2014 HNHS School Magazine | Page 33

DRAMA If last year could be described as “chock full of change” for the drama department, then 2014 could be classed as “chock full of challenges” of the exciting kind. It began in term one with Mr Tim Walton’s staging of The 39 Steps, which showcased both the comic talent of our drama students and the skills of our senior technical crew. The quality of the production was recognised by the three gold and five blues awarded to the cast and crew at the midyear blues assembly. Behind the backdrops, work begun in 2013 continued this year on the set for next year’s musical, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Four of our Year 12 artists received recognition in July when their stunning artwork was photographed for a local newspaper article. Much excitement accompanied auditions held late this year. Watch this space in 2015! The retirement of our long serving colleague, Mrs Mairi Fitzsimons, at the end of term two saw our former Head of drama, Tim Walton, return to full time service when he took over Year 12 drama in addition to his other classes. Junior drama has seen the usual lively mix of improv, team building and storytelling in the ten week modules taught to all Year 9 classes. Year 10 drama expanded this year to three option classes and it was pleasing to see many of our junior students getting involved in drama outside the classroom, including the Cultural Expo, after school drama and the Youth Expo