Water Polo

The Upper and Lower Sixth have made full use of the “bubble” system this term, allowing mixing of year groups in sports. A popular sport of choice has been water polo set up by Year 13 pupil George Pepper, taking place every Wednesday evening. George chose water polo due to his past experience in the sport, aiming to get people of all abilities involved without formal pressure. Teams have been split into Upper vs Lower Sixth creating some friendly competition, and evidently rivalry, between the two years.

Since Covid-19, it has been difficult for year groups to play sports together, meaning over the last year the sixth form as a whole have missed out on many sporting events and the experiences of playing sport together. Several of the players have noted how the return to mixing within sports has created a long awaited sense of normality in an attempt to catch up on missed time, alongside cre ating an outlet from the inevitable stress of sixth form studies. In addition, it is well known that sports help with mental health, the addition of water polo has played crucial role in preventing exam stress for upper sixth. In times of uncertainty and change, support from peers and other years in a relaxed sporting environment can prove to be extremely beneficial for mental wellbeing.

The informal atmosphere has been tainted somewhat by the unspoken rivalry between years. Thus far, the Upper Sixth are consistent winners, evidently channelling their stress into sport, with the Lower Sixth having some catching up to do over the next few weeks in order to achieve their first win. Overall, the uptake of water polo has been very successful with the interest growing in numbers.

FASHION Royal Opera House Design Challenge

The Royal Opera House Challenge is an annual competition to inspire future generations of designers. An opera or ballet is chosen by the Royal Opera House for the pupils to design for. This year the opera chosen was Carm en. The director of this challenge, Thomas Guthrie, sends out the ‘Director’s Visions’ for the designers, which are different themes that the pupil will choose as a guideline when making their final design. The pupils then go on a journey to create their final design, which is all be documented in a portfolio. One pupil from Eastbourne College will have their portfolio sent to the Royal Opera House via a video of the pupil discussing their own work and how they got to their final design.

I decided to design for Micaëla who’s a sweet, innocent character. I tried to show this using light colours and mix-medium flowers on the skirt. My theme was playing with scale, which is why I created a large bow to sit on the shoulders of the actor. – Jessie-Mae Tarrant This will be the third year that Eastbourne College has entered the Royal Opera House Design Challenge. However, the difference this year is the fact that the pupils involved in this challenge have not been able to go to Covent Garden to see a ballet or opera. The first year of this challenge only involved Year 12. The next year of the challenge was then introduced to the Year 10 GCSE. Since two years ago when Eastbourne College first took part in this challenge, we have had no winners (yet!). Due to Covid-19, the Royal Opera House arranged a live Q&A with directors Tom Guthrie and Ruth Paton for all students taking part from different schools. During this Q&A, pupils asked questions about the challenge and any important advice or notes from the directors in terms of presenting their work regarding the unfortunate circumstances of lockdown.

Costume by Anya Brown

I designed a blazer dress for the main character Carmen. The flames on my design represents her feisty character. The blazer dress is a bold statement fighting stereotypes. - Halimat Ganiyu

I am designing for Carmen. I wanted to show Carmen’s gypsy background as well as bringing in key designers such as Gianni Versace and artists like Picasso to put a modern twist on the 1830s opera as well as challenging the stereotypical women in this century. - Zoe Bell

Costume by Jess Lock

Interview with Head of Textiles, Mrs Cosgrove

What are your thoughts on how the challenge has gone this year?

“The first thing to come to mind is how well all pupils have coped with the effects of the pandemic. The challenges of teaching pupils how to construct garments on a Teams call will remain in my memory for some time. Pupils have exceeded all our expectations. Building on the successes of previous years, pupils they have thrown themselves wholeheartedly into the challenge and embraced new skills and creativity. From reading the libretto to drawing to music and making do with the materials and equipment they have to hand at home, they have embraced the journey.”

Has lockdown or Covid-19 had an overall effect on this year’s challenge at all?

“The deadline for the challenge was extended by Director Tom Guthrie and Designer Ruth Paton who were aware of the additional challenges that lockdown created. Pupils could submit a fashion illustration or paper costume if resources were scarce. We are so proud that all our pupils have chosen to produce a full size or 1/4 garment.”

Has lockdown or Covid-19 influenced the pupils’ final designs?

“I think the restrictions placed on the pupils have made them think even more creatively than they might have. They have had to think outside the box and come up with solutions that they wouldn’t have done otherwise. They have embraced the challenges that the pandemic has thrown at them and they should all be very proud of their achievements.”