Festive News from King’s School
By the time the end of the Autumn term comes into view in early December, most people’s thoughts are turning away from the routines of studying and working, and towards festive fun!
The King’s school in Macclesfield is no different. Students and staff has embraced this pre-festive feeling, and capitalised on extra-curricular opportunities for learning beyond the classroom – from perfect pantos to serious sporting successes.
Perfect Panto Medley
King’s School Year 4 actors staged a medley of pantomime’s greatest hits in their Christmas spectacular. The comic crime caper featured characters from Hansel and Gretel, Pinocchio, Jack and the Beanstalk, Red Riding Hood and Cinderella all in one sumptuous show.
Promoting a strong moral message of foregoing prejudice in favour of forgiveness, the plot centres on a ‘Whodunnit’ tale.
Rumours abound when a series of terrible things, including a spate of thefts, besets the sleepy town of Hamlin. Rumours spread like wildfire, and the townsfolk start to put the blame on the usual suspects – Mr Wolf, the Witch and Pinocchio – but don’t jump to any conclusions because the Red Riding Hood Gang might not be as sweet and innocent as they seem.
With original music and script by music teacher Paul Vowels; edited, directed, choreographed and produced by drama specialist Soulla Costanda, the panto has been in rehearsals for six weeks and was performed by the 8 and 9 year-olds to an adoring, socially distanced audience.
Soulla said: “I am delighted that we had the opportunity to create a magical memory for the children and their parents, through the roles of so many well-loved fairy-tale characters.”
Pictured are Judges Sofia Sherratt and Heath Stockton; Cinderella, Sophie Evans; the Witch, Clara Stead; Geppetto, William Taberner; Pinocchio, Tyler Hares; Jack and the Beanstalk’s Mother, Harriet Clough; Little Pig, Diti Dixit and Red Riding Hood gang members Louisa Storey and Annabella Flaherty.
Trampoline Squad Hits New Heights
The King’s School’s new sports complex was the venue for the North-West Trampoline Championships.
Now located in its stunning new 80-acre campus which includes a new Sports Centre and swimming pool, King’s confirmed its reputation as one of the country’s top trampoline squads by winning the overall title.
In King’s best ever results at regional level, all 12 of their teams qualified with nine teams in first place and 32 individuals going through in solo categories. Coached by trampoline and cheerleading coach Rachael Burrows, who has redoubled all her efforts during the pandemic, King’s will now be one of the favourites at the North of England championship event and will hope to send one of their strongest ever squads to the nationals.
However, as Rachael insists, she wants her charges to develop as sportspeople as well as winners: “The pupils conducted themselves with incredible professionalism and were kind and comforting to each other when they were nervous or didn’t do as well as they hoped; a reflection of true sportsmanship at its best.”
All 12 of King’s trampoline squads and 32 individuals will head to the North of England Championship in the New Year.
