BIRMINGHAMTHEBLUECOATSCHOOL1722

“The lunatic, the lover, and the poet / Are of imagination all compact.”

— A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act V, Scene 1

 

It is not every day that one sits in a professional theatre and finds oneself utterly transported, not by the brilliance of the West End, nor by some cutting-edge revival but by the raw, unfiltered joy and talent of Year 6 pupils. This afternoon, I had the pleasure, no, the privilege, of witnessing our pupils tread the boards of the MAC theatre in their quite spectacular production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Their delivery, timing, poise and projection were scintillating. With voices clear and confident, with Shakespeare’s cadence rolling off their young tongues, they cast a spell on us all. Puck, Titania, Bottom and the entire cast breathed life into those enchanted woods with astonishing grace, and it was a joy to see them so engaged and immersed in their roles. I found myself in awe, not just of their acting, but of their teamwork, discipline, and sheer love for performance. And the singing! At once tender and triumphant. I cannot wait to experience it all again this evening in round two.

A production like this does not simply appear overnight. It is the result of dedication, creativity and boundless energy from an exceptional team. My thanks to Director, Mrs James, and Director of Music, Mrs O’Malley, for steering this artistic ship with such vision. The backstage crew, too, deserve high praise for their calm professionalism. It was a triumph on every level. Or, as Theseus himself might have said, “The best in this kind are but shadows; and the worst are no worse, if imagination amend them.”

Elsewhere, the stage of oratory was graced by Edward and Sami, who reached the grand final of King Edward’s School prestigious debating competition. These young rhetoricians are already refining their craft with great focus. They field questions and present arguments with such wit and persuasion that I could not help but think: we may well be watching the future of Parliament unfold. My congratulations also to Miss Firman, who continues to inspire confidence and rigour in our public speakers.

Science, too, took centre stage this week. I was delighted to see our Year 6 Science Ambassadors presenting a well-crafted and thoughtful slideshow on “Animals including Humans” to our curious Year 1 pupils. Their engagement was infectious! The Year 1 pupils had a Plant-themed Science Day. Beginning in the Atrium with a short introduction, the Year 1 pupils headed to the Labs, an exciting first for many of them, where they explored seed dispersal by wind, complete with homemade paper spinners. There is something quietly magical about the moment when a child discovers that learning is not confined to books, but is all around them, fluttering on the breeze.

And speaking of firsts, I had the great pleasure of welcoming our newest families to BCS during our Nursery Forest School Experience Days. It was a genuinely joyful occasion, full of warm introductions, the buzz of possibility, and a whole field of tiny characters already full of questions and wonder. From scribbles and storybooks to number lines and nature walks, their journey is just beginning. But oh, how fast it goes. New friendships will blossom, reading and writing will become second nature, and the wide world will slowly take shape in their hands.

On the sports fields, our pupils continue to fly the BCS flag with pride and distinction. Strong performances at the National IAPS and ESCA cricket competitions were the result of calm minds, sharp skills and enormous team spirit. My thanks to Messers Gregory and Prothorough and the ever-committed PE team for cultivating such a flourishing cricketing culture, for both girls and boys.

Nor should we forget our House Aquathon heroes, swiftly followed by the U9 and U10 teams at King’s School Worcester. Under Mr Melia’s steely gaze, they ran, jumped and threw themselves into every event with energy and determination. They embodied that blend of resilience, perseverance and grace under pressure which is becoming the hallmark of BCS Sport.

So as the week draws to a close, I am filled with admiration. Our pupils have performed, debated, explained, experimented and competed, with imagination, intellect and heart. And in the words of Shakespeare’s own fairy realm:

“So quick bright things come to confusion” but here at BCS, they also come to life.

Have a wonderful weekend, and thank you, as ever, for your continued support.