Project 195 passes 100

Project 195, the BRIT school's life in thousands of Photographs, has passed 100 days this week. As the short term three has come to an end, Friday 16th February has become day 104 of the 195 days in this school year. For each of the 104 days so far, a photograph (or more likely, many photographs) of scenes from school life have been posted on the Picasa web site. The photographs are arranged in albums for each week until the end of term when they are put into albums for the whole of a term. Go and see them and make sure to select the slide show option and reset the timer to about 10 seconds so you can read the captions at the bottom of each one. Go to Project 195

The BRIT Awards 2007 from a Year 12 student's viewpoint

Recovering from last night, those who have turned up to school today are still buzzing from last nights events, discussing their favourite performances and general feeling about the evening. Russell Brand was presenting this years show, the first live show since it was presented by Samantha Fox and Mick Fleetwood, and he did so with his usual charisma. Arctic Monkeys and The Killers were very successful, coming away with two awards each. The BRIT School students were at the forefront of the show, in the pit, with the best view of the artists performing. Yinka and I both agree that The Killers and Corinne Bailey Rae were the best, delivering the most exciting performances of the night. They were less pleased however, with Justin Timberlake's 'no-show' as he was awarded with Best International Male. Dis-satisfaction was the mood also, when we sat on our coaches in a car park, merely waiting. Some sat tired, some sat with crossed legs as they were desperate for the toilet, but basically everyone was frustrated in some way. This fickle frustration did disappear with the beginning of the show. But overall an evening of dance induced sweating, high pitched screaming and ringing ears on our departure. I think it’s fair to assume that we, students at the school, are all very grateful for the opportunity given to us by The BRIT Trust and wish to thank them!

Twirlies @ The BRITS

Yet again The BRIT post 16 students hit Earls Court for the BRIT Awards. What an evening! We were all treated to the delightful Russel Brand and a host of celebs! The twirlies, who are the dance staff, went with every intention of having ball.

Alongside all this excitement we brought along a few friends to add to the fun in store! Graham ie Twinkle Toes our new member of staff for a short while, was in his element as the Scissor Sisters twinkled and kicked their way through the opening and some students looked on in mild horror as we danced and jumped along with the best of them!

Thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to critique the celeb' fashion hits and misses in the flesh as opposed to Grazia magazine, us twirlies relished the dresses and more importantly the stunning shoes around.

Jumping around to Oasis at the end we all decided that it was a great night (especially for a school trip!) and we all wanted more! What fun!

Hamlet in 10 minutes

Thursday lunch time 8th February saw the joint Technology and theatre departments show Hamlet in the Space theatre. The year 10 theatre students who have been working with the play this year put on a radically truncated version that compressed the essence of the script into just 10 minutes. The costume set and props were all created by year 10 students during their Technology lessons as part of their Performance BTEC unit in Technical theatre.

Media Students become journalists

Today a group of BTEC Broadcast and Digital Communication students signed up to join the news blog. We hope they will provide us with some news from a student perspective and maybe our news will get a little edgier and encourage more comments than we have had so far

Theatre Department showcase at the Trafalgar Studios

Aspiring students from Year 13 Theatre Strand acted their hearts out on Monday in the first event that the Theatre Department has attempted at such a venue. A feat which was very well supported by members of the profession from drama schools, agencies as well as actors, directors, school governors and alumni from previous years. Students who wanted to take part were auditioned and coached by Simon Stephens and Sarah Niven. There was a range of material from Shakespeare’s ‘Henry V’ to Jonathan Harvey’s ‘Beautiful Thing’ that touched, tickled and disturbed the viewer. Director Imogen Brodie was proud of the students who represented the school with such skill and confidence.

Heavens Below

On the 13th, 14th and 15th of February, the BRIT School stages a Dance Show called Heavens Below. Project 195 has been snapping photos of the rehearsals (Link) Tickets are only £7.00 (£4.00 for concessions) and are available at the Box Office. Email the Box Office Manager for tickets on tickets@brit.croydon.sch.uk

BRIT School on the map

London continues to be ahead of the national average in GCSE exam results and to celebrate this achievement, Transport for London (TfL) produced a special tube map for only the third time in its history.

