A group of 17 Stirling High School pupils will be jetting off to the United Kingdom to participate in a two-week exchange programme with Central Lancaster High School.
The group end off their stay with a joint performance with the school at the Royal Albert Hall.
Stirling’s drama teacher Marc Williams, who will lead the trip, said that the exchange programme trip was in the main about the twinning of classrooms between the two continents.
The group leaves on March 20 and will be accompanied by Williams and life orientation teacher, Sonelle Neethling. Williams said that the programme established in 2007, initially only included the life sciences department.
“This project basically entails getting the pupils to work on similar projects together and share that information, then in 2013 links with other departments such as life orientation and drama, were formed,” Williams said.
The group of pupils, who are doing Grades 11 and 12, are involved in various performing arts, from singers, dancers and actors. The trip was not only limited to pupils who are members of the drama society.
He said there would be plenty of rehearsing for the duration of their stay in preparation for their final final performance.
“The first three days we will reserve for sightseeing and a little rehearsing, then the pupils will get a full school experience by spending the day in class at Lancaster,” he said. He said they had rehearsed a cabaret-style performance for their arrival and would also be working on a script for a play that explored the issue of human rights. Williams said the pupils were excited about the performance on the famous stage.
“Royal Albert Hall is one of the world’s most famous stages, so its an honour for the pupils to be able to just bask in that space,” Williams said.
Stirling principal Charles Foster said that the programme not only broadened pupils’s horizons but also gave them a chance to learn about other cultures.
“This programme aims to promote global citizenship, where the pupils get a chance to engage with other people respectfully as it teaches them about respecting our cultural diversity and differences.” Foster said.
Matthew Stanford who is in Grade 11, said he was a little stressed but very excited to have the opportunity to perform at such a prestigious venue in a foreign country, and that he was mainly looking forward to meeting new people and experiencing London and Lancaster.
“I feel that this programme will give me a better insight to our planet, how we are all one big global community. I feel it will also leave me with amazing memories and greater insight into the performing arts,” Stanford said.
Grade 10 pupil Daniel Anderson said that what he was looking forward to the most was how this would contribute to his development and of course, the performance in Royal Albert Hall.
“I see this programme growing me as a performer as well as giving me an unforgettable experience that I will surely treasure for the rest of my life.
“It is also going to give me new perspective as an entertainer as I am going to see the talents of other international individuals the same age as me,” Anderson said.
UK tour of note for Stirling pupils
The group end off their stay with a joint performance with the school at the Royal Albert Hall.
Stirling’s drama teacher Marc Williams, who will lead the trip, said that the exchange programme trip was in the main about the twinning of classrooms between the two continents.
The group leaves on March 20 and will be accompanied by Williams and life orientation teacher, Sonelle Neethling. Williams said that the programme established in 2007, initially only included the life sciences department.
“This project basically entails getting the pupils to work on similar projects together and share that information, then in 2013 links with other departments such as life orientation and drama, were formed,” Williams said.
The group of pupils, who are doing Grades 11 and 12, are involved in various performing arts, from singers, dancers and actors. The trip was not only limited to pupils who are members of the drama society.
He said there would be plenty of rehearsing for the duration of their stay in preparation for their final final performance.
“The first three days we will reserve for sightseeing and a little rehearsing, then the pupils will get a full school experience by spending the day in class at Lancaster,” he said. He said they had rehearsed a cabaret-style performance for their arrival and would also be working on a script for a play that explored the issue of human rights. Williams said the pupils were excited about the performance on the famous stage.
“Royal Albert Hall is one of the world’s most famous stages, so its an honour for the pupils to be able to just bask in that space,” Williams said.
Stirling principal Charles Foster said that the programme not only broadened pupils’s horizons but also gave them a chance to learn about other cultures.
“This programme aims to promote global citizenship, where the pupils get a chance to engage with other people respectfully as it teaches them about respecting our cultural diversity and differences.” Foster said.
Matthew Stanford who is in Grade 11, said he was a little stressed but very excited to have the opportunity to perform at such a prestigious venue in a foreign country, and that he was mainly looking forward to meeting new people and experiencing London and Lancaster.
“I feel that this programme will give me a better insight to our planet, how we are all one big global community. I feel it will also leave me with amazing memories and greater insight into the performing arts,” Stanford said.
Grade 10 pupil Daniel Anderson said that what he was looking forward to the most was how this would contribute to his development and of course, the performance in Royal Albert Hall.
“I see this programme growing me as a performer as well as giving me an unforgettable experience that I will surely treasure for the rest of my life.
“It is also going to give me new perspective as an entertainer as I am going to see the talents of other international individuals the same age as me,” Anderson said.
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