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15/05/25

Tomorrow's exams...#examupdate#wearevalleypark pic.twitter.com/VygygAu9Ml— Valley Park School () May 15, 2025

14/05/25

Tomorrow's exams...#examupdate#wearevalleypark pic.twitter.com/ARJzkAULXU— Valley Park School () May 14, 2025

13/05/25

Tomorrow's exams...#examupdate#wearevalleypark pic.twitter.com/mJy4zeLFFs— Valley Park School () May 13, 2025

13/05/25

Last week, the Gallery hosted 4 heats of The Voice VP and the Judges' lists rapidly filled up. Audiences were very supportive and we’ve raised lots of money for our chosen charities. On Friday, The final takes place, and all money goes to Decaf!#thevoicevp pic.twitter.com/E3jPwjMTBD— Valley Park School () May 13, 2025

13/05/25

We held a writing competition for World Book Day back in March, and the winners have finally been announced. From 5 finalists, two talented writers emerged: Joseph and Seraphina, both in year 9! Congratulations on your well deserved win!#wearevalleypark pic.twitter.com/f1jd6ecyVB— Valley Park School () May 13, 2025

13/05/25

At last month’s VIAT Spring Concert, students were awarded Silver & Gold Awards for their contributions to our Music Department. Congratulations to Lucie, Scarlette, Gergana, Layla, Sophie, Holly, Daisy, Bami, Ashley, Maddie & Nadia! #wearevalleyparkmusicians pic.twitter.com/TktIvs9j9F— Valley Park School () May 13, 2025

12/05/25

Tomorrow's exams...#examupdate#wearevalleypark pic.twitter.com/QMxR7rhKnt— Valley Park School () May 12, 2025

12/05/25

On 29 April, we hosted VIAT Speaks, a public speaking event for students from VIAT secondary schools. Isabella won ‘Most Inspirational Speech’, whilst Hamish won best speaker. They were articulate, confident, and embodied our values. pic.twitter.com/NsxZfyfWkM— Valley Park School () May 12, 2025

12/05/25

We have a vacancy for a History teacher. Please apply via our website...https://t.co/Ar35aRngS1 pic.twitter.com/k3QOEVfB3A— Valley Park School () May 12, 2025

12/05/25

House Point update...#wearevalleypark pic.twitter.com/DPXONxdkz4— Valley Park School () May 12, 2025

11/05/25

Tomorrow's exams...#examupdate#wearevalleypark pic.twitter.com/w58HyFjXnN— Valley Park School () May 11, 2025

11/05/25

There are many reasons why a student might struggle with attendance at school. Valley Park has a dedicated team to help & support you. To speak to someone, contact us by phone or email & a member of the attendance team will get back to you. pic.twitter.com/j9zJNf9oxg— Valley Park School () May 11, 2025

08/05/25

Tomorrow's exams...#examupdate#wearevalleypark pic.twitter.com/58Z4pkC8gz— Valley Park School () May 8, 2025

07/05/25

Tomorrow's exams... pic.twitter.com/eKjdA8ueRa— Valley Park School () May 7, 2025

07/05/25

There's a cabaret performance on 22 May in the Gallery in aid of the Young Lives Foundation. It's called All That Jazz and starts at 6pm. You can buy tickets from Evolve. https://t.co/4RISmTZUN2 #wearevalleyparkcabaret pic.twitter.com/rSAdsBXFWL— Valley Park School () May 7, 2025

06/05/25

Tomorrow's exams are... pic.twitter.com/oW9ZwURwVm— Valley Park School () May 6, 2025

06/05/25

The main event for the week ahead is the first four heats of the Voice VP. Come and support your house and raise money for charity!#wearevalleypark#wearevalleyparkthevoice#supportyourhouse pic.twitter.com/zYB32zZ2S9— Valley Park School () May 6, 2025

05/05/25

Tomorrow's exams... pic.twitter.com/ThBZw3oFa3— Valley Park School () May 5, 2025

04/05/25

If a student’s attendance at the end of Term 4 was below 90% this means that they have missed at least 12 days or 60 hours of learning across the school year. pic.twitter.com/eLWAfOoATD— Valley Park School () May 4, 2025

01/05/25

Tomorrow's exams...#examupdate#wearevalleypark pic.twitter.com/bQfiC6VZIx— Valley Park School () May 1, 2025

01/05/25

The Performing Arts department took students from Sixth Form to see Great Gatsby the Musical in Londons West End. A fantastic show which the students are currently studying as part of their Unit 2. #wearevalleyparkperformingarts pic.twitter.com/nImm5sScij— Valley Park School () May 1, 2025

01/05/25

Beltane signals the onset of summer and is a favored occasion for Pagans to perform handfasting ceremonies, akin to weddings. Traditionally, communities ignited bonfires and danced around maypoles, celebrating age-old spring rituals for fertility. pic.twitter.com/Qm4n0J9dht— Valley Park School () May 1, 2025

