Heathers 2023

Last night I watched the end of a remarkable and beautiful journey.  Actually, the end of ten remarkable journeys as our Year 13 Performing Arts students performed extended clips from the musical Heathers for their end of course exam.

The students went beyond all expectations and showed what a talented bunch they are.  Leading from the start was Leah Toomer, playing Veronica, who belted out song after song! No wonder she has got a place at Performers next year.  Supporting her was Aiden Mills who gave a haunting performance as the twisted love interest JD.  Next up on the conveyor belt of talent was Ivana Eamesova, Amelia Briffitt and Izzy Jacobs playing the Heathers with sass and incredible vocals.  Grace Quigley and Logan Walker gave us too many laughs to mention throughout the night as Kurt and Ram but a particular highlight was their song 'You're Welcome'.  Fern Rees showed how much singing confidence she now had as the hippy teacher Ms Fleming and Lily Vosper gave a beautiful solo that had the audience looking on with mouths wide open in awe of the vocal talent on show.  Last but not least was Tom Donovan who embraced multiple roles but showed that he can belt out a tune as well as the rest of the cast.

A special mention must go to our Year 12 students, including Oli Harris who will become a senior Performing Arts Captain next year, as they gave us a flavour of what is to come next year with their energy and professionalism.

Every individual deserves their mention.  Every individual has had hurdles to jump over and issues to solve.  Every individual has grown so much in the past two years.  However, it is how they have come together and worked tirelessly that will make them a class that may be departing but will never be forgotten.  Good luck to the class of 2023 and I know tears will be shed at the end (mostly by staff) but quoting the words of Tennyson, 'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all'.

Mr Buckley and the Performing Arts Staff