On the 29th June 2017, KS2 performed Cinderella & Rockerfella to a packed audience. More photos available in the photo gallery.
Cinderella & Rockerfella
Our Key Stage Two musical took place on Monday, 26 June and Thursday, 29 June, and it was (to quote a certain Ofsted Inspector) ‘Quite, quite brilliant.’ Every pupil in classes 3 and 4 had a part in the play, which was written by the Out of the Ark team of Mark and Helen Johnson with script by Sue Langwade, slightly adapted for our needs.
We started learning the songs and dances during lessons in the Spring Term, and then pupils in Class 4 chose three parts from which they were invited to audition in front of their peers. This tough but transparent selection process, involving peer and self-assessment prior to teacher selection, seeks to give pupils both a sense of ambition and an understanding of being part of a whole – it is OUR play.
Once parts were assigned to Class 4 pupils, children in Class 3 were asked to act as members of the chorus in various guises (Funky Fairies or the Paparazzi) and some were given additional roles – Busy Bakers, Ofsted Inspectors, Town Criers, and so on.
There was even a play within a play, with some pupils contributing to a ‘Foxton’s Got Talent’ competition. You might have known that it would be won by a dog! From Cinderella to Freddie Footman and from Buttons to some spectacularly horrid Ugly Sisters, everyone had an important role to play, and everyone played wonderfully well. We are SO proud of our Year 6 pupils, every single one of whom rose to the challenge of singing in front of a large audience with a microphone. And we are proud of all those who gave such memorable performances, delighting us with their talent.
Our special thanks are due to those who supported us in this very special project. Laurence Wood (keyboard) and Johan Williams (drums) gave us professional musical performances; Deana Vaughan and Donna McDonald sorted out costumes, props, make-up and OHT words; lots of parents helped with costumes and learning lines, and Anita Armitage did all those administrative tasks that enable a performance actually to take place.
I have loved producing the school musical over the past years, for much of that time with Rhiannon Pow, who played the piano. From a Class 4 summer concert in 2005 and our own tiny opera (based on Michael Morpurgo's ‘Gentle Giant’) in 2006, we have grown these events to showcase the wonderful talent at Foxton School. I want to thank all the pupils who, over many years, have stepped up to perform, to learn, to grow and to lead and encourage others.
Penny Kite