30/04/25

Tomorrow's exams...#examupdate#wearevalleypark pic.twitter.com/QPKzpFizaQ— Valley Park School () April 30, 2025

30/04/25

The Royal Marines Band Service visited Valley Park, giving a careers talk and conducting workshops on orchestral quintets and rudimental drumming. Bugler Budden and Marine Reiss travelled from CTCRM Lympstone for the event. pic.twitter.com/DCYAHeCbVn— Valley Park School () April 30, 2025

29/04/25

The news is out! We're already preparing for our next production. Over 100 students from year 7-13 turned up for the dance auditions for '13 The Musical'. #wearevalleyparkproductions #13 pic.twitter.com/ae758BeTal— Valley Park School () April 29, 2025

Betty Blue Eyes

Valley Park Productions put on a pig of a show in July 2015. We asked two of the cast how they prepared for their roles...

Josephine Biggs: 'Mother Dear'

'The story revolves around Joyce and her husband Gilbert, who've recently moved to Shepardsford, but haven't found the popularity or fortune Joyce is looking for. Gilbert is 'only' a chiropodist without his own shop, so he can't 'roll in and declare victory' as Joyce is hoping.'

'After being refused the sale of an empty shop on the parade by the villainous men on the council, the chances of Joyce and Gilbert ever being made into respected members of the village is beginning to look unlikely.'

'In revenge, Joyce and Gilbert steal a pig which is intended to be eaten at a private function in celebration of the wedding of Princess Elizabeth to Prince Phillip.'

'Stealing the pig is difficult, but it's made even harder by the merciless Meat Inspector Wormold, who's on the prowl for anyone who has anything to do with the sale or consumption of illegal meat.'

'To make this near impossible feat worse, Mother Dear has no idea what to say and what not to say, which makes keeping the pig a secret even more difficult.'

'I performed the part of Mother Dear, the old and cantankerous mother of Joyce. I particularly loved to play this part as she was such a complicated person to play.'

'On the first night my slipper accidentally came off. I just picked it up, grunted, looked at the audience, back at the shoe, then shoved it back on again. The audience found it funny, whereas I was just thankful no one realised I'd tripped!' 

'At the start, I had trouble trying to figure out the correct posture for a woman of 74, but Mr Gleadall gave a demonstration which helped enormously.'

'With the assistance of Maisie Barden, who applied my wrinkles each night, and the make-up girls who sprayed my hair grey, I really did look the part! '

'I came home looking like a back-up dancer from the ‘Thriller’ music video, but it was so effective when I was onstage.'

'Undoubtedly my favourite scene was 'Pig, no pig'. All the players in this scene were completely reliant on each other to carry the song. This made it so much more effective for the audience. '

'When I first heard it, I was worried that I'd never be able to remember it. As it happened, the problem was not remembering it, but trying to get it out of our heads. By the time show week arrived we were at the point of singing it in our sleep!'

'I was quite disappointed when we couldn't use the real Betty, but I feel it would have made things a lot more difficult, trying to steer her around the stage and it would have been too much for her.'

'Overall, I'd say Betty has been my favourite show so far. After 5 months of rehearsing together, the whole cast became one big family. Standing on the stage with so many brilliant young actors and actresses, this whole experience has been an achievement for us all.'

Ben Anderton: 'Gilbert Chilvers'

'I played Gilbert Chilvers, a kind hearted man with an ambition to have his own surgery on the parade. Playing Gilbert required me to soften up like his character as he was always being pushed around by his wife and the town council.'

'When our director, Mr Gleadall, explained Gilbert's background and experience to me, I began to feel for him as a character. In my previous show, 'Miss Saigon', I played a Vietnamese General. He was a violent, mean person, so transitioning to a character like Gilbert was really interesting.'

'In preparation for the show, I often went to the farm to spend time with Betty and Hetty, our farm pigs, so they could get used to me, and I to them. This is so when it came to the show nights they wouldn't panic on stage.'

'During the song, 'The Kind of Man I am', I was required to hold a knife to Betty. She had to stay very still as this was the part of the show which required me to 'kill' her. I was afraid she would panic as I would be holding a sharp object at her! Sadly, we weren’t able to use Betty for the real show, but it would’ve been a great experience performing with a live animal!'

'When Haydn Oakley came to Valley Park to help prepare us for the show,  (see last issue) he had a session with Cathy Butler (Joyce), Josie Biggs (Mother Dear) and myself.'

'The song we chose for him to help us with was 'Pig, no pig'. Haydn gave us lots of tips to help us develop this hilarious scene, as he had performed the show in the West End.'

'What I really loved about the show was the songs. I think everyone who watched or was in this show would agree that you would get at least one song stuck in your head, especially 'Betty Blue Eyes'.

'The rehearsal for this song was hilarious and there was no one else I would rather work with on that song than Sam Murray (Mr. Allardyce). It was a great song and really catchy as were most of the songs in the show!'

Betty the Pig