July 2014 - The BRIT School

July 2014
Thank you
This summer the school says farewell to senior leaders Lloyd Marshall and Jacqui Pick. Lloyd has worked at the school for 11
years and has been a Deputy Principal helping many children in difficult circumstances and has been a
wise guide for parents and staff alike. His calm and courteous approach to people has been an
inspiration for all who have met him and worked with him. As a teacher he has inspired students in
sociology, citizenship and government and politics but he will be most remembered for his smile,
positive outlook on life and his dedication to making young peoples’ lives better. Jacqui Pick has been
a Deputy Principal for 12 years. She has guided the school through 3 very successful OFSTEDs and
improved the teaching and learning throughout the school. She has supported new and beginner
teachers and set up many development projects inside the school. She is an inspiring English teacher
who has led many exciting creative writing projects in the school. Between them they have given over
70 years of service to education and their impact has been far reaching and they will remain forever
part of The BRIT School. We wish them all the best with their retirement. We know they will keep in
touch. Always BRIT, Jacqui and Lloyd.
Lloyd Marshall and Jacqui Pick
“Your Future Starts Here”. Musical Theatre workshops and talks
The Musical Theatre Department has an extremely impressive alumni and we were delighted to welcome back a number of former
Musical Theatre students, during our last week of term. The former students came in to give our current cohort a number of
workshops and talks as part of the, “Your Future Starts Here” Musical Theatre programme. This programme is designed to show
students the diverse range of career and further training opportuni es, that are open to them. With Year 12 students now star ng to
think about their future op ons a er they leave The BRIT School, these workshops and talks are of par cular relevance. Whether they
are looking to pursue a career within Musical Theatre or perhaps focus on a specific discipline such as singing, dance or theatre,
listening to our former students talk about their own experiences, was a useful opportunity for our students and one which will no
doubt help when they come to making choices about where to go and what to do next.
Former Musical Theatre students and speakers
Josh Lay who is currently playing Rudolpho in Ma lda the Musical and Zak Nemorin who is currently appearing in Dirty, Ro en,
Scoundrels at the Savoy Theatre, gave prac cal workshops in choreography from Ma lda and Dirty, Ro en Scoundrels.
Josh Noon, Martha Turner Smith, Issy Pardoe, Georgia Maskery and Ella McMahon (Ella Eyre) all 2012 graduates, spoke to a group of
year 12 Musical Theatre students about what they are doing now and why, in some cases, they chose a
different path within the performing arts industry.
Jordan Shaw (2011) ‐ currently in Miss Saigon (ensemble), Quin n Young, now working as a Director,
Robert Kelly who now has his own agency and Desrinea Ramus (2005) now working in the music industry
all gave some very honest and informa ve talks to students about the different op ons that are open to
them and the importance of making the right choices and making the most of the opportuni es that The
BRIT School can offer while they are here.
West End choreographer and director Frank Thompson led a Cats workshop, Adam Pe grew (2007) took a
singing workshop on Avenue Q material and Theatre director Sarah Bedi led a workshop on a Carol
Churchill text. The wonderful actress Harriet Thorpe, actress had students undivided a en on as she told
stories of her career within the business and Harriet Syndercome Court (2007) did a vocal orchestra beat
boxing workshop. Finally, Kayleigh Buckland (2008) spoke to students on running her own dance school,
actor Ade Bolaji, talked to the students about career op ons and Ashton Miranda (2003) spoke about his
experiences within the music industry.
