Stars of Moana and Supergirl Emerge from Same Sydney High School

Newtown, a suburb in Sydney's inner west, is celebrating a rare achievement: producing two global screen stars from the same local high school. Posters featuring 19-year-old Catherine Lagaʻaia, who embodies Moana in Disney's live-action remake, and 26-year-old Milly Alcock, cast as the formidable Supergirl, now adorn the walls of a local cinema.

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The ability to listen and collaborate and use creativity in a lot of the activities that we were doing ... It wasn't so much the acting skills.

Both Lagaʻaia and Alcock honed their craft at Newtown High School of Performing Arts, a school known for nurturing talent in the performing arts. Their journeys to Hollywood stardom highlight the school's effective training and the raw potential it cultivates in its students.

Daniel Kavanagh, the head drama teacher, recalled Lagaʻaia's audition, noting her innate ability to listen, collaborate, and apply creativity. He described her as a high-achiever, always bright, positive, and keen to work, possessing a sharp intellect and a keen sense for the curriculum.

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She's always really bright, really positive, really keen to work, very intelligent, and she had such a keen sense of all of the units of work that we did.

Kavanagh also remembered Alcock as a thoughtful and measured student with an analytical approach. He observed that her quiet observation and note-taking hinted at her future as a film actor. The school's programs, including opportunities for overseas study tours, further supported their development, though affordability was sometimes a challenge.

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She was very measured and very thoughtful, and ... she was very analytical in terms of her approach.

Lagaʻaia notably completed her Higher School Certificate (HSC) while filming 'Moana' in the US, demonstrating her commitment to both her education and burgeoning career. The school worked closely with her, tutors, and family to accommodate her demanding schedule, showcasing a supportive environment for students balancing academic and professional pursuits.

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In hindsight, it was pretty obvious that she really had the makings of a film actor because she was always observing things and being quiet and taking notes.