Headteacher's Bulletin 24th November 2023
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There has been a huge amount of student success to celebrate this week ranging across many different areas of school life.
Last weekend saw the National Concert Band Festival Regional event held at the Cripps Theatre. Over 400 young musicians attended and performed in front of two professional music adjudicators in Ian Johnson and Paul Hornsby.
NSB Big Band played brilliantly to achieve a Gold Award (gaining a place in the National Final), which for a newly formed band is a wonderful achievement. Many NSB students also performed in the NMPAT County Youth Big Band and Concert Bands earning Platinum Awards and additional National Final places. Many thanks to all the NSB staff and supporters involved in helping run such a major event at the school.
Evan Fallon and Hanley Webb in Year 8 have both hit the National Headlines for their prodigious talent in the Expressive Arts. Evan performed a duet live on BBC Radio Northampton with Billy Lockett to such positive acclaim that the music star has now invited Evan to perform alongside him in Birmingham at the O2 Academy as part of his National Tour - BBC News - Music . Hanley, who performs alongside Evan and Harry Wilkinson, in the C15 Rock Band has been awarded the lead role of 'Zack Mooneyham' in Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'The School of Rock' Musical for their forthcoming international tour of Asia. This is a phenomenal achievement by Hanley given the huge amount of competition for a lead casting in such a prestigious show.
The two boys are following in the footsteps of some incredibly successful former NSB students in the world of the Arts and we were delighted to learn this week that recent NSB Dance graduates have been shining on the professional stage. Elise Clinton - former student and current Support Dance Teacher at NSB has just finished tour dates dancing in Paris and London for 50 Cent and other artists including Busta Rhymes, Jeremiah, Ed Sheeran and Neo. Taylor Bliss and Jacob Reid are in their final year studying at Bird College and both have secured their first Christmas Pantomime roles alongside Ashley Banjo, Diversity and Christopher Biggins at the hugely impressive theatre - The Mayflower in Southampton.
Sophie Gould from Y12 has been highlighted as a student with exceptional potential in Water Polo. Sophie, who plays for the East Midlands Team as well as the Welsh Senior Ladies Development Team, recently competed for the 'British Hawks' in the EU Nations Cup in the Czech Republic. The British Hawks team played some fantastic Polo to win the Bronze medal and there is no doubt that the international competition will prove an invaluable experience for Sophie in supporting her overall development for her goal of full Senior Welsh Team selection. The school is very proud of Sophie's (front left kneeling as you look at the picture) achievements and we look forward to news of her future successes.
There has been further sporting success for our U12A and U18A football teams who both played scintilating football at times to progress in their National Cups. There was also an outstanding win for the U18 Basketball Team who defeated the Newcastle Eagles in the National College Basketball League despite the squad being ravaged by illness and injury!
Our ever popular and exceptionally successful Teacher Training Arm of the school - the NTTP - are currently recruiting trainees for next year's September cohort and are holding two Open Events at NSB in December on Tuesday 5th (2:00 - 3:00pm) and Friday 15th December (11:00am - 12:00pm). Further details below:
The Children's Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza has asked all schools this week to make parents / carers aware of a recent survey called The Big Ambition, which is part of a new campaign to help her Office hear directly from children, young people, and parents across the country about what they need to make their lives better. The survey is for all children and young people aged 6-18 and additionally for parents/carers who can complete the survey on behalf of children aged 0-5. Adults can also assist children who are unable to complete the survey independently. The survey is being completed by all NSB students in school during PSHE / Time and can also be accessed through the link above.
Finally, a reminder that our Senior Production The Every Brothers is playing tonight and tomorrow in the Cripps Theatre from 7pm. Tickets are currently available from the Box Office.
Richard Bernard
Headteacher