Ella McMahon (Eyre)
From le Georgia Maskery, Ella McMahon (Ella Eyre), Issy
Pardoe, Martha Turner‐Smith and Josh Noon
Josh Lay
Zak Nemorin
July 2014
BRIT Musical Theatre dance students win annual choreographic competition
Dance Make Your Move is an annual choreographic compe on set up by the Bri sh Red Cross. Dance pieces could be of any style but
must be based on the work of the Bri sh Red Cross. Our piece followed three individual stories of how everyday people might be
affected by a crisis. The students were guided by Corin Miller who contributed choreographically but much of the dance content was
choreographed by the year 12 Musical Theatre Students and three ex‐year 13 students; Owen Chaponda, Gaby Gregorian and Sadie
Shirley. Another ex‐student Kat Head, wrote and performed spoken work for the piece. It was very much a collabora ve project that
was also part of the Year 12’s BTEC Qualifica on. It could not have happened without the technical support of Declan Cunningham, Ken
McGill and Anaia Urbanowska. Each performance was assessed and the students are currently evalua ng the process in the form of a
wri en essay. The compe on took place over four weeks, a er winning both the London heats and area final, the students met early
on Sunday 13th July outside the O2. Later that a ernoon they would perform the piece for the last me in the Na onal Finals at the
IndigoO2. We competed against another four finalists from all over the UK. The compe on was tough and diverse. The judges
complimented our ability to connect and cap vate an audience and further more announced that we had won the compe on. The
students will receive a ‘dance’ goodie bag and a free dance workshop of their choice at the Royal Academy of Dance. The students
approached this project with professionalism and maturity; ge ng the piece performance ready in just three weeks. In the same me
scale they were able to raise £375 for the Bri sh Red Cross. Not only did they represent The BRIT School in performance but in self‐
management and grace. The Musical Theatre department are extremely proud of this achievement and look forward to offering this
same opportunity to our new year 12’s next year. Well done to: Josie Aka, Femi Akinfolarin, Monique Ajayi, Sophie Arnold, Hebba
Brown, Nikita Daniel, Molly Ellingham, Chloe Gentles, Molly Griffiths, Sophie Hand, Emmie Heighton, Heather Horton, Deangelo Jones,
Molly Monkhouse, Nandi Mukosi Harris, Leah Oran St Luce, Daisy Prosper, Kirk Reid, Ally Retberg, Ayra Riddell‐Morales, Kaela‐J Roberts,
Beth Snook, Zoe Webbe, Kelly Wilson, Keanu Zahariev,
Khronos @ the Commonwealth Youth Dance Festival
Khronos ventured to Glasgow for the Commonwealth Youth Dance Fes val on the 9th of July to great fanfare.
Stepping off of the train we were greeted by tradi onal Ceilidh (Kee ‐ Lee) dancers and were asked to join in
which we did ... albeit reluctantly, as onlookers, eager to witness Londoners get down and dirty with the Scots,
cheered on and took pictures. Stepping into the line up, we were faced with smiles from fellow young people,
our peers and buddies to be for the dura on of this trip. The ceilidh was a great opportunity to get to know and
get a feel for the people who we would be living and working with for the five days we spent above the English
border. In the six or so minutes that we spent "doing our thing" with the locals it was made clear
to us that those par cipa ng were from all over the world. A truly interna onal mix. People from
Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Africa all nervously smiling at one another as we danced with
the locals
Over the course of the five days that we were there, we got to know and made many friends
through our mutual love of dance. Ge ng to know them and watching each other in our dress
rehearsals it was clear to see that everyone was talented and commi ed to their art. Pieces that
made me smile, contrasted those that brought a tear to my eye in the best possible way, all
brilliant and touching. Diversity was certainly rife. One piece in par cular performed by the
Australians, worked to educate the audience on the history of the aborigine people. The use of
puppets and the projec on of na ve words on the backdrop during the piece were incredibly
effec ve allowing me to leave the auditorium feeling knowledgable on a culture different to my own. This was a great opportunity for
Khronos, pu ng us on a much bigger pla orm than we had ever had. A sense of responsibility for our own reputa on was bestowed
upon us and worked as prac ce for bigger things to come both as a member of Khronos and in our further ventures outside of The BRIT
School. A pla orm such as this, exposed us to an interna onal audience who both enjoyed and marvelled at our 3:56 minute piece,
Heartbeat.
As we walked around the various venues wearing our Khronos hoodies, blazoned with our Twi er Handle (@Khronosboys) and our
names, we had an air of professionalism that we took with us to the stage and away from it. The recep on a er our performance on the
Friday night was astounding, from the audience as well as our fellow performers we hope to have made a posi ve impact on the minds
of our peers both choreographically and emo onally, proving to the naysayers that boys from London ARE capable of crea ng and
execu ng a technical and show‐stopping piece of dance.
