Mr Hanley said.