The arts

ART, PHOTOGRAPHY AND TEXTILES EXHIBITION | YEARS 11-13

Parents and teachers were very proud to see the excellent art and photography work produced by Year 11 and 13 students this summer at our exhibition.

There were a range of artworks on display from drawing, collage, print making, painting, sculpture, photography, installation and digital art. We were delighted with the quality of art work and photography pupils achieved considering their experiences of working from home at times through the pandemic. We wish all of our pupils every success for their future and look forward to welcoming a number from the GCSE course back to study A level art and photography. A number of our A level artists and photographers are going on to study art related degrees at university next year and we look forward to hearing how they get on!

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION

Well done to all who took part in the wildlife photography competition. We had fantastic entries for all the categories which were ‘life in the garden and in the water’, ‘up high and down low’, ‘sunrise and sunset’ and ‘blooms and bugs’. The winners, with the most eye-catching entries were: 1st: Reaching for light by Zac H; Joint 2nd: Flowers of Paradise by Ellis A and Sunbathing, by Isobel P; 3rd: Frog with a flower on its head by Amy G.

SPIRITED ARTS COMPETITION

Our spirited arts competition returned this year. It is designed to encourage students to use multiple materials to make an art piece that combines creativity with theology. We had many impressive entries but the theology department could only choose one winner. Congratulations to Orla MC who came first place with her 3D whale interpretation piece! A special well done to Yael M, Maya K, Poppy B and Camilla T who came 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th. Well done to everyone who entered.

TEXTILES

The Textile Design exhibition of GCSE and A level work was exhibited in the mansion for parents, friends, families and teachers to enjoy this summer.

The A level students exhibited their personal investigations, which explored a wide range of diverse themes of their choice including: ‘Greek Mythology’, ‘Human Anatomy’, ‘Mental Health and the ‘Planets’. They constructed exceptional outcomes which included dresses, a jacket, a corset, a screen, and an installation. Some students are extending their skills further and pursuing degrees in fashion and textile design, and others are undertaking arts foundation courses next year.

The GCSE pupils displayed a brilliant range of amazing textiles, garments, and wall hangings which were the result of their hard work over the last two years.

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY/ PRODUCT DESIGN

Design and technology and product design students have produced amazing coursework which was displayed in the Sir Sydney Camm building. Their final piece themes ranged from aeronautical inspiration, to environmental awareness.

DRAMA

The Shakespeare Schools’ Theatre Festival is a cultural educational project that supports young people to perform abridged Shakespeare plays in professional theatres. This year, Claremont Fan Court School were delighted to perform at one of the most outstanding regional venues in the South East, The Rose Theatre, Kingston.

Over 20 Year 9 pupils took part in the festival. These pupils spent months learning lines and rehearsing during lunch, after school and at weekends, culminating in an exhilarating adaptation of ‘The Taming of the Shrew’.

SIXTH FORM PANTO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

Sixth form students certainly understood the panto brief this year, with a hilarious performance of Aladdin. With many costume changes and props prepared, the students took to the stage in December to perform a matinee performance to an audience of adoring Year 6 pupils, followed by an evening performance to friends and family. It was wonderful to hear so much laughter in the JGC, and we congratulate them on their hard work in making the performance such a success!

ALICE

Audiences were transported to Wonderland this summer in the Senior School production of ‘Alice’. This adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, written by Laura Wade, was a different take on the story that we all know and love. In this version, the story follows the adventures of Alice, a young girl from Walthamstow, whose brother Joe had died and, in her grief, suddenly finds herself in another universe. With advice from the white rabbit, she must “Get to the Heart”, to find her way home. Wade has crafted a highly original and witty text, which a cast of over 50 pupils from Year 7 to 10 brought to life in a fantastical way. Breathing fresh life into a much loved story about rabbit holes, pocket watches and talking caterpillars, Claremont Fan Court School brought audiences Wonderland like no other.

TALENT SHOW

In March, pupils from all year groups starred in an absolutely brilliant display of singing, musical performances, dancing and acting for the Senior School talent show. We were very fortunate to have award-winning actress and singer Martine McCutcheon and theatrical agent Gemma Hamilton on the judges panel, along with our very own headmaster, Mr Brierly. The standard of performance was incredibly high from all acts and the judges found it very hard to choose the winners. However, they eventually chose in 1st place, Sebastian F and Theo H with their

‘Famous PMs and Presidents’ skit combined with Sebastian’s rendition of ‘Telly’ from ‘Matilda’, Isabella L was placed 2nd with her amazing rendition of ‘Maybe this time’ from ‘Cabaret’ and the highly commended prize was awarded to Charlie Ford playing ‘Scotland the Brave’ on the bagpipes. Many thanks to the sixth formers involved in organising the event, raising more funds for the sixth form charities WWF and Macmillan Cancer Support. Well done to all who participated and a special thank you to our guest judges.

MUSICAL TEAS

Throughout this year we held whole school music tea events for parents and visitors. Music scholar, percussion, singing and string teas were all held in the Great Room in front of audiences. It was a delight to see pupils from across all three schools participate and celebrate music through their individual talents. Many congratulations to our gifted students, who continue to be inspired by our skilled peripatetic tutors. What a celebration of musical talent we enjoyed on 16 March at the grand finale of the Senior School music competition concert! The music school was buzzing throughout the day with so many talented students. The standard of the competition was first-rate; with the overall winners and runners up of each musical section playing fantastically. There was a concert featuring the winners later that day in the evening for friends and family celebrate their talents.

Aoife C - passed Grade 3 Piano Exam (Performance Grade) with Merit.

Ben SL - passed ABRSM exam.

Molly C - passed ABRSM exam

Ella W - passed ABRSM exam.

Ella G - passed ABRSM exam with merit.

Victor I - passed ABRSM exam.

Eleonore GF - passed ABRSM exam.

Rebecca N - passed ABRSM exam with merit.

Isabella MC - successfully completed ABRSM prep test.

Lucas S - passed ABRSM exam.

Molly C - passed ABRSM exam.

Luca L - passed ABRSM exam with merit.

Eva S - passed ABRSM exam.

Evie M - passed ABRSM exam.

Adeline I - passed ABRSM exam with merit