On Saturday 25th March the Royal Courts of Justice in London made space between the celebrity squabbling of Prince Harry, Elton John and the Daily Mail to host the National Finals of the Bar Mock Trial for this year.
Presdales, as winners of the Outer London heats, was represented by a team of Year 12 students: Adesola Jinadu-Adewale, Zoe Drewitt, Evelyn Youngman, Callum Tredgett, Matilda Endersbee, Jasmine Kelly, Rebecca Mansford, Ruby O’Neill, Seren Miller, Kim Pittaccio, Francesca Caira and Yu Qiong Chen who took it in turns to go head-to-head with other school teams from all over the UK (including from Scotland, Wales and N Ireland and numbering 22 schools in total) over 3 separate rounds.
After Round 1 we were all ready to go home, having come up against a highly talented side from the Wirral Grammar School for Girls, who later went on to be the eventual winners. But Round 2 and Round 3 saw spirited performances by Presdales “seeing off” lesser opposition in the shape of schools from Huddersfield and Norwich.
The ultimate team trophy still eludes us but we didn’t come away empty-handed as Evelyn Youngman won an individual award for “best defence witness”, awarded by none other than Sir Brian Leveson (High Court Judge of Leveson Inquiry fame).
Our Year 10 GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition students took part in the Tunnock’s Teacake Challenge during their practical lessons this half term. The food styling challenge was to produce a plate with a focus on the presentation of a Tunnock’s Teacake to the theme of “Patterns and Shapes”. The students were encouraged to create a piece of culinary art using their artistic creativity and food preparation skills.
We were looking for the most stunning plate created. Marks were awarded for creativity, presentation and using a variety of technical skills. Our students demonstrated various high level skills including making their own honeycomb, fruit coulis and piping.
Due to the strength of the entrees it was difficult for our guest judges, Food & Textiles teachers Mrs Dray and Mrs Finch, to pick the winners. Our top four students were 1st place Darcey Cumberland, 2nd place Immie Baldwin and joint 3rd place Annabella Johnson and Alice Lynn. Darcey will be entered into the national competition to represent Presdales and we wish her all the best.
We are very proud to share the success of this year’s school play of William Shakespeare’s, Much Ado About Nothing.
The students have been working hard on the production since their casting last summer term, committing to up to 3 rehearsals a week since September and then many more hours in show week! The students worked with Director Mr Jones for a long time developing their understanding of role and the play itself before creating their characters for stage. The play choice was an ambitious task with students learning all lines of this 5 Act performance. The students really impressed us with their work on line learning and the final night’s performance impressively only called line 3 times! The production really came to life, set in a Spanish setting, the audience were treated to Sevillanas dance to watch and Tapas to eat! Thank you to all audience members who came to support the students, its always lovely to give them an opportunity to perform live and they really responded professionally to the atmosphere of the audience each night. A special mention must be made to some of our lead roles which were expertly rehearsed and executed:
Amy Briggs as Beatrice
Jack Webb as Benedick
Maddy Stephenson as Claudio
Esme Sabin as Hero
Lucy Kenn as Leonato
Rebecca Dinnes as Don Pedro
Mariko Eglin as Don John
The students looked fantastic in their period costumes from our hire this year from St. Albans Abbey Theatre who were a great new contact to work with. Students were responsible for the running of the night with all technical equipment and back stage run by students also who were so reliable and professional; the show could not have happened without our extended crew and technical team, thank you!
Well done to all involved in this year’s school play, we are very proud of your achievement.
Miss Mack and Mr Jones
Drama Department
Latest News
Coming Up
Tuesday 6th
Year 11 L4L (am)
Thursday 8th
GCSE (Year 11) English Parent/Carer Information Evening, 6.30pm
Friday 9th
Flu Vaccinations (Years 7 to 11)
Year 12 & Year 13 English A Level Poetry workshop with Daljit Nagra, Ware (pm)
Contact Us
Presdales School
Hoe Lane
Ware
Hertfordshire
SG12 9NX
Tel: 01920 462210
admin@presdales.herts.sch.uk
Headteacher:
Mr Warren
