FLIPPING BOOK CHRONICLE 2024

efforts as we are of them. One of the things we have been delighted to develop has been sculpture. The E Block were introduced to papier mâché, and designed and created very successful monsters using an armature of wine bottles, toilet rolls, newspaper and wire, over which they moulded tissue and then papier mâché. Their creations are wonderfully original. Although the D Block spent much of the year honing their drawing skills, they ended it having a choice between drawing very delicately naturalistic black-and-white portraits in soft pastel and charcoal pencils or working three-dimensionally in papier mâché making full-bodied puppets. The C Block spent much of the year working on developing their visual journal conceptualisation skills and learning to work with various drawing media, which developed into naturalistic

coloured pastel pencil and then acrylic painted portraits.

The B Block, too, worked on visual journaling and portrait drawing, which developed into delicate, very quirky wax clay sculpted portraits, which will soon be cast in resin and form part of our planned portraiture exhibition early in 2025. The Art School has continued to be a busy place extramurally this year. We hosted another two staff-development forums and the annual Community Partnership Trust’s art competition. Our welding and forging workshop was very busy with the sounds of numerous E and D Block boys tinkering. We look forward to exploring printing next year as we have recently acquired an A1 printing press.

In a nutshell, this has been a wonderfully creative year in which we have begun to breathe and hope again.

DRAMATIC ARTS

Woza Albert. A South African classic that delves into apartheid through the lens of faith and justice, challenging the boys to consider historical and societal implications. Chester is Missing. A comedic yet poignant performance by ventriloquist Conrad Coch, tackling social injustices, gender issues and current affairs with humour and depth. Born Naked. A powerful play exploring LGBTQIA+ awareness. The boys’ empathetic response and mature reflections following the performance showcased their growth as compassionate and thoughtful individuals. Pieces of Me (Hilton Arts Festival). A touching one-woman show highlighting the pain of apartheid-era separations within mixed-race families, resonating deeply with the boys. Spellbound. A captivating magic show featuring performers from Britain’s Got Talent , with our students volunteering to take part on stage, adding a touch of magic to their theatre journey. These experiences underscored the transformative power of theatre in shaping perspectives and encouraging critical conversations. Far from being mere entertainment, these performances sparked discussions about social injustices, identity and responsibility, preparing our boys to be empathetic and informed global citizens. The Drama Department has not only nurtured artistic talent but also identified potential leaders, ensuring a lasting legacy of critical thinking and engagement. This year we celebrated the remarkable ability of theatre to inspire and educate, leaving an indelible impact on our boys. As we look to the future, we remain committed to fostering creativity, empathy and leadership through the transformative power of the arts. LOOKING AHEAD

Head of Department: Ms Asha Royappen Staff: Mr William le Cordeur Intern: Isaac Jarvis

A YEAR OF GROWTH, EXCELLENCE AND TRANSFORMATION he Drama Department had an extraordinary year in 2024, marked by academic excellence, impactful productions and thought-provoking theatre experiences. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Our boys achieved exceptional matric results, with nine As and seven Bs in their matric exams. The class average soared to an impressive 84%. The boys’ practical exam performances were a highlight, receiving high praise from the examiner and a standing ovation from the audience. Their dedication to the craft and commitment to excellence shone brightly, solidifying their reputation as a talented and hardworking group. IMMERSIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES The C Block cohort kicked off the year with a transformative residency programme, working alongside professional artist Tim Redpath to create an original production. This hands-on experience provided a valuable introduction to drama and fostered creativity, teamwork and confidence among the boys. The boys also had the opportunity to perform in a number of school productions directed by Mr William le Cordeur and in his Movement Society. THEATRE ENGAGEMENT AND WORLDVIEW EXPANSION Our boys had the privilege of engaging with a variety of productions this year, each offering unique insights and fostering empathy and understanding. T

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