In what has now become a bit of a tradition as part of our BWIC World Book Day celebrations, Year 9 prepared three short plays, based on familiar childhood stories, to perform at local primary schools Precious Treasures and Provo Primary.

The Year 9 groups each wrote an original playscript, using skills learnt in their own lessons last term when they studied Andy Hamilton’s modern, non-naturalistic drama ‘The Exam’. Each play was around ten minutes long and students tried to include a variety of characters and actions that would appeal to the young audiences they were going to entertain.

After spending several weeks on the writing, learning of lines and blocking the performances, the Year 9 class were excited and ready to go! They also took with them some of their favourite children’s books so that they could read with the students at Precious Treasures and Provo Primary after they had performed their plays.

The audience in the main hall at Precious Treasures were extremely excited to see Elmo, Tinkerbell and Moana appear on stage before them – their applause and screaming interactions left our actors barely audible at some points! At Provo Primary each group had to perform three different times to various classes – and our actors got to see quite different reactions they could gain from different age groups (Genie’s magic was not lost on the Year 5 and 6!).

It was a tiring morning but a rewarding and enjoyable one for all involved. Watching our students read with the young students at primary school really did them credit and showed not only their maturity, but their genuine, kind and enthusiastic personalities. I felt very proud of their efforts and their accomplishments. I hope you enjoy the photos we have to share.

Miss Rankin.