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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

CATS

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical ‘Cats’ was performed by our students in February 2014. Cree, who played ‘Rum Tum Tugger’ in the show, relates his experiences...

‘Cats’ was a highly enjoyable journey. We all gained new skills and experiences we’ll never forget. During the winter shows, we normally perform on the stage in the school hall. However, this time was an exception. The cast were told we would be performing ‘in the round’, which is in an arena-type stage. Instead of a basic theatre, where the audience view the show from the front, the audience surround the stage instead. Theatre-in-the-round removes the fourth wall and brings the actor into the same space as the audience.

At first, we were quite apprehensive; we hadn’t performed in the round before, so we didn’t know how it was going to work. In addition to this, we were told that the stage would rotate! However, despite initial doubts amongst the cast, the stage looked incredible, and we all managed to balance on the rotating stage without too much trouble.

The major challenge for any actor performing in the round is reaching four different sections of audience, so nobody misses out on anything. We all adapted to these new dimensions impeccably and the audience were captured by every minute of our performance.

The majority of our previous shows didn’t include half as much choreography as ‘Cats’, so it came as a welcome challenge for the cast, and people managed to learn dance moves they didn’t even know existed! Indeed, many of the cast had never tried dancing before, and have since chosen to pursue their new-found skills further, increasing fitness levels and flexibility. Although, personally I’ll never be able to do the splits!

The costumes were quite unorthodox, as they didn’t resemble the original ‘Cats’ attire. Instead of the tight-fitting lycra usually associated with the show, they were actually boiler suits, but they looked very convincing, and each costume represented the unique personality of each cat. No theatre costume is complete without makeup, and for the first time we had our own makeup artists. They were a mixture of staff members and students, who were there every single night to make sure we went on stage looking as feline as possible.

Pre-show preparations ran at maximum; makeup artists arrived at 3:30pm and didn’t leave until the start of the show at 7:30pm. They used a ‘conveyer-belt’ method to ensure each cast member had their own individual makeup, with some of the makeup artists even being in the cast! Without them, the show would not have been anywhere near as good as it was. The cast can’t even begin to express their appreciation for them.

The lighting was a highlight of the show. The overture had no cast members involved. Instead, it showcased our technical talents, and still managed to engage the audience entirely. Both sound and lighting were on top form for the production, and it really managed to enhance the quality of our performance.

‘Cats’ was an intense performance, with no members of the cast leaving the stage area. We interacted with the audience during the interval; it was impressive how everybody managed to maintain their character for so long. It also gave us occasion to play with improvisation and spontaneity. I seized the moment to interact with the Mayor of Maidstone, who had no choice but to let me play with his livery collar (the gold chain of office round his neck) as if I were a cat. It was an experience neither of us were prepared for!