ReviewSenior School 2019-20

• Art • Dance • Drama • Music • Sport Welcome Contents

This review demonstrates the wealth of extra- Art 1-10 curricular activities at Old Palace across art, dance, drama, music and sport alongside Dance 11-22 the enthusiastic and positive ways that our Drama 23-28 students engage with all that is on offer. Music 29-36 At Old Palace we aim to provide an outstanding academic education combined Sport 37-44 with development opportunities to allow our students to become capable in a wide range Lockdown 45-58 of skills, confident in trying new things and connected to the wider world around them. These are known as the 3Cs and research shows that when all these come together girls really thrive and become well rounded individuals ready to succeed and take on the world! This year we faced the unprecedented situation of schools in the UK closing in March and moving to remote learning. Staff and students at Old Palace rose to the challenges faced and showed incredible creativity in managing to continue with many extra-curricular and enrichment activities in a ‘remote’ way, using technology. The school community enjoyed activities such as online church services, virtual choirs, House activities, student and staff videos, prizegiving and more. These activities helped to keep the school community connected during this difficult period and was very much appreciated by everyone involved. I very much hope that you enjoy reading the 2019/20 Old Palace Review. Front cover: Sahi in Croydon Best wishes Minster. Jane Burton © Birdy Peacock Head Art

During the year, the Old The department worked alongside the Higher Education & Careers Coordinator, Palace Senior Art department Mrs Williams, to organise an opportunity has held workshops, clubs, for the GCSE, AS and A-level students to competitions and trips. meet with Kent Knowles, an art professor and admissions officer from Savannah In the Autumn term, the Year 10 GCSE Art College of Art & Design. He spoke to the students went on a trip to Kew Gardens students about the opportunity to study to gather first-hand resources for their different related Art subjects at their ‘Natural Forms’ project. While exploring university which has locations in America, the beautiful sights around the Gardens Hong Kong and Frances. He also gave they also had an exciting opportunity a live painting demonstration that the to see installations of several works by students really enjoyed. glass artist, Dale Chihuly. Year 12 and Outside of school, students were involved Year 13 went to Cass and Farnham in the greater Croydon community. Sculpture parks, firm favourites to visit as Several of the Year 13 Art students the outdoor setting and scale of works created a beautiful mural for the Whitgift really inspire. In January, the Year 11 GCSE House Hair salon. Mrs Broad worked with Art students went to the ‘Picasso and students from the Prep and Senior School Paper’ exhibition at the Royal Academy to create a permanent ceramic tile mural of Art. The show featured work from all which was installed at Prep; a vibrant the stages of Picasso’s career and was an representation of ‘What does Old Palace excellent chance for the students to find mean to you?’. Many of the students inspiration in a range of materials and from Year 6-13 visited the pop-up Banksy styles for their exam unit. installation located near Surrey Street The department held several clubs close to the Senior School and discussed and workshops such as Mrs Feeney’s the meaning of his work during their Art lunchtime Art club for Year 6 and 7 lessons. students. Mrs Evangeli offered a range During lockdown, the Art students have of after school Art workshops for Year 8 produced an impressive range of work and 9 students that gave them a chance using different processes including; to extend their knowledge in painting, drawing, mixed media and photography. drawing, and textile skills. Additionally, They have truly demonstrated their Ms Clauser led a series of Photography creative problem-solving abilities workshops for Year 9-11 students with and have impressed us all with their a focus on darkroom techniques and imagination and technical skills. digital alternative processes. Photography has also been the media of choice Lucy Broad for competitions including the South Head of Art & Design Croydon Rotary Club and our own lockdown Everyday Object and Wildlife competition.

Old Palace Review 2019-20 1 Art Art

2 Old Palace Review 2019-20 Art

Old Palace Review 2019-20 3 Art Art A Level Art Trip to Cass and Farnham Sculpture Parks On 8th July, the Year 12 Art and Photography students went on a trip to Cass and Farnham sculpture parks. The parks were impressive due to the scale of some of the sculptures, as well as the effect of seeing the man-made objects against the natural landscape. Throughout the day, we sketched and photographed many of the sculptures to use as visual research and inspiration for our own A Level projects. Phoebe R, Year 12 (now Year 13)

4 Old Palace Review 2019-20 Art Art Installation Next time you are visiting the Preparatory School, keep an eye out for the window that was designed and realised by a group of girls across the school. This all started with the House Art competition to draw an image of what school means to them. With so many entries it was hard to choose, but with the help of Year 12 Art students and Mrs Broad they worked together to combine many elements into one final design, focused around the Four Pillars and the School crest. On Saturday, 22nd June, a workshop was run where the competition winners worked with clay to turn the design into ceramics tiles. They learnt numerous new skills and by working together were able to make fast progress, particularly in cutting out the very fiddly Michaelmas daisies. They added a border of their own hands and also chose a colour for the final finish. Once the tiles were made and bisque fired, the Senior girls returned to glaze them. It is always exciting to see them come out of the kiln after the glaze has been added, as some colours change quite dramatically at this stage. Over the summer Mrs Broad then installed the Art piece ready for the new academic year.

Old Palace Review 2019-20 5 Art Art Wonderment and Awe We have a Wonderment and Awe Board for Years 7-9. Any students that create great work in their sketchbooks have it scanned, printed and put on the art board outside the Shah Art Room. They also receive a certificate.

Miali, Year 9H Tori, Year 7H Whitney, Year 9S

Kulsoom Runner Up in Photography Competition Many congratulations to Kulsoom (Year My photograph How We Ruin the with the runner up in the 13 to 16 age 9) who was named Runner-Up in the 13 Environment, was a contrast of greenery category. I would like to thank the Art to 16 age category in the Annual Schools’ and rubbish that has been littered near department, as I would not have been Rotary Photography Competition. The my house. I found this a very inspiring successful without this opportunity. theme for this year’s competition was, picture. I went to the Croydon Clock Kulsoom, Year 9 ‘Environment Under Pressure’. She Tower Café where I was presented received her certificate at a presentation ceremony on 16 October at the Croydon Clocktower Café.

6 Old Palace Review 2019-20 Art Monoprint Workshop

On Monday 30th September, I and six placed our image on top of that, securing it The recent print workshop was run by Mrs other students from Year 9 attended a down using masking tape. Finally, we traced Evangeli and the A level art students. The Monoprinting art workshop after school. over our chosen picture using a pencil, workshop had two main purposes; to teach It was great fun as we were able to learn which resulted in the image being printed us Monoprinting and to help us decide new skills that we wouldn’t normally do on our paper in the ink. whether we would like to do GCSE Art. In in lessons and it gave us an insight in to this workshop we learnt different techniques Rachel T, Year 9 what GCSE art might be like. and many different skills that we will be able to use in the future. First, we created a background by blending I found the workshop very enjoyable different colours of chalk together on an A3 although I found it quite difficult because Nicola, Year 9 sheet of paper. Then we chose the colour you are not able to lean on the paper ink we wanted to print our images on and whilst drawing. I enjoyed it as I learnt a rolled it out onto a sheet of plastic. Next, we new method and technique in art, and chose the picture that we wanted to print I look forward to doing this again and using the ink (I chose a flower), carefully participating in the next art workshop. placed our A3 paper onto the ink (making Kayla, Year 9 sure we didn’t press too hard) and then

Old Palace Review 2019-20 7 Art Art Wet Felting Workshop

The latest Art workshop took place on 18th November. While at this workshop, I and several others learnt the art of wet felting. Three ‘A’ level Art students joined us and helped with the workshop. This workshop was to give Year 9 students a taste of what they could do in GCSE Art. It was not necessary to have attended the first workshop, but around half of the students did. We learnt the techniques of wet felting like how much soapy water we should add, how much felt, etc. The students who stayed for the entire time also had a go at dry felting. I enjoyed this workshop and can’t wait to attend future ones. Nicola H, Year 9

8 Old Palace Review 2019-20 Art Mixed Media Workshop I have always had a passion for Art and I adore sketching and that is what I thought GCSE Art was all about. This workshop broadened my views, showing me how to work in a more abstract and fun way. We learnt how to work with a variety of media to produce interesting results and how you can use water, leaves and all sorts of everyday natural resources to make artwork. We got to explore with different media and learnt new techniques that I had not explored in the Year 8 curriculum, like mixed media e.g. spray and water paints, acrylics and chalk pastels. I was able to see and experiment with media in ways that I didn’t even know existed. I felt proud for taking a risk, combining paint with PVA glue, acrylic paint and water. I would recommend this workshop to anyone willing to get their hands dirty and wanting to find out what Art can really be about! Stephanie, Year 8

In the latest Art Workshop for Years 8 and 9, we used a variety of different materials and techniques in order to create an abstract painting of a still life. It was run by Mrs Evangeli and a few Sixth Formers. There were many different ways to create paintings and everyone used an assortment of techniques, from spraying paint to using our hands. We learnt how to manipulate media in so many different ways. Some of the materials used were paints, pastels, inks, all purpose filler and many others. I really enjoyed this workshop as it was so creative, more abstract than realistic and really helped show many people’s The Art Workshop was an enjoyable creative side. experience and allowed us to be creative. Nicola, Year 9 We used media like liquid paint, acrylic paint and spray paint to create an abstract painting inspired by the artist Heather Day. Overall, it was great fun! Eden, Year 8

Old Palace Review 2019-20 9 Art Art Year 11 Art Trip to the Royal Academy to see the Picasso and Paper Exhibition

Our trip to the RA to visit this highly anticipated exhibition was the highlight of our time at school so far. Visiting the world-renowned artist Picasso’s pieces to review and appreciate his delicate hand painted works of art was inspirational. The trip was organised by our teachers as a way of opening our minds to creative possibilities, helping us to be more imaginative with our ideas as we enter our examination unit. It showed us how Picasso used paper as a tool for his creativity, manipulating it and forming it into abstract, stunning pieces of art and exploring limitless possibilities. It influenced us to explore different ways of experimenting, just as Picasso did using newsprint and napkins to decorative wallpaper. Picasso’s work with paper spans his entire lifetime and showcases his constant drive to invent and innovate; inspiring us to do the same and exploring new and ambitious ways to create and design our outcome. This trip was a fantastic way of encouraging us to be inspired by his works and explore our creative potential. ‘We spent two hours at the exhibition, which flew by, observing and studying his early abstract work. I was especially interested in how Picasso managed to continue creating art during the war when resources were low. In this exhibition we saw how he used fire to burn pieces of tissue to create images of skulls and faces. This gave me inspiration for how to do some experimentation in my work. Lastly, I found it fascinating to see the step-by-step process of how Picasso created some of his paintings; he would go from a random shape in the middle of the paper to creating a colourful, innovative piece of art work.’ Alice, Year 11

10 Old Palace Review 2019-20 DanceArt

The Old Palace Senior Dance department organised a range of enrichment theatre trips, performances, workshops, clubs and a photo shoot.

