Our Year 7 and 8 girls have had a really fun and educational experience in The Squire Performing Arts Centre as part of their English lessons. 

These sessions were made all the more special as they were run by two guest theatre professionals: director and writer, Giles Croft and Musical Theatre producer and songwriter, Matt Bugg. The sessions involved working with a specific piece of poetry. The poem ‘Blessing’, by Imitaz Dharker, had been selected for the girls to work on in their English lessons in preparation for the day. Giles and Matt then took some of the themes in the poem as a starting point for some workshops on storytelling and song writing.

We used all of the facilities in the fantastic Squire Performing Arts Centre: the huge stage, which was ideal for the physical warm-up at the start of the day, and several breakout areas in the foyer and auditorium for the girls’ work.

 

 

They were tasked with storytelling exercises in pairs and small groups involving truth, lies and vocal sound-effects! Simultaneously, on the stage, Matt led a song writing workshop encouraging girls to explore the use of metaphor to express their own ideas that grew from the theme of ‘Blessing’. The day then ended with an informal sharing of the girls’ work in progress.

Teaching and Learning at NGHS is second to none, and having the additional facility of a professional theatre right here on site is an added bonus. Guests from the world of theatre and the creative arts are welcome to enhance a variety of lessons, particularly those involving English and Drama. The girls really benefit from learning away from the classroom and engaging with people who are such skilled professionals in this area.

Huge thanks must go to Giles and Matt for being our guests on this occasion, and to the staff of The Space for helping make this such a wonderful, creative experience.