TfL replaced the stations with some of the capital's successful schools, and the BRIT School was one of them.

The map - called 'Your Tube' - was unveiled by Andrew Adonis at a celebratory event attended by some of the students and teachers featured on it and several of our students participated. Claire Lehane, year 12 Dance is seen here with Schools Minister Andrew Adonis pointing to The BRIT School on the map and Joy Bonfield-Colombara, year 12 Theatre is with local author, Malorie Blackman.

BRIT AWARDS 2007

It is now only one day away from The BRIT Awards 2007. This year it is televised live for the first time since Sam Fox and Mick Fleetwood compered it. This year most of our Post 16 students will be in attendance and the excitement is mounting! Of course the school is involved in many other ways. The ceremony raises money for charity (The BRIT Trust) which helps the school. These days we have current students in the audience and ex students competing for awards. Go to The BRIT Awards site click here

Partnership with Bermuda

Principal Nick Williams and Deputy Principal Jacqui Pick have recently returned from a visit to the island of Bermuda, following an invitation by local community leaders who are keen to open a BRIT-style performing arts and technology school. While there Nick and Jacqui met with members of the government and possible sponsors of the project, as well as visiting local schools and holding a public meeting. The visit was heavily reported in the local media and has helped stimulate a debate about how best to engage young people in education and provide them with skills for employment in the creative industries. Nick and Jacqui were really impressed with the island, although the stormy weather prevented any serious swimming. Hopefully this is the beginning of a great partnership.

Latest on Leona

Leona was nominated in the Best Single category in the BRIT awards but unfortunately didn't make it through to the next round. She will be at the ceremony on Wednesday, which is broadcast live on ITV1 from 8pm. Many students and staff from the school will be in the audience as well.

The X Factor tour kicks off this week. Leona will be headlining the show with the eight finalists for a huge thirty date Arena tour.

African Music Diaspora concert

The African Music Diaspora, a concert celebrating the movement of African peoples around the world and the musics that have come about as a result will take place at the school on the evening of Friday 15th February.
Includes: Afro-pop, Ska, Son, Blues, Reggae, Salsa, Latin Jazz.

Shakespeare Schools Festival

The Year 10 theatre students are taking part in the national event, Shakespeare Schools Festival for the first time, this week.

One company are performing Hamlet at the Ashcroft Theatre in Croydon on Tuesday at 7pm. They will be rehearsing in Croydon for the morning, in lessons in the afternoon and then back to the theatre for the evening.

The second company are performing Merchant of Venice at the Leatherhead theatre on Friday at 7pm. They are rehearsing on Friday afternoon.

It would be brilliant for us and the students to see you at the theatre. The box office numbers are 0208 688 9291 for the Ashcroft or 01732 365 141 for the Leatherhead theatre and tickets are £7.50.

Thanks and hope to see you there

Another busy week at the school.

February 6th -9th. Tuesday at 7.00 at the Fairfield Halls in Croydon you can see the year 10 students take part in Shakespeare for schools with their production of HAMLET. Phone their box office on 0208 688 9291 for tickets. You get 4 short and action packed Shakespeare’s for your money.

Wednesday at 7.00 is Speculate, the year 11 dance show with dance work from the year 10s. This is an exciting and innovative evening of dance. Tickets from the box office.

Thursday at 9.00 in the Obie theatre is the 3rd Brit school LGBT assembly; full of songs, poems and sketches the assembly will celebrate sexual diversity and the right to be an individual.

Thursday lunchtime: in the Obie the Broadcast and media department are showing a variety of student made films whilst in the 'Space' theatre the year 10s will be showcasing their Hamlet set and costume designs that have been creating in technology this year with a short presentation including scenes form the Hamlet that played on Tuesday night. First come first served at both venues. The Space will be open at other times for you to view the work.

Thursday at 4.30; a special after school performance of 'Speculate' for anyone wanting to be entertained by the talented year 11 and year 11 dance students. It’s an essential show to see. Tickets from the box office.

Friday at 7.00; a busy week ends with the second year 10 theatre show of the week; this time it is the famous play Merchant of Venice, once again as part of Shakespeare's for Schools. This performance is at the Leatherhead. Phone box office on 01372 365 141.