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18/03/24

Only 48 hours to go - don't be a drop out - get your tickets now! https://t.co/Di6a9JQiGS pic.twitter.com/SZp2YCnn2a— Valley Park School () March 18, 2024

17/03/24

We need good condition school uniform donations for SHUSH, our second hand uniform shop. In particular we're looking for skirts, blazers, jumpers, ties, and any new Year 7 uniform. Please bring your items to reception between 9am and 4pm. https://t.co/qWdK4N0QS0 pic.twitter.com/7ZdO2CgnjS— Valley Park School () March 17, 2024

15/03/24

Today a group of Dance and PA students went to Move It at the London Excel. A day packed with college and career conversations, pop-up performances and even support for former Valley Park students on the big stage. A proud day! pic.twitter.com/9304cpyJRW— Valley Park School () March 15, 2024

15/03/24

Tell me more, tell me more, did your tickets get booked? https://t.co/Di6a9JQiGS pic.twitter.com/2iOHYX10YW— Valley Park School () March 15, 2024

14/03/24

On Sat, Year 8 student, Amy, competed at the British Schools Championships for Judo where she represented Valley Park. Amy fought really well against a tough group and came away with a fantastic bronze medal. Well done, Amy! pic.twitter.com/hLv58vWGIW— Valley Park School () March 14, 2024

13/03/24

Only 1 week until Grease the Musical - don't miss out. Get your tickets here: https://t.co/Di6a9JQiGS pic.twitter.com/myoHG3JaDR— Valley Park School () March 13, 2024

11/03/24

Why, this show is automatic, it's systematic, it's hydromatic! Go, go go, get your tickets now! https://t.co/Di6a9JQiGS pic.twitter.com/ahYvcivtr9— Valley Park School () March 11, 2024

10/03/24

Valley Park + Grease The Musical - We go together, and that's the way it should be! https://t.co/Di6a9JQiGS pic.twitter.com/hcUhN7KvJr— Valley Park School () March 10, 2024

09/03/24

Year 11s: Time is running out to buy your leaver's hoodie! The shop closes on 11 March. Refer to the letter sent home for login details. https://t.co/cdMkhzBTvG#wearevalleypark pic.twitter.com/MJd05xwBrf— Valley Park School () March 9, 2024

08/03/24

Key Stage 3, how will you spend your free book voucher from World Book Day? pic.twitter.com/VsGFOlkmW3— Valley Park School () March 8, 2024

08/03/24

pic.twitter.com/AExD66bBGk— Valley Park School () March 8, 2024

08/03/24

Happy International Women's Day!We're celebrating women who have changed the world. Here's all of the amazing women who have received the and their remarkable achievements at the time of the award.Who are the women who inspire you the most?#IWD2024 pic.twitter.com/yZXLi5zYJh— The Nobel Prize () March 8, 2024

08/03/24

Wearing purple for International Women’s Day! pic.twitter.com/G7URtKlQ8C— Valley Park School () March 8, 2024

08/03/24

You're the one that we want - have you got your tickets for Grease the Musical? https://t.co/Di6a9JQiGS pic.twitter.com/cqjm25i2ix— Valley Park School () March 8, 2024

07/03/24

For , teachers chose passages from their beloved childhood books and narrated them in the style of the classic children's show, Jackanory: https://t.co/WzVRcyM1qu pic.twitter.com/oaoW6uetER— Valley Park School () March 7, 2024

07/03/24

An international author has recorded a video message for our students to celebrate and - Read our news article here: https://t.co/rpz5ckqgtH pic.twitter.com/JU4EkfalC4— Valley Park School () March 7, 2024

07/03/24

World Book Day double-act fun with today! pic.twitter.com/q28WKIGPWw— Gianna Pollero () March 7, 2024

07/03/24

is a celebration of reading for pleasure.Our mission is to change lives through a love of books and reading.We want to know how you're encouraging children to - show us with the hashtag! pic.twitter.com/mhEl4k3I00— World Book Day UK 📚 () March 6, 2024

07/03/24

- For Parents and Families: If you want some new book ideas - why don't you try Wheeler's ePlatform, or some of the suggestions from the eBook and audiobook providers below? pic.twitter.com/bjEH7EvTSi— Valley Park School () March 7, 2024

07/03/24

Year 12 Performing Art students performing numbers from musicals based on books including Matilda, Hamilton, and a few Disney classics, to celebrate pic.twitter.com/Bzl8V6VNmO— Valley Park School () March 7, 2024

