An increase in self confidence and enthusiasm will undoubtedly feed into students’ behaviour and ability to participate fully in learning within all subject areas. As noted above it can be demonstrated that the Performing Arts projects have achieved this outcome.

In terms of direct impact on their subject areas the projects also scored highly. Almost without exception projects scored positively when students were asked if they felt it had increased their understanding of the subject area. Analysis of the average scores given shows that 79% (down 1% from last year) of projects were rated at 7/10 or higher in increasing students understanding of the subject area, a result which will hopefully directly impact on results in those areas.

Improvement of specific skills was also noted, not only in subject specific areas such as Drama and Dance but also in general life skills such as Communication, Listening to Others and Teamwork. As with self confidence and enthusiasm these skills have a considerable impact on student’s ability either to learn within the school or in their lives outside school.

Project Update

Summer School 7th – 11th August
During the summer holidays Commonweal Performing Arts and The New Youth Theatre run by drama expert Rob Perrett came together last week to offer 27 young people age 10 – 17 the chance to devise and make their own film.

The week started with team building drama workshops, dance and script building techniques. Commented Rob, “The students devised a plot, built the scenes and dialogue and then we went out and filmed it.”
Teaching assistants for the week were Ashley Elbourne and Keli Perrett both BTEC Performing Arts students at New College.

‘Lost’ is a film about a young girl who due to family stresses runs away from home and tries to survive on the streets as best she can. She has no money so has to steal to eat, the film shows the impact on herself and people she encounters.

The film closes with a moving monologue delivered by the main character Molly, played by Ashleigh Sculley age 11. “My name is Molly and I am 12. I roam alleys and the streets, I am searching for a hole to call my home. I have a brother and a step sister but they only walk by and stare. No kindness offered from their hearts, their compassion is not there just like Mum & Dad. As I walk people look at me and all they see is the dirt, if only they could look past that and just see the hurt. My life is going by unnoticed ….I only ever talk to myself, my voice is unknown…”

Commented Ashleigh, “We devised the script after improvisation, we had no idea at the beginning of the week about what the film would be about. I think it has made me think and now when I see homeless people I will be a little more understanding about their situation.”

Commented Josie Williams, Community Arts Development Officer. “It was a fun week for young people to express themselves and work on techniques. One hundred percent of the students agreed that the project had increased their confidence and a hundred percent rated the project 7 ( scale from 1 to 10) and above for allowing themselves to express their own creativity and understanding the art form. All the skills the young people learnt are transferable skills that will put them in good stead for the work place and social interaction.”

“It was a great week and a really good experience on how professional TV stuff is made.” Lauren Staddon age 13

“It was great fun. I found it very interesting. I also made loads of new friends.” Sam Griffiths age 8

“It was an amazing week, I enjoyed all of it and I’d definitely do it again.” Eleanor Dewdney age 14

“I enjoyed having the chance to work with other people and I really enjoyed it.” Emily Longthorne age 14

Commented the Reverend Simon Stevenette from Christchurch in Old Town, “Collective are full of life, they ask the right questions and the students at Commonweal responded very well.”

Commented Lucy Ingram Year 8 at Commonweal. “We had a PSHE lesson and they taught us that we don’t have to be pushed into things in life because of peer pressure.”

Commented Sam Pont also Year 8 at Commonweal “ Collective taught us how to say no to bad situations and to walk away.”

Commented Hannah Trickey Year 8 at Commonweal, “Collective were fun and exciting and really constructive to do with things about peer pressure and problems in life.”

Collective played at a concert at The Commonweal School on Friday 29th September 7.30 – 9.30 pm. This was aimed at young people from 11 – 16 years olds. Commented Rachel Adams Old Town Partnership Youth Worker . “ The response from students at Commonweal has been very positive. Over 150 students attended.”

Commented Keith Defter Headteacher. “ We encourage the exploration of all faiths in our school to enable students to make up their own mind about what is right for them. Any project that encourages respect for others and enables individuals to reflect upon their place in society is worth supporting.”

As part of one of our SSAT objectives all students in Year Nine have taken part in exploratory workshops leading to performances based on issues explored during our citizenship programme. Sixth Sense were due to deliver this but they do not have a programme for Year Nine hence Partners Theatre via our partners Reach Inclusive Arts were able to deliver ‘Behind You.’ We offered Partners our hall for dress rehearsal on Thursday 5th Oct and 60 Year 8s watched their performance. On 5th and 9th 214 Year 9 students watched and participated

Behind You deals with death and bereavement. After each performance the audience was asked to come up with alternative endings and to go onto stage and act out their alternative scenario.

Due to the sensitive nature of this show Partners arranged a twilight session for teachers from Swindon and surrounding area in the school library on Tuesday 19th September.

