They’re two of the most high-profile roles in Hollywood today, and both are starring alumni from the same NSW public high school.

Milly Alcock is donning the cape as the new Supergirl, and Catherine Laga'aia is Moana in the highly anticipated live-action reimagining of the Disney hit.

For the staff at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, the news is wonderful but no surprise. For the students, it’s an inspiration.

“To aspire to the kinds of heights in the entertainment industry that Milly and Catherine are achieving, regardless of their background, is what our school is all about,” said Daniel Kavanagh, Head Drama Teacher.

“And it’s a real testament to the power of public education."

Milly Alcock completed her studies at Newtown in 2018, already quietly building a career alongside her schoolwork. Her teachers remember her as someone who kept a clear sense of perspective about what she was doing.

"Milly never made a big deal about when she had auditions or projects lined up outside of school," Mr Kavanagh said.

"It was important to her that she was focused on her work at school when she was here. It was impressive to see her pursue her own opportunities outside of what we were able to offer her."

Since leaving, Milly's career has accelerated rapidly. She drew widespread acclaim for her role as young Rhaenyra Targaryen in HBO's House of the Dragon, and now steps into the role of Supergirl in the DC Universe — a part that will introduce her to audiences around the globe.

Catherine Laga'aia is the more recent graduate, completing her HSC just last year — and doing so under extraordinary circumstances. Catherine was cast as Moana while still a student, filming on location in the USA while her teachers worked to ensure she could sit her HSC.

"We had her emailing assessment tasks and exams back and forth from the set of Moana, to ensure that she was able to complete her HSC while filming," Mr Kavanagh said.

That kind of flexibility, and the school's commitment to making it work, speaks to what makes Newtown special. Catherine remained a central part of school life throughout.

"Catherine was always a big part of her year group as one of the 'Drama kids,'" Mr Kavanagh said.

"She was passionate about performing in plays and films that her friends and other members of her cohort were making. To see her in such a high-profile role now and still maintain all her normal friendships and support the rest of her cohort in their endeavours, makes her Newtown teachers most proud."

Catherine is part of a remarkable family of Newtown HSPA alumni.

The daughter of the renowned entertainer Jai Laga’aia, she’s one of four siblings to go through the school.

Her brother Nathaniel boasts recent credits in the Australian tours of hit musicals Jesus Christ Superstar and Rent, while Georgia-Rose had a starring role in the coming-of-age musical Dear Evan Hansen.