Events Past
Arts Week 2007
By
Feb 22, 2007 - 8:03:00 PM

Penicuik High School recently held a very successful Arts Week

 (Feb 26 – Mar 2).

The aim of the week was to promote Reading and Literature, (World Book Day was on Mar 1) whilst also highlighting Art, Dance, Media and Music.

The programme was a varied one and students were able to participate in workshop sessions with authors, artists, musicians and dance specialists.

Authors Dilys Rose and Ron Butlin along with playwright Bob Adams and storytellers Colin MacKay and Noel Cochrane provided the literary stimulus for the week. Meanwhile in the world of Art students enjoyed sessions on jewellery making and hat design. Many of the finished designs were quite spectacular.  Some students also had the opportunity to work with a sculptor and printmaker during the week. Dance was not forgotten with professional dancer, Tess, stepping out with some of our senior enthusiasts.

The week got off to a musical start. The “Robin Mitchell Quartet”, professional jazz musicians of the highest calibre, (so much so that one of their number flew in from New York only two days prior to visiting Penicuik High School) worked with and coached our school musicians during the day. We were fortunate too in securing the services of outstanding folk musicians Pete Clarke and Wendy Weatherby (Wendy was flying to Germany the next day to perform) who also worked with students during the day. The result of all the hard work was an outstanding evening concert. The professional musicians were fulsome in their praise of our school musicians and the experience is one that will not be forgotten for some time to come.

Lunchtime activities during Arts Week were very well attended with students being spoiled for choice. “In house” talent, (namely senior management) played a very active role in the lunchtime entertainment which ranged from a juggling workshop, to recitations, a lively reading and an interesting talk on the “Art of Sport”.  This was much appreciated by the students. Other lunchtime happenings included Busking, the Dance Final and Media Showcases. These were extremely well supported and in some cases it was standing room only.

Arts Week at Penicuik High School was both educational and entertaining and certainly achieved its aim. Hopefully it will become a regular feature in the school calendar.