"Students were extremely enthusiastic when asked to participate in the Forum Theatre sessions. In feedback discussions during drama lessons, students commented upon how useful it was to explore the difficult issue of bereavement. Partners Theatre Company provided an excellent stimuli and opportunity for discussion in a safe environment which has been extremely helpful in supporting the current scheme of work on "The Identification". Commented Debs Browning from our Drama Dept.

Arts Award Assessor Training 6th Oct
Alison Sutcliffe Head of Music, Helen Clements Music Teacher, Rob Colquhoun Peripatetic Music Teacher and Helen Pysanczyn Music Project Co-ordinator, took part in Bronze and Silver training to deliver this new Arts Council initiative. This will be delivered via lessons and extra curricular activities.

French Play Thursday 12th Oct
Organised by the Language Dept and delivered by The London Production Company. 70 Year 10 GCSE French students watched the production entitled, ‘ We Call All Help.” The play was based around two characters who, along with others, have environmental concerns and feel they want to do what they can. They plan a sponsored cycle ride to raise funds for a new solar powered roof on their local school to power the site. Although there is a serious theme the show was fun and exciting as the students watched the characters progress from Paris to Reims. Allsorts of problems were encountered enabling students to put their French skills into practice.
Commented Sarah Clements Head of Languages. “The play was excellent and the theatre group interacted with the audience in French during the performance. It was an imaginative play as the characters are on a journey and enabled language to be used in many different contexts.”

Prize Giving 12th Oct
This year, and from thus forward, the Performing Arts Award was donated and presented by Mark Waldron Editor of the Swindon Advertiser and school patron. This award was won by Ravneek Bains, who last year was in Year 11. Commented Mark Waldron “The Swindon Advertiser is proud to celebrate the achievements of all our local schoolchildren. We regularly feature the excellent work being produced under Commonweal’s status as a performing arts college so were delighted to sponsor the prize. Having been a special guest at the prize-giving ceremony it was a pleasure to see the work of so many students across all subjects being recognised.” Further pictures on www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk Thank you Mark your input is very much appreciated.

Family Juggling Workshop Saturday 14th Oct
Families from across Swindon took part recently in a free juggling workshop complimented with homemade cakes and tea. Over 45 people from three generations attended with age ranges from 3 – 60.

Commented Genny Williams who came along with her husband Nick and three children. “It was brilliant! It was a great family occasion as it is not easy to find something to do that the whole family can enjoy, especially if you have teenagers. I personally learnt how to spin a hoop which is something I have always wanted to master.”

Commented Simon Smith who came along with his two children, “It was a good atmosphere and the staff were very helpful. It was a really good family event.”

Commented Sue Mulhall who came with her husband and son,” It was an energetic and additive event and we learnt new skills along the way.”

Juggling is a fantastic way to improve yourself physically and mentally. It enhances hand to eye co-ordination, ambidexterity, balance, improves motor skills, rhythm and timing and is a fantastic stress reliever. It helps you realise that learning is a rewarding and joyful process and that your potential for learning is virtually unlimited. You will also be pleased to hear that your ability to learn can actually improve as you get older. One of the reasons that we hold back from trying to learn something new is that we are scared of making a mistake. Guess what? It is okay to make mistakes because by making mistakes, we actually learn!
Juggling is a great confidence builder! It can be learned quickly and is a very rewarding activity with feelings of 'that's impossible', quickly turning to 'what's next'!

“These family days are a great way for families to spend quality time together. So Mums, Dads, brothers, sisters and Grans and Grandads come along and join in the fun!” commented Josie

The event was facilitated by Jake The Juggler an experienced young juggle from Lower Shaw Farm, who offers lively performances and workshops with balls, clubs, diabolos, spinning plates, poi, and more! He has performed at events locally, such as the Swindon Summer Festival, and has also been a feature of festivals around the country and abroad, including Glastonbury, and South America.'

Robert Le Kyng Primary School. Every Wednesday 3.25 pm – 4.25 pm. Commenced 6th Sept Average 25 students yr 6 and some yr 5. This term one unit of work based on traffic signs. Term two unit of work based on the 60’s as part of the curriculum

King William Street Church of England Primary School. Every Thursday 9 – 9.45 am start Thursday 14th Sept 24 in class
( 22 Yr 6 and 2 Yr 5) Also Swindon Dance Platform with ten boys after Xmas. This term one unit of work based on traffic signs. Term two unit of work based on the 60’s as part of the curriculum. Even Swindon and Lethbridge do not want dance at this stage.

Dance Clubs
Dance clubs run every lunch time and most groups are working towards The Evening of Entertainment scheduled for November 23rd.

