The Careers Department arranged a trip to the Sky Up Academy Studios for 29 of our Year 9 students on Wednesday 13th of November.
At the bespoke TV studios, our students used Sky’s cutting-edge digital technology to create their own exciting digital content. They took on real-life media roles and worked with a team of experts to create a film trailer. We also had an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Elstree Studios as well as a 30 minute Career Challenge and a Q&A with a Sky employee.
The trip to the studios was really interesting and we hope it has given our students some ideas about possible future careers!
Some comments from our students about the trip :
“Our trip to Sky Up Studios was amazing! Our group started off learning about many of the different careers in the film industry and then we were told about how a film gets made from script to editing the finished movie. I learned so much about the industry and there is way more to it than you think! It even inspired me to think about a possible career in the industry. We got a virtual tour of the studios and then went on to film and act in our movie pitch. We all got a role in our group to contribute, and it was such an amazing experience!” Grace
“I thought the morning was a wonderful day out and I really enjoyed participating in a trip that me and other people were able to achieve. The sky studios are very posh and 100% exciting. Thank you for involving me and I can not wait to be sent our film as it was absolutely hilarious watching all of them. My filming team were great to work with and we all got along. The people who work there are lovely too.” Lily-May
15 Presdales Students from Years 9-13 had an opportunity to visit Bayfordbury Observatory.
Student review for the Bayfordbury Observatory
Starting with the one hour talk on a variety of astrophysical phenomena (leaving out the safety briefing as entertaining as it was), despite it being just over an hour in length we found it very interesting and engaging, firstly because we genuinely have a passion for physics and astrophysics, and the fact that the presenter (Calum) had a one of a kind personality that boosted the attractiveness of the whole experience. Since we were both the only Sixth formers attending we were able to answer a variety of questions put forward to us, which added to the value of it all. Additionally there were a few extra astrophysical concepts such as “the great attractor” and our surrounding galaxies that we did not know much about, and some that we did know about but needed a nice refresher on (the parsec for example). Although the planetarium room was perhaps a little too small for the sheer number of us, we still got to see a multitude of solar (and beyond) objects situated in the celestial sphere, and familiarise ourselves with the constellations, guided by Millie.
The final part of the visit was in our opinion the greatest: the observatory’s telescopes. Unfortunately the weather did not permit any observations, on the other hand watching the large structure of the optical telescopes move so freely above our heads and again, with the entertainment of Calum, made it an enjoyable experience. To briefly conclude, the trip was certainly worth our time and has opened our eyes to studying at Hertfordshire University, and any opportunity to visit again, perhaps in more depth (and with better seeing conditions!), would be taken as soon as we could. Thank you for your time.
Sam Dimes and Lydia Botting
Presdales School Musical – Bugsy MaloneYear 7 and 8 Sign Up – Well Done to all that have signed up in Years 7 and 8, you will receive an invitation to a google classroom page where the rehearsal schedule will be posted. Please check this for your rehearsal dates as you will not be required every rehearsal.
Year 9 Auditions – Monday 4th November – 3.35-5pm in the School Hall
Good preparation for auditions would be to watch ‘Bugsy Malone’ which is available on ITV+ and consider which of the following you would like to audition for.
Any questions, please speak with Miss Mack or Mrs Hardiman in Drama.
Thank you to the Schools Parent Association for awarding Drama with funding to upgrade our lighting equipment in the Drama Studio this year! We are very grateful for your generosity, all students studying Drama will benefit from this improved provision! Thank you to all the parents who support the PA at school events, it does make a real positive impact on our students.
On Friday 11th October, all Year 10 and Year 11 GCSE Drama students went to New Wimbledon Theatre to see a production of ‘Come From Away’! The production takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships. The students were really impressed with the production and thought the multi-rolling of characters played by a small cast was very cleverly done. The production celebrates the good in humankind and did feel very uplifting and inspiring, leaving some of our students in tears at the end. Students were lucky to meet many cast members as our coach was right by the stage door and some even hopped aboard to speak to us! The students were absolutely exemplary and very patient with the long coach journey’s, thank your for making the trip an enjoyable experience for all. A special thanks to Mr Soltysik and Miss Lee for helping to escort the students safely.
Miss Mack and Mrs Hardiman Drama Department
On Monday 21st October, Year 12 A Level Drama and Theatre students performed to our Year 10 GCSE class as part of their first performance assessment for a Devised Drama Mock exam. The students production was inspired by a script extract from ‘Girls Like That’ by Evan Placey, the students then created their own performance that did have a clear education focus of online safety. The performance was also inspired by their learning of Splendid Theatre style and Frantic Assembly physical Theatre style that they have been taught in class workshops with their teachers.
Post performance the A Level led a Q&A session to gain feedback for their written coursework portfolio that they will finalise post performance.
Thank you to Year 10 who gave very insightful feedback to the class, we hope you enjoyed the performance.
Miss Mack and Mrs Hardiman Drama Department
Latest News
Coming Up
Thursday 21st
String Recital (Dining Room), 6pm
Monday 1st to Friday 12th
Year 12 End of Year Exams
Monday 1st & Tuesday 2nd
Year 10 Art Exam
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Presdales School
Hoe Lane
Ware
Hertfordshire
SG12 9NX
Tel: 01920 462210
admin@presdales.herts.sch.uk
Headteacher:
Mr Warren
