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Year 5 Trip to Shakespeare’s Glo...

Year 5 Trip to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

The annual Year 5 trip to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre on Bankside is just part of the ‘Shakespeare Strand’ at Long Close. Each year we have a visit by the English Shakespeare Company in the Autumn Term for Years 5-7: a visit to The Globe for Year 5 and the study of the Bard’s plays in the senior part of the school and for GCSE we study ‘MacBeth’. It’s no secret I love Shakespeare, and particularly ‘The Globe’, it is a magical place. Shakespeare is a study for life and it seems to me that there is a play for every part of a person’s life; in my youth I loved the tragedies, I remember shortly after my father died watching Adrian Lester (now in ‘Hustle’) play Hamlet in Peter Brook’s production with not a dry eye in the Old Vic, now it is the comedies I love, but perhaps my favourite of all is ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream! Every time I see a play more is revealed and deeper the appreciation grows.

It is usually February when we organise the trip to the reconstructed Globe and this year was no exception. Year 5 pupils were naturally excited; clutching their lunch bags and full of enthusiasm for a day out in London. Trips are an enhanced learning experience; they bring to life a topic and communicate much more than a classroom experience ever can. It was particularly fun this year as I always enjoy any time I spend with Year 5, invariably they are a imaginative, engaging and chock full of character. On the bus drive there I was pleased to see that ‘Top Trump’ cards and card tricks in general had made a renaissance; anything that isn’t virtual pleases me.

On arrival at Bankside we all clambered off the bus and made our way down the steps to walk along the Thames. It really was bitterly cold; the wind cut the face and made the teeth ache! Thank goodness we had warm coats! The Globe reconstruction was the brainchild of the American actor Sam Wanamaker, a lover of Shakespeare, who visited London on holiday and was astonished to find that no memorial to The Globe Theatre (or to Shakespeare) existed in London. He then began his project to reconstruct the Globe – and the rest is history!

We stopped for a few photos on the way, but eventually ended up at the exhibition centre; this gives you an insight into Elizabethan times, the theatre and costumes. We were also fortunate as a sword fighting display was taking place and we were able to handle a sword and ask questions –I learnt that Henry the Eighth was 6ft 4 in height!

We left after twenty minutes to cross the Millennium Bridge over to St Paul’s; although icy cold the sky was clear and blue, visibility good and the river its usual hive of activity. The original Globe sat on the far side of the river because theatres were forbidden to exist inside the original city walls by the puritans who wielded power at the time. The Globe then originally sat amongst bear gardens, houses of ill-repute and the seamier side of town; I took Year 5 on a literal and imaginative journey through some of these streets, past the old jail ‘The Clink’ and to the facsimile of the Golden Hind.

It was then time for the Gift Shop (‘No fake blood, please.’) and then lunch time. Finally, our guide and drama practitioner Margo came to meet us. She gave us an excellent introduction to The Globe and then took us into the theatre itself. We learnt that the original theatre had been burnt down when a charge fired by the theatrical cannon had been, by accident, discharged into the roof! I will not attempt to describe the inside of the theatre; it really must be experienced directly, although the pictures I have posted give some insight. I would encourage you to attend; it is particularly resonant on a balmy summer’s evening with the moon in the centre of the open roof and the magic of Shakespeare’s words in the air ‘O for a Muse of Fire…’ There is no need of scenery for productions in The Globe because Shakespeare’s words create the pictures in the audience’s minds.

Next our ‘Romeo & Juliet’ drama workshop that began with warm-ups for body, voice and mind and was followed by a brief re-working of the play. This was great fun! Our little abridged reworking of the play was a fitting end to a lovely day. Finally, I must say I was very proud of Year 5, their behavior was exemplary and I hope they gained a little insight into Shakespeare and why his plays are so very special!

David Brazier

Head Teacher

Haiti Earthquake Appeal

HAITI EARTHQUAKE APPEAL

We would like to thank all the kind and thoughtful pupils and parents for their generous contributions to the Haiti Appeal.

 We have managed to raise a whopping £848.25 so far!

We are sure that this money will go a long way and will help many unfortunate children in Haiti. We are grateful and really appreciate all the continued support and kindness you all provide.

Pegasus Award Day

Long close School is delighted to announce the Pegasus Award Day.

We are an independent co-educational school for pupils aged 2 - 16 years.  We are offering a number of Pegasus Awards for pupils who would like to flourish in a friendly, caring environment that achieves the highest academic standards.

Awards are available for pupils entering Years, 3 4, 7 and 9 in September, 2010.  All candidates will be tested in English & Mathematics.  We celebrate pupils with a broad range of talents and welcome evidence-based applications across the curriculum.

Exams will take place on Tuesday 9th February, 2010

Closing date for applications is Friday, 29th January, 2010.

For further information please contact the Registrar on 01753 520095

FRIDAY 15TH JANUARY 2010

On Friday 15th January, the school will resume normal hours and all After School Care, Clubs and Prep will operate as usual.  We thank all of our parents for their support this week during the adverse weather conditions.

Wed 13 and Thurs 14 January 2010

Please note that the school will be open as usual on Wed 13 and Thurs 14 January 2010.  Due to the adverse weather conditions, there will be no Clubs, ASC or Prep on either evening.  All children should be collected by 3.30/4.00 (latest).

THURSDAY 14 JANUARY 2010

Please note that there will be no Clubs, ASC or Prep on Thursday 14 January.  Due to adverse weather conditions the school will be open for the normal school day from 8.45am - 4.00pm only.  All children should be collected by 3.30/4.00 (latest).

WED 13 JAN - SCHOOL OPEN

Please note that the school will be open today.  Can parents ensure that pupils arrive at school in full winter uniform, with a warm coat and suitable footwear. 

Wednesday 11th January 2010

SCHOOL IS OPEN TODAY UNTIL 4.00PM.  DUE TO THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, THERE WILL BE NO CLUBS, ASC OR PREP TONIGHT.  CAN ALL PUPILS PLEASE BE COLLECTED BY LATEST 4.00PM.  IF YOU WISH TO COLLECT YOUR CHILD EARLIER, PLEASE DO SO AND LET THE FORM TEACHER KNOW.