In the Autumn term, the Year 10 and 11 GCSE Dance students went to watch REDD by Boy Blue Entertainment at the Fairfield Halls which was the first time the Dance Umbrella festival has been held at a Croydon venue. This provided the students with contextual understanding of Kenrick H2O Sandy’s choreographic style and processes, whilst inspiring creative ideas exploring the theme of mortality. Year 9 students had the opportunity to experience an assortment of professional live dance productions during the Autumn and Winter term. In September some of the Year 9 students Birdy Peacock visited Sadler’s Wells, where Akram Khan © had reinvented the romantic ballet Giselle with the English National Ballet. Students were drawn into the twists and turns of the plot and moved by the exceptional physical skills of the dancers. At the beginning of November, a large group of Year 9’s experienced Some Like it Hip Hop by ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company at the Peacock Theatre. Students found the multidisciplinary nature of the production interesting and they particularly enjoyed the lively and less formal atmosphere, due to the interactive aspects of the show. The final Year 9 enrichment trip found us returning to Britain’s powerhouse for Contemporary Dance; Sadler’s Wells. Students enjoyed the spectacle and exploration of Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes, performed by New Adventures. These visits form one part of the Year 9 Bronze Arts Award which is studied © Birdy Peacock © Birdy Peacock through Dance, where the students are opportunity to display their creativity, students, where themes of a historical, required to review a production, giving expressive and physical dance skills, in mythological or social-political nature personal opinion and commendations. Contemporary, Classical Indian Dance; were the stimuli. Spirit – Empowerment through Dance, the Bharatanatyam, Hip Hop and World Inviting industry professionals to Old department’s choreographic platform Dance styles. A Year 9 student had Palace has been a delight this year. Bruno at Christmas, explored the theme of the opportunity to share her hip hop Perrier from Boy Blue Entertainment lead contrast and was a combination of dance expertise and extend her leadership a workshop on the professional work performance work achieved through skills further by creating an uplifting Emancipation of Expressionism for the the curriculum areas and dance clubs. performance piece which successfully Year 9 students. Throughout the Transforming the Banqueting Hall into created the finale of the show. Not only afternoon the students developed their a performance space for the dance did it showcase fun from dance clubs, but physical skills of hip hop and enhanced show Spirit provided students with an work by Arts Award, GCSE and AS Dance

Old Palace Review 2019-20 11 Dance Dance their creativity through choreographic tasks directly in relation to the work. A Portrait of Dance The question and answer session was an invaluable insight into the life of a professional dancer the students had many questions to ask. In February Year 8 students together with Year 10 GCSE Dance students, participated in a contact workshop with none other than the Artistic Director himself of James Cousins Dance Company. During the workshop, Cousins discussed one of the GCSE Anthology works; Within Her Eyes explaining the site sensitive performance environment and the continuous contact duet depicting a love story with a twist. Students extended their strength, control and sensitivity towards others from this experience and one student was particularly proud of her achievement of lifting Cousins herself! During lockdown, the Dance students participated in a variety of online classes and produced a remarkable range of work from choreographic projects, research PowerPoints to dance history essays. Throughout the final months of this academic year, students have inspired us with their autonomy, © Birdy Peacock © Birdy Peacock reflective and innovative thought processes whilst complementing their Sahi, Jaeda and Mary took part in a fabulous photo shoot by Birdy Peacock, celebrating physical and technical dance skills. the many different styles of dance. Lia Khan, Head of Dance

REDD - Boy Blue Entertainment On the first Saturday of the autumn half term, the Year 11 GCSE it” (R Moulden). Light or shade, REDD does not disappoint. dancers descended on the newly refurbished Fairfield Halls and The Boy Blue trademark moves are all there: group ensemble were welcomed by a soulful hub of dance activity organised for surges of energy, patrolling, swarming and commanding the the Dance Umbrella Festival in London. Live DJ’s, dancers and space and transporting us, the audience to a startlingly present Lindy hoppers had created a pop up dance event culminating and euphoric place, where we are reminded of how exciting in a much anticipated performance by Boy Blue Entertainment, human potential can be. one of the companies studied by the GCSE dance pupils for their Dance Anthology. On first viewing, the piece REDD appeared to be contradictory and possibly much darker than the uplifting and empowering ‘Emancipation of Expressionism’ choreographed in 2013 which celebrates super powers and the flow and connection between people. However, peel off the layers of the piece and at the core, the message arrives at the same place: connectivity is crucial to our sense of belonging in the world and perhaps REDD is the prelude piece to E of E: as we see a family portrait tableaux fragment before our eyes, it is a poignant reminder of how fragile life can be. In his programme note, Sandy enlightens us a little on his personal plight: “It is in love with me, my grief. Unconditionally. And I must learn to love it back. Or be outlived by

12 Old Palace Review 2019-20 Dance Arts Award Success In Dance

Students worked hard during their Dance lessons to achieve their Arts Award. Through Dance, they develop a variety of transferable life skills including leadership, research and communication skills. Year 6 students study at Explore level, Year 9 study at Bronze level and the Sixth Form students study the Gold Arts Award that equates to 16 UCAS points. This Year 105 students achieved an Arts Award in Dance. Well done girls!

NATD Contemporary Dance Achievements

As part of our co-curricular offer in Dance, students can study a codified technique at different grades with an external teacher, Mrs Aquilina. This year, a variety of students took Grade 3 and Grade 5 in the summer with all the Grade 5 students achieving Distinction; again, well done girls!

Old Palace Review 2019-20 13 Dance Dance Year 9 Dance Trip: Giselle at Salder’s Wells Akram Khan’s Giselle is a breathtaking mix When he moves towards her, Giselle runs to fight and act like the Wilis, but it takes of romance and tragedy, whisking you towards Albrecht, holding him back. He her a while to get used to moving again. away to a community of migrant factory plays along and embraces her before Hilarion visits Giselle’s grave to mourn workers, and telling the story of a young betraying her and returning to Bathilde. for her, but is torn apart by Wilis who woman (Giselle) falling in love for the first demands revenge and recompense for Upon the Landlords orders, the workers time. her death. surround Giselle. In this scene it is unclear Her lover is the wealthy Albrecht, who what is happening until the workers pull Following the death of Hilarion, Giselle is disguises himself as one of the workers apart and reveal Giselle lying lifeless in visited by a heartbroken Albrecht, who to woo Giselle. With energy, passion Hilarions arms; it is clear she has been instantly becomes aware of her presence and beautiful choreography, the couple killed. and manages to meet her on the line dance their way into our hearts and we between their two worlds. Albrecht begs After the interval, we see Giselle laying soon find ourselves rooting for the pair. forgiveness and sick of the ongoing on the floor, having been dragged onto However, their affection does not go violence, Giselle forgives him, setting it by Myrtha, Queen of the Wilis (ghosts). unnoticed, Hilarion, another worker who’s Albrecht free into the realm of life once In a series of puppet-like movements, trading skills have earned him respect in more. Myrtha brings Giselle into the land of his community, also falls for Giselle. When death to join the Wilis. Giselle learns how Atlanta, Year 9 he sees Albrecht flirting with Giselle he is instantly suspicious and challenges him to a fight. The dancers are interrupted by the arrival of the landlords. As the wall goes up and the landlords emerge from the light, we can see an instant divide between them and the workers. Where the workers are dressed in drab clothes the landlords are dressed in big, flamboyant, sparkly outfits. Whilst Hilarion tries to impress Giselle with his connections, we notice that Albrecht has been spotted by a woman, who turns out to be his fiancé Bathilde.

Dance Trip to see Some Like it Hip Hop by ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company coincidentally studied last year in English. Watching the performance also gave us inspiration for our Arts award choreography sections where we will be choreographing a 30 second section of a dance in a fusion of hip hop and contemporary dance. Many of us enjoyed the production more than we expected to, and as the majority of us would have not been to see it otherwise, this was a fantastic opportunity to experience and enjoy watching a dance we would otherwise have missed out on. Some Like it Hip Hop is an energetic, situations along the way. Accompanied entertaining dance show telling the story with impressive breakdancing and Thank you to all the staff who of two women in a city where books are hip hop, we were kept thoroughly accompanied us, and especially to banned and women are subservient, who entertained and on the edge of our seats. Mrs Barber for organising the trip. dress as men to get jobs, running into The storyline is influenced in part by the Clarissa, Year 9 many unexpected obstacles and hilarious Shakespeare play Twelfth Night, which we

14 Old Palace Review 2019-20 Dance Boy Blue Dance Workshop Year 9

On Tuesday, 12th November, a group of 18 Year 9 students had the opportunity to take part in a dance workshop in the dance studio with Bruno Perrier, from Boy Blue Entertainment. We looked at the different parts of Emancipation of Expressionism: Genesis, Growth, Flow and Connection and Empowerment. We learnt a lot about the piece and some of the company’s signature movements such as the ‘Ninja run’, ‘Ninja Glide’ and the ‘Ninja static’. We learnt more about the movements and that there is more to just running on the spot. We also learnt the story behind some sections of the dance, for example, the first section ‘Genesis’ was about the birth of Boy Blue Entertainment and the uniqueness of each dancer as they each have a small solo in different styles. I really enjoyed the workshop, I loved As part of the Boy Blue workshop, Bruno learning new things such as the B-points I was very grateful to have the opportunity Perrier led a Q & A where he talked about and the Rubik’s Cube formation and I hope to work with a choreographer and dancer the evolution of Hip Hop from being there are more opportunities like this next from Boy Blue who also performed in a highly skilled type of dance to being year. ‘Emancipation of Expressionism’, which is something that everyone can do. a dance that we are working on in class. Nissi, Year 9 Perrier explained that during the 1980’s and The piece is about free movement and 1990’s, the Hip Hop dance style was heavily expressionism of the art and I learned a lot influenced by the music of this time and the of techniques they used in the dance. trend was to perform well known moves One of the choreographic ideas was the to pop songs in social clubs, again making Rubix Cube, which you moved around in, hip hop more accessible to everyone. This is a few people at a time, but always left one how well known dance moves are created. space as if someone else was in that space. For example, Flossing, Bart Simpson and Orange Justice are all created from trends of Mary, Year 9 social interaction and technology. Catherine, Year 9

Old Palace Review 2019-20 15 Dance Dance Year 7 Gobstopper Dance from Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker!

In the dance, I was portraying a rather boisterous and rowdy I developed facial expression skills from doing this dance since it was Gobstopper. We had to use very determined and almost fierce facial very lively and the faces of the Gobstoppers were very strong and expressions whilst performing fast, sharp and very jerky movements. they were very committed to the dance, since they were always in We used many gestures that showed we were trying to show off and character and very confident. show how strong we were. We did this by using movements such as The narrative of the end of our dance was that Sareena and I were showing our muscles and powerful jumps. fighting while Imaan secretly punched both of us which scared We moved in different formations and performed on different levels us off making Imaan win the fight. We portrayed these emotions too. The narrative of my choreography at the end was a fight where and actions by trying to use our faces to communicate what was the three of us Gobstoppers were trying to eat each other (because happening in the story. we were sweets) and show who was the best. What I most enjoyed about the assessment was choreographing the I thoroughly enjoyed doing this assessment and I think I most last section of the dance. The dances performed were unique and I enjoyed how it made me feel very happy and much, much, more liked watching everyone else’s dances to see their twist on the dance confident! at the end. Emily, Year 7 Tusara, Year 7

16 Old Palace Review 2019-20 Dance Spirit – Empowerment Through Dance Spirit was warmly received by a full A special mention should go to the The Year 10 GCSE pupils performed audience in the Banqueting Hall. It was Year 9 pupils for the sharing of this a moving and reflective piece, based aptly compered and hosted by the Year term’s choreographic work based on on the professional work Shadows by 12 Gold Arts Award pupils Charlotte, Emancipation of Expressionism by Boy Christopher Bruce, which highlights Lydia, Anushka and Sahi. Blue Entertainment as well as AS dance a family’s plight in the wake of the pupils Safiyah and Charlotte for sharing Holocaust. Over 70 performers took part in all their solo and trio compositions in year groups. Particular highlights The whole evening was energetic, preparation for their exams. included the Year 12 Gold Arts Award enjoyable and thought provoking and we pupils performing a fusion of diverse The Year 11 dancers deserve special look forward to celebrating dance again dance styles in their piece entitled Four recognition for their performance of with you in March next year! Colours incorporating Bharatanatyam, the set phrases and their dance leaders’ Mrs Barber and Mrs Porter contemporary, cha cha and tap choreographic pieces exploring the idea Dance Department dance and the hip hop finale Believe of contrast in addition to a busy term of choreographed by Year 9 pupil, Jaeda, academic exam preparation. As well as which involved pupils from Year 8 exploring a celebratory theme, Spirit was through to Year 11. an opportunity to connect with historical points of darkness.

