Beachborough Newsletter: Friday 14th June 2024
Head’s Blog
“The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for ever to be able to do it.” J. M. Barrie
This week, I have had the privilege of watching the Form IV and Form VIII Drama Showcases. The play “I am a 9 -Year-Old – Get me out of Here!” performed by Form IV, was full of cheeky humour with trials, challenges and snapshots of the wild and strange things experienced by Form IV in the Boardman, it was a perfect way to end the year. My thanks go to Miss Sutherland, Mrs Johnson, Mrs McNamara and Mr Plowright for all their support of the children.
Form VIII took us on an eclectic journey with their “Variety Performance,” highlighting their many individual talents. The audience experienced laughter, tears, and everything in between! The show ended with their photographic journey through Beachborough, which was a privilege to watch. My thanks go to Mrs Andrew and Mrs Cox for helping the children organise and prepare their acts.
As I was watching, what struck me most about these performances was the confidence each and every one of the children displayed. Whether that be in delivering lines, singing, expressing humour, empathy or compassion.
Confidence is an essential foundation from which Beachborough children navigate through life’s challenges, build healthy relationships, express their views and find their place in the world. A confident child is willing to take risks and try new things. To speak up in class or in social situations, share their ideas and opinions with others. They are also willing to ask questions and seek help when they need it.
In years gone by, Drama was often misunderstood and labelled as a ‘soft’ subject by schools. This is not the case, however, at Beachborough, where we believe that drama holds tremendous value for the children and that it can play a pivotal role in shaping young minds, building essential life skills and contributing to a holistic educational experience.
The experience of studying and participating in drama is an invaluable experience, as it nurtures every aspect of a child’s growth, including their physical, mental and emotional well-being. Through drama lessons, the children are encouraged to express themselves freely and develop empathy for others. Sometimes, the enjoyment and relative freedom of a drama lesson can belie the analytical and reflective skills that are required to examine scripts and study characters in detail, while of course narrative skills are honed in the devising of stories and plays.
Drama at Beachborough extends beyond traditional performance, it nurtures confidence, communication skills, social interaction and self-awareness, and it is an essential component of a well-rounded education.
Last Friday, we attended the IAPS East Area Regional Athletics Championships, where there were over 50 schools in attendance. 15 pupils represented Beachborough at this competition and we had some fantastic performances, congratulations to all who took part.
On Sunday, we will be hosting the Beachborough and Brackley Triathlon at Stowe School. I look forward to seeing many of you there. Let’s hope the sun is out.
Wishing you a great weekend,
Simone