Aaron Chaplin . Khronos Boys dance group
July 2014
The Brit School says thank you to two outstanding Governors
At the last BRIT School Governors’ mee ng we offered our grateful thanks to two long standing members of the Board. John Craig OBE has been
Chair of the Finance Commi ee for over 20 years and has supported the School since before a single brick was laid. He has enthusias cally lobbied
for the School with the great and good and done so many things to support us. Recently he sat on the panel for the Cameron Mackintosh Award
which came to the School as a direct result of a conversa on he had with his friend
Cameron. We are delighted that John is going to stay on as a Governor and keep
championing and guiding the School with his contacts and his love. David Carter will be
replacing him as the new Chair of the Finance Commi ee.
David Hughes and
Paul Burger
Chair of Governors
John Craig OBE and
Paul Burger
We also thanked David Hughes who has been on the Governing Body for just over 13 years
and who also sat on several commi ees. He par cularly helped us with the Obie Bursary
which has given thousands of pounds of support to many students at the start of their
careers. David is re ring from being a Governor here and from the Board of the other
school he supports to allow him to enjoy his many other ac vi es. We say good for him
and thank him for all the sterling work he has done for the School.
All systems go in the maths department
The end of term has been a very busy one in terms
of organisa on, for our innova ve Maths
department.
We have been making the most of the good weather by embarking on a
mathema cal treasure hunt and scavenger hunt with year 10 students, organised
by maths head of dept, Cath Costello. Watching the students arguing about maths
is always rewarding and Cath believes that a good lesson is when students are
really thinking. Congratula ons to the winning teams (pictured le ) from tutor
groups 10CCo and 10TBa
Meanwhile, outside of the blue block more year 10 maths work on symmetrical rangoli pa erns (pictured
right) could be seen brightening the paving stones un l the rain washed them away.
Deputy head of maths, Theresa
Baker, joined her two year 10
classes with Maths teacher, Jacobijn Scorer’s, new
People Maths lessons, which were designed to embed
their knowledge of preserving the equals sign. The
lessons were both enjoyable and interac ve, although it
was too hot for the second class to enjoy the outside
space, so, in the shelter of the blue block canteen area,
students were able to deepen their understanding of algebraic equa ons using their bodies and some relevant cards, by enac ng the
concept of neutralising a posi ve with a nega ve element.
Our weekly problem solving lessons saw Ms Adewale's and Ms Baker's
classes joining forces with Mr Forsyth's students for compe ve games
involving thinking skills and mathema cs.
Finally, the maths department enjoyed taking part in Li le Peoples' Day
where year 10s entertained local li le ones based on the storybook "The
Tiger Who Came To Tea". Helping the li le ones with shape sand space as
well as number topics through play, year 10s helped them
play in the sand pit, play hopscotch using ger paws with
numbers on that the TTA students had made, bouncing
on the Tigger castle and aiming bean bags at a numbered
target‐again made by our wonderful TTA kids. It was
amazing to be involved on such a wonderful collabora on
with all the other departments and staff enjoyed it as
much as the visitors.
July 2014
Student exchange trips to German, Spain and France
German exchange 2014
By Theo Ba erham and Anna
Williams, Year 10.
On the exchange, we stayed
with a family for a week and got
to know our hosts really well. It
was good to see how other peo‐
ple live abroad and visit the plac‐
es they go to have fun. We went to the “Eisbach” and swam and this was the best thing we did with our exchanges. When we were
in Munich, we spent the days visi ng various sites with the teacher. We visited some amazing places such as the Ludwig II castles in
the Alps. On other days, we went to film studios and a massive Biergarten where we watched Germany play in the World Cup, on
huge screens. We really enjoyed the trip and would recommend it to anyone joining school. J
Spanish Exchange 2014
By Kalyna El Ke as
Earlier this school year Ms Recasens in MFL did some research and found a
school in Spain ‘I.E.S Albujaira’ to exchange with. Year 10 and Year 12 Brit
School Spanish students were given the opportunity to go on this exchange
to Huércal‐Overa in the south of Spain‐ we would live in our exchange’s
home for a week in return for hos ng them for a week here in England.