Old Palace Review 2019-20 17 Dance Dance Dance Trip to see The Red Shoes at Sadler’s Wells Theatre

On Thursday, 16th January, a group of Year 9 students went to Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London to watch The Red Shoes. The journey to the theatre felt long but after watching Matthew Bourne’s adaptation of the film I knew seeing the contemporary ballet was worth it. The dancers in The Red Shoes were exaggerated and hilarious at times which made it even more memorable. I personally think the dance by the two Egyptians was the funniest part due to the ironic tone of the movement. The setting and costumes were flamboyant, creative and interesting. It was emotional and touching and I would certainly recommend it to everyone, because it was such a spectacle. Hanitha, Year 9

Matthew Bourne’s take on the beloved fairy tale and filmThe Red Shoes was one that kept you on the edge of your seat. The choreography was captivating and, paired with music from a live orchestra, told an emotional story of a girl who dreamt of being a dancer that was packed with melodrama. All the dancers in the production were very talented and successfully portrayed the relationships between the characters with no words at all. The performance was dramatic and passionate, but also had some entertaining humorous moments. This, combined with the impressive set design and glamourous costumes that hark back to fashion from previous decades, made watching The Red Shoes an exciting experience. Abigail, Year 9

18 Old Palace Review 2019-20 Dance Indian Dance Club Sahi is currently running an Indian Dance Club during Tuesday lunchtimes as part of her Unit 1 Gold Arts Award as a Year 12 Dance student. Sahi is having fun teaching the girls and is working hard to deliver an Indian Dance performance piece which will be part of our annual Dance Showcase.

My name is Sahi and I have been practicing the art of bharathanatyam for over 14 years now. I began learning this art at the age of 3, under guru Rahini Rajakopal. Over the years my passion for bharathanatyam has grown to bring me to where I am now. Whilst learning the art form in London, I always wanted to learn the form at its origins in Southern India. So, that is exactly what I did. In the summer of 2014, I went to India and trained under a teacher, located in Tamilnadu, for three weeks. After three weeks of immense daily training, I came to realise that even though I have been practicing bharathanatyam in a ‘foreign’ country I have been learning it with authenticity. I returned to India in the summer of 2015 to do some more training, but under the supervision of a different teacher. Through this teacher, I received the opportunity to perform at Kalakshetra. Kalakshetra is an arts and cultural academy dedicated to the preservation of traditional values in Indian art and crafts, especially in the field of Bharatanatyam dance and Gandharvaveda music. Since a very young age I have always wanted to visit the place, but to be able to perform there felt like a dream come true. In 2017 I did my arangetram. To perform an arangetram is an old tradition, which marks the pathway for a dancer to then perform alone or be able to give training to other dancers. The training for this event was quite difficult as I only had four months to learn a three hour dance routine. However, it was a great experience. Last year, I received my diploma in bharathanatyam, under the exam board of OFAAL. This was a very proud moment after my long years of training. Currently, I am studying to do my post diploma in the art. I believe that the post diploma will not be the end of my bharathanatyam training.

Old Palace Review 2019-20 19 Dance Dance GCSE Dance Course Since the start of our GCSE Dance course, we have focused on the meaning of fitness for a dancer. We have become increasingly knowledgeable about how to use our bodies and how to develop stronger core muscles and greater extension by performing a variety of stretches. We have looked closely at diet and nutrition and how to adapt an eating plan to become healthier and to be the best dancers we can be. Ingrid, Year 10 GCSE Dance

‘I enjoy the choreographic aspects of the GCSE Dance course because they allow you to express yourself and your views and to Temi Sarra be open with the audience. I have explored my creativity by working with others in my group and look forward to Year 11, when I will choreograph my own group dance.’ Temi, Year 10 GCSE Dance

‘In GCSE Dance, our first performance piece was adapted from the work, ‘Shadows’ by Christopher Bruce. I thoroughly enjoyed understanding and re-enacting the powerful message from the piece and our final performance made me feel exhilarated and excited for future performances.’ Sarra, Year 10 GCSE Dance

Ingrid Varsha ‘I have really enjoyed studying GCSE Dance this year. I have learnt a range of physical and expressive skills and my favourite part of learning the set phrases was working on the artistry of the pieces. Whilst working on last term’s performance piece, I have grown closer to the other girls as we each contributed our own interpretations to the dance. The costumes we were given, helped to reflect the mood of the piece and our use of a chair as a prop, provided lots of creative opportunities. Whilst performing in front of an audience, we worked hard whilst supporting one another.’ Varsha, Year 10 GCSE Dance

20 Old Palace Review 2019-20 Dance Year 8 James Cousins Dance Workshop ‘Cousins is a talented, resourceful choreographer, his cast are superb…duets are especially satisfying, ranging inventively from reckless flights of passion to beautifully observed intimacies of glance and touch.’ The Guardian

James grew up in Newbury, Berkshire and trained at London Contemporary Dance School. During his time at LCDS he co-ordinated the third year touring company LC3 and later joined Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake for an International tour and a four week This term, the Year 8s have been run at New York City Ballet. developing their skills in dance contact improvisation. Last Friday, we had the In 2011, James re- joined the cast of Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake for the new 3D film amazing opportunity to take part in a version of the show, filmed at Sadlers Wells Theatre London and was announced as the dance workshop led by Artistic Director, first winner of the inaugural New Adventures Choreographer Award. James Cousins, to complement the work James Cousins is one of six high profile choreographers to have been selected to we have been studying in class. feature his cinematic and hauntingly engaging work ‘Within Her Eyes’ as part of the James’s 2016 work, ‘ Within Her Eyes’, has AQA GCSE Dance Anthology. Within Her Eyes is based on his 2012 work, ‘There we have been a focus area, which also features been’ and is a key professional dance work studied within the Dance Curriculum at Old on the AQA GCSE Dance Anthology of Palace in Year 9 as well as at GCSE. Cousins describes it as ‘a love story with a twist.’ works. In class, we have explored different He explains that rather than a conventional love story where, despite the bumpy road, ways to maintain contact in dance the characters end up together; he wanted to flip it around to portray a story where, and how we can develop trust when no matter what happened, ultimately they could never be together. It is therefore a working with a partner. Key physical skills narrative combining the themes of love and loss, dependency and loyalty, longing and developed through this work have been memory inspired by both Cousins’ personal experiences and well known narratives. strength, extension and control alongside various types of counter balance. In order to work safely, we have been ‘Simply one of the most stunning contemporary dance pieces I have using mental skills including movement ever seen.’ memory, confidence, commitment and London Dance.Com concentration as a means to work with a partner in a connected way. It was really fun working with James Cousins and my favourite part was when we got to lift our partner in a quite complex way, which I have never achieved before. From this experience, I hope to improve my contact skills in Contemporary Dance and build upon the skills I’ve developed in the future. Aswini, Year 8

‘It was such a pleasure meeting the students for a dance workshop based on Within Her Eyes. The students really threw themselves into the workshop and were eager to learn new lifts and contact work. Their creativity and commitment was a joy to work with; it is so exciting to see the next generation of dancers!’ James Cousins Artistic Director of James Cousins Company and choreographer of Within Her Eyes

Old Palace Review 2019-20 21 Dance Dance GCSE Dance GCSE Dance has been a challenging yet highly rewarding experience. At the beginning of the course, performing set phrases and trios seemed incredibly daunting. However, doing dance for the last two years has increased my confidence greatly. I have continually had to use the Habits of Mind throughout the process. Firstly, persisting has been crucial when needing to finish and teach my choreography for a deadline. Additionally, for the set phrases, I needed to strive for accuracy to achieve the highest marks I could for physical and performance skills. Lastly, in times of stress, finding humour was essential, allowing me to focus on the positives to carry on. These are skills which will be beneficial for many aspects of life in the future. Naomi, Year 11

22 Old Palace Review 2019-20 DramaDance

This academic year has been very exciting, creative and busy for the Old Palace Drama department. Students engaged in a variety of extra- curricular activities, theatre visits and workshops.

The Autumn Term was full of exciting opportunities for students to take part in. In September, the new playwriting and improvisation clubs were launched, alongside other acting clubs. In October, Years 10 and 13 Drama students visited Age UK to lead their community group in a Drama workshop that allowed participants to look back on their own childhoods and memories. As part of Black History month celebrations, Sixth Form students led a workshop in which they educated students on Black British Theatre and discussed inclusion in the arts. October also saw students attending a thrilling production of A Doll’s House, which was adapted to explore the issues of colonisation in 19th century Calcutta. In November, students attended another exciting production of an adaptation of a classic – Frankenstein, which was both thoughtful and frightening. December saw the Old Palace Drama Department mount a very creative production of Twelfth Night, which was set in World War II Britain, highlighting the themes of gender roles in the play. The production was also aesthetically unique, with a student-designed set and projections, which were used to establish the location and time period. Some students also performed in Whitgift’s enjoyable production of Hairspray, showcasing their outstanding performance skills. The Spring Term saw another theatre visit with German students to see The Visit at the National Theatre, as well as a professional puppetry workshop. Drama did not cease during lockdown and students developed playwriting and verbatim theatre skills, as well as competed in House Drama activities, such as a monologue competition. Well done to the many students who took part in Drama this year. Jordana Berk Head of Drama & Theatre Studies Old Palace Review 2019-20 23 Drama Drama Year 10 Trip to Frankenstein On Tuesday 5th November, Year 10 Drama students attended a performance of Frankenstein, which was performed by the REP company of the National Youth Theatre, at the Southwark Playhouse. This adaptation of Mary Shelly’s original book incorporated artificial intelligence, giving the plot a modern twist. The play explored certain themes, including the prevalence of technology, alongside family relationships, gender identity, love and death, which all helped to further enhance this gripping production. From the perspective of GCSE Drama students, we were fascinated by the production. The play was performed in throughout, acting as a constant the present). Thus, just before the story traverse and in a studio space, making reminder of the presence of technology. returns to the present at the end of the the production seem intimate, but also This contrasted with the parts where play, the audience was invited to wear a allowing the audience to be very much Shell, the robotic version of the monster, VR headset, where images narrated the involved. Not only was the production became almost human, when the lights previous events of the play in an abstract, excellent due to the high level of acting, glowed a fiery orange shade. There high-tech way. which evoked raw emotion, but also due were harmonious interludes where the Sequences of images included: viewing to a number of design elements, such as cast members would sing, which was the bleak landscape of the Arctic the set design, lighting and costume. particularly revealing throughout the play inhabited solely by a bright orange boat, as gradually the lyrics incorporated the The cast was made up of sixteen actors, the Prometheus; typical dramatic facial names of all the characters who had died most of whom multi-rolled, united by expressions, resembling the monster as a result of this experiment, which set a their white surgical costumes, which Shell, which gradually got closer to us, dark and almost twisted mood. gave the slightly sickly sensation of almost as though they were attacking us; being part of a grotesque laboratory The set was minimalistic, but still and an extremely abstract labyrinth of experiment. The roles of Frankenstein and managed to establish the various neon lines, mirroring the chaotic nature the monster were also played as women, locations, such as the Arctic. The highlight of technology. Overall, this was a thrilling giving an interesting dimension to the of the performance was the use of virtual production, and an excellent adaptation production. reality headsets towards the end of the of the much-loved classic. production (the play had the structure The lighting enhanced the performance Suraiya, Year 10 of flashbacks sandwiched between with the use of a harsh white light

