Expressive Arts

Drama at the Preparatory School

Speech and Drama are available to every pupil in the Preparatory school. Through this energising medium pupils can develop many transferable life skills. In a caring and supportive class environment, pupils practice working with others, developing skills in planning, decision-making and problem solving.

Involving pupils in varied and enjoyable activities heightens their capacity to concentrate, observe and evaluate.  Using mime, improvisation, puppetry, poetry and scripted works, pupils are presented with opportunities to explore feelings and emotions, enhance self-awareness and expression, build confidence and heighten their individual communication and presentation skills.

Pupils are entered for the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) examinations -  in 2009, all pupils achieved merit or distinction. In addition, private Speech and Drama lessons and a weekly drama club are offered.  Throughout the academic year the girls take part in assemblies, inter-house competitions, Nativity Plays, Carol Concerts, Open Days and Summer productions such as The Wind in the Willows, Joseph, Hoodwinked and The Pinafore Pirates.

Art at the Preparatory School

Art at the Preparatory School is very lively and exciting! As you enter the school you will notice a wonderful mural, designed by the girls and painted by our resident artist. You will find yourself surrounded by the girls’ colourful work in displays on the walls all around you from the Early Years right through to Year 6. We are lucky to have several very talented and committed teachers and we are also very well resourced in terms of materials.  We follow an excellent National Scheme of Work which includes sculpture, pottery, batik, weaving, sewing, collage, painting, pastel work, dyeing and model-making.

Before we begin a topic a great deal of preparation work is carried out. We research the work of artists such as Matisse, Klimt, Monet, Picasso, Lowry and Dali.  We also study art from other cultures and times, such as Aboriginal Art and the art of the Ancient Greeks and Ancient Egyptians. The next step is to produce our own work based on this.  We usually produce sketches, test paint colours and textures and make mock-ups for sculptures, before completing our final piece of work.

 In Year 4 all pupils take part in a day visit to the National Gallery. They are taken round to see the different works of art and are then helped to take notes and draw their own reproductions of the particular work of art that they have enjoyed seeing. It is a very enlightening day.

We are very proud to be able to have an ‘Artist in Residence’ at regular intervals, as you will see from the work around the school. Our last project was to enliven the Infants’ toilet area by using the children’s own paintings of animals, insects and birds to decorate the walls. The stained glass windows in the main hall were also painted and designed, using ideas from our girls, by our then resident artist, Susanne Cross. Each year group greatly looks forward to, and benefits from, a visit from our artist.

Marist Music at the Preparatory School

Music is an integral part of Preparatory School life at the Marist. Every child is encouraged to participate in music-making in a creative and enjoyable atmosphere throughout the school.

The Music Department believes that all children are inherently musical and it is with this belief in mind that the elements of music are introduced at Early Years level. The girls learn simple songs and musical games in a friendly, relaxed environment which reinforce the most important element, that of identifying and keeping a strong beat. They are encouraged to sing tunefully, which is a skill they will carry into adult life.

Once in the Infant and Junior Departments, all pupils receive at least one class music lesson per week, based on National Curriculum attainment targets of Performing, Composing , Listening and Appraisal. The pupils encounter music from different cultures and countries as well as their own. Year Three pupils are taught to play the recorder. This is a vital introduction to music notation, the concept of 'practice' and the development of motor skills. Music notation classes continue into Year Four, in order to help the girls compose their own pieces.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC LESSONS

We are fortunate to have a team of highly experienced peripatetic music staff and can offer a wide range of private tuition. At present the instruments offered are:

1 Piano
2 Singing
3 Violin
4 Viola
5 Violoncello
6 Recorder (descant and treble)
7 Flute
8 Oboe
9 Clarinet
10 Bassoon
11 Saxophone
12 Trumpet
13 Trombone
14 Guitar
15 Percussion

If your child has another instrument in mind we feel sure we can accommodate.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR MUSICAL ACTIVITIES

Pupils at the Marist are encouraged to widen their musical experience by participating in one of the music clubs held before school or during lunchtime. All clubs are free and open to any pupil regardless of whether they have instrumental tuition at school or outside. At present, these include:

1 Orchestra (open to all instrumentalists of a suitable standard)
2 Junior Choir (open to all Juniors who enjoy singing)
3 Chamber Choir (Year 5 and 6, entry by audition)
4 Pizzicato Club (beginner violins)
5 Arco Club (Preparatory Test violins)
6 Staccato Club (open to Grade 1 violins)
7 Violin Ensemble (open to violinists of Grade 2 or above)
8 Recorder Ensemble (descant, treble and tenor)
9 Guitar Ensemble (non-beginners)
10 Double Reed Ensemble (oboes and bassoons, non-beginners)
11 Viola Club

Aural and Theory Club

This is held after school and is highly recommended to any pupil who is serious about her musical studies. Getting a foot on the ladder towards Grade Five Theory at this stage is a very good idea and the club introduces apparently complex concepts in easy to understand stages. The aural element helps with the aural test section of music graded examinations.

Performance Opportunities

Performance is the life-blood of all musicians and is vital for self-development and confidence building. The Music Department aims to give as many pupils as possible the chance to perform in front of a supportive audience of family, friends and staff. There is a Musical Evening in the Autumn and Spring Terms. At Christmas, there are Nativity Plays for Early Years and Infants, in which songs play an integral part. The Juniors take part in the more formal Nine Lessons and Carols. In addition, there are frequent opportunities for pupils to enhance the musical content of assemblies and Masses. Our young Marist musicians frequently team up with the Senior School for joint Masses held between the two schools.

Each year, pupils in Year 6 stage a musical production. Past musicals include Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Oliver and musicals based on Robin Hood and Gilbert & Sullivan.

The Preparatory School has an excellent record of achievement in local music competitions such as the Woodley Festival. In addition to local competitions, a House Singing Competition is also held annually in school. Each House puts its own interpretation on a set song, and Years Three to Six select representatives to sing solo items for their House. The performances are judged by a guest adjudicator, and the eagerly anticipated event helps to engender a team spirit as well as being great fun.

Music Examinations

Associated Board Graded Examinations are held in school once a term. Guitar pupils take external Guildhall/Trinity Examinations. Although pupils are under no obligation to take these examinations, we find that many choose to do so, achieving a very good standard . Associated Board Theory Examinations are taken externally.

AND FINALLY...

Marist Music believes that music, whilst being a highly-disciplined art, must at the same time give pleasure to both participant and listener. We aim to make music a joyful, life-long part of our young musicians' experience. Here is what some of our girls have to say:

"Music is my favourite lesson." (Gemma, Year 5)
"I love the sounds of the instruments. They make me feel jolly." (Nicole, Year 4)

"I enjoyed being a star in the Nativity." (Megan, Year 2)
"Orchestra is fun. You all get to work together and learn new music." (Sinead, Year 6)

"You can dance to the rhythm." (Sophie, Year 4)
"In Chamber Choir we get to do advanced songs. It's great fun." (Olivia, Year 5)

"We sing fun songs and rounds and we get to use the instruments." (Charlotte, Year 6)
"Music makes me feel alive." (Zoe, Year 4)