Young Voices 2025
In February our school choir had a fantastic day attending the Young Voices performance at the o2 arena in London. The children worked hard throughout their choir sessions to learn all of the songs and actions and couldn’t wait to perform alongside thousands of other children. We spent the afternoon rehearsing with the orchestra and watching a number of inspirational music and dance performers. In the evening it was our chance to shine and we performed the incredible show to the audience. All of our children did us proud and we hope that it was an opportunity that they will remember for years to come.
On 21st March our St Wilfrid’s dance club attended a competition called Dance Live! 2025 in Guildford which is organised by the Guildhall trust. Dance Live! sees those in KS2-4 and Further Education compete with choreographed routines to the backdrop of a giant digital screen with pupils showcasing a range of skills from dance, performance and off-stage technical skills to creative design.
The dance club, which included children from Years 4, 5 and 6, had been working hard all term with Mr Johnson to rehearse an amazing routine based around the story of Hercules. Alongside the dance routine, we had thought carefully about the design for the costumes, LED backing screen and lighting for the performance. During the afternoon each school took part in a dress rehearsal where we had the opportunity to work on any finishing touches to the routine and watch all of the other performances. In the evening, the audience arrived in the theatre and we went back stage ready for our big moment. The children performed their routine with such confidence and looked fantastic. We were so proud of how they represented the school and were delighted to be awarded with two awards at the end of the evening for technical and concept. A huge well done to all the children who were involved and also a big thank you to the adults that helped with the technical elements, costumes and choreography. What a brilliant day was had by all!
‘Splash!’ – Year 3 and 4 production
In the Spring term, Year 3 and 4 worked so hard to put on a wonderful show of ‘Splash!’ the musical. Otters and Kingfishers did an amazing job at learning all of their lines and song words and performed these on the stage with such confidence, bringing their different characters to life. Hares and Rabbits were brilliant at supporting Year 4 with their beautiful singing. We were so proud of all of their achievements and we know that the parent audiences that came to watch them were too. Well done Year 3 and 4!
'Robin and the Sherwood Hoodies' - Year 5 and 6 production
Our Year 5 and 6 pupils worked so hard on their production of ‘Robin and the Sherwood Hoodies!’. Year 6 were absolutely brilliant at learning all of their lines, bringing their different characters to life and we were so proud of how they all performed with such confidence. Year 5 supported with their beautiful singing and look forward to being on the stage next year. The audiences all agreed what a fantastic show it was!
Dance club Summer Fair performance
Mrs Ford’s dance club have been working hard this term to learn their ‘Madagascar Medley’ dance. They loved performing at the summer fair and also to their peers in worship too. It has been great to see their performance confidence develop over the term and lots of smiling faces as they received cheers from their audience.
Choir performances:
We are so proud of our school choir of 60 talented children who have filled this term with music and joy. They created a festive atmosphere at the school Christmas Fair and Haywards Heath Christmas Festival at St Wilfrid’s Church, brought smiles at their Dementia Café performance and shared beautiful harmonies at the Ascension Church. We were also really proud of our infant singing club who put on their first brave performance on the stage at the school fair. A huge thank you to every singer for their dedication and passion!
Orchestra performance
Our new St Wilfrid’s orchestra have been working hard with our music teacher playing a host of different instruments including guitar, piano, cello, trumpet and more! They have been able to work together on composing their own music as well as playing some familiar tunes together. They were fantastic at performing to their parents in the last session of the term. We have been so impressed with how the ensemble has come together and look forward to seeing how it continues to develop next year!
Christmas carol services
Our year 3 and 4 pupils and year 5 and 6 pupils all attended St Wilfrid’s Church for our Christmas carol services. Through different readings, poems and verses the children told the Christmas story and were joined by the congregation to sing a number of Christmas carols under the light of the Christmas tree.
The children who have been taking part in Rocksteady lessons this term put on a rocking performance for their parents. It was fantastic to see the different skills that they have learnt including electric guitar, drums, keyboard singing and much more! We were so proud of the confidence that they showed when up on the stage, a big well done to everyone!
Samba drumming workshops
As part of our music provision, the classes from Years 3 to 3 took part in a Samba drumming workshop. The spent the session working with a music teacher to explore new Latin American instruments and learn about the style of music. They worked together to create a Samba piece and had their own carnival at the end to perform it.
Ensemble Reza performance
Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 had a visit from 'Ensemble Reza' a professional orchestra who performed a unique piece of storytelling music for us. The story was set in Haiti, on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola and the instruments took us on a journey through different traditions and folk law. The children enjoyed listening to how the five musicians playing violin, viola, cello, double bass, banjo and percussion brought the story to life. There were even opportunities for audience participation with two Haitian folk songs for everyone to join in with.
Year 5 and 6 performing arts workshop
This term our Year 5 and 6 classes all had a visit from the ‘Pauline Quirk Performing Arts Academy’ and took part in a musical theatre workshop. The children had a fantastic session taking part in a circus themed workshop including acting characterisation and learning a dance routine to songs from ‘The Greatest Showman’. At end of the session they were all able to put on a fantastic performance of their final piece!
Isingpop Easter Workshops
To start off our Easter project learning, all children from EYFS to Year 6 have had a visit from the 'Ising Pop' team, which is one of the resources that we use to support our class worship times. You may remember that they visited us last year to carry out a workshop themed around Lent. This year the singing and performance workshop that the children took part in was based around the events of Easter. The children had a fantastic time reflecting on the Easter story, learning some new songs and performing actions together. They all came together at the end of the day to reflect on what they had learnt and perform the songs with their phases.
EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2 drama workshops
Autumn: Our Year EYFS, Year 2 and Year 3 classes took part in a ‘Drama 4 all’ workshop based around the theme of ‘Jungle Rumble’. They learnt to move like different jungle animals, embarked on a journey on the jungle jeep and, fly on a unicorn and worked together to outsmart a sneaky crocodile! All of the children had great fun taking part.
Spring: The children in EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2 took part in a drama workshop called ‘Splash: a deep sea adventure’ led by a drama teacher from ‘Perform For Schools’. Each class had a great session diving into the ocean and exploring different marine life through fun, interactive drama and movement activities.
Cinderella pantomime visit
To kick off the festive season, we enjoyed another fantastic pantomime visit from ‘Stage-ed’ with their production of Cinderella! We particularly enjoyed the audience participation and loved cheering on the ‘goodies’ and booing the ‘baddies’. The children particularly enjoyed seeing their teachers join in the dance moves too!
Music lesson performances
All year groups have been working hard with their music teachers this again term and it has been the turn of Year 1, Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4 to perform to their buddy year groups.
Year 1 performed some musical storytelling using their voices and instruments to make different sound effects.
Year 2 used drums and xylophones to support them singing a range of call and response songs.
Year 3 performed a range of songs singing in rounds, following drums beats and using their bodies as percussion.
Year 4 showed off their recorder skills playing carefully in time with each other and closely following the beat of the backing tracks. They made a fantastic recorder band!
We look forward to seeing how everyone continues to develop their music skills next year!
Music performances to parents
Our pupils that have been having cello and guitar lessons have been working really hard this year and took part in a mini showcase of their learning to parents. They showed fantastic skill reading music, playing in time with each other and treating us to some well-known songs. We were really proud of their achievements!
