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ArtsEd Autumn Newsletter

Dear Parents and Carers, I hope that you've been hearing wonderful things about the new term and that your children have been keeping you up to date with all the school developments such as the new theatre, the new foyer, and the many different improvements that have been made to the Pupils' School over the summer break - and what a summer break it was! Not only was it the best weather for nearly a decade, but the staff and pupils were very busy with a wide range of projects - including art exhibitions, dance competitions, appearing at the Edinburgh Festival, as well as achieving another year of excellent academic results at GCSE, AS and A-level. Everyone returned to school fully recharged and raring to go. We have so many exciting plans for the year ahead, including our first show in the brand new Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Theatre, which will be The Music Concert, on December 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th. (tickets on sale 18th of November). We are also welcoming a number of new staff, and I'm sure that you join with me in wishing them all the very best in their careers at ArtsEd. September has also seen several staff take on new roles, including Mrs Collura who, as Director of Staff and Pupil Development, will take charge of a number of areas including Careers Education and a new half-termly newsletter. There's so much more I could say, but I've been told in no uncertain terms that I only have 250 words (and I'm already at 255) so I look forward to seeing you at the various events and to sharing all sorts of good news with you throughout the year. Yours faithfully,

Adrian Blake Headteacher [email protected] Dear Parents, Carers and Pupils, It’s hard to believe that we only recently said goodbye to summer and have embarked on another school year. Although ‘Fall’ certainly signifies the end of one season, personally, there’s always been something particularly exciting about going back to school. There was a sense of anticipation amongst students and staff upon returning to a ‘new’ school this term with a brand new theatre soon to be unveiled, just waiting for aspiring performers to tread its planks. Okay, perhaps I’m being a bit overdramatic, however, there’s no denying that 14 Bath Road has had more than a face-lift. When the new foyer opened two weeks ago, the excitement was palpable and there was a very apparent sense of pride in the air. The months of drilling and disorder certainly have proved worth the wait and we at ArtsEd at thrilled with the new build. Alongside that, I am pleased to bring you the first newsletter of the school year. This is a ‘taster’ and I welcome feedback and suggestions for future editions - one to be published each half term. In the meantime, I hope you’ll have time - in between homework, coursework and rehearsals - to enjoy all that autumn brings: Bonfire Night, country walks and apple crumble – and let’s not forget kicking a few leaves… Kind regards, Julia Collura Director of Staff and Pupil Development [email protected]

New Staff Join ArtsEd!

Lizzie Bellamy

Teacher of Drama, BTEC Acting, Learning Support Specialist [email protected]   BA (Hons) in Acting, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Upon graduating, Lizzie continued her training at the Moscow Art Theatre School in Russia and the Grotowski Institute in Poland. She has worked professionally in the industry, touring internationally with theatre companies including Squint and Goat & Monkey. Lizzie has taught Acting for a number of years, at the Summer and Saturday Schools at CSSD, as well as other institutions. She is delighted to be joining ArtsEd!

Tristan Bradley

Teacher of Maths [email protected]   BA (Hons) in Drama and Maths, University of Guelph CA; Bachelor of Education in Highschool Maths and Drama, University of Ottawa. Tristan grew up in Canada and relocated to the UK three years ago, seeking the experience of teaching in a foreign country and aiming ‘to travel Europe in his free time’. His hobbies include cooking, going for leisurely bike rides and travelling. Tristan’s favourite North American sport is ice hockey (Go Leafs!) and his favourite European sport is international rugby.

Christy Claassen

Teacher of English [email protected]  

BA Psychology, English and English Literature at Edith Cowan University in Perth, Western Australia. Having previously worked in the corporate marketing industry for several years, Christy decided to pursue her passion for teaching. She has taught English at the Mindarie Senior College, in Perth, Australia. She is an avid writer and has travelled throughout Europe, teaching English as a second language. Due to her experience within the communications industry, Christy has taken on the additional responsibilities of heading the Pupils’ Press and the Pupils’ Council.

Natasha Crouch-Damianovsky Administration Assistant [email protected]  

Natasha previously studied Dance and Drama at ArtsEd (Pupils’ School and Sixth Form). Prior to returning to ArtsEd, Natasha went to Brighton University and worked in numerous sales jobs, which she ‘did not enjoy all that much’. Outside of ArtsEd Natasha loves to spend time with her family and friends, as well as enjoy the extended versions of the Lord of the Rings films.

Krishna Dubasiya

Head of Media Studies [email protected]

  BA in Digital Broadcasting and New Media Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication; PGCE in Media Studies at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Krishna previously taught at Twyford High School and worked as a freelance filmmaker in various commercial production roles for Sony, Sainsbury’s and Asda. He loves filmmaking and has a passion for creative cinematography, as well as the compilation of narrative during post-production. Krishna is particularly proud of his studies in the martial arts (Mu-Gen-Do and Shaolin Kung Fu).

