Beyond the Classroom
It goes without saying the drama is a major contributor to the co-curricular offering of the school. We are pleased to offer many creative opportunities through out the years. From the nativity in the nursery to the full-costume, energetic musicals in Year 8, children are encouraged to take part, take risks and to challenge themselves personally.
In our Prep School live theatre productions, all children have an equal speaking part in Years 3, 4, 5 and 7 giving everyone the chance to grow from and enjoy the experience. Children audition for roles in Years 6 and 8 for our musicals. This strategy of horizontal and vertical casting caters for children who are naturally gifted as well as those who benefit from the experience itself. Working backstage also provides a platform for leaders to emerge; the complex logistics of staging a production gives children fantastic organisational skills.
I was passionate about drama from a very young age. I had very inspirational teachers and later I chose Newcastle University because it had one of the biggest drama societies in the country. I joined Westbourne House in 2006 to launch the curriculum drama. I left five years later to set up a theatre at a new college in the Middle East before returning to continue developing the Drama Department. One of the most heart-warming elements of the job is seeing a child discover a talent. I love that we create so many opportunities for children to discover their capacity for creativity.
Exceptional creative talents are evident in many areas…especially in art, music and drama.
ISI Report
