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The PQA Edinburgh Newsletter
July 2015
YEAR ONE - DONE!
Hello and welcome to this term’s Stage Whispers from PQA Edinburgh West and North. This term has
again been a busy one with lots of fabulous projects, culminating in three fantastic performances of
three very different plays, 3 dynamic and fabulous films and everyone making wonderful progress in
Musical Theatre. This was also the last term at Craigmount High School and Broughton High School
before we relocate to St Augustine’s High School for the beginning of our new term on Saturday 15th
August.
Leonna - Principal
PARENTS DAY AT PQA EDINBURGH!
This term we held our very first Parents Day at PQA Edinburgh. Unlike parents day
at school this was an opportunity for all our parents (and some grandparents) to
take part in all of our classes, alongside our students. Thank you to all who
attended and took part. Everyone really immersed themselves in the classes,
some after a little gentle persuasion to leave their inhibitions at the door, and it
was fantastic to see Parents and Students sharing a taste of what we do at PQA
Edinburgh.
Alongside Performer of the Week, we also had Parent’s of the week.
Congratulations to Julie who was our Poppets Parent of the Week and to
Adel (West) and Michelle (North) who were our
Parents of the week. A special mention must go
to Frank who was our Grandparent of the
Week, who alongside Stewart showed us some
fantastic performing skills with ‘Papa Franks
Pizza Shop!’
!
Stage Whispers: The PQA Edinburgh Newsletter
July 2015
TERM REVIEW – ‘QUIET ON SET’
This term we have been have been working on some wonderful projects. At the end of June we had a
performance of our three plays ‘The Lion & The Mouse’, ‘The Legend of Lightning Larry’ and ‘The
Accordion Shop’ to an invited audience of family and friends.
This term all our students have completed exciting film projects.
Each group have
developed, designed,
planned, cast, acted,
produced, directed and
shot their own films, all
coming form their own
ideas. Graham is currently
editing all the films and we
can’t wait to see them on
the ‘big screen’ at our PQA Cinema experience, which we are
planning for next year. We will also submit all the films to the
PQA Film Festival, so fingers crossed; there may be some
winners out there!
This terms theme for Musical Theatre has been ‘light and
shade’. We have been
exploring the vast
genre of Musical
Theatre with each
group learning routines
from two very
contrasting shows.
From modern to
traditional, fast to slow, and simple to challenging, each group
have continued to develop skills in singing, movement and dance,
and performing for stage during this terms Musical Theatre module. Everything the students have
learned will help them with next terms exciting project!
This term our main focus has been on Comedy and Drama, with each group performing their own short
play to an invited audience. During the term our
students worked on character development, learning
scripts, working as a cast to develop a play and
developing performance skills and experience. Green
Group entertained us with their adaptation of ‘The Lion
& The Mouse’, Blue group made us laugh when
performing ‘The Legend of Lightning Larry’ and Red
Group delivered a powerful performance of ‘The
Accordion Shop’.
Despite several challenges along the way, including
some late call offs, every student who performed gave
absolutely everything they had and did a fantastic job.
For many of our students this was their first
experience of performing in front of an audience and it
was a pleasure to see everything they have learned put
in to practice.
Stage Whispers: The PQA Edinburgh Newsletter
July 2015
A NOTE REGARDING PERFORMING!
PQA Edinburgh is a performing arts academy and our main emphasis is teaching all aspects of the
performing arts. We aim to help all our students develop technical ability, skill, confidence, self-esteem
and team work through the performing arts. While doing this we make sure that all our students have
fun exploring, learning and developing at every opportunity. The culmination of all of this is indeed
performing. Putting on a performance is always a challenge and does require a degree of commitment
from everyone involved to make sure it remains fun and allows all our students to showcase what they
have learned at the academy. We make no apology for pushing all our students to be the very best they
can be, supporting them to strive and step out of their comfort zone while being themselves and being
amazing!
We are very aware that many of our students are involved in various different projects both within and
out with the arts and we have attended several performances from our very talented bunch of students
away from PQA. We also recognise that we do ask everyone to put in a little bit of work outside of the 3
hours at the Academy each week. If you have other projects or activities that you are involved with, or
know you are not going to be at the Academy then please let us know at the earliest opportunity. We will
take this into consideration when planning projects, rehearsals and performances.
This doesn’t mean that you will not be involved in any of our projects; in fact it means the exact opposite.
There is always a role for everyone within the academy with the opportunity to learn, develop and have
fun. We just need to know so we can plan this.