Students Lead a Drama Workshop at Age UK Croydon On 1st October, six of the Year 10 and were inspired by the theme of the event, groups enjoyable and something I Year 13 drama students led a workshop ‘empowerment’, to lead a workshop that certainly wish to do more of in the future. for the elderly at Age UK, Croydon. would build the confidence of those After creating our scripts, we began to act When developing the workshop, we taking part. We used visual images as them out. At the end of the workshop, stimuli and asked the participants to some groups performed extracts of their write a script inspired by their own pieces, while others explained what they experiences and memories related to the were about. It was wonderful to see how images. immersed the participants were, and how We each led a small group through the much they enjoyed working with Old activities on our own; not only did the Palace students. workshop build their confidence, but also The workshop was an excellent ours. We found that writing the script was opportunity to uphold the value of the most enjoyable part of the activity Service (one of the School’s Four Pillars) because it allowed everybody to take by serving the community. part, even if they felt less comfortable performing. As a Sixth Form student, Disha, Year 13 I found the interaction between age

24 Old Palace Review 2019-20 Drama Drama Students GCSE and A Level Students see Celebrate Black A Doll’s House at the Lyric Theatre History Month On 25th September, GCSE and A Level Drama students enjoyed a trip to see Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, adapted by Tanika Gupta, at the Lyric Theatre. A Level students led a presentation and In this adaptation, the setting has been changed to Calcutta in 1879, during British discussion for Black History month. The colonial occupation. The play tackled race relations at the time, as the main protagonist discussion was titled Black British Theatre - Moving Forward. called Niru is an Indian woman married to an English man called Tom. I found this effective as you could feel the tension between the English and the Indians through The students spoke about influential, the contrasting costumes and the acting choices. modern British Theatre artists including The play also tackles gender politics, as it explores Niru’s role as a wife and mother. I Natasha Gordon and Debbie Tucker found this effective as this idea was integrated into the set design with the balcony Green, as well as the work of ‘Black creating a cage-like shadow around our female protagonist, Niru, keeping her captive Theatre Live’. in her own home. Students then discussed the The messages of the play were clearly communicated to the audience and it was an question - Does British theatre celebrate black voices and provide sufficient effective adaptation from the original text written at the same time this play was set, opportunities for black theatre artists? and so was very enjoyable for the GCSE and Drama students. The discussion was very interesting and thought-provoking. Thank you to SPECTRUM for inviting us to lead this session.

watched the play, I conducted research Combined German and Drama trip on the historical and social context of the 1950s. Overall, the production to The Visit/Der Besuch was thought-provoking, thoroughly On 12th of February, the German and she will be able to change their fortune, enjoyable and enhanced my knowledge Drama students joined forces to watch yet prosperity comes at a very costly of the German Epic Theatre, which we a mesmerising production of The Visit price. She seeks ultimate revenge at the discussed later on in class. at the National Theatre. The play is also expense of her first lover’s life. Fiona B, Year 12 referred to as The Old Lady Comes to Despite the lengthy nature of the play Call and is based on the original text (containing two intervals), the acting was produced by Friedrich Dürrenmatt but absolutely superb and I was particularly has been adapted by Tony Kushner for a impressed by the main actress, Lesley British audience. Manville, playing Claire Zachanassian The play itself is set in the town of Slurry, who was charismatic and immensely New York (Güllen in the original text) magnetic. Furthermore, the use of and the post-war recession has had a realistic special effects such as smoke, profound impact on the community. haze, gunshots and flashing flights Claire Zachanassian, an alluringly really immersed you in the action on pulchritudinous yet terrifying woman, stage. Being both a German and Drama returns to her hometown as the world’s enthusiast, I found the experience richest woman. The locals hope that thoroughly interesting and after having

Old Palace Review 2019-20 25 Drama Drama Twelfth Night

26 Old Palace Review 2019-20 Drama Hairspray (Whitgift School) Old Palace girls took many of the leading roles at the excellent production of Hairspray at Whitgift School in early December. The whole cast brought the house down with their superb acting, musical prowess and great choreography. Well done to all those involved.

Old Palace Review 2019-20 27 Drama Drama Drama Workshop with Half a String Puppetry Company On 26th February, students in Years 6-12 and their imaginations. They then learned see students working in mixed groups, participated in a puppetry workshop led the basics of operating the puppets using with students older and younger than by the Half a String theatre company. three actors. Students worked together themselves. The workshop will also The workshop was led by artistic director, to create a short piece of theatre showing help GCSE and A-Level students in Peter Morton and focused on the basics the puppets’ morning routine. their studies. Working with Half a String of Bunraku table puppetry. allowed students to develop their The final performances were creative practical skills and demonstrate their In the session, students created their own and demonstrated the challenging creativity. inventive and whimsical puppets using skills the students learnt throughout nothing more than tape, brown paper the workshop. It was also wonderful to

28 Old Palace Review 2019-20 MusicDrama

The academic year 2019-20 continued to be a hugely successful one for Old Palace Musicians. The Music Department is hugely proud of the many achievements of our students who are excellent ambassadors for the school. Their dedication and commitment to rehearsals and practices has once again led to performances of the highest standard.

The academic year began with a bang! (and a significant one too) with the first ever concert to combine the talents of all three Foundation schools. In Harmony was a truly special and unforgettable occasion for both the performers and audience and marked the opening of the newly refurbished Fairfield Halls in style. This was preceded by a wonderful Chamber Music concert at Old Palace, and followed by a lovely Senior Soiree, before a number of carol services and concerts (including the first Christmas concert in many years) led us in to Christmas. As if this weren’t enough to keep our musicians busy – at the same time, a number of our students were taking lead and supporting roles in Whitgift’s spectacular production of Hairspray. Elsewhere, we have seen Miss Orr’s regular programme of weekly Chapel appreciated by the wider community. of the internationally renowned London recitals, and lunchtime concerts at Diversity of musical experience is a key Mozart Players in the Spring Term, Croydon Minster providing regular ingredient for our Department, and and you can see a variety of student performance outlets for our many concerts have continued to provide a compositions and arrangements created musicians. Miss Rowsell’s wonderful mixture of musical experiences, ranging in lockdown on the Old Palace youtube programme of Award Holders Workshops from performances of Britten’s ‘Ceremony channel, alongside several ‘virtual’ musical has enriched our students, who have of Carols‘, to performances of ‘Paranoid’ performances. by Black Sabbath. There is something for learnt about Kodaly technique and I would like to end with a personal word everyone’s taste and everyone’s ability, choral conducting amongst a range of thanks from me to the wide family and we embrace that diversity and of other skills, and Miss Fitzgerald has of Old Palace musicians (pupils, parents eclecticism and celebrate the quality of continued her excellent work at the and staff) for their continued support musicianship and creativity of our girls. Preparatory School providing high quality and friendship, as well as a huge thank performance outlets for the younger girls, That level of diversity has carried over you to the peripatetic team at Old Palace including taking a number of students to our academic curriculum which is who have continued to provide high from Prep and Year 6 to perform as part broad and varied, covering styles of quality teaching to your daughters in of ‘Young Voices’ at the O2 Arena. music from many different countries their musical pursuits. Circumstances may The quality of choral singing continues to and cultures. The outcome of this have changed the way we have had to be a hallmark of the Music Department. can be seen in examples of students’ operate this year, but the show has, and Polyphonic’s monthly evensongs at compositions. Our sixth form students will continue to go on! had their work performed by members Croydon Minster have been greatly James Griffith, Director of Music

Old Palace Review 2019-20 29 Music Music ABRSM Exam Results Founders’ Day Name Instrument Exam Grade Result Kirsten Piano 8 Merit Nadia Flute 7 Distinction Sasha Piano 6 Pass Clarissa Violin 6 Distinction Zaynah Singing 5 Distinction Varsha Theory 5 Merit Ruby Piano 5 Pass Ruby Singing 5 Distinction

Rosemary Theory 5 Merit Founders’ Day is one of the highlights Kate Flute 5 Merit of the school calendar; a chance for the whole school to come together and Chitleen Singing 5 Merit celebrate the time when Old Palace was founded in 1889. Catherine Cello 5 Merit Old Palace’s fabulous chapel choir, Suraiya Viola 4 Merit Polyphonic, opened the service with a proclamatory Introit: Lift Thine Eyes by Rohaan Piano 4 Distinction Mendelssohn before the procession Emily Violin 4 Pass began. They also sang two beautiful anthems – the serene and reflective Madinah Piano 3 Pass A Prayer by Lloyd, and Mendelssohn’s Laudate Pueri, the text of which was Catherine Singing 3 Distinction perfectly suited to a Founders’ Day Vedika Violin 2 Merit service: Praise the Lord, ye children: praise ye the Tia-Amelie Oboe 2 Pass name of the Lord. Tia-Amelie Piano 2 Pass Blessed be the name of the Lord, from henceforth now and for ever. Avani Theory 2 Merit My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Tia- Amelie Theory 1 Merit Do good, O Lord, to those that are good, Sophie Piano 1 Merit and to the upright of heart. Shahd Guitar 1 Distinction Riya Violin 1 Merit Kayla Singing 1 Merit Ellis May Clarinet 1 Distinction Christina Singing 1 Pass Amber Piano 1 Merit

30 Old Palace Review 2019-20 Music Opus 1 - The London Mozart Players visit Old Palace

On the 11th February a number The day culminated in a concert in Mozart Players were, in turn, impressed of musicians from the internationally which the students’ compositions were with the quality of composing taking renowned London Mozart Players, one performed by the musicians from the place at Old Palace. of the world’s finest chamber ensembles, London Mozart Players (and some of our If you would like to find out more about came to work with our AS and A Level sixth formers also sang or played parts). the London Mozart Players, information music students in an inspiring showcase Typically of our students, the range of can be found on their website here: of student and professional talent. styles was very diverse and included jazz combo compositions, pop and musical http://londonmozartplayers.com There were a number of workshops theatre songs, contemporary classical throughout the day, during which songs and romantic and classical style students had their A level compositions chamber music pieces. performed by the LMP, and suggestions from a performance perspective were The girls had a hugely rewarding offered. educational experience and the London

Senior Soiree On Thursday 14th November, a number of students from Years 10-13 took part in the Senior Soiree in the Banqueting Hall. The evening was hugely entertaining and featured a real range of music which was reflective of the eclectic tastes and diverse and very strong skill sets of the pupils. This included a wonderful Scandinavian-inspired Harp solo from Constanza in Year 11, a bass performance of ‘Dune Tune’ by Level 42 (a band formed in the 80s in the Isle of Wight) from Kirsten in Year 13, and an unforgettable rendition of Black Sabbath’s ‘Paranoid’ from Sofia in Year 12. All of these performances sat seamlessly alongside some more conventional classical pieces, some jazzy pieces and songs from Musicals. We would like to thank all of the students for performing, and Miss Orr and Mr Griffith for accompanying the musicians.

