Westcliff Diary 80
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T: 01702 475443 THE F: 01702 470495 E: [email protected] Westcliff Diary W: www.whsb.essex.sch.uk January 2017 No.80 Oliver! The Musical 7, 8 and 9 February 2017 Rehearsals are well underway now for our musical production Victorian city life for orphans. Lionel Bart, however, in writing the script, Oliver! which will play to audiences on Tuesday 7, Wednesday 8 lyrics and music, gives it a lively and colourful make-over. and Thursday 9 February 2017 in the Main Hall. The musical was performed for the first time at The New Theatre, London, Hailed the world over as one of the best-loved family musicals of all and was an instant success. In January 1963 Oliver! opened on Broadway time, Lionel Bart’s Tony Award-winning musical Oliver! is based on at Imperial Theatre as a result of which Lionel Bart won the Tony Award the Charles Dickens’ classic novel, Oliver Twist. for Best Composer and Lyricist; the first British composer to win a Tony. The film version of Oliver!, directed by Carol Reed, was released Set in Victorian England, Oliver Twist is the name given to a boy born in in 1968 with Ron Moody receiving an Oscar nomination and a Golden the workhouse orphanage whose mother died in childbirth – her identity Globe Award for his role as Fagin. is unknown. Now an adolescent who has never felt loved or accepted, Oliver manages to escape the workhouse and make his way to London Auditions were open to students in all Years and took place early in where he feels accepted for the first time in his life amongst a similarly the autumn term. We were impressed with the talent before us, with orphaned group of youngsters, headed by the Artful Dodger who students from WHSB and WHSG being selected for roles which we ‘makes wallets’ under the direction of Fagin. know will excite our audiences in February. Characters such as the innocent, yet persistent, Oliver Twist, to the cheeky Artful Dodger; a What Oliver is initially unaware of is that they are really a band of conniving Fagan who takes in homeless children and turns them into pickpockets and that Fagin hides away whatever riches he is able to opportunistic criminals, one of whom has grown up into a common obtain for his own personal benefit. One of Fagin’s associates is Bill ‘lady’ of the street, Nancy, and another former member of Fagin’s Sykes, whose girlfriend, Nancy, takes Oliver under her wing. Oliver gang, and the brutal burglar, Bill Sykes (along with his nameless dog). looks to Nancy as his one true friend, especially needing her when he We also have the erudite Mr Brownlow, the pompous, self-important discovers what Fagin and his gang are really up to. Oliver comes to the Mr Bumble and, of course, the insensitive undertaker, Mr Sowerberry attention of the wealthy Mr Brownlow, and also to Sykes who sees and his wife. Oliver as both an asset and a liability, but one that needs to be kept under his watchful eye. Nancy, despite her mistreatment by Sykes, Oliver! is full of memorable songs such as: Food Glorious Food, has to decide whether to be loyal to him and help him keep Oliver or Oliver, I Shall Scream, That’s Your Funeral, Where is Love?, Consider to do what is best for Oliver by assisting in his escape. This becomes Yourself, You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two, It’s a Fine Life, I’d Do more important when she finds out that Brownlow is looking for Oliver Anything, Be Back Soon, Oom-Pah-Pah, As Long as He Needs Me, when he learns of the boy’s true heritage. and of course, Reviewing the Situation. There will be plenty of toe- tapping in the Main Hall come Opening Night. Dickens’ hugely successful novel was a thinly-veiled protest against the Poor Law of 1834, which dictated that all public charity must be Tickets are on sale at a price of £8 for adults/£5 for pupils and are channelled through workhouses; a gritty and unromantic portrayal of bookable via TicketSource. 1 HE HEADMASTER FROM THE DESK parameters which narrow the search to Speech Day 2016 reliable and useful sources. Equally, cutting and pasting some notes or saving Speech Day is one of the highlights of web addresses does not amount to the academic year and this year we acquiring knowledge. It is the study and were delighted to welcome The Rt Hon application of the material which will Ann Widdecombe DSG as our Guest of enable a pupil to progress and so the Honour. Pupils and staff have indicated majority of time (at least three quarters) to me that they found her remarks highly should be spent studying material as enjoyable as well as thought-provoking. opposed to searching. Speech Day provides the School with an opportunity to congratulate and Independent Occasionally pupils can