News from Elmhurst Patron HRH The Duchess of Cornwall Summer 2014 Welcome... It seems like just yesterday that we celebrated the successes of last year and already we are preparing to welcome back the students for yet another great year. The summer period has been a time of great activity for the school, two hugely successful summer schools and the handover of the new boarding accommodation are just two highlights that spring to mind. Left to right, Peter Hawksworth, Robert Parker, Guest of Honour Gillian Lynne, Jessica Ward, Roy Shields; photo: Phil Hitchman On a personal note, this summer also saw my wedding to my long-term partner James Wheeler, hence the change of my name from Ward to work and energies of all staff and students in the creation of these. I feel Wheeler. I shall of course explain this to the students when term starts but very proud that our students show su ch great versatility in their dancing, wanted to share the name change with you. turning their hands to wonderful British choreography such as Ashton’s A Birthday Offering but equally able to get their teeth into challenging Having now completed four years at Elmhurst I continue to be incredibly steps set by William Forsythe in Second Detail ; this is admirable. proud of the students and staff, they are a credit to the school community. At Elmhurst we aim to be consistently outstanding in all that we do – Live, I would like to extend thanks to Birmingham Royal Ballet for continuing to Dance and Learn. It is of paramount importance to us to develop the whole be an inspiration to the students and for their ongoing support; we are person so that Elmhurst students are prepared for professional life beyond truly grateful. the school environment and can face the challenges that come their way. In the last year I have worked closely with the Friends of Elmhurst, and the As we moved towards the 10th anniversary of being a major part of the staff and students are hugely grateful for the additional resources that they Birmingham community, we used the Summer Gala to unveil plans for a provide. I would like to note the hard work of the Chair of the Friends year of celebration that will recognise the history of the school and look to Committee, Siân Scholes, and committee members, who whole-heartedly its future (more details can be found on the website). This is an important support the school. The Solo and Choreographic competitions continue to milestone for the school and the wider community; I know that you will be school highlights and, this year, the Summer Soirée, staged by Year 11 join us in making it a memorable year. student Harry Fulleylove and including Year 8’s production of The Boyfriend, served as our personal thanks to our much-valued friends. Our new Sixth Form accommodation for 47 first- and second-year Sixth Formers has come to life and will be part of our celebrations this coming We said goodbye to a number of staff at the end of the school year, I wish year. The project has been developed over the past two years so it is each and everyone of them every success in the future and thank them for exciting to see it finally come together. We are very grateful to Calthorpe their hard work in the time they have worked at Elmhurst. Estates who purchased the property with the ambition to establish high- I would like to express thanks to Peter Hawksworth who joined us as Vice quality living quarters for Elmhurst students on their Edgbaston Estate. St Principal last September leading the academic and pastoral teams, he has Paul’s Associates, the architects, have worked tirelessly with the school to had a tremendous year in post. I know that the school community are ensure that the scheme is right for Elmhurst students. DBK LLP has extremely fond of him. managed the project brilliantly and Shaylor’s Construction team have turned a very unloved building into a wonderful living environment. This In this newsletter you will see that the artistic team have had an extremely new building is a sign of the school’s success and drive to be first choice busy year, this is down to Robert Parker’s drive and tenacity. The for students for living and training to become ballet dancers. opportunities available to students have increased significantly and we are all very grateful to him for this. Last year the school was ably supported by Archie Sladen, Head Boy, Elsie Allen, Head Girl, Siân Gourlay, Deputy Head Girl, and Jared Hinton, For a variety of reasons, some Year 11 students moved on to pastures new Deputy Head Boy. They have all been on their own personal journeys and I at the end of last year; I wish you all well and hope that you will keep us feel privileged that I have been part of them – the highs and the lows! up to date with how well you are getting on. You are a delightful year Thank you for your dedication to Elmhurst. group and you can be proud to say that your year group instigated the very first Year 11 choreographic project in the autumn term – well done! I We were honoured to welcome Dame Gillian Lynne on Friday 11 July for feel privileged to have known our Graduating year, many of you for the the school’s Awards Ceremony. Dame Gillian offered the students and past four years. I hope that you feel proud of your Elmhurst heritage parents funny and inspirational thoughts reflecting on her own incredible because we are certainly proud of you. career. She told the students that on entering the stage they should ‘disturb the air’ and that versatility and an understanding of theatre in its wider I would like to end by thanking all students, parents, staff, governors and context are essential for developing their careers. Wise words that school supporters; everyone plays a part and as a result the Elmhurst resonated with all of us. community thrives. Although the summer is the busiest time of year it is also my favourite, Jessica Wheeler, Principal when the students have the opportunity to bring all their talents to the fore www.elmhurstdance.co.uk PAGE 1 of 8 in the summer show. I know you all join with me in appreciating the hard Live, Dance, Learn Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Elite Syncopations , one of the shows in which Elmhurst students A Year in the Life performed; photo: Bill Cooper of Elmhurst… 2013-14 was a wonderful year for the year and given the students of Elmhurst Other performances school with many exciting opportunities many rewarding opportunities to perform In addition to working with Birmingham and new initiatives for the staff and with the company, many in featured roles. Royal Ballet, other exciting opportunities students of Elmhurst. Here are just some Students and pupils across the school for the students to gain valuable stage of the many highlights from the past 12 have appeared in the following time included: months: productions: The Viennese Ball A Viennese Charity Ball held in the nave Sir Peter Wright’s The Sleeping Beauty Enrichment Fridays of Worcester Cathedral and hosted by the (14 Senior students) In response to the Artistic Self-supported chairman of the Worcester Three Choirs Birmingham and on tour – 26 review and feedback from Artistic Festival Sir Michael Perry with music performances Directors, a series of aerobic fitness provided by the Orchestra of the Swan activities were introduced to the school Sir Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker under the leadership of David Curtis. every Friday afternoon. Most of these (5 Junior students; 5 Elmhurst Associates) activities took place at the King Edward’s Birmingham – 26 performances High School for Girls and included Gymnastics, Swimming, Tennis, Netball David Bintley’s The Prince of the Pagodas and Cardiovascular fitness and circuit (11 Senior students; 3 Junior students; 3 training. Dalcroze Eurythmic sessions Elmhurst Associates) have also been delivered by Bethan Birmingham and on tour – 24 Habron James. The activities have been a performances huge success and the positive impact on David Bintley’s ‘Still Life’ at the Penguin the dance training has already been felt. Café ; Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Elite These will continue in the new academic Syncopations; George Balanchine’s year. Slaughter on Tenth Avenue (1 Senior student; 1 Junior student) Pre-evaluations Sunderland – 3 performances Pre-evaluation classes were conducted for Elmhurst students with Mrs Jayne Cadbury at the Worcester Cathedral Viennese Charity the first time this year for the Year 9 and Split Tour - North Ball 11 year groups in an initiative to evaluate (4 Senior students) the progress of the students in preparation 10 performances for their February appraisals. Following An Evening of Music and Dance the pre-evaluations, interviews with the Split Tour - South Another opportunity for the students of students and their parents/guardians were (4 Senior students) Elmhurst to share the stage with conducted and specific balletic targets 9 performances Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Royal were set. It was also an opportunity to Ballet Sinfonia in the annual music and Sir Frederick Ashton’s Dante Sonata discuss the students’ various options for dance event held at the Symphony Hall. (1 Senior student) Sixth Form and aspirations for their future Hosted by Deborah Bull, 44 Elmhurst Birmingham – 6 performances careers. The whole process was extremely students performed Scènes de ballet , with successful and feedback from parents was Sir Frederick Ashton’s La Fille mal gardée choreography by Michael Ho with music extremely positive.