DANCE
There was much excitement this year as pupils prepared for a special Dance Share Day during the Spring Term. All pupils from Early Years to Year 5 had set dances to perform, but pupils from Year 5 to Year 8 were invited to enter a talent contest, and the winners would gain a coveted place in the Dance Share Day. Pupils took advantage of break times to practise together and there was a real buzz in anticipation of the audition rounds.
School dance classes enhance the curriculum by exploring themes and projects. Special dance arrangements are choreographed for the Drama Productions during the Summer Term.
There are plenty of opportunities for Extra Dance after school where pupils can take Medal Tests for Classical Ballet when they reach the required standard. They can also enjoy the Modern and Tap Classes from Year 3 upwards, and what better way to keep fit?!!
Miss B Clerici
Festival of Dance
Every pupil from Nursery to Year 8 participated in a whole day of dance. First on the programme was Early Years’ circle dances, Yr 1’s spirited Sir Roger de Coverley, in full Victorian costume, and Yr 2’s Waves, an interpretive dance inspired by Jackie Kay’s poem. This was later followed by Silver Award dances from the school’s pupil organised Dance Factor competition. The dancers, who created their own choreography, delighted everyone with a bouncy range of dances to the music of Shakira, Willow Smith, Paolo Nutini and the like. The Golden Dance Afternoon performances showcased a huge variety of work from Yrs 3 to 8. The theatre space was packed with parents, teachers and all the performers, who squeezed in to watch when not dancing themselves. Some of the dances were inspired by fragments from the poetry of Beowulf, The Iliad and Morte D’Arthur. There were also some expertly executed folk dances by the juniors, and the seniors presented a dazzling show starting with a madcap Bad Boys Come Dancing and finishing off with a stunning dance routine to Under Pressure by Vanilla Ice. It was just one brilliant dance after another.
We organised the dance factor competition with help from Mrs Covell and other teachers. We made posters, held auditions, and then practised announcing with the microphone. Every one who wanted to did an audition and then they were split into two groups (gold and silver). Four teams were chosen for the gold group. The rest were in the silver group. On Dance Day the Year 7 monitors operated the lights and sound. We introduced the silver show and Henry Clark presented the gold show in the afternoon.
Abi Heath & Megan Emery Taylor 7P