Old Palace Review 2019-20 31 Music Music Joint Schools Concert Just before Half Term, students from Old a solo performance and Ellie (Year 12) in one of the largest bursary support Palace, Trinity and Whitgift took part performed a simply magnificent soprano schemes in the UK. Five million is granted in two magnificent concerts to mark solo, accompanied by a full orchestra and each year to students who attend its the opening of the newly refurbished a chorus of Old Palace students. three schools. Fairfield Halls on 16th October. This was The evening concert also featured two This was an unforgettable experience for the first time that all three Foundation debut repertoires involving two famous our girls and after the concert a number schools have combined in what was to composers that were performed for of Old Palace students said: be a musical tour de force. the very first time. The openingFanfare Sariah, Year 6 ‘It was an amazing A concert held in the morning saw 1,350 was composed as part of a competition experience for all the girls and we had a children attend from more than 30 local between the three schools, adjudicated great time!’ primary schools with performances by by operatic and choral composer, Russell students from Whitgift and Old Palace Hepplewhite, and won by Whitgift Natalie, Year 7 ‘I loved singing in the of John Whitgift Schools, and featuring student, William Brotherhood. The closing concert with such a large choir and it felt classical pieces such as Superman by piece, Te Deum, was composed especially like a momentous occasion being able to John Williams and arranged by Old for the concert by award winning perform in the newly refurbished Fairfield Palace’s Brass teacher Claire Duncan. composer, Jack Oades. Other exciting Halls’ performances included Grieg’s Piano In the evening, all three John Whitgift Norocco, Year 12 ‘It was great to play at Concerto, 1st Movement and the exquisite Foundation Schools, with more than the Fairfield Halls again, and it felt like a Rutter Gloria. 450 students and staff, performed a fitting way to celebrate the skills and talent spectacular programme of choral and The event also celebrated the charity’s within our foundation schools, as well as orchestral music to an audience of more Founder, Archbishop John Whitgift, the legacy of John Whitgift.’ than 1,000 people. Each school provided whose legacy to the town has resulted

Comments from the audience: “The whole event was of the highest order; from the first to last note I had no thought that I was listening to school children, rather that I was being transported by music made by top-tier professionals.” “A stunning showcase of an evening and hugely enjoyable.” “Wow, what an evening of fantastic young talent, it was very special to be there” “I was totally enthralled and uplifted by the whole event. The quality of the music was exceptional and the performance was of the highest standard.”

32 Old Palace Review 2019-20 Music Evensong at Croydon Minster Monday saw Polyphonic’s second evensong of the year which was a well-attended and reflective service. The girls sung some responses by Jack Oades, former organ scholar at Whitgift school and now award winning composer. These were ably led by student cantor Jessica in Year 13. Other pieces included the beautiful Thomas Moore Canticles, which included a lovely solo plainsong chant from Constanza in Year 11, and the Anthem was the tranquil A Grateful Heart by Mary Plumstead.

Christmas Concert The Old Palace Christmas Concert and stages in their learning. Chamber involved students from across the Senior choir then performed Benjamin Britten’s School, and featured the Wind Ensemble, A Ceremony of Carols, which featured the Brass Band, Jazz Combo, Training and many well-known Christmas hits such Senior Orchestras, and Recorder Consort as Wolcum Yole! and Balulalow. The as well as choral works performed by students’ excellent choral skills were also several of our choirs. Students of all shown in Year 6 – 7’s mega choir, who standards had the opportunity to play sung Christmas Jazz, an extensive and their instruments in a group to a large impressive piece they have been working audience in the beautiful surroundings on in their music lessons. and acoustics of Croydon Minster. Overall, the concert certainly marks the The evening started off with official start of Christmas at Old Palace, performances from both Training featuring many other Christmas classics Orchestra and Senior Orchestra such as Jingle Bells, Mr Santa, Frosty the showcasing musicians at different ages Snowman and Silent Night.

Old Palace Review 2019-20 33 Music Music Music Award Holders Workshop On Wednesday 13th November, conductor and member of the British Kodály Academy, Esther Hargittai, took the Music award holders through their paces in an action packed workshop on choral conducting. Esther is well known for setting up one of the best known and most successful children’s choirs in Israel, the Efroni Choir, which she managed and conducted from1996 to 2005. Throughout the workshop the award holders were taught various conducting patterns including how to conduct in 2, 3 and 4 beats in a bar, how to change meter, and how to start and end phrases. Key principles were eye contact, and how to engage with your choir and give clear instructions purely based on gesture. The workshop also involved a lot of singing, and girls were given many chances to conduct the group themselves. The award holders said that they thoroughly enjoyed the session afterwards, and will be looking forward to a follow-up session later in the year.

Music Workshop “Music should belong to everyone...” Zoltán Kodály, Hungarian composer and pedagogue (1882 – 1967)

Our Workshop Programme for Music Within business) also joined in and a jolly good time was had Award holders is now in its fourth by all. year and earlier this month the girls “The Kodály workshop was fantastic fun and I thoroughly enjoyed were treated to a highly interactive, it. As I was not trained in Kodály when little I found it quite tricky to kinaesthetic and collaborative class remember everything from the last Kodály workshop three years presented by alumnae member, Miss Cyrilla Rowsell. ago, but with excellent guidance from the two Miss Rowsells, I picked it up very easily. The girls enjoyed first-hand the creativity and expressiveness that Kodály Musicianship focuses on through the medium of We are so lucky to have such highly trained musicians come in to singing. Instrumentalists can easily become overwhelmed by lead sessions such as this. This particular class has been hugely technique and theory - Kodály Musicianship opened our music beneficial to me in my studies of French orchestral music, where scholars’ ears in a fresh and immensely enjoyable way! everything is marked in solfa” Cyrilla is one of the most sought-after practitioners of Kodály Constanza, Year 11 Musicianship and methodology in the UK, teaching all over the country including weekly at Junior Guildhall as part of the String Training Programme. In this class she introduced the concept of ‘relative solfa’ which, to the uninitiated, is a system of musical notation where each degree of the scale is given a name using a single syllable and open vowel. (If you have ever seen The Sound of Music you will already know those words!). Participants discovered intervals, patterns and characteristics within the different pentatonic scales and gained an understanding in how solfa, with its open vowel sounds, facilitates accurate intonation. Miss Orr, Mrs Parry-Dickinson and Miss (Henrietta) Rowsell (who runs all our workshops as part of her Freeing the Musician

34 Old Palace Review 2019-20 Music Midnight Mass at Croydon Minster Who saw our students singing with the Croydon Minster Choir in the magnificent Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve at Croydon Minster on BBC1? Many congratulations to Father Andrew and the Minster team. It was a truly memorable occasion.

Finally, the day had come to sing on On Christmas Eve, a few girls and l from Once I got into the choir stalls and BBC1. We were all so excited! All the Old Palace got the opportunity to sing started singing it felt just like a normal rehearsals had paid off. It felt surreal that with the Croydon Minster Choir in the service with Dr Krippner conducting. In we were going to be on live T.V. When BBC Midnight Mass broadcast. Before the conclusion, I was very happy and grateful the service started, we were all smiling broadcast, I was very nervous because I to sing and for the Croydon Minster choir and happy. As we sang Hark! The Herald felt l was going to forget the words and to have been chosen by the BBC. Angels Sing everyone’s face lit up. My the camera would zoom into my face Olivia, Year 7 favourite part of the evening was singing and it would be live. Shepherd’s Pipe carol because it was the most jolly song. I am so glad we got this opportunity, that we will remember for ever Sapphy, Year 6

It was the opportunity of a lifetime to appear on live television, but at the same time nerve wrecking because l didn’t want to make a mistake. l just wanted everything to go to plan, which it did. I feel so proud of what we achieved. The whole world had an opportunity to worship with us during one of the most important dates of the year. Grace, Year 7

I was happy and excited to be selected for the Christmas Eve Mass. It was hard work and very exciting because of the time of year, but most importantly, an amazing experience I will always remember. Thank you to the Minster and Dr Krippner for the opportunity. Mayowa,Year 7

Old Palace Review 2019-20 35 Music Music Chapel Recitals The programme of Chapel recitals continues to run in full force, and this time it was the turn of Year 11, who had the chance to play some of their GCSE repertoire ahead of coursework submission. Pictured are Emily and Sasha, who both played some beautifully expressive piano pieces.

Evensong Service at Croydon Minster Polyphonic took part in an Evensong service at Croydon Minster. The service was a lovely moment of calm in the midst of busy academic term, and a reflective way to end the day. The choir sung Stuart Beer’s canticles for upper voices which were set with a number of serene plainsong passages contrasting with some flowing canonic music, Harold Darke’s responses and John Dankworth’sLight of the World which was a fitting anthem before Candlemas on Sunday.

36 Old Palace Review 2019-20 SportMusic

Welcome to the Physical Education section of the magazine! It’s been another very busy year despite not having had Sports Days and Women in Sport Week!

The year started with an overhaul in the decoration of SHAH PE with great silhouettes now on the walls which has helped to lift the atmosphere. In addition the new Netball post covers have made the courts look a lot smarter and welcoming. The Department has continued to offer as many opportunities as possible to students both in lessons and in the busy Running Club extra-curricular programme. One new initiative this year was the Friday Running Club encouraging staff and students to complete the Couch to 5k Programme. These pages offer just a snapshot of some of the things students have been doing. Another exciting opportunity came our way when we were asked to be part of a filming project to promote the Sports Leaders award. The film is to be used in conferences and promotional films. Year 6 were involved along with Sarah and Hosanna who were filmed leading sessions. Hosanna had previously won a trip to the USA for her involvement in the Active Girls Coaching Programme. The Youth Sport Trust filming Youth Sport Trust UK – Endicott Trip USA The PE Department got involved in a Creativity Project with Year 7 as part of the whole school initiative to get students thinking creatively! Students designed floating crafts from recyclable materials and tested them out in the pool!

Year 7 PE Creativity Project Year 7 PE Creativity Project

Old Palace Review 2019-20 37 Sport Sport Relief | Swimming | Water Polo Sport

Sport Relief is a recognised charity that encourages people to raise money for good causes through sports activity. We had great fun – and raised money – by holding a Staff V Sixth Form Benchball Competition one lunchtime. There were lots of paying spectators and I believe the staff won! Aquatic activities continued to go from strength to strength. Swimmers had an amazing haul of seventeen medals at the Croydon Schools Swimming Championships. Golden honours went to Eavie in the Year 7 Breaststroke event. She also went on to win two more medals in the Freestyle and Medley relays. Rosemary won two individual medals and joined Eavie in winning two relay medals as well. Cecilia received a brilliant silver medal in the Year 8 Backstroke. Old Palace Water Polo had an amazing year starting with the arrival of the new match play caps and culminating Sports Relief Staff v Sixth Form Benchball in qualification for, and playing in, the prestigious National Finals of the English Schools Under 18 Championships held in Northampton. New Water Polo costumes were bought for the young team. The two Sarahs from Year 11 were our eldest players and still two years under the limited age. Both Sarahs have played nationally outside of school. They played magnificently, as did all the girls, leading the challenge and finishing the Championships with a fantastic fifth placed team in England! So, another great year – and we look forward to the year ahead! A huge thank you to the staff in the PE Department who work tirelessly to provide new and regular opportunities for the students at Croydon Schools Secondary Swimming Eavie proudly showing off her Old Palace. Championships trophy

Water Polo v Bromley High School Under 18 Water Polo team qualify for the National Finals.

38 Old Palace Review 2019-20 Netball Sport

It has been good to see the Netball Squads grow in size and to witness an impressive level of commitment by players. We are certainly able to ‘hold our own’ in competitive matches against other schools with winning and competitive score lines. The fixtures programme is busy with Netball fixtures on once, twice and sometimes three times a week. We didn’t quite make it to all the end of season tournaments as they were cancelled in March – but special mention must go to the U13 Netball Team who were CHAMPIONS in the Croydon Schools Netball Tournament! Well done to the Netball Captains – some of whom were extremely diligent in their approach to their role and helped Year 11+ Netball fixtures and preparations run smoothly. Our new Old Palace Netball Post Covers in the school colours helped to smarten up our courts and exude pride in our players. It has been good to welcome other schools for fixtures on our courts and also to showcase them by hosting Primary School events. A number of schools commented on how good the courts were! We just need to get the third court resurfaced now! We have developed skills and tactics this year with our teams and look forward to a successful season next year. One of our aims as a department is to encourage students to get involved in club level netball outside school and it has been good to hear of a number who have done so. A trip to The Copper Box to watch London Pulse V Celtic Year 6 Netball Dragons took place in March – it is always good to watch elite Netball live!

