Our Students Shine at the Dukes Festival of the Arts
This week marked a significant milestone for our school as we took part in the 10th birthday celebration of Dukes Education by participating in the Festival of the Arts, held at the Royal Festival Hall. The event, which brought together a thousand talented students from 25 schools across the UK, Athens, Dublin, and Lisbon, was a spectacular celebration of creativity and talent. The festival was held in aid of the Dukes Foundation and truly highlighted the power of arts education.
Our Y6 and Y7 students were proud participants in the festival’s choir, lending their voices to a truly magical performance that resonated throughout the hall. Their involvement in such a prestigious event is a testament to their hard work and dedication to the arts, and they certainly made us proud!
However, one of the standout moments of the festival came from our very own Y10 student, Lucia. Lucia was selected to perform a monologue at this incredible event, a remarkable achievement given the fierce competition from students across the Dukes network.
Lucia’s Performance: A Monologue of Small Kindnesses
Lucia performed Small Kindnesses, a moving poem written by Danusha Laméris. The piece explores the profound and often overlooked ways in which humans connect with each other through simple, everyday acts of kindness. In her heartfelt delivery, Lucia brought the words to life, captivating the audience with her emotive performance.
Here is an excerpt from Lucia’s powerful monologue:
“I’ve been thinking about the way, when you walk
down a crowded aisle, people pull in their legs
to let you by. Or how strangers still say ‘bless you’
when someone sneezes, a leftover
from the Bubonic plague. ‘Don’t die,’ we are saying.”
Lucia’s interpretation of the poem resonated with everyone. Her ability to convey such raw emotion in a public setting is a true testament to her talent and dedication.
As a school, we are incredibly proud of all our students who participated in the Dukes Festival of the Arts. It is clear that they have all shown immense dedication, talent, and enthusiasm for the arts, and we look forward to seeing where their creative journeys take them next.