The teachers of the two schools paired up every Brit School student that
signed up with an ‘I.E.S Albujaira’ student. A er filling in forms and booking
ckets, we were good to go, and fi een Brit school kids including myself flew
over to meet our exchange and their family. The week in Spain was fantas c.
Immersed in Spanish culture and language, we learnt so much. All the Spanish exchanges and their families were welcoming and
friendly, and the whole group got along so well. We shadowed our exchanges in their school and went on touris c trips some mes
with them or some mes with just our teachers. In the evenings we split up to spend me with our own exchanges and their fami‐
lies. We got taken to the beach, to par es and shopping during this me‐ and some mes we met up with other members of the
exchange group. The whole week was fun and exci ng, and my Spanish was challenged and prac ced throughout. Personal high‐
lights were the coach trips together through Spanish scenery, talking and laughing. The beach was also a favourite and the trip to
Granada was beau ful.
When we resen ully flew back to England, we only had to wait two weeks un l we were to host them. When the Spanish exchanges
arrived they loved The Brit School! Unfortunately, we couldn’t miss school to go on their trips with them, so a er school we’d go to
parks, funfairs and meals in central London. The highlight of the week for everyone was our trip to Thorpe Park, which we organised
by ourselves. The day they had to leave came all too suddenly, and it shows how amazing the exchange was that some people cried
when they said goodbye to their exchange.
We all made incredible memories on the Spanish exchange, I know that we’d go back in a heartbeat. Now I have friends that can
correct my Spanish when I’m preparing for an exam!
Our French trip‐exchange to Monaco 2014
By Harry Bu ers
This year I was lucky enough to go to the French exchange trip
to Monaco. It was incredible in every aspect. It was my first
me going to Monaco, so it was a completely new experience
for me. The first thing we did when we arrived at the airport
was mee ng our French exchanges. I was very lucky as Amine
(my correspondent) and I got on very well which made the trip
in all the most enjoyable. We were lucky enough to visit some amazing loca ons such as the Palace of Monaco , the oceanographic
museum, many towns in south of France like the An bes, Menton, Eze village, Nice ,Monte ‐Carlo and we even went on a day trip to
Ven miglia a lively town in Italy where we had the opportunity to do shopping at good prices. !
During this trip and because we were from different classes I was able to make new friends with some post 16 students who were also
par cipa ng in the trip,. For me, this was something I wouldn’t have been able to do if I had not gone on the trip. I was also able to
greatly improve my language skills which of course was the whole point.
Overall it was an incredible trip and I would encourage anyone to consider taking part as the experience is precious, valuable and hard
to forget.
July 2014
Little Peoples Day
The BRIT School welcomed over 350 li le people from local nursery and childrens groups, to a special performance of The Tiger Who
Came to Tea. The show, based on the book by Judith Kerr featured BRIT students from all strands, with BDC providing the highly en‐
tertaining Tiger TV and music students ge ng the children to join in with the songs. It was a case of “he’s behind you” when the chil‐
dren were asked to shout “Tiger” whenever our resident stripy friend appeared. The children didn’t need asking twice to join in and
the BRIT theatre resounded to the shouts of a lot of very excited young people. A er the performance, the fun and games con nued
outside with various games and ac vi es including a bouncy castle, mask making and a picnic.
Everyone certainly seemed to enjoy themselves and a conversa on overheard seemed to sum the day up very nicely: Mum, picking
up her son and pu ng him in the car; Mum; “How exci ng!! What, real gers??” Son; “Yes real gers!”.
