Extra - Curricular
The English Department had a busy year in 2005-06 and this activity shows no signs of abating in 2006-07. Ms. Brown took Year 7 to see a thoroughly enjoyable performance of ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’ at the Chester Gateway Theatre. Similarly, a group of her Year 10 students enjoyed a performance of Willy Russell’s acclaimed ‘Blood Brothers’ at the Liverpool Empire Theatre. This year, Mrs. McGoldrick took her Year 11 students to see ‘An Inspector Calls’ at Theatr Clwyd and the boys had the opportunity to participate in a workshop when Theatr Clwyd visited the school. Mr. Smale took a group of his Sixth Form students to see ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ as part of their A Level studies, also at Theatr Clwyd.
Back in the Lent term, a successful school production of ‘The Merchant of Venice’ was directed by Mr. Smale. We are now looking forward to Ms. Smeaton’s production of ‘James and the Giant Peach’ in November and the school’s participation in the ‘Shakespeare for Schools Festival’ in February, led by Ms. Brown.
Mr. Hopkins took a team of ten Sixth Formers to the European Youth Parliament competition where they represented the school in the North West regional heat, debating a wide range of topics in various languages. They won the heat and represented the North West at the final in Durham in September where they narrowly lost out to St. Paul’s School, London.
Mr. Hopkins and Mrs. McGoldrick are also looking forward to the school’s inaugural creative writing weekend at half term. They are taking a group of Sixth Formers to Wales for a weekend of tuition with experienced, published writers and the opportunity to practise writing.
Finally, under the aegis of Mrs. Reeve, a group of Overdale pupils have enjoyed reading and sharing ideas about fiction. They participated in a Carnegie Medal ‘shadowing group’ and eagerly awaited the announcement of the prize. Mrs. Reeve will be running the Carnegie Group again this year, but places are limited so interested parties need to sign up quickly!