Drama Outreach
Claire Parsloe Sept 2006
Even Swindon Junior School. “Unfortunately, I am writing to report that Even Swindon has asked to postpone my outreach with them. They have identified that this year's Y6 pupils are significantly underachieving in their Literacy and need far more support in this prior to their SATs. They said whilst they would like me to teach Drama there and they do recognize the benefits of Drama, they need to action plan more time for Literacy and postponing Drama sessions is the only way. The Head teacher at Even Swindon has all of my contact details and is keen to get in contact with me later, once the pressure is off.” Claire

Robert Le Kyng Primary School.
“Robert Le Kyng said that although they would like drama outreach they can no longer fit it in the timetable as they have dance and music outreach now as well as new PPA time.” Claire

Debs Browning Sept 2006
St Lukes Specialist School. “I haven't done any practical outreach except initial meetings to arrange what we will be doing this year. This includes school production across all years at St Lukes plus cross curricular involvement with Dance, Music, Art etc.. This will be a whole school event with students being involved in one way shape or form!

Next term I will be working with Year 7s at St Lukes to introduce them to the subject and get them working cooperatively with each other!” Debs

Once per term
• Workshop / assembly with year 10 Commonweal students at each primary school. (will also contribute to Arts Award for them)
• At least one lesson with Alison Sutcliffe. We will devise a scheme of work in the format of a project that primary teachers can deliver and support through non-specialist lessons. We will deliver the musical lessons. (e.g. Latin American Music)
• At least one lesson with Helen Clements..

Christmas
• Lethbridge Carol Service 19th December.
• Offer of a Christmas Carols assembly earlier in December for each other school using Concert Band / yr10 musicians.

Spring Chamber Concert
• Y6 gifted and Talented musicians invited to perform at the concert (maybe 8 in total)

Summer
• KAYA drumming workshop. Invitations to all y6 from feeder schools as well as y7 at Commonweal School. All attend workshop at Commonweal and then this culminates in a concert in the evening for all who took part.
• Summer Fayre – y6 and y7to be taught a number of songs through lessons with Alison Sutcliffe and Helen Clements. They then come to the Fayre at Commonweal and perform together.

Helen Pysanczyn
Outreach Projects

Composition
Andre is working with yr 6 students in King William St, Robert Le Kyng and Even Swindon and with some yr 8s in St Lukes.

In order to cover all yr 6 students he is spending 2 hours at Even Swindon (2 classes) and 1 hour at the other schools. Robert Le Kyng has split their yr 6 so he sees each half for 30 minutes.

This term, he is working with Nick Weaver to enable the students to create a song about Christmas to be recorded on the Commonweal Christmas CD.

Instrumental Lessons
Laurie Parkinson is teaching brass at King William Street and has 8 students.
Rhonda Towner is teaching woodwind at Robert le Kyng and also has 8 students. Ashley Pullen is teaching drums at St Lukes, King William and Even Swindon. He has about 15 students. Doug Mussard is teaching drums at Robert le Kyng and Steve Curtis teaches guitar at St Lukes. He has approximately 4 students.

The aim of these sessions is to provide instrumental teaching at the school that would not be provided without the project money. It gives a 2-term taster session to the student free of charge (Commonweal pays Swindon Music Co-operative for the staff and Swindon Music Service for the hire of the instruments). After 2 terms, the students may move on to a pay-as-you-go scheme via Swindon Music Co-operative; or may stop lessons and return the instrument.

Evidence is that a large percentage of the students continue with lessons on the pay-as-you-go-scheme. This will have a knock-on effect of more instrumentalists starting year 7 with some musical experience.

Extra Curricular Singing
Debbie Lovell is taking a singing group at Even Swindon. The group is around 25 strong. She entered them for Swindon Festival last term and will be contributing to the Commonweal Christmas CD this term.

Lethbridge School has requested not to have any music projects this year.

Music Clubs
These are running everyday and students are working towards our Evening of Entertainment in November. Rock School runs every lunch time and everyday after school.

Forthcoming events…

Work Experience Pilot Project with Big State Theatre Company 2nd , 3rd,6th, 7th, 8th ,9th, 10th November.

Gambia/African Day for Yr 7 to incorporate music, dance, drama, art and culture November 9th

The Witches auditions for production, Years 9 & 10 November 10th.
Years 7 & 8 November 13th

Sixth Sense – No Direction Home. Yr 8 November 13th & Yr 10 November 15th

Billy Elliot Trip – Yr 10 & 11 November 22nd

Evening of Entertainment – Music, Dance, Drama and Performance Poetry November 23rd. To include the launch of the CD, ‘Now That’s What I Call Commonweal,’ original songs by students and staff.

Carol Service at Bath Road Methodist Church December 18th.

Carol Service at Lethbridge School December 19th

Carols in the gym December 21st