Mark Ferrington

Teacher of BTEC Acting and Drama [email protected]

  BA (Hons) in Performing Arts: University of Hertfordshire; PGCE in Drama, University of Huddersfield. Following a career in the performing arts industry as a dancer, singer and actor, Mark relocated to Lincolnshire, working with a range of young people in primary, secondary, further and higher education in drama, dance and musical theatre. Professional work includes television programmes for the BBC and Channel 4 as well as Byron’s theatre agency in London. Mark enjoys spending quality time with his family and has a keen interest in renovating property and interior design.

Jamie Harris

Teacher of Dance [email protected]

  Laine Theatre Arts. Jamie started dancing at the age of five, after seeing ‘Riverdance’ at the Hammersmith Apollo, and he has not stopped since. He attended the ArtsEd Pupils’ School and after graduating from Laine, Jamie worked nationally and internationally, both performing and teaching. Jamie is thrilled to be back at ArtsEd in a teaching capacity, and looks forward to many exciting new ventures throughout the coming year.

Zamm Mazid

Teacher of Maths [email protected]

 

BSC, University of Auckland, Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching. Hailing from New Zealand, Zamm relocated to London three years ago. He previously worked as a Maths tutor at Auckland University, Avondale College (NZ) and more recently as KS3 Coordinator at Goffs School in the UK. Zamm describes himself as someone who is always trying to look for the good in everyone, and he aims to help others in any way he can. His hobbies include ‘being happy’ (he is usually smiling!), meeting new people, travelling and watching movies.

ArtsExtra - a magazine written by students for students. by Anna Lancaster (Year 12)

ArtsExtra is a new magazine focusing on school life, created and designed by the Pupils’ Press - a group of students from ArtsEd (ranging from the ages 12 to 17) that meet weekly during Wednesday’s Enrichment Programme. The first issue will announce all of the latest news, from current affairs to ‘advice for students’. You will also find poems and plays that inspire, creative writing, drawings, photography, audition tips and much, much more! Whether you have questions about an upcoming ArtsEd production or are interested in reading a current review of the latest film, book or play, look no further than ArtsExtra! Our first edition will be released early next term…Watch this space!

Year 9 Visit to Parliament by Sophie West (Year 9)

On Monday 16th September, Year 9 visited the Houses of Parliament. Upon arrival, we met our tour guide at Bridge House (part of the Houses of Parliament). On our tour we observed many different important rooms such as the House of Commons (with green seats!) and saw the grandeur of the House of Lords. After our tour ‘round the historic buildings, we took part in a workshop where we learned how a law is passed. It was very interesting and enjoyable. We had a debate of our own, about creating a law that would enable us to have a three-day weekend. As much as we would like this law to be passed, as we aren’t MPs at the moment, this is unlikely to happen. Although we were sorry that our time inside Parliament came to a close, the trip finished on a high note with a picnic lunch outside the famous landmark, Big Ben.

Year 11 Geography Trip by Bella Armfield

On the 25th September, Year 11 embarked on a 4-hour journey to Swanage to collect data for our GCSE. Upon arrival, we donned waterproofs and headed down to the beach to take our first set of readings on the five key components of our GCSE: Longshore drift, aspect, impact, beach profile and beach management. Although we were completely soaked by the time we returned to our base, we were still in good spirits. After a warming dinner, we had a group debate about whether there was conflict between some of the Swanage residents and the National Trust. The next day, many of us were unhappy about the early start and we hardly spoke over breakfast. However, Mrs Wingate, as always, was smiling and ready for the day ahead. Equipped with wellies, we set off for a long walk along the cliffs towards Old Harry Rocks. When we reached Studland Bay, we conducted further experiments on the beach and took some cheeky selfies with Mrs Brown - as you do J After getting drenched - yet again - we went into the beach cafe for a warm drink to keep us going until lunch. Afterwards, in spite of the fact that we realised we weren't getting any dryer, we continued walking along the beach until we reached a rundown fort, where we ate lunch. This was an old gunning placement, with a long stone corridor, which some of the girls chose to explore –only to be surprised by Sam and Tigi jumping out at them! After lunch, we continued on to Old Harry Rocks, where we took field sketches and a photo survey. Unfortunately, by this point, due to the bad weather, everyone looked a bit worse for wear and we had another 4-mile trek back, across the Dorset cliffs. Later that evening, we began writing our methodology tables- an important part of our GCSE controlled assessment. This lasted about an hour and then we finally went to bed! On our final day, we returned to Swanage Bay with the task of taking another set of readings to ascertain if there was any difference from our previous findings. We did the same tests and took some more cheeky selfies before getting ready for departure. It was hard to believe that it was time to leave already! We all had such a lovely time – and would like to express a huge thank you to both Mrs Brown and Mrs Wingate.                  

Year 13 Photography Trip to the V&A Print Room Year 13 photography students went on a trip to the V&A print room and looked at books and original prints by the photographic artists Paul Graham, Robert Frank, Phillip Locar diCorcia and Martin Parr. This initial research will inform the students’ personal photographic projects that they will develop in the coming year.

