Bancrofts-Insight-Newsletter-Spring-2017

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Arts Fundraiser
S P R I N G T E R M 2 0 1 7
Senior School
Bancroft’s School, Woodford Green, Essex IG8 0RF
020 8505 4821
Preparatory School
Bancroft’s Preparatory School, Woodford Green, Essex IG8 0RF
020 8506 6774
InsightBancroft’s School Newsletter
Olivia Hitching, U6W
On a damp and cold evening in mid-
November many pupils, along with
their parents and special guests,
came to the first ever Bancroft’s
Arts Fundraiser. The evening was a
huge success, raising lots of money
to fund some amazing drama, art
and music trips and facilities which
our School community will get to
use in the near future.
There was a huge range of activities before
the main entertainment started, such as an
art exhibition of some of the Fifth and Sixth
Form’s latest work and paint balloon darts.
This was a lot of fun for all involved and
created a brilliant piece of art which now
hangs in pride of place in the SCR! To begin
the dramatic part of the evening there was
a beautiful performance of A Midsummer
Night’s Dream directed by Ms Middleton,
which involved the audience moving around
to different parts of the School to witness
various scenes. The fairy lights provided a
magical background.
Once everyone had taken their seats in the
Great Hall they were treated to a full-on
programme of musical entertainment. I was
involved in both the Bancroft’s Singers and the
Barbers and there was a fabulous atmosphere
as people got to witness all the hard work
that goes on behind the scenes in a relaxed
and fun setting. The Prep School choir sang
When I Grow Up fromMathilda beautifully.
The evening culminated in a rousing version of
Aretha Franklin’s Respect from the Bancroft’s
Singers and the Soul Band.
In between the acts, Mr Rob Young made his
debut as Bancroft’s newest stand-up comedian,
compering the show as well as running a very
popular auction which allowed the guests to
take home some really unique prizes. One of
the prizes was an acting master class from OB
Samantha Spiro, which I was lucky enough to
win with my sister. We had an inspirational class
with her over the Christmas holidays which
neither of us will forget.
Mr Young also interviewed Samantha Spiro
about her work in TV and film as well as
performing in the West End. She spoke about
how her time at Bancroft’s had fuelled her
enthusiasm for a career in the arts.
The evening was one of the best I have been
lucky enough to take part in at my time at
Bancroft’s and it was a definite highlight of my
final year at Bancroft’s. It was lovely to see so
much talent on display. From speaking to our
new Head, Mr Simon Marshall, it’s fair to say he
was blown away by the wealth of talent within
our School community.