Year 7 Netball Year 9 Netball

Year 8 Netball - Croydon Champions Year 10 Netball

Old Palace Review 2019-20 39 Sport Hockey Sport

Hockey continues to be a sport that is developing at Old Palace. We have been fortunate to use the facilities at Trinity School and at Purley Walcountians. Miss Rodwell ran a hockey skills club on the netball courts and the numbers involved in the matches and practices has grown steadily. Year 7 + 9 also had the opportunity to take part in coaching led by trainee coaches from England Hockey. Year 6 were involved in the mixed QuickSticks Hockey tournament run by CSP and joined forces with Elmhurst to qualify for the finals held at Trinity School. As with other sports, we have a number of students playing at club level. Involvement in clubs beyond school really helps to refine and develop skills and give the opportunity to play against and with different people who have similar interests. Year 6 Hockey

Hockey Hockey

Year 7 and 8 Hockey coaching Year 6 QuickSticks Hockey Tournament

Year 7 and 8 Hockey coaching Year 6 QuickSticks Hockey Tournament

40 Old Palace Review 2019-20 Football | Sport Leaders Sport

We have been fortunate to use the astro at Trinity for some of Football lessons. In addition Mr Nolan, Mr Fuller and Dr Furniss have run a weekly lunchtime club attended by students mainly in Years 7 and 8. We have a number of students who play football at clubs outside school and we could be a force to be reckoned with next season. Members of the Football Club were invited to watch England V Germany at Wembley Stadium. After a long and quite stressful journey we experienced a great atmosphere and any live event at Wembley Stadium is amazing! We also managed to squeeze in House Football on the netball courts. Year 7 Football

Football Club Sports Leaders runs in Years 10 and 11 with an additional Young Leaders Course in Year 6. Students learn the principles behind being a good and effective leader and this has opened up opportunities for leaders to help run events at the Prep School and with the CSP. Over the past few years Old Palace has built good links with the Croydon School Sports Partnership. We are often asked to host events, enter teams and provide good confident leaders to help them run events. We have managed to do all three. Leaders have helped run Hockey and Netball competitions at Old Palace and a Badminton Festival at a local club. Year 6 have been involved in the Netball, Badminton Festival, Tag Rugby, Hockey and Sports Hall Athletics Events and we were looking forward to the Croydon Schools Athletics. A small team of KS4 students entered the Badminton Schools Year 10 Sports Leaders Competition and did very well – they came second!!

Year 10 Sports Leaders at the Prep School Badminton Team

Old Palace Review 2019-20 41 Sport Fitness | Boxing | Table Tennis Sport

Activity is so important throughout life and in the Sixth Form we aim to remind students how physical activity helps reduce stress, be an outlet and a change from academic pressures and have a positive effect on mental health. Sessions are relaxed in style but have a really positive impact. We have covered activities including fitness, indoor rounders, cricket, adapted netball activities as well as a session at Pure Gym in Croydon and a visit from a Boxing Instructor. Students leave lessons having done something completely different, given themselves a break from their academic studies and had fun! Pure Gym Pure Gym

Boxing Boxing

Table Tennis Competition Table Tennis has run as a lunchtime club as well as a paid after school activity. In addition a number of students have represented the school in regional schools competitions as a team and as individuals. Table Tennis has also been introduced into the Year 9 curriculum and it has been good to see skills Boxing developing in this area.

42 Old Palace Review 2019-20 Cricket | Running Sport

Cricket continues to be a developing sport at Old Palace and we were looking forward to entering some schools competitions for the first time; this will have to wait until next year when we will have had an extra year’s practice! Lunchtime Cricket Clubs began in January with a visiting coach from Surrey County Cricket Club. The numbers attending the club has increased and the excitement for cricket has grown; the concept that cricket is boring is disappearing fast! We are hoping to forge links with a local cricket club in preparation for next year. Cricket coaching with Surrey County Cricket Club

Cross Country Cross Country

Cross Country Cross Country Cross Country It was great to introduce the Couch to 5k Running Club in inner loop of the park and combined running and walking to February. This was open to staff and students and the number build up their running times. It has been good to hear of those attending reflected a real interest in running. who have kept this going and completed the Couch to 5k challenge. We look forward to reintroducing this again. Thanks to Mr Taruwona for helping set up the club. We ran in Wandle Park making our presence felt as about 50 of us ran each Well done to those students who took part in the Croydon week. Those who wanted to challenge themselves to run for the Schools Cross Country Event – in our new running vests! You all whole time ran around the outskirts of the park; those building looked the part and did really well. Cross Country is always hard up their confidence on the Couch to 5k Programme ran on the work so particularly well done if it was your first time!

Old Palace Review 2019-20 43 Sport Gymnastics | DofE | Rising Stars Sport

Gym Club House Gymnastics

Gymnastics is a key part of lessons in Years 6-9. In addition, there is a lunchtime Rising Stars Gym Club that Olivia (Year 12) helps to run. Students have the opportunity to extend on their skill set and build up their confidence and can have a go at performing some of the more advanced movements. House Gymnastics also took place earlier in the year where students learnt a routine and then performed it in front of an audience. Old Palace continues to recognise the importance of the DofE Award. This year we had 35 Bronze, 12 Silver and 2 Gold participants. There are three sections; First England Water Polo Cap for Sarah M Sarah EK skills, volunteering and physical which participants have to A number of our students have joined clubs and done extremely well. There are too get involved in for different time frames many to mention individually but we do try and recognise their achievements through depending on the level. the weekly bulletin. However, Sarah M and Sarah EK (Y11) were both selected to be part of the ENGLAND Water Polo Squad – and we cannot overlook this amazing Bronze and Silver candidates enjoyed a achievement! Well done to you both – all the hard work has paid off and we look Training Day learning essential skills such forward to hearing of your International achievements! as; first aid, map reading and how to set up a tent. They then got to try some of these newly acquired skills on their Training Walk on the South Downs. Alison Smith, Director of Sport & Outdoor Pursuits

44 Old Palace Review 2019-20 Lockdown March - July Sport2020

The benefits of having such a strong community became very important in March when we faced the challenges of the Covid-19 situation. We were very proud of the way that the whole school pulled together during these difficult times. Staff became overnight experts in remote learning so that our high quality of education was maintained through live lessons and on-line resources and our students showed resilience and flexibility and quickly adapted to this new way of learning. What shone through was the creativity that students and staff showed using new technologies to keep the school experience alive through lockdown via virtual choirs, competitions, church services, prize giving and many other events. We know that nothing can fully replace being in school, but the Old Palace experience through the lockdown period came as close as anyone could expect and we were very proud of what we achieved. Jane Burton Head

Old Palace Review 2019-20 45 Art Lockdown Design a ‘Working From Home’ Certificate Competition - Winner Before Easter, Mrs Evangeli set an all Year Group competition to design a certificate that rewards students who have demonstrated excellent effort in ‘Working From Home’. Mrs Burton was asked to choose the winning designs. Many congratulations to Amera in Year 9, who has won first prize, and Lila in Year 7, who is runner up. Amera’s design will be printed and presented to students who have demonstrated working well at home during the lockdown period and completed all the tasks set across all their subjects.

WINNER Amera Year 9 RUNNER UP Lila Year 7

Photography Competition Winners The winning Wildlife photograph by Rosemary J in Year 8 was of a frog poking its head out; potentially so easy to miss as we normally race around, but this well camouflaged creature invites us to see the mini world it inhabits. The Everyday Objects category really does show how technology has played an important role in this lockdown. The stunning composition of a single glass and sun through the window causing lens flare is, I am sure you will agree, a worthy winner (Hannah A, Year 11). It gives a feeling of passing of time and a sense of solitude, with the lack of colour and solitude as we gaze upon a recently emptied glass glistening in places from what was just there.

Everyday Objects Category: Wildlife Category: Rosemary J, Year 8 - Frog Hannah A, Year 11 - Glass in the sunlight

46 Old Palace Review 2019-20 Lockdown March - JulyDance 2020 GCSE Dance and Infra Wayne McGregor CBE is a multi award-winning British choreographer and director. He is the Artistic Director of Studio Wayne McGregor and is Resident Choreographer of The Royal Ballet. In 2008 McGregor choreographed the abstract ballet Infra where 12 dancers portray the emotions beneath the surface of human interaction – the title Infra comes from the Latin word for ‘below’. This contemporary ballet is one of the six professional works studied as part of the GCSE Dance course which explores the feelings we keep hidden from those around us. Year 10 GCSE Dance students have been developing their physicality and technical skills required of ballet by completing online classes. Here are Sarra and Temi practising in the garden, can you identify any of the positions and movements they’re doing? The work Infra is a contemporary ballet which perfectly combines the two dance styles maintaining the strict ballet technique whilst adding fluid contemporary movements. Whilst learning about Infra I have been able to improve my ballet technique as much of the dance focuses on Pointe work and balletic movements. McGregor defies gravity with many of his hyper extended movements and seeing how he has created this work incorporating perfect ballet technique has really helped me focus on achieving perfect alignment whilst still maintaining passion and fluidity. Sarra, Year 10 Above Temi’s Grande Jete

Some lovely balletic garden shots of Sarra and Temi who are studying GCSE Dance. Left: Temi 5th Position Middle and right: Sarra in 5th Position and 4th Retire

Old Palace Review 2019-20 47 Dance Lockdown Dance Research Project for Gold Year 6 in the Arts Award Dance Studio Year 6 have been having social distancing dancing fun in the studio this term as part of their Expressive Movement lessons. The students have been learning a routine to a popular track whilst keeping on their spot two metres apart. I loved being able to come back to school and being able to dance in the studio. When we first went to the studio we started learning a dance to “Can’t Stop This Feeling”. We were allowed to add our own choreography to the dance making it original. I had so much fun even though we had to social distance. Amber Although we had to social distance whilst dancing with crosses on the floor we have choreographed together and performed as a whole group together but apart! Sapphy

Over the past few months, I have been quality of sound. I found this useful as I It is really amazing that I am able to come researching LGBTQ+ representation in had to work on my presentation skills as back to school and dance in a proper studio Dance around the world as part of my well as learning from the experience of rather than dancing in my living room! Gold Arts Award. presenting online, something I had not Nikhita tried before. The first step was to start researching Coming back for dance has been very safe dance pieces and companies that Overall, I found this process very and fun! Aarna represent or fail to represent the LGBTQ+ interesting as I got to explore a topic that community well, as well as the personal I was interested in and I knew was an experiences of dancers who identify issue in the dance world, but I personally as part of the LGBTQ+ community. I didn’t know much about it until I started found this interesting because I had the my research. opportunity to read about the personal I also got to explore the wider dance experiences of dancers who perhaps world as I usually focus on dance in are not widely heard by the media, such Britain and in this project I aimed to as Lesh Maseng from Botswana, as well explore countries from all around the as companies that actively represent world. This allowed me to have better members of the LGBTQ+ community, understanding of not just LGBTQ+ such as Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte representation in these countries, but Carlo. also the wider dance community as a I later conducted a short survey of whole and the dance styles present in people’s views on how well members of those countries, such as Khmer dancing the LGBTQ+ community are represented being Cambodia’s premier performing through dance. I found it especially art form, which I had not even heard of interesting to hear opinions which before starting my research. differed from my own and to understand Charlotte, Year 12 their reasoning. It helped me to become more aware of how some factors may influence representation more than others. I prepared a presentation of my research findings to be delivered online. This was a valuable learning experience as I had to adapt to using Microsoft Teams to present my work, and also had to deal with other technical issues such as

