Happy Easter everyone! I'd love to share a lovely success story with you before the Easter break.

This term we ran a Sheilah Winn Shakespeare in Schools (SWSS) academy, with the intention of taking a fifteen minute scene to the Kapiti regional competition. The play was chosen, the scene was set, the actors were at hand, then Omicron hit and we had to find a new way forward. 

I have been so impressed with the creativity, passion and dedication of our young people in the face of adversity. Despite a mixture of isolation, sickness and Google Meets rehearsals, our crew pulled together a funny, entertaining and polished performance. This was video and sent away as a digital entry to our regional competition on Saturday 9th of April. 

The feedback from the conveners was warm and praised our young people's resilience and talent. Our entry was one of many and most schools entered several pieces. Knowing that, I was thrilled to hear that we won a regional award. Georgia Ellis (who played Pyramus in our Midsummer Night's Dream scene) was awarded the Horowhenua District Council cup for Outstanding Young Performer (Yr 9 - 11). A huge congratulations to Georgia and the whole cast for their outstanding work. 

Our lovely Midsummer Night's Dream cast were:
Eva Bishop - Theseus

Ana Stratford - Hippolyta 

Millie Ward-Thomas - Philostrate

Destiny Menzies & Rosa Hilling - Wedding Guests 

Gabriel Burgess - Lysander 

Isabella Stratford - Hermia 

Rocky Parker - Demetrius

Myles Stuart - Helena 

Madix Bailey - Quince 

Georgia Ellis - Pyramus 

Nyjah Rohloff - Thisbe

Hanadi Al Bakhas - Wall 

Rori Rutledge - Lion

Bobbie Millar - Moonshine

Here's to more Shakespeare in 2023!