We have come to the end of the summer term, and I’m very happy to bring you our Arts Newsletter round-up! Do check out our highlights from this term, and if you’re looking for something to keep the family entertained over the holidays, take a look at some of suggestions for arts events and activities happening in the city!
Have a wonderful creative summer ahead!
Ms Periton, HTSS Art and D&T Lead
DRAMA HIGHLIGHTS
The summer term at HTSS is ALL about Shakespeare. It’s been an incredible term of exceptionally hard work, culminating in some amazing shows showcasing the talents of our wonderful children. Massive congratulations to everyone for their wonderful performances, and to our dedicated staff who put so much effort into rehearsing and supporting the productions with costume and props and set design. Thank you also to everyone who helped backstage and with ticket sales. It truly is a team effort.
WONDERFUL MR WILLIAMS
None of our drama achievements would be possible without Mr Williams, and we are terribly sad that he is leaving us this year. It won’t be the same without him. He has some words to share with you all:
“In my final term at Holy Trinity, it has been a deep pleasure—once again—to watch children across the whole school study and rehearse our chosen Shakespeare text, which this year has been Hamlet.
Whilst I’ve been filled with admiration for the ambition that class teachers have shown in their staging and direction of the play, it’s what happens on an individual level that gives me the most joy: seeing a child who has been quiet for a long time suddenly find the courage and confidence to speak, or witnessing the surprise on parents’ and teachers’ faces when one of our pupils reveals just how talented they are. There’s Shakespeare’s story — and then there are the 200-plus stories of all the children in our school. Their journeys. Their progress.
I’m very excited — and not a little sad — to be presenting my own final collaboration with a Year 6 and Year 5 class. If you came to see it, I hope you enjoyed watching your children excel. I certainly have! I have loved being part of this school community, and I regard the time I have spent here as among the most richly rewarding experiences of my life.
All the very best to you all.”
Thank you for everything Mr. Williams!
ART HIGHLIGHTS
There have been some fabulous art projects happening around school this term! Many of our art units have of course been linked to Shakespeare, and we’ll be displaying a selection of these pieces in September. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy seeing some of them below, from the fantastic silhouette artworks of Year 1, to the brilliant Hamlet puppets of Y3, the wonderful ceramic tiles made by Y5 and the fabulous wire and papier mache sculptures made in Y6!
HADLEY STREET HOARDING
Those of you who live near Hadley Street or walk that way to and from school may have spotted the brilliant hoarding that has recently appeared there! This is the fantastic result of two workshops that took place in autumn, where Year 5 and Year 6 pupils worked with graphic designers and were challenged to make images on the theme of People, Places and Pets. This term, Year 5 went to visit the site and we all agreed it looks wonderful – what a great way to brighten up our community!
ROYAL ACADEMY JUNIOR ARTISTS SUMMER SHOW
This year, for the first time ever, we were delighted that one of our pupils had their artwork accepted into the prestigious Royal Academy Junior Artists Summer Show! Enormous congratulations to Sam Reading in Year 5, whose fun and clever collage was selected from an amazing 23,000 entries! Ms Periton and Ms Gashi enjoyed attending the teachers’ private view and Sam had a great time at the special opening with his family. We are very proud of you Sam, and everyone from school who entered their work!
MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS
CAMDEN SCHOOLS MUSIC FESTIVAL
Choir gave a wonderful performance at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the Camden Schools Music Festival! They had a brilliant time and did us proud. We asked some pupils what it was like to perform at such an iconic venue:
Maya O said: “It was awe-inspiring singing with thousands of children like me about the future.”
Naya said: “I loved the amazing sense of community I experienced when singing.”
Lucia said: “Singing with everyone created a new kind of joy inside me.”
Huge thanks go to Mr McIntyre for his tireless enthusiasm and hard work getting everyone ready, and if your child would like the opportunity to sing at the next festival, please do encourage them to join choir! And if you would like your child to learn an instrument, remember that from Year 1 onwards, you can sign your child up to learn at school. For more information and to download the Camden Music Service application form, please click here.
FAMILY ARTS EVENTS : SUMMER HOLIDAYS
There is SO much happening in London over the summer holidays, you have no excuse not to be creative! Below is just a tiny selection of what’s on offer. As usual, I’ve tried to only include FREE events, but do remember that many of London’s major galleries and museums are FREE for general admission!
• The National Gallery always has a great selection of creative workshops for families during the holidays: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/events?a=Families
• Join an Art Trail at the National Portrait Gallery! Choose from Scultpure Sleuths, Pocket Portrait Gallery or Gallery Detective, or grab a sensory bag – ideal for SEND families and younger visitors : https://www.npg.org.uk/visit/families-visits/
• The next Family Art Day at the brilliant October Gallery in Camden is August 2nd: https://www.octobergalleryeducation.com/family-learning
ARTY FUN AT HOME
• We love the Tate Gallery’s online page of creative projects you can do from the comfort of your own home: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/create-artist
CALL OUT FOR CREATIVES
We frequently need volunteers to support our creative projects in music, art and drama. If any parents and carers are creative professionals in any field, have a creative skill or hobby, or just want to lend a hand on occasion, please let the office or Ms Periton know. We will keep your details ready to help with future projects at HTSS!
That’s all for our Summer ARTS EDITION of the newsletter! Thank you for your support. Have a super break and see you in the autumn!
Ms Periton 🙂