48 Old Palace Review 2019-20 Lockdown March - JulyDrama 2020 Suraiya Joins National Youth Theatre In September 2019, I made the decision (taken from the play: ‘Boys’ by Ella able to apply the characterisation which to audition for the National Youth Hickson). I had been working on for the last five Theatre; a Youth Arts organisation for months. This audition went really well – I I then received an email from the young adults from the ages of 14 to 25. was exceptionally nervous in the minutes National Youth Theatre informing me leading up to it but was encouraged that my audition would not be able to feel at ease by the auditioner within to proceed as a result of the Covid-19 minutes of starting. Following the pandemic, so it would now take place audition, I was not sure about whether in the form of a digital audition. I I would be successful, due to the sheer had a fortnight to film and upload a number of people auditioning for the 5-minute video, which comprised of my limited places, but I was proud of how performance of the monologue and far I’d come. In the early weeks of May, responses to several questions. I was I received a further email saying that I a little apprehensive about this – on had been successful in this round of my the one hand, I now had the ability to digital audition and was now invited to perform my monologue several times partake in the Summer Intake Course, and choose the best performance to which was amazing news, especially submit, but on the other hand I was in what can be quite difficult times. extensively examining my performance Therefore, in the last week of July, I will be on the camera which can be a little participating in an intense online course intimidating. Fortunately, all the via Zoom, after which I will be considered auditionees were invited to partake in a an official member of the National Youth live stream where successful members of Theatre. NYT gave us a number of tips on how to perform the ideal monologue and how I am extremely grateful to the Drama Every year, thousands of young people to film this, I found this extremely helpful. department at Old Palace, who instilled audition for the limited number of places in me this passion for Drama as soon as I Several weeks after I had submitted my available, meaning that the standard joined the school and who helped me to tape, I received an email saying that I of competition was high. My audition prepare for my audition. Without them had been successful in the first round was set to be in late March 2020 and and the fantastic opportunities which of the digital auditions and would now would take place in the form of a two- they have consistently provided, I don’t be moving on to the final round of live hour workshop with a number of other think that I would have ever decided to digital auditions. Here, I was to perform auditionees, followed by my performance audition for the National Youth Theatre another monologue live, in front of an of a monologue in front of an auditioner. and so I am very thankful to them. associate artist, so I decided to perform Therefore, I began work on preparing for the second half of the monologue which Suraiya, Year 10 my audition by rehearsing a monologue I had originally chosen, in order to be

Playwriting at Old Palace Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 tried their hand at playwriting ‘In my opinion, I believe that the playwriting scheme was by far in their virtual lessons. The scheme of work was an excellent one of the best schemes that we have been given the opportunity opportunity for students to be creative, whilst learning the skills to participate in Drama. of developing plot structure, characters and dialogue. The work students developed was outstanding and we hope that we will I enjoyed this scheme thoroughly because it gave me the chance be able to have staged readings next academic year, alongside to let my creative ideas flow freely, without any restrictions. I the readings for the work from the Drama department’s could twist the rules in any shape or form, to make my play playwriting club. exactly what I wanted it to be. Playwriting isn’t as easy as I thought it was. You really have to Here are some student reflections about their work in the think long and hard about the characters you want to include playwriting scheme. and how they are going to interact with each other and what the story plot is going to be and how you can make it entertaining for an audience to watch and enjoy. It definitely was a challenge, ‘I enjoyed writing my own play, the characters, the plot. It was but I gave it my all, and produced something that I think was to enjoyable to answer questions about my own play. I learnt the best of my abilities and really showed my creative potential. how to write a play in script format and create ideas from my Playwriting is something that I will certainly be having another imagination.’ go at in the near future’. Amera, Year 9 Keno, Year 8

Old Palace Review 2019-20 49 Drama Lockdown Listening to Unheard Voices: GCSE and A Level Devising Work in Lockdown GCSE and A Level Drama students This work was particularly fun and society. Year 10 is looking at immigration have been doing exciting practical interesting and I was able to gain a stories and themes of change and work during the lockdown. They are greater appreciation for both verbatim identity. Year 12 is exploring race and working towards creating their devised and documentary theatre. I am looking identity. Their work so far has been very pieces in the style of verbatim theatre forward to using these techniques within impressive and thoughtful. Students are and documentary theatre. Verbatim our devised piece for our A Level exam, also developing their understanding theatre is a style of theatre in which the exploring political issues inspired by the play of the importance of theatre as a text uses words spoken by real people, Sweat by Lynn Nottage and in the style of mechanism for societal change and collated from interviews. Documentary the practitioner, Joan Littlewood.’ education. theatre, which includes verbatim One of the challenges of creating a style, uses real documentary sources, verbatim piece is editing the interview such as newspapers, journals and transcripts. Theatre makers must capture correspondences to tell the stories of not only the words of those they real people and real events. Examples of interview, but their speech patterns and verbatim and documentary plays include mannerisms. the Tricycle Theatre’s Tribunal Plays which explore events such as the 2011 London Below is an excerpt from Olivia’s riots and the Stephen Lawrence inquiry monologue, printed with permission and Gregory Burke’s Black Watch, which is from her mother. about the famous regiment’s experiences E: I believe the local school . sang a song . I in Iraq. think there’s a remembrance uh uhm . every GCSE and A Level students began their year . uh there’s a plaque just by uh outside work by watching excerpts from the Iceland uh . on the high road uhm with verbatim play, The Laramie Project about commemorating for those that had lost the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepherd in their lives . I believe there’s some . gathering Laramie, Wyoming. Students then chose every year with regards to remember them an event or experience to interview a there’s flowers there constantly throughout friend or family member about. the whole year [breath in]’ Topics students chose included: Students will now be developing experiences of living in Sri Lanka in the their own pieces using verbatim and 1970s; experiences of prejudice of an documentary theatre style. Their aim is Asian Muslim in Essex in the 1970s and to tell the stories of unheard voices in 1980s; how airlines are dealing with Coronavirus and experiences of an NHS worker during the pandemic. Students then used the interviews to develop and perform monologues on Microsoft Teams. Olivia F, Year 12, interviewed her mother about her experiences as a community member after the 2016 Croydon tram derailment. Olivia says this of her verbatim theatre work: ‘In our remote learning lessons for Drama, we explored using Verbatim Theatre by interviewing our family members about ‘London Incidents’. I recorded an interview that I had with my mother about the tram crash; her thoughts about it and how it impacted our community. In our Drama lessons, I learnt to replicate her movements and speaking patterns, repeating what was seen in the video. Then, I performed this within the class.

50 Old Palace Review 2019-20 Lockdown March - JulyDrama 2020 Virtual House Drama Competitions The Drama Department has been very active, organising virtual When moving on to Round 3 my team and I discovered that House Drama competitions. Over 40 students in Years 7-12 television was our strength, which isn’t very surprising considering took part in different activities. Some students participated in a we have all been in lockdown for a while! There were some really competition to create a theatre-related meme. There were some good questions based on ‘Stranger Things’ and ‘Friends’. In round very funny entries, including Olivia F’s nod to the 2019 Staff four we definitely all had a chance to put what we had learnt in Pantomime. Huda (Year 7) won with her witty ‘West Side Story’ Drama and English to the test by guessing the Shakespeare play meme series. Students also had the option of submitting a still from a scene! There were some very obvious clues. For example, image from a play and Nissi (Year 9) submitted a creative image Malvolio and his yellow stockings in ‘Twelfth Night’, as well as a of herself in the role of Feste from ‘Twelfth Night’. production still of Romeo and Juliet’s famous balcony scene. Students from different year groups also competed in a On behalf of everyone I would like to thank Ms Berk, Mrs Hargraves, monologue competition. Students chose a monologue from a Lisa, Olivia F and Ellen for all their hard work and time organising wide-range of plays such as ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, the quiz.“ adapted by David Grieg; Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’ and ‘Leave Overall, Virtual House Drama was a great success and proved an Taking’ by Winsome Pinnock. They then submitted a filmed excellent opportunity to help students develop their creativity performance. Submissions were outstanding and students and performance skills, alongside earning last-minute House developed believable and engaging characters. It was difficult Points. to determine the winners! Ellen (Year 12) won first place with her soulful interpretation of Shirley from Rebecca Lenkiewicz’s Well done and thank you to everyone who participated! play ‘Blue Moon Over Poplar’. Lila M (Year 7) placed second with her entertaining performance as Violet Beauregarde from ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’. The House Drama competition culminated in a live Microsoft Teams quiz on Theatre, Film and Television, which was organised and run by Lisa I, Ellen S and Olivia F (Year 12). Students competed in teams and the members of the winning team included: Madinah M, Ria P-C, Beth B and Jessica S (Year 10). Christina F (Year 9) also played and enjoyed the activity. She reports: “We broke off into our groups and discussed the answers to the four rounds on Teams. In Round 1 we were given two written questions where we had to identify the name of a theatre production using a photograph. Our favourite was the last picture, which was a photo of platform 9 and 3/4 from ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’. Ellen S in costume for her monologue performance from ‘Blue Moon Over Poplar’

Lila M in costume for her monologue performance from ‘Charlie and the Madinah M in costume for her monologue Elizabeth G in costume for her monologue Chocolate Factory’ performance from ‘Cold Comfort Farm’ performance from ‘Othello’:

Old Palace Review 2019-20 51 Drama Lockdown Virtual House Drama Competitions continued

Huda B’s winning meme series.

Winners Monologue First Place Winner Virtual Quiz Winners Ellen S-S, Year 12 Madinah M, Ria P-C, Beth B and Jessica S, Year 10 Monologue Second Place Winner Nissi O’s Still Image Entry – Feste from Lila M, Year 7 Still Image/Meme Competition Winner ‘Twelfth Night’ Huda B, Year 7 LAMDA Exam Results We would like to congratulate our LAMDA students on their In the higher grades, the breadth of subject matter is extremely wonderful results, and to their teacher, Mrs Redgrove, for her demanding. The candidates are asked to deliver a speech not hard work . only of their own choice, but also on matters relating to social and moral issues. The Verse and Prose students, all doing the penultimate Grade, chose some beautiful poetry and moving prose, plus a Sonnet, The students excelled with diverse subjects ranging from the which is always an exacting discipline. You can’t get better than sensitive issue of FGM to Female French Resistant workers. To Distinction—which is what Chloe, Idara and Kate achieved. achieve Distinction in these higher grades --plus the UCAS points---is to be applauded. Five girls even got over 90/100! Then they presented on subjects chosen by those taking Public Speaking, which included exciting topics such as My Favourite I would like to thank them all for their hard work, and for being Film, The Person I Would Most Like to Meet, My Family and The such delightful and receptive students. Environment. I learned a lot from these! They also had to give an Mrs Redgrove “Own Choice” speech; again these were amazingly varied. LAMDA Level 3 Certificate in Communication Idara Speaking Verse and Prose Grade 7 - Silver Medal Distinction Chloe-Marie Speaking Verse and Prose Grade 7 - Silver Medal Distinction Kate Speaking Verse and Prose Grade 7 - Silver Medal Distinction LAMDA Level 2 Award in Communication Kyla Speaking in Public Grade 4 Merit LAMDA Level 2 Award in Communication Amelia Speaking in Public Grade 4 Merit Sumaiya Speaking in Public Grade 4 Distinction Tiffany Speaking in Public Grade 4 Distinction Saambavee Speaking in Public Grade 4 Merit LAMDA Level 3 Certificate in Communication Suraiya Speaking in Public Grade 6 - Bronze Medal Distinction