become frustrated honour the worthy achievements of our with studying and find this a daunting pupils and staff. Speech Day celebrates Learning and GCSE challenge. The School does provide students’ individual achievements, but also and A Level Trial advice to students on study methods, our collective achievements. Ultimately Examinations however it is important to understand the success of the School depends that both study and revision are an upon the strength of its community to Adolescence involves a journey towards individual exercise and one size does support and serve one another. With this greater independence as young people not fit all. One of the aims of homework in mind, I would like to make a special take on ever increasing amounts of is to help pupils develop and sharpen mention of Peter Banfield (Year 11) the responsibility for themselves. As pupils their independent learning skills. It is winner of the George Chiverton Prize for move into the GCSE years, and beyond, important for pupils to understand that Contribution to the School Community. teachers expect them to gradually take the ability to work independently is vital Peter has shown extraordinary loyalty control of their own learning, albeit whilst to succeeding in public examinations and dedication to his School during the they continue to receive appropriate and beyond. last five years. He leads the School’s support and guidance. stage lighting crew and has given up The recent Trial Examinations should many evenings and weekends to provide For some pupils this transition towards have provided Year 11 with a taste of the superb technical support for School independent learner can be challenging, challenge to come this May. It is important events. If time and space allowed I particularly if they adopt passive or they make effective use of the feedback could highlight many more pupils who reactive strategy in School. Students provided by their teachers and honestly have provided outstanding service to need to be pro-active in organizing their evaluate their preparations and their their School. I thank all those pupils revision, identifying the study methods performance. and staff who make such a positive and habits that are most effective in contribution to their School community. helping them to understand and acquire This process should enable individual knowledge that will enable their progress. pupils to improve and consolidate their This involves completing homework performance in order to ensure they and revision in a planned and organized have a secure platform for entering Post fashion. 16 education. Equally, the Upper Sixth (and some in the Lower Sixth) will need During term time, pupils from Year 7 to to ensure that their Trial Examinations in Year 13 have work to complete each February provide them with a valuable weekday evening and most will also have rehearsal for the A Level Examinations weekend homework. In the absence of a this summer. specific assignment set by the teacher, pupils should be revising previous work, This can only be achieved by ensuring reading ahead or engaged in independent they undertake a well-organized revi- research. Effective independent research sion programme. We understand that does not involve using the Internet in the public examinations are demanding an unstructured manner. Independent and students are welcome to approach Peter Banfield (Year 11) research may involve the use of the the relevant pastoral office if they Web but it must also involve a set of require additional support or guidance. 2 K OF THE HEADMASTER FROM TH Year 11 Mentoring and to give serious thought to their future (Teacher of French) shall also be taking direction. The mentors will be able to maternity leave and, at the time of writing, The School, with the support of members of give the pupils the benefit of both, their the appointment of her replacement is the local business community, intends experience and expertise. The programme in progress. We were delighted to welcome to pilot a new mentoring scheme with a will be voluntary and those invited to Mr Willson, an Old Westcliffian, to the small group of selected Year 11 pupils. join will require their parents’ consent. support staff in October 2016. Mr Senior The purpose of the scheme is to enable remains seriously ill and we have the pupils to discuss their education appointed Mr Farine to cover his timetable. and career plans with experienced Staff Changes for The school is working with Mr Senior professionals. The mentoring scheme the Spring Term and his family to support them at this will involve these professionals visiting difficult time and we offer them our best the School on five or six occasions during I am pleased to update you on some wishes.