HUNTER School of the Performing Arts Broadmeadow has extended its deadline for applications, to ensure students affected by restrictions who wish to join the selective school are given the opportunity to do so.
Principal Tracey Breese said the year three to 12 school usually has two application rounds each year and around 350 students are selected to audition for around 130 places, of which most are in year three, seven and 11.
The deadline for the second application round is usually mid July and auditions are held soon afterwards.
This year, this deadline is August 15 and auditions will be held in September.
"We have a lot of Central Coast kids - we have kids who come from Muswellbrook, Maitland, Port Stephens, Central Coast - we had a few people call and just say 'We just have not got the time at the moment to get everything together, could you extend?'" she said.
"We're still actively looking at face to face auditions within the social distancing policy and we'll do a COVID safety plan. Most auditions take place in our theatre.
"If we've got Central Coast students who are concerned or who have been close contacts then they are able to do their auditions by video link."
Ms Breese said the school would be in contact with NSW Health about restrictions in place at the time of auditions. Currently, Greater Sydney HSC students will return to campuses on August 16.
Greater Sydney residents are allowed to leave the region for education.
Ms Breese said students were invited to apply online based on their interest in drama, dance or music.
Those invited to audition will complete a group task and deliver individual performances.
She said they would be judged on a performance "benchmark", as well as potential.
Students going into year 11 can submit a portfolio about the music industry.
Primary students have equal exposure to drama, dance and music and high school students spend time on their chosen stream.
"We want kids to have a lifelong love of the performing arts and if we can continue to power their creativity then I think that's a really powerful gift we can give them for life."