We will always take exams and exam time into consideration and your education comes first. If we know
that you have lots of other things going on, be it other shows, dance projects, sports events, Duke of
Edinburgh or family events then we do not want to put added pressure on you by expecting you to learn
large scripts etc.
We fully understand that last minute call off’s are often unavoidable. If you are
ill then you need to look after yourself (we don’t want to catch anything either!)
so please rest and stay at home. We do our very best to accommodate
everything as it comes up. All we ask is that if you are able to attend, then
please do so, and if you cant, let us know. Any absence means you are
missing out on the fantastic lessons and projects at PQA but it also has a
knock on effect on all of our students.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
If a student cannot make the academy for any reason then please let us know as soon as you can. You can email
me at leonna@pqacademy.com or call me on 07597 321734. If I don’t hear from you then I worry about you!
On Academy days please call or text me, as I don’t have access to my email or Facebook.
Please don’t be offended if we call you or contact you in the event of non-attendance and we haven’t heard from
you. This is our policy and your child’s welfare is important to us. We also encourage regular attendance at the
academy. A lot of the work we do leads on from week to week and regular attendance is vital, especially leading up
to performance time.
Pick up/Drop Off/Self Sign
If you would like your child to self-sign in and out of the academy then please let me know. I will then inform Head
Office of the change to the register. Self-sign means your child can attend and leave the academy without you
being there. If they are not self-sign then you must be present when attending and leaving, we will not let anyone
leave on their own.
Uniform
Our uniform is quite simple: PQA t-shirt, black joggers/bottoms/leggings and trainers/dance shoes. Please note
that uniform is mandatory. We are a performing arts academy not a youth club or fashion show!
Stage Whispers: The PQA Edinburgh Newsletter
July 2015
!
THE ADVENTURES OF EDWARD POPPET
This term we welcomed a new member to the PQA Team, Edward Poppet!
Edward’s job is to go home each week with our Poppet of the Week and join
in with all the exciting activities our Poppets get up to. He also helps our
Poppets learn valuable skills in responsibility and respect, making sure they
look after him and bring him back to class the following week.
Edward has joined our Poppets on their many adventures this term, with trips
to the moon, visits under the sea, a Teddy Bears picnic and he even joined in
on Super-Hero day! All of our Poppets skills are improving weekly, with great retention and focus!
We are really excited to see what Edward and the rest of our
Poppets get up to next. We hope that Edward can be involved in our
Poppets filming that will re-commence next term! He has been on
so many trips that we can’t fit all the photos in, but we’ll create a
special news item with lots more photos. Watch this space!
Edward is so excited to spend time with our Poppet of the Week,
and he has even written a little poem about his many adventures!
Edward’s Poem
Hello, my name’s Edward and I’m
a wee bear,
I go through my life without even a
care,
My friends are all Poppets; we
have fun and play,
I can’t wait for PQA on Saturday!
We dance and we sing,
And do lots of fun things,
Go to space and the zoo,
There’s so much to do!
Each week I have fun with
our Poppet of the Week,
Go on trips and adventures,
and play hide and Seek!
To the beach, on a tractor
and even a wedding,
And get tucked up at night
in some snuggly warm bedding!
I’ve been dancing, shoe shopping and had cake
and tea,
Off to the fun fair, there’s so much to see!
Britannia and Murrayfield and parties galore,
I can’t wait to see what next term has in store!
See you in August! Lots of love,
Edward Poppet
Stage Whispers: The PQA Edinburgh Newsletter
July 2015
!
QUIRKY KIDZ
Our PQA agency, Quirky Kidz, opened their books this spring, inviting
exciting new talent to join the Agency. Over 40 students and their
families from PQA Edinburgh West and North travelled to Newcastle
and even London to attend the Quirky Kidz auditions and the
feedback from Kristie and Adam was fantastic. Several of our
students have already been called for castings and we are delighted
to say that some of our Green Group Students have already been on
set filming a selection of promotional films for Cash for Kids. I’m sure
there will be many more opportunities for all of those who joined the
agency. Quirky Kidz books are currently closed and will re-open in the
spring of 2016. All interested students will be invited to join the agency
should they wish to do so, and those currently represented will have the
opportunity to continue with representation. More details to follow in
the spring of 2016!
PQA EDINBURGH IS MOVING!