Staff News Continuing Professional Development Over the summer… Natalie Bareham attended a week of Contemporary Techniques classes as part of the ‘Summer Intensives’ season at The Place- the home of the London School of Contemporary Dance. She also completed the ‘Growing Leaders’ Course in August - a year-long programme aimed at developing leadership skills and practices - run by the Oaktree Anglican Fellowship. Greg Beavis visited a variety of art venues this summer – ranging from the newly re-opened Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, to the Annual Festival of Photography in Arles, France, to different art venues in Marseilles (this year’s European City of Culture) to the Venice Biennale, where he viewed work produced and exhibited in the National Pavilions of the Giardini. The summer was incredibly inspiring and much of what Greg saw will be introduced into studentbased projects this year. Lizzie Bellamy was the Course Coordinator for the two-week National Youth Theatre of Great Britain’s Junior Summer Course. This involved coordinating and preparing the course for a cohort of 300 students, ages 14-18. Alongside this, Lizzie completed Basic First Aid Training and worked as Front of House for the National Youth Theatre's production of 'Pope Joan' at St James' Church in Piccadilly. Alice Finbow completed illustrations for a new children's book, with text written by Dr Jennifer Smith (part of the Primary Educational team at the University of East Anglia). Watch this space for news of the upcoming publication. In August, Chris Reynolds performed as part of the Almeida Festival 2013, with the company, Dante or Die in their new production of I Do (about the final 10 minutes of a wedding, set in a hotel). Chris has also begun studying for his Masters in (Teaching) Dance at the Royal Academy of Dance, with a focus on choreography within pedagogy.

And currently… Julia Collura is undertaking a three-month, 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training programme at Yoga London, Ltd. Following the programme, Julia will be a certified Yoga Teacher. Yoga, offered by Julia as part of the Sixth Form options, has become a popular choice amongst Sixth Formers – After only 2 yoga sessions, Tom Cavendish (Year 12) declared that he had ‘found zen’. Elena Makrides is attending a series of twilight seminars and workshops at the National Theatre on the work of theatre practitioners: Artaud, Brecht, Brook, Grotowski and Stanislavski. This work will directly inform Elena’s work with her KS4 and KS5 Drama students.

News bites Open Evenings

We were thrilled with the fantastic turnout for the recent Pupils’ School and Sixth Form Open Evenings. There was particular interest in the BTEC programme in the Sixth Form and BTEC Dance has been added as a new option for 2013-14. It was especially rewarding to witness all of the pupils and students act as such eloquent ambassadors for ArtsEd, acting as tour guides, performing in the shows, hosting chats in classrooms and taking part in demonstration classes.

Official Unveiling of The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Theatre

On Thursday 10th of October, following a long autumnal school day, staff from all three schools were welcomed to a private viewing of the theatre by Principal, Jane Harrison and Deputy Principal, Chris Hocking. Staff were spotted checking out the best vantage points, as well as lounging in the comfy seats! The theatre will seat around 200 and there is already a buzz about the first Pupils’ School show – the Music Concert! Save the dates: 9th through the 12th of December We have joined The PiXL Club - said to be "the best thing they have seen in education". In order to keep abreast with all of the changes in education and to stay at the cutting edge of teaching and learning, ArtsEd has joined the PiXL Club. “The PiXL Club is a partnership of focused, determined and dedicated professional practitioners. It is a not for profit organisation that focuses on supporting and developing GCSE and A Level results and Key Stage 2”. http://www.pixl.org.uk/page/default.asp?title=Home&pid=1

Netball

Due to popular demand, Netball has been added as an option for girls during lunchtime activities on Fridays. The first game was fabulous, with a turnout of upwards of 30 girls from Years 7 through 10, filling two courts and then some. Great fun was had by all and even Miss Parker-Wood was seen to have donned her tracksuit!

Annual Visit to Paris

Forty KS3 and KS4 students will be visiting Paris during the first week of half term. The focus of the trip will be divided in equal measure between French Language and Culture, GCSE History and fun. Bon voyage à tous! We hope that Mr Gordon, Miss Konter-Sultan, Miss Thomas, Mr Van Rooyen and Miss Brown will keep their nerves steady – bonne chance!

Sixth Form Drama

This year’s ArtsEd Sixth Form has been lucky to have been chosen to work on another new play in conjunction with The Royal National Theatre. Pronoun by the celebrated playwright Evan Placey, will be performed next year at the Tricycle Theatre. This will be another very exciting opportunity for students to work with professionals in a professional venue. Alongside this, a select group of students from years 12 and 13 are currently rehearsing Simon Stephen’s hard-hitting play, Punk Rock. We are hopeful that the play will be a repeat of the success of last year and transfer to the National Student Drama Festival. There is no guarantee of a place, however, with hard work and determination we hope that our students will rise to the occasion.