Wells Reconnected

Wells Reconnected Trinity Term 2021

I’m really excited to be able to introduce you to ‘Wells Reconnected’ - a co-curricular festival which brings the School community together in creative and exciting ways.

At the end of this extraordinary academic year, when opportunities for pupils to engage in all the things they love outside of their academic studies has been so frustratingly restricted, we are determined as a School to try and ‘make up for lost time’ and allow the whole School community to reconnect with each other and with the activities that we have missed in recent Terms.

I hope these next few weeks will be a wonderful celebration of all that we love about WCS. A chance to appreciate aspects of School life which we might have taken for granted previously. A time to reconnect with each other, with the wider Wells community, and with our own individual passions!

2

This amateur production of “Our Country's Good” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd. www.concordtheatricals.co.uk Our Country’s Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker. Based on the novel The Playmaker by Thomas Keneally

Australia 1788.

After a nightmare voyage of over eight months at sea, an unlikely crew of soldiers and convicts arrive from England to colonise this alien land, an audacious experiment.

It is later decided upon that a young Lieutenant must direct the first play ever to be staged in this new country. With only two copies of the text, a cast of criminals, and one leading lady who may be about to be hanged, these lost souls are about to discover the redemptive power of theatre.

Based on a true story, this is a play performed by a Sixth Form cast about the effects of brutalisation, hope and learning to live again; particularly resonant in these times.

Parental Advisory: Rated 12 Some strong language, mild violence and mature sexual themes.

For more details please visit https://wells.cathedral.school/ocg 3

Thursday 17th June Eternal Source of Light Divine Specialist musicians from the brass, percussion, vocal and organ departments are excited to be able to present the music that in a normal year they would have played in January. They are pleased that finally, in June, they can perform a programme of celebratory pieces to mark the musical reopening of one of England’s most beautiful historic buildings.

Wells Cathedral Friday 18th June Woodwind and Strings Celebration Concert The turn of the Woodwind and Strings musicians to perform music prepared for their Promenade concert. They perform a programme of much-loved classical music interspersed with a few contemporary surprises.

Wells Cathedral Saturday 19th June Piano Gala The Specialist Music Scheme provides advanced training for exceptionally talented young musicians from across the world. The School’s pianists have won prizes in many national and international competitions and in this Gala Concert, the current crop of remarkable young artists showcase for us the music they have been working on during a year of lockdowns.

Expect fireworks!

Cedars Hall 4

Monday 21st June Cathedral Chamber Music Lunchtime Concert The first and last of our Chamber Music Lunchtime Concerts for this academic year and, for that reason, all the more special.

Wells Cathedral Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th June 8.00pm Mozart Opera Gala Staged performances of some of the greatest moments of operatic music ever written, performed by our young singers and instrumentalists. The vocal department has selected scenes from the Marriage of Figaro; Mozart’s great comic opera of intrigue, misunderstanding and forgiveness. The second opera to be showcased is the Magic Flute, the final scene portraying the young lovers Pamina and Tamino as they finally defeat the forces of evil preventing them from being together.

Cedars Hall Sunday 27 June Jazz Picnic No need for an introduction to this much loved family event. Come to enjoy the jazz, a picnic and perhaps a dance. Entertainment provided by the Jazz Ensemble and our fantastic Jazz Orchestra.

Cedars Marquee

Thursday 1st July Symphony Orchestra Concert A festive programme of music from Russia to celebrate the end of the academic year. Sejin Yoon, winner of the 2020 concerto audition competition, performs Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 2. We then stay with Shostakovich for his Festive Overture. The programme is completed by excerpts from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Suites. We are excited to welcome Chloë van Soeterstède who will conduct the orchestra.

5

Cricket Week The sound of leather on willow will once again resonate across Cedars Field this Summer. With challenging matches against local rivals, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and a showing from both our Girls and Boys teams we are looking forward to once again making the most of one of the most beautiful cricket venues in the county.

Sports Day A day of fierce House competition. With pupils striving to run the fastest, jump the highest and throw the farthest. All combined with our characteristic Wells sportsmanship, celebrating the contribution of every member of our community. Only one question remains - who will win the Tug of War? 6

CCF Field Days An opportunity for our cadets in Year 9 and Year 11 to apply their learning during a day of field craft, section attacks and harbour drills at Yoxter ranges.

With exercises in tactics, shooting and teamwork our cadets can look forward to a challenging day.

DofE Heading out into the glorious Mendip Hills our Bronze and Silver expeditions will allow our pupils to enjoy the countryside that they are fortunate enough to call home. Camping under the stars, climbing the hills and sharing stories with friends, this is a real opportunity for our pupils to reconnect with the world around them.

7

Arts Week The culmination of our Term of reconnecting, an opportunity for all pupils to come off timetable and enjoy a creative festival of learning. Working in year groups, pupils will be exposed to a host of experiences ranging from Drama to Music with Science and Art along the way.

Opportunities will include: • Community Service • Young Film Academy • Pottery • Photography • Stage Combat • Team Challenges • World Music Ensembles • Body Percussion The week will finish with a hike through the Mendips to celebrate our reconnection with each other and our surroundings.

8