large interactive TV screens which we teach from but also double as digital canvases to showcase artworks,” she explains. “We have intentionally created the environment of an Arts College, and have artworks displayed from alumni who have gone on to study and work in the creative industries. The space is just an inspiring place to work in.” The Music Department has also seen an expansion of both space and capabilities with extra practice rooms plus two new Music classrooms and one for Dance, all equipped with fully integrated sound systems. In Secondary Music, there is also a recording studio and control room with sound absorption and advanced recording hardware and software. “So far, we have had a lot of interest in the upper years for using the recording studio,” says Secondary Music Teacher, Dave Pitman. “Our IB1 Musical Theatre students have recorded a music video and plan to do more in the future. There are several Year 10 and 11 students who have also expressed interest in using the facilities, and have even put their own mark on the rooms by installing acoustic sound panels to assist with sound absorption.” Fittingly, the students have the opportunity to explore the technical side of sound recording, in addition to learning to play and perform Music.
The new Alvin Fereira Theatre is also equipped to allow the exploration of the creative and technical aspects of Drama.
This “Black Box” Theatre is surrounded by blackout curtains and features a cyclorama - a large curtain used for
“We have been able to use the space to film performances and share online with friends and family while still adhering to Covid restrictions.”
lighting effects. The entire space can be enclosed or the back wall can have the cyclorama revealed. The lighting rig, with a full complement of LED theatre lights and light board, allows for various lighting states and effects to be created. The space has sound equipment to enhance productions and there are 18 stage risers that can be adjusted to various configurations. By changing the height of the legs, tiered audience
seating can be created. Perhaps most importantly, Mrs Thorpe says: “It is Drama’s own space! The classes are being taught in a real theatre. This impacts the feel the girls have for the work. “They enjoy using the different spaces and the different technical aspects to enhance their work. It allows the girls to present their performances, particularly in GCSE and IB, with lights which give their work a more polished feel.” Whilst COVID-19 restrictions have limited some of the plans that teachers had for this year, Mrs Thorpe says: “We have been able to use the space to film performances and share online with friends and family while still adhering to COVID-19 restrictions. So the space is still being used to enhance performances!” She is also looking forward to really leaning into the possibilities the Black Box Theatre creates for the future. “Over the past years, the performance aspect of the school has continued to grow but our space did not reflect the importance that it had within the School or how many students are involved in extracurricular Drama activities, both behind and on stage,” she says. “Having now got our own space, the mindset about the importance the subject is greatly improved. I sometimes can’t get students to leave, they find the space very much their happy place!”
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