07/03/24

It’s !🥳We’re putting children’s voices first. They’re asking us to let go of pressure & expectations to give them a choice – and a chance – to grow up with the life-changing benefits of . Show us how you're reading for fun, your way! pic.twitter.com/JiCQDHPw2S— World Book Day UK 📚 () March 7, 2024

07/03/24

It's ! Which events will you take part in today to celebrate? pic.twitter.com/gmVYRjSWvL— Valley Park School () March 7, 2024

06/03/24

Fifteen of our A Level Religious Studies students attended a conference in London last Friday, led by the philosopher Peter Vardy. Read more: https://t.co/h8ysLfktRW pic.twitter.com/JjeyDHmz7C— Valley Park School () March 6, 2024

06/03/24

Only 2 weeks until Grease the Musical - don't miss out. Get your tickets here: https://t.co/Di6a9JQiGS pic.twitter.com/Hs3eNI6ZoT— Valley Park School () March 6, 2024

Zorro

Our production of Zorro was the UK amateur premiere, which originally debuted in London’s West End in June of 2008, receiving rave reviews. Zorro, ‘the fox’, was created in 1919 by Johnston McCulley for his novel ‘The Curse of Capistrano’. It was the first of 65 immensely popular tales in which Zorro fought injustice in Spanish California’s Pueblo de Los Angeles. 

Since then, Zorro has appeared in films, TV shows, plays, ballets, operas, novels & comic books, and this musical version retells the dramatic story with spectacular sword-fighting and incredible magic – all set to the famous red-hot Gipsy King beat brought to the stage with the authentic colours of traditional flamenco.

One of the challenging parts of Zorro was staging the sword-fights, with students who had no real experience. Fortunately, we had the capable sword-arm of fight director Gary Andrews, who came in on three occasions to teach students the art of sword-fighting for the stage...

Swordfighting workshop016

Five-Point System

Gary Andrews, who has been directing fights at schools and theatres for around 20 years, assessed the students’ ability by teaching them the footwork, guard positions, attacks and parries that make up basic fencing. He then taught them the basic five point numbering system used to annotate moves. 

‘Each part of the body corresponds with a number so it makes instruction a lot more accurate,’ said Craig Barden, who plays Ramon in our production. ‘It helped me find confidence in my ability and fluency in my technique.’

‘The system goes clockwise around the body,’ explained Mr Andrews. ‘The right leg is number 1, right shoulder is 2, head is 3, left shoulder is 4 and left leg is 5. So, if I say “attack 2,1,2,4,3” the actors know the sequence and target of the attacks - and defences!’

Replicas

Students were lucky enough to use Mr Andrew’s professional sword replicas, which helped them get into character.

‘Apart from fighting imaginary monsters in my childhood with a plastic sword, I had never done any sword-fighting before,’ said Harry Harding, who plays Diego De La Vega. ‘It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience which gave me an idea how heavy the swords would be when we do the show.’

Tricks

Each fight was choreographed taking into account the ability of the characters (Zorro is an expert, the soldiers are less competent) and the story the fight should tell: is it an easy victory, a comical action sequence or a dramatic showdown? 

‘We also take into account where the audience is,’ said Mr Andrews, ‘so we show the fight from the best angle to hide all the tricks we use to make it seem real!’

Adrenaline 

After plenty of practice at half-speed, students found the fight movements becoming more automatic, so they increased their ‘performance speed’ to about 75%.  

‘This is usually fast enough for an audience seeing the fight for the first time,’ added Mr Andrews, ‘but performance adrenaline usually adds another 15% or so!’

Muscle Memory

‘Having practiced the sequences many times,’ said Harry, ‘my muscle memory knows what to do when we fight so I feel very prepared. Mr Andrews was an excellent teacher and he was very laid back when we made mistakes.’

Not a Good Look

‘When I was eight I used to play sword fighting with my cousin,’ said Craig, ‘which resulted in me sustaining an eye injury. Not a good look! Luckily this experience taught me how to get sword fighting right without being an idiot this time!’

Tweak

Mr Andrews paid a further two visits to Valley Park. ‘I usually come back a week or two before the show opens,’ he said, ‘to polish the fight and make sure no bad habits have developed – or to tweak any moves that are not quite working.’

Focused

‘I can honestly say that your students were amongst the politest, keenest and most able I have taught,’ said Mr Andrews. ‘They were quick learners and very focused, and I’m sure that this will lead to a really great show.’