Interactive Media show
The first ever Interac ve Media exhibi on was a
fantas c event that saw over 150 people a end. This
was our first ever exhibi on which showcased the work
of our first cohort of students who have just completed
their BTECs in year 13 and also exhibited the work of
our current year 12s. A range of work was on offer
from iPad magazines, mo on graphics and
composi ng, websites, PCs built from scratch and
anima on both 2D and 3D as well as showcasing the
entrepreneurs we have in Interac ve Media. People
were able to look at work and interact with the iPad and iMac bars as well as sit and listen to the big
screen which had a playlist of work. It was great to see future digital designers showcasing their work
and for The BRIT School to show that we have truly talented, crea ve digital designers. We are
extremely proud of all of our students achievements and think that their work looks fantas c.
If you weren’t able to make it you can see some of what was on offer by using the following links:
h p://www.britschoolmedia.co.uk/index.html – Year 13 Interac ve Media por olios (website built by
Kerry)
h p://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBPFgkN‐I B0aMF1Io‐BLFWZ1xYAJC_Y ‐ YouTube playlist of best work including lyric videos,
3D anima ons, 2D anima ons, short films, e4 es ngs and much more!
July 2014
A picture paints a thousand words
Studying within the performing and crea ve arts can lead to a wide range of
career opportuni es and Mary Stephanou is a perfect example of how an interest
in Visual Arts and Design, has led to a career as a crea ve therapist.
Mary studied Theatre at The BRIT School at both pre and post 16 but she also
studied Visual Arts and Design as her op on and it was her developing interest in
this area that led Mary on to studying Crea ve Expressive Therapies at Derby
University. Mary gained a first and is now studying for a masters in Art
Psychology therapy.
As part of her Master’s, Mary has recently finished a placement working with in‐
pa ents on an acute mental health ward at a hospital in Derby. Although this
proved to be challenging, it gave Mary the chance to see at first hand, just how
Mary Stephanou is currently
powerful
a tool art can be when used to help people who are suffering from a
studying at Derby University
wide range of mental health issues, including depression, demen a, au sm,
Alzheimer’s and a number of pa ents who had previously a empted suicide.
Mary explained how she encouraged the pa ents to express themselves using art.
“Art therapy uses a range of materials to help pa ents look at what is going on in their own minds. In many instances it can be
thoughts and memories that have been locked away in their unconscious mind for many years, but before a pa ent can begin to
recover, they first need to unravel and understand these subconscious thoughts. This is where the use of art really comes into it’s
own. Art is a truly universal language and it can be a very powerful tool. A pa ent that finds it impossible to put their thoughts into
words, wri en or verbal, can quite o en be able to create them as an image. We use a range of materials, including so clay, which
is par cularly important for a pa ent with restricted hand movement, pens, paint, crayons etc.”
Mary explained that her job wasn’t to look at the images as finished pieces of art work, but to look at the symbolism they contained.
“It’s like peeling away the layers”, she said. “You look at the imagery and try to understand the symbolism and metaphors that the
pa ent has used to express the problems they are experiencing”. “The use of certain colours may have certain meanings and as the
therapy con nues you may see a change in the colours used. This could represent a change in the how the pa ent was feeling”.
So, what was it that a racted Mary to working in this field.
“It was working with Stuart Worden on a community arts project with St Christopher’s. We spent a lot of me listening to the
residents at St Christopher’s. Their stories were truly inspiring and I was par cularly interested in how drawings could trigger
memories for so many of them.” There was a considerable age difference between the residents and the students but art bridged
that age gap and I found that really moving.”
Art therapy is not perhaps the most obvious choice for a student, but Mary said Sam Go shalk, the school’s Progressions Manager,
advised her to look at the expressive therapies course at Derby, and in the end, that was the only course Mary applied for.
Mary intends to pursue art therapy as a career when she completes her masters degree, which is en rely self‐funded. In the
mean me, if you would like to contact Mary to learn more about the course she is studying please use marystephanou@gmail.com.
Mastercard event
Three very lucky Year 12 music students had the chance to perform at a pres gious Mastercard
Interna onal event on Saturday 5 July. Shivani Brooking (pictured right), Kemi Aneke and Valen na
Funaro performed a 25 minute set aboard the Barracuda. The songs were mainly original
composi ons with a few covers including “ He Loves Me” and Summer me Sadness” .
