FHS Newsletter Spring 2012 - Forest Hill School

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PAGE 2 drama The Holocaust and Drama Coming to the end As we are working towards the end of our two year BTEC Performing Arts (Acting) course we have found that not only have we improved our acting skills but that we have developed as people. At the start of the course we worked on learning monologues for auditions, which even if we were not going on to Drama College would still be useful for interviews where we would have to present ourselves. We also had challenging scripts where we had to learn a lot of dialogue; this too was good for our memory development. After successful productions of plays such as East, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and A Raisin’ in the Sun we are currently working on our last play called Realism. We will be performing this on Wednesday 28th March 2012 in the FHS drama studio to an invited audience. We cannot wait to complete what has been a fantastic two years and we would like to thank very much Ms Montague-Gibson and Ms Sullivan for their valuable teaching. Jennifer Odinnuta, Rapheen Thompson and Ashleigh Williams Sixth Form ‘Someone mentioned the ‘Holocaust’ the old Jewish man said ‘no’ Such word I do not wish to hear that happened years ago Then he slowly folded up his sleeve and numbers etched in blue Told of the sufferings he’d known and all he had been through’ When I came to explore the Holocaust in drama I didnʼt know much about the subject but I found out so much that was tragic and heartbreaking. I learnt that everyone was a target of the Nazis – Jews, black people, gypsies, LGBT, trade unionists, intellectuals and many more. We were able though our weekly lessons to act out being the perpetrators and feel what it would feel like to be them as well as FOREST HILL SCHOOL ARTS OSCARS 2012 Jason Kubilius, Head of Arts, reports: We held our first Arts Oscars at Forest Hill School on 7th February 2012. It was a celebration of the artistic and creative talents of our students from across dance, drama, art and music. Here are some thoughts and comments from the audience and people who were involved: “The Arts Oscars evening was a tense and thrilling night. I saw some amazing acts and talents I didn’t even know the school bred! There was a charming atmosphere and a comedic and dramatic host injected an upbeat feel. The awards seemed to be awarded where they were worth, and the ceremony was presented professionally. All the factors contributed to a heart warming, and proud experience for all...” Zac Evans, one of the winners of the Lifetime Achievement Awards "An inspiring and uplifting event. It was lovely to see not only the talent but also the warmth and maturity of the boys. To me it went beyond celebrating our specialism, I think it really expressed the ethos of the school." Parent attending the night “Ms Matthews liked our drama scene and decided it was right to put us forward for a nomination and performance at the Arts Oscars. We worked on our piece during lunchtimes and at the end of about nine rehearsals we had a good structured piece of drama. On the night we were all nervous but we all pulled through and made an excellent performance. Unfortunately we ’Life Long Achievement Awards’ went to Lou Neville–Ball, Jack Butler, Andrew Watkins and Zac Evans, in recognition of their talent, and their commitment and contribution to raising the profile of performing and visual Arts during their time at FHS didn’t win but next year we will be back better and stronger and ready to win.” Alex Dobson and Finlay Holdaway, whose drama group were nominated in Best Group Award “I wasn’t hugely disappointed about not winning the Oscar for Best Key Stage 4/5 Music because I mainly see it as a stepping stone until I reach my biggest achievement. It motivates me even more to do better and to try harder for next year and in life. I’m just proud to be in the nominations list really, that’s a big achievement.” Andre Rhule nominated for Best Key Stage 4/5 Music “It was a stunning night because Mr Salmon was entertaining. The performances were good as were the smart clothes everyone was wearing. It was really entertaining and I really enjoyed it – no doubt about it.” Emmanuel Dasho nominated for Best Key Stage 3 Dance “A fantastic showcase for the school, its ethos, approach...and of course talent!” Parent email Above, Best Group Award won by Leon Wood D10F, Gloidie Leka R8G, Harry Morrish H9G, Sam Turpin D10F, Luca Filip H8G, Peter Jamieson H10G. Left, Kieran Lang H11G, nominated for Best Solo Award
PAGE 3 victims and survivors. We watched documentary footage, films and read letters and diary entries. All this helped to activate our thinking around a subject that happened so long ago and enabled us to create drama to help us understand. This scheme of work affected me at a deep level. Chris Saraiva R9F Year 9 Options Event It was an honour to be chosen to represent the Drama Department and speak to both the students and parents about GCSE Drama. It was a great opportunity to share our experiences and express our feelings about why we chose the subject. The whole evening was a good occasion for the Year 9 boys as they could be given an insight from a studentʼs point of view rather than a teacherʼs. It was good for the students to ask their own personal questions and learn more about the subject. A lot of the Year 9s showed passion and confidence about drama. To show off previous work produced, a film played of a unit 3 practical exam with previous students who had achieved A*. The parents showed surprise at the high standard of work shown but we felt that it was the norm that was expected of us. Good luck Year 9 students and we would like to thank Ms Montague-Gibson for giving us this opportunity. Xavier Baker R10F, Jeremiah Bent Russell H10F, Aaron Mann D10F and Matthew Riley H10F music International Musical Futures Training at FHS Our Musical Futures Champion School status was called on once again to provide training to the teachers and senior staff from a range of schools, this time visiting us from Ontario, Canada. The day served as an introduction to the informal and non-formal teaching styles that we use throughout the music curriculum at Key Stage 3 with the hope that these practices can be implemented straight away by everyone attending. From working in small bands to Japanese Taiko drumming the day provided hands-on experience of practical music making and independent learning as well as time to reflect theoretically on how this approach works within a school curriculum setting. A selection of our students also The National Plan for Music The NPFM was published last year in November. It contains some very bold and inspirational statements for music making across the country. Importantly it includes a strong commitment to equality of opportunity. The NPFM replaces Local Education Authority providers such as Lewisham Music Service with a new model of music HUBs. Music HUBs will be focused around a closer partnership between schools, community and music organisations. Forest Hill School has been playing a key role in the development of the Lewisham HUB. As a result we are well placed to continue to develop the music provision for students at school as well as making stronger connections and clearer pathways for progression. Unfortunately despite the rhetoric there are some worrying issues which may well compromise the commitment to make music performed for the delegates and stayed for a question and answer session that gave a real insight into how music education is experienced at Forest Hill School. The day was led by our head of faculty Jason Kubilius with support from the music department team. Mr Coggle Senior Music Specialist inclusive and improve quality. For example there is considerably less money for the new HUBs (despite being expected to do much more). There was a significant cut for Music Services this year and the Plan allocates less money each year – £75 – £63 – £58 million, making nearly a 40% cut over four years. Further to this at times the plan paints a very narrow picture of progression routes for young people and seems much less inclusive. It could be that the practicalities of considerably less money coupled with an ideological favouring of certain progression routes might hamper music making opportunities for the majority rather than improve them. However we are at very early stages and hopefully a strong school presence in the HUBs will be able to make a strong case for developing the equality of opportunity. Jason Kubilius Head of Arts
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Page 5 and 6: PAGE 5 curriculum Blue Peter Book A

FHS Newsletter Spring 2012 - Forest Hill School

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