52 Old Palace Review 2019-20 Lockdown March - JulyMusic 2020 Year 7, 8 and 9 Music Composition Projects During the last half term, students have been doing some Year 9 have been arranging the theme from Buckbeak’s fantastic work composing music from home using a flight scene fromHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. programme called Soundtrap. You can hear a selection of the best projects by clicking on Year 7 have been writing in the style of Afro-Cuban music, the link: https://youtu.be/KIA44ckBkLM Year 8 have been writing in the style of electronic dance Maybe we have the next John Williams in our midst! music and

The Making of the Virtual Choir It was a sad realisation for me that once we were all in - particularly given that and a few younger students. All of the school had closed for Covid-19, any sort September marks the start of the school Prep entries were fantastic and included of musical rehearsal could be a long way year. Below are a few of the words: some amazing choreography, with the away - particularly if social distancing Do you remember, when it was like youngest singer in only Year 2! A string rules continue to be applied in the future. September? Before you grew cold like of talented senior students added some Singing has always been a huge part of December and all you saw were cloudy days. final gloss, perhaps unsurprisingly, a bit the culture of Old Palace, and is a form of closer to the deadline(!). I put everything musical interaction accessible to everybody And I remember that day when you together using two software packages – (contrary to popular opinion, there is no surrendered, you stopped hurting ‘cause you Logic Pro for the audio and Final Cut for such thing as someone who ‘can’t sing!’), remembered, the season it won’t last always. the video (but I won’t bore you all with so I thought that creating a ‘Virtual Choir’ My concern was that the arrangement the technical details!). would be a great way to continue some was quite difficult (it splits in to six I’m sure you’ll agree that the final result form of communal music making. different parts) but I was confident that is fantastic! (I recommend listening with I did some research and found a series our girls would rise to the challenge. headphones). I’m particularly pleased of arrangements of choral pieces that I After uploading a number of instructions, for the Year 13s involved who can have thought would work well, before settling scores, words (thanks to Miss Orr and Ms this as a leaving memento in a bizarre on the Earth, Wind and Fire classic Fitzgerald for typing these up) and audio final year. I’d like to thank everyone that September as it had always been a song on to the VLE, I waited for the videos to contributed, particularly Miss Fitzgerald I liked. The version we sung had been roll in. Which they did... slowly at first, for galvanising the Prep students. Watch arranged by gospel supremo Kirk Franklin led by some keen staff members (Mrs this space for The Virtual Choir Part 2! with lyrics which I felt (metaphorically Morris keeps her talents well hidden!) Mr Griffith at least) were quite apt for the scenario

Old Palace Review 2020

Old Palace Review 2019-20 53 Music Lockdown New Music on YouTube If you were wowed by the two new musical performances at Senior School Prize Giving (Higher and Higher by the Old Palace Virtual Choir and For Good by the Year 13 Leavers), you can listen to them again here: Higher and Higher https://youtu.be/uYtJ52y85ZA

For Good: https://youtu.be/QQ9pffebmes

Old Palace Minster Choristers and Choral Scholars Unite in Song Lockdown has been particularly difficult for choirs as singers rely so much on hearing each other. So, what to do when meeting up is no longer an options? Croydon Minster’s Director of Music, Dr Krippner, decided that the only option was online rehearsals and even online performances. In total, our singers recorded ten virtual choir performances, all arranged and collated by Dr Krippner. Whilst some were recordings of choral pieces, others were hymns that congregations everywhere could sing along with.

54 Old Palace Review 2019-20 Lockdown March - July Sport2020 Lilia Takes Part in At Home Laser-run Competition Last week, I represented Great Britain in an at home laser-run competition organised by the UIPM (World Pentathlon). There were over 800 athletes from 52 countries who participated and 90 other girls in the U19 age group. The format of the competition was based on the laser-run part of a modern pentathlon, but the running was replaced by jumping squats so that it could be done either at home or in the garden. I had to do four repetitions of 20 jumping squats and 5 metre shoots. The shooting was standard format, so the next round of squats was started after hitting five greens or after fifty seconds, whichever came sooner. There were nineteen girls in my heat, and I came third. The competition was run through Zoom, which posed some organisational issues. Although I did not make the final as only the fastest six athletes in each age group went through, it was really good fun and I enjoyed taking part in a global competition. Lilia, Year 10

PE Challenge We love to see photos of our students carrying on their PE challenges at home. Here are Grace Year 8 and Isobel Year 6 doing their daily work out.

Right Year 6 students have been completing various challenges in PE. For the lunges I realised that we had eaten all the oranges so I had to use an apple instead! Here is a picture of me doing the challenge. Rosie, Year 6

Old Palace Review 2019-20 55 Sport Lockdown Year 9 PE Year 6 House Year 9 students were asked to watch a series of very short clips listening to Athletics Katerina Johnson-Thompson (current GB Heptathlete) interviewing Mary Peters (former NI Pentathlete) and write a short paragraph based on Mary Year 6 weren’t part of the Croydon Peters. Athletics (although word is out that there may be a Primary Schools Competition Mary Peters is now 80 years old and at some point), but the pupils followed a is a former athlete who competed in similar idea and worked for House Points! heptathlon and shot put. The most The results – based on the number of defining moment in her career is when entries – were: she went to the Olympics in Munich, 1972. On the 2nd September 1972, 1st Stafford she went to Crystal Palace to watch 2nd Laud people do different activities and then 3rd Anselm her coach said to have a go afterwards and she jumped higher than she had 4th Hatton ever jumped before. She said this was important to her Mary took part in the Munich 1972 because it ‘made the difference in Summer Olympic Games and won winning and losing’. Her parents gold at the pentathlon, sprint hurdling, helped her a lot in supporting her high jump, shot put, long jump, and a aspirations to be an athlete. flat race. When Peters turned 16, her dad When she was 16, her father bought brought a lot of sand home so she her sand for a high jump pit and on could practice her long jump in the her 17th birthday she got a shot put garden and when she turned 17 her circle. parents got her a shot put circuit. At school, the headmaster recognised Also, her athletic talent was later her talent for athletics and then acknowledged by her headmaster she was introduced to a coach and who then introduced Peters to a then went and tried a pentathlon, professional coach and she said because she was too young for a that her parents ‘gave me every heptathlon. Her parents were very opportunity to follow that through’. supportive of her achievements. The She also had a brother and since they pentathlon, which she competed in, were both very competitive, Peters was a relatively new sport and there commonly acknowledges her brother were not many people to look up to, to be the person that pushed her to but Mary was an inspiration to many do what she did. She has inspired heptathletes, who believe that they many younger athletes, one of them can do the event because of her. She being 27 year old heptathlete Katrina took part in 42 pentathlons. Johnson Thompson and many others. Sarah B, Year 9 Anika K, Year 9

Katrina Johnson Thompson interviews Mary Peters During the interview we got to find out about Mary Peters. I found out things like when she was 16 her father bought her some sand so she can practise high jumping and also when she was 17 she got a shot put circle. When she was at school she got recognised for her Mary Peters at the 1972 hard work and talent by her Headmaster, and she Olympics in Munich where got recommended a coach who lead her on to the she said "She was ready to opportunity of doing a Pentathlon. win" when in fact she did win a gold medal. Shelise, Year 9

56 Old Palace Review 2019-20 Lockdown March - July Sport2020 Virtual Netball Senior Sports Day Relay and House Training Competition Results Mrs Smith arranged for the girls to do Our House Leaders did a splendid in each video. So, my decision is… a Virtual Netball training session via job organising our Sports Day Zoom. The session was facilitated by the House Relay Race; thank you, House 1st Anselm England Netball team. Many students Leaders, and of course to all the and parents joined in from around teachers and students who took 2nd Stafford London. part! 3rd Laud Here is Grace, Year 7. Here are the results (as judged by Mrs 4th Hatton Burton) It certainly has been great fun to watch it all. I laughed at the creativity of the Old Palace students with all the various props, pets, musical instruments, a piñata and very appropriately a face mask! I think I saw a rubber chicken as well but the person holding it was a quick runner! Please do pass on my thanks to all those students and staff involved. It was hard to judge. There was a lot of originality across all the Houses and so WINNER my final positioning came down to the number of different entries/video clips

Year 8 Resilience Work

• What have I learnt about myself through this process? It’s been lovely to have Year 6 back in school and taking part in PE (socially • What have I learned about myself, my distanced) lessons. resilience and my determination to keep going? So far we have played cricket and tried Year 8 have worked on a Raising out our tennis skills. This week we There were some great challenges such Resilience Journal over the last two played kick rounders. Next week we as: weeks in PE. This is an award set by the look forward to taking part in the Virtual Sports Leaders UK organisation and • Mastering how to juggle with two Primary Schools Homeletics Athletics involved students setting themselves a balls Competition! practical challenge, planning on how to • Doing as many splits combinations in achieve it and considering a number of a set period of time questions along the way such as: • Not stopping cycling on a steep hill • How will I know when I have that I usually stop on when I’m tired succeeded? • Doing a pull up • What do I need to do to keep the activity safe? • Doing a certain number of keepy- uppies with a football • Is it challenging? • And many more! • Do I need help? How can I include a family member to keep me Congratulations to those who completed motivated? the journal and were awarded the Resilience Learner Award Certificate! • What did I do to push myself when it wasn’t going well? Mrs Smith

Old Palace Review 2019-20 57 LockdownSport March - July 2020 Croydon Schools Years 7-13 Virtual Athletics Competiton: Homeletics Congratulations to ALL those who took part in the Croydon Schools Homeletics Competition during the week prior to half term! We competed against 12 other schools and, you can see from this table, we won four year group competitions, which is fantastic!

Gold Silver Bronze Year 7 Girls Old Palace School Woodcote High School Royal Russell School Year 8 Girls Old Palace School Woodcote High School Royal Russell School Year 9 Girls Old Palace School Woodcote High School Royal Russell School Year 10 Girls Old Palace School Royal Russell School Oasis Academy Coulsdon Year 11-13 Girls Coloma Convent Girls’ School Woodcote High School Riddlesdown Collegiate Relay Champions Coloma Convent Girls’ School Woodcote High School

The events included: • Lockdown Long Jump • Homemade High Jump • Try at home Triple Jump • Motivating Marathon • Socially distanced Sprints • Sock Putt • Household Hurdles The number of entries from Old Palace students was fantastic. The photos show some of our students really working hard to produce their best effort – well done!

58 Old Palace Review 2019-20 Old Palace 2.6 Challenge

The London Marathon was due to take place on Sunday 26th April. The marathon is an important charity fundraiser, but also an event where thousands challenge themselves to run 26 miles. The Old Palace 2.6 Challenge was a mini version of this. Staff and students dreamt up an activity based around the numbers 2.6 or 26 to suit their skills and complete it between Sunday 26 April (London Marathon day) and Sunday 3rd May.

Demi in Year 12 decided to take part in the 2.6 challenge and made 26 sugar cookies. Zoe (Year 8) on her trampoline.

Constanza (Year 11) ran a marathon over 2 days, 15 miles on the first, 11 on Emily (Year 11) and Rebecca (Year 8) the second.

Lizzie (Year 9) set herself a very Mrs Smith also decided to do 26 keepy- Ms Rodwell did a 2.6 mile walk with her impressive 2.6 challenge of cycling 26 uppies using a frying pan and a tray. dog. km around Balham and Streatham. Old Palace of John Whitgift Senior School Old Palace Road Old Palace of John Whitgift School Croydon CR0 1AX Telephone: 020 8688 2027 Email: [email protected] www.oldpalace.croydon.sch.uk