Summer Showcase

Ms Gougeon in the Art department curated an eclectic display of student work from Years 7 to Year 13. Hundreds of parents, teachers and students wandered the exhibition, taking in the talented efforts of all.

In KS3, Year 7 featured work which explored Colour Theory as well as the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists. Year 8s explored pattern and tone through the work of Jason Scarpace and Ian Macarthur, whilst Year 9 featured pieces on Natural Structures and Forgotten Corners. Elsewhere, we also had a wide array of GCSE and A Level work and a full display of sculptures. The evening was accompanied by various music our students performed, featuring solo vocal performances and instrumental quartet pieces.

The second half of the evening was an emotive poetry slam under the theme 'Me and Mine'. Hundreds of students across the Academy submitted their poems to their English teachers, but only sixteen finalists made it to the live show. The performances were judged by two local poets who are big names on the performance poetry circuit: Woodzy and Zhanai Wallace. The judges themselves also took centre stage and delivered goosebump-inducing performances about mental health, love and loss. Student poems featured incredibly personal work about adoption, race, gender, religion, names and family. All emotions were explored, and for many of the hundred people listening, their eyes could not help but glisten.

All our performers did the school proud and displayed the excellence of our community by standing up and revealing personal work to an audience of so many. Special congratulations to Nasra and Shasmeen, who were the evening winners, and Erinn, Tilly and Joziah, who were runners-up.