Shivani said “the audience were really recep ve and really seemed to enjoy the music”. The
students also got to enjoy dinner aboard the vessel. A well deserved reward.
July 2014
Dates to remember:
Thursday 28 August 2014—Year 10, 11 and 12 start date
Monday 1 September 2014—Year 13 start date
As part of The BRIT School’s ongoing work with the community, we were delighted to welcome pupils from a number of local
schools including our neighbour, The Crescent, to “Create, Make, Take”, on Friday 11 July. This project was run by our Year 12 Visual
Arts and Design students and VAD staff and consisted of a number of different workshops held throughout the morning. In true
Blue Peter fashion, there was paint, glue, scissors, gli er and a lot of imagina on with pupils working on jewellery making, sock pup‐
pets, screen prin ng, mono prin ng and typography.
The workshops were due to finish at lunch me, but some pupils were so keen to finish their crea ons, they stayed on during their
lunchbreaks. It was wonderful to see so many younger pupils so keen to try out some new cra ing skills and the Year 12 students
were only too keen to share their knowledge and help our visitors.
Staff V students football match….the result
With the England squad scarcely having me for their spray tans to dry, before they
were on the plane back home, The BRIT School decided to show us all what the
beau ful game was really all about. This annual footy fest has been something of a
walkover for students in the past and as the student team leapt onto the pitch with all
the vigour of youth and the flexibility of a rubber band, there didn’t seem to be
anything to say the dismal staff record would be changed this year. However, with last
years defeat s ll smar ng like vinegar in a paper cut, the staff team came out with a
steely glint in their eyes. This year, was it going to be age and experience over youth
and energy?
As the whistle blew it was clear from the off that neither side was giving an inch. The
staff team, Captained by Dan Clark, Box Office Manager, came out figh ng and with some ques onable tackles early on, the students
quickly realised this was not going to be a walk in the park. Despite staff giving their all, at half me the score was 5‐3 to the
students. With extra plasters called for and the first aid team on stand by with oxygen if necessary, the staff team decided to bring on
some subs and played their trump card when several members of our resident site staff took up the gauntlet. The game changed in an
instant and with more twists and turns that Torvill and Dean’s Bolero, the score was levelled with just a few mins to go. At the last gasp
(literally for some players), Jordan Walkinshaw, our Box Office appren ce, sent the ball flying into the back of the net. A final score of
6‐5 to the staff. A truly stunning result and one which will go down in BRIT School history. The trophy is now proudly displayed at the
main recep on desk and if you ask Dan nicely he will, under supervision, allow you to touch it. Well done the staff, however, next years
match may be a different story...
July 2014
Careers day. Tuesday 22 July 2014
Careers fair in the Obie Theatre
Kelly Shirley (le )
and Cat Sandion
Blake Harrison and Stuart Worden, Principal
Music Industries seminar
Crea ve Industries panel seminar presented by Madeline
Cooper, Parent Governor
Careers Day is a huge event which the school and the Progression Department are proud to put on for our year 12 students going into
year 13. The purpose of the day is to help students start to answer those all important ques ons…Should I go to University?,
Voca onal School?, Straight to work?, Have a Gap Year?
The school is extremely grateful for all the support and me given from up to 250 guests from both educa on and industry to be a part
of the event. In the morning 50 higher educa on ins tu ons, voca onal and drama schools and gap year providers come together in
the Obie Theatre for a Careers Fair. All students also get to receive first hand advice from universi es on how to write a personal
statement and as well as advice on life a er gradua ng from BRIT from Always BRIT ex‐student Blake Harrison (known for playing Neil
in the ‘The Inbetweeners’), who returned to the school as our key note speaker.
In the a ernoon there was a series of exci ng panels, workshops and prac cal masterclasses, giving students the opportunity to
directly ask ques ons to industry professionals as well as receive prac cal training in specialised areas. The day was a huge success and
there has been some excellent feedback from students and staff so huge thanks to all who were involved.