Arts Week Overview - October 2010

On the first day of ARTS WEEK, the Postcard Competition was launched and everyone enjoyed looking at the display of amazing entries from pupils, teachers and parents on the theme of ‘My Favourite Work of Art’! Alongside this, was the traditional ‘Big Draw’ for each class to enter. This year, the task was to reproduce a large portrait drawing of their tutor…which led to some fantastic results! The winning drawings were of: Mr Bettridge, Miss Paul, Mrs Bacon and Miss Albury but all the pictures were amazing.

Monday saw the Jazz group give a rousing performance during Assembly, with additional Buskers at lunchtime, showcasing their musical prowess. The musical theme continued throughout the day with a new initiative – the ‘Endangered Species’ Musical Instrument trade fair, with three sessions targeting the different year groups during the afternoon, giving pupils the chance to experience a range of instruments with the peripatetic staff of the college which proved a huge success for all concerned.

On Tuesday break it was the turn of Drama to show its true colours in the shape of ‘All the World’s a Stage’ – a series of drama duologues. This featured a mesmeric performance by our girls, two of whom took the opportunity to 'test drive' their Lamda piece, with a third girl delivering a riveting monologue . A packed audience of staff, pupils and friends watched this spectacle in the Foyer, and they all marvelled at their skill and maturity. Years 5 and 6 went out on an Art Trip to the Booth Museum to gather fresh research for their project on ’Flight’ and ‘Natural Structures and Voids’, which produced some really superb sketchbook drawings and a chance to discover something of the natural world outside Hurst.

The Jazz strings on Wednesday was a triumph with Mr Travers and Music Gap year student Ben Ferguson leading the way and the school was treated to a glimpse of the Tempest -  with notable performances by the pupils playing Prospero and daughter Miranda.

The evening saw an Art boarding night where the group made large scale papier mache and tissue paper fish structures – a great night for all participants. The Boy’s Choir and Jazz Harmony groups featured on Thursday morning break was extremely good, and enabled Mr Bettridge and Mrs Harrap to show off their dancing skills and on Friday the Girls’ Choir led by Mr Gasper held forth in the foyer at the start of the day and was complemented by the Junior Choir at first break, all of whom were exceptional.

So a truly packed week that showcased the Arts was brought to a fitting close by the annual JUSPA fireworks display.

Roll on next year’s Arts Week where we are sure that the standard will continue to get better and better.