From the Head of Secondary 21.09.2019
Secondary Leadership Positions 2019 to 2020
We are proud to announce this year’s Secondary Charity Committee:
Year 7: Bella and Hope
Year 8: Debbie, Christian, Nicholas, Grace, Lou-A, Ombeline, Shokina Hannah
Year 9: Dylan
Year 10: Laverne, Josephine, Leyli, Moksha, Ryan
Year 11: Ling Qian, Celeste, Jolin, Roshween, Jasmine
Year 12: Jobin, Jimin
The Charity Committee will be mentored by Ms Bater and we are sure to hear a lot more from them in the future. They had their first meeting this week and discussed their plans for the year and their job roles, including Committee Chair, Treasurer and Creative Team.
Secondary Student Council 2019 to 2020
The Secondary Student Council has also been elected for this year. This team will be mentored by Ms Tooley. As well as organizing and running events they will be the voice of the student body, bringing any concerns or ideas to the attention of the leadership team.
Y7S Natalia
Y7K Han Kyeol
Y8S Diego
Y8K Shotaro
Y9S Tobias
Y9K Annabella
Y10S Chanel
Y10K Zen
Y11S Alex Woo
Y11K Celeste and Roshween
Y12 Jessenia
Y13 Natalie
Thank you to all these students for stepping up!
On Wednesday next week we will be holding a Secondary Leadeship Assembly at 8am in the hall. All parents are welcome to attend.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN DRAMA? Some words from Mr Bryant.
12-15th September – Drama Jaws, the Tanglin Trust School, Singapore
Drama CPD: Gecko Workshops, Examination Feedback, and FOBISIA Drama Festival News
I have attended the Drama JAWS for the last four years and grown accustomed to the format and versatility of the workshops offered. I was, however, not prepared for our 5-hour ‘performance preparation’ with the UK based (physical theatre) Gecko Theatre Company.
“Now, you must move your partner using a different body part. It could be a leg, your shoulder…or hip even, but remember to maintain eye contact” This was one of the many instructions given to us by our sprightly Gecko instructor Kenny. As he directed us through possible movements with the grace and elegance of a gymnast or ballet dancer, I couldn’t help but look on in dread; I am not a dancer! As he was talking, my mind had already started to come up with a series of moves that wouldn’t need too much control and dexterity. Kenny’s mantra of “everything you’re doing now is right!” seemed to apply to everybody else in the room! Maybe he sensed my fear because in the next moment he asked for me to join him in the center of our performance circle; my worst fear had been realised.
Where am I going with this story you ask? Did I stumble? Did I face-plant the stage as I attempted to move my partner’s hip with my forehead? Well, yes but that is not the point of this story. The crux is, that in the capacity of my own learning, I haven’t been taken out of my comfort zone for an inordinate length of time. I haven’t been challenged to do something of which there is the distinct possibility of failure. The importance of failing is something that I preach (to my students) but seldom have the chance to practice myself. The experience allowed me to experience a renewed sense of empathy for my Drama students; the fear of trying, being embarrassed, failing and dusting off before trying again. It also reiterated the importance of breaking down challenges that initially seem impossible into bitesize chunks that are easier to achieve.
The Year 8 students are currently being introduced to a range of practitioners and dramatic stylization/conventions in preparation for their “Basement Blues” pieces. This week, hot off my own enlightening Gecko experience, they took part in their own Gecko physical theatre workshops. I was amazed at how willing they were to experiment and explore the conventions, leading to some fabulous results. There were moments of deep concentration, control and powerful imagination. A brief excerpt will be uploaded for you all to see on the school website from both Year 8 classes.
FOBISIA DRAMA FESTIVAL
Another aspect of the JAWS is the organisation of the Drama FOBISIA Festivals. This year the FOBISIA Drama Committee has decided to split the festival into two events. The festival for years 7 and 8 will be hosted by The British School Jakarta and will take place from the 13th-16th May 2020. The dates for the KS4 festival are yet to be confirmed but the festival will be hosted by Regents School Bangkok.
MACBETH
Students have already started collecting their audition materials for our school production of Macbeth (to be performed at the end of Term 2). Auditions for non-ECA performers, will commence Tuesday the 24th and conclude on Friday the 27th.
If your child would still like the opportunity to perform in our school play, please ask them to collect audition material from the Drama room. It is preferable for them to sign on for our ECA rehearsal time (Thursday 3-4) but for the smaller roles, it is possible to just attend the additional evening and weekend rehearsals.