Our new term starting on Saturday 15th August sees PQA Edinburgh West and PQA Edinburgh North
move to an exciting new venue. From this day both Academies will move to St Augustine’s High School on
Broomhouse Road, Edinburgh. Please see below for a map link to the school:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/St+Augustines+High+School/@55.9328968,3.2875225,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x4887c681a6476153:0x2eaf2583fbd1f317?hl=en
As well as the move we will also change our name to PQA Edinburgh AM and PQA Edinburgh PM.
Our Academy times will also change slightly to:
PQA Edinburgh AM – 10.00am to 1.00pm, Registration opens at 09.45am
PQA Edinburgh PM – 2.00pm to 5.00pm, Registration opens at 1.45pm
St Augustine’s High School offers excellent facilities. With a large theatre area with tiered seating, a
large purpose built drama studio, a designated media room for Film and TV and a fantastic drama
classroom for our Poppets, this move will enhance the PQA Edinburgh experience for all of our students
ensuring a safe and secure environment. There is also ample parking and excellent public transport links
with the school being easily accessible to all.
We are very excited about this move, and hope you are too!
NEXT TERM AT PQA EDINBURGH
We have lots of exciting things happening at PQA Edinburgh next term. This term is 19 weeks long giving
us plenty of opportunity to learn, develop, have fun and be amazing!
As well as being at our exciting new venue, all our students will be working towards a Christmas
Showcase, creating 3-minute shorts in Film and TV for our Film Festival and working towards Trinity
Awards!
Both Simon and myself would like to thank every one of you for helping make our first year very special.
We hope you all have a fantastic summer and can’t wait to make next year at PQA Edinburgh even
better!
The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts, Edinburgh
St. Augustine’s High School, Broomhouse Road, Edinburgh, EH12 9AD
http://www.pqacademy.com/academy_locator/edinburgh/
Tel: 07597 321 734
PQA PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK
SUMMER TERM 2015
The following students won Performer of the Week during the Summer
Term 2015. The certificates are awarded for exceptional behaviour,
hard work, commitment and dedication. Huge Congratulations to
everyone!
WEST
NORTH
18/04/15 – Vaila Gentile-Watt
25/04/15 – Ellie Quinn
02/05/15 – Jennifer Gray
Jayden Scott
09/05/15 – Ellie Crawford
16/05/15 –
23/05/15 –
30/05/15 –
06/06/15 –
13/06/15 –
20/06/15 –
27/06/15 –
04/07/15 –
Poppy McLardy
Sophie Milligan
Annabel Cochrane-Mills
Jessica Butler
Elizabeth Auld
Lia Collins
Daniel Terrett
Faith Evans
Charlie Duncan
Aimee Craig / Red Group
Ethan Laing
Mabel Russell-Douglas
PERFORMANCE DAY
Matthew Grant
Julia Stachowicz
Cameron Rennie
Ellie Morrison
Lucy Lansley
Isla McKay
Iona Morrison
PERFORMANCE DAY
Lorna Robertson
POPPET OF THE WEEK
SUMMER TERM 2015
The following students won Poppet of the Week during the Summer
Term 2015. The certificates are awarded for exceptional behaviour,
hard work, commitment and dedication. Well done Poppets!
18/04/15 –
25/04/15 –
02/05/15 –
09/05/15 –
16/05/15 –
23/05/15 –
30/05/15 –
06/06/15 –
13/06/15 –
20/06/15 –
27/06/15 –
04/07/15 –
Mila Grbic
Archie Kirkwood - Law
Orla Russell
Aimee Scott
Harry Muir
Madison Park
Aimee Robertson
Keira Biddulph
Alexis Gow
Orla Russell
Archie Kirkwood - Law
Mila Grbic
leonna@pqacademy.com
07597 321 734
PQA Edinburgh is
enrolling now!!
If you know anyone who
may like to join our
fantastic Academy,
please pass on our
details!
Free taster sessions
available – get in touch.
PQA EDINBURGH IS TAKING A HOLIDAY!
TH
OUR PHONE WILL BE SWITCHED OFF FROM FRIDAY 24 JULY AND WE WILL
RETURN ON WEDNESDAY 5 AUGUST.
IF YOUR ENQUIRY IS OF AN URGENT NATURE YOU CAN CONTACT PQA HEAD
OFFICE ON THEIR NEW FREEPHONE NUMBER: 0800 531 6282 OR EMAIL
enquiries@pqacademy.com, OTHERWISE WE WILL REPLY TO ANY ENQUIRIES ON
OUR RETURN.
Have a fantastic Summer everyone; see you on Saturday 15 August!
TH
th
!
Leonna McGilligan-Dix
Principal of PQA
Edinburgh