It has been a joy this week to watch the performances of the two, much anticipated, productions from the Early Years and Pre-Prep. The Early Years put on a sparkling performance of “The Christmas Star” and Years 2 and 3 had us all enthralled with their very entertaining and ambitious production of “The Elves and the Shoemaker”. These events create memories, for the children and parents, that are treasured for years. However, they are also incredibly important opportunities for the children to develop some important skills that will be critical throughout their lives.
Performing on stage comes more naturally to some children than others and, for those who enjoy it, we are lucky to have the facilities and talented staff to allow us to support and encourage their passion. However, the Christmas productions are not just about being the “star of the show”, they allow all children (even those who are talented in performing arts) to step outside their comfort zone and to do something that makes them a bit nervous. This is something they will come across regularly as they grow older, whether it be a job interview or a presentation, and the more they experience this, the more their confidence will grow.
Having the opportunity to be involved in a show of this type also develops other skills that transfer directly into the classroom. It works on their language and communication skills, by introducing new vocabulary and encouraging them to express themselves, not only verbally, but also using facial expressions and body language; making them more effective communicators. It builds their concentration, collaboration and team working skills, as they are required to listen to the instructions they are given by their teachers and they have to listen to each other! Finally the discipline of rehearsals is a brilliant process as they realise that it’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them, it teaches them to never give up and it is a very obvious example of what hard work and dedication can achieve. Congratulations to all the staff and children involved for achieving such spectacular productions.
Categories: Events News Phase 1 Phase 2 Pre-Reception Reception Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
