This years production is nearly upon us! The energy and enthusiasm of the students, staff and parents has been extraordinary and as the final touches are made there is a very real sense of anticipation. I am sure that you will wish them all well for the first performance on Wednesday afternoon. I hope you will be able to join myself and the rest of the community on Thursday, Friday or Saturday evening to watch this fantastic production.

The images here capture moments from the dress rehearsal on Sunday 29th January.

Students queued  early this morning to collect tickets for this years school production of ‘Holes’! It is always rewarding to see the full support the community give to the school productions. This year the performances start on  Wednesday 1st February with a matinee performance for Charlton House. Public performances start on Thursday 2nd February and continue until Saturday the 4th. Tickets are available through the school office from 8.30 am. Don’t miss out!

The lighting crew are a very dedicated bunch. For the last two evenings they have worked until 7pm under the close supervision of Dr Kowalewski and Alex Matthews to erect the lighting rigs and stage lights. All of them need to be tested and positioned to ensure they work on the night.

The play rehearsal on Thursday brought together the entire cast, with the sound technicians able for the first time to co-ordinate music and sound effects for the play. With stage and lighting crews now working at full pace the production is beginning to feel more imminent. With only two weeks till the opening night ( Thursday Feb. 2nd) there is a real buzz of excitement and anticipation amongst staff and students.

The Sound  and Lighting crews discuss technical details!

The College has been fortunate to source 145 desks, they arrived on Thursday morning during the play rehearsal. Students and staff were keen to lay claim on them. Although I suspect Mr O’Farrell is a little to big for the one he selected!

St Mary’s has always had a long tradition of individual wooden desks, both for storage and as a place of work for the students.But sadly many of the current desks are now showing signs of wear and tear and although some have a long and well ‘documented’ history they are no longer fit for purpose. Students continue to favour this style of desk and locker systems have often been rejected in discussion!