Joseph

An amazing Joseph … 

‘Each year I say it can’t get any better – but then it does‘! These were the words of one audience member after the premiere of this year’s school show, ‘Joseph’. We couldn’t agree more. The first night’s performance was as amazing as the technicolour coat itself. For the finale, the cast of nearly 100 were packed onto the extended stage, and as they performed a reprise of some of the show’s big numbers it was obvious what a success the night had been.

So much work goes into each of these performances and they really are an embodiment of ‘Together We Achieve’. Building upon polished work by the Sackville band, the audience was soon whooping and clapping performance after superb performance. Charlotte Nield is a peerless Joseph, and departing audience members were purring with appreciation at her interpretation of the role.

Hers was one of many amazing voices to be heard. The narrators Maud Kendrick, Peggy Wheeler, Nicole Noakes, Chloe Harman, Abi Hewitt and Lucy Barber kept the storyline moving. There were very strong male lead performances from Olly Howland as Potiphar, Jack Charlton-Nevitt as the Pharoah-as-Elvis and Eric Parker and Tom Duncan as two of the brothers. Seren Foulds also stood out as another brother, breaking to the news to her father (the excellent James Payne) that Joseph had perished.

There are so many people to thank for a performance like this. An enormous number of staff have given up many hours to make it happen. Special thanks to Ms Warran and Mr Heatley. See this show!

8LST Valentine’s Day

Sackville shows its love for Valentine’s Day

Well done to 8LST who delivered 100 anonymous Valentine’s gifts to staff and students all over Sackville on Valentine’s Day, covering the school with love, happiness and friendship.

Along the way they raised over £175 for our Year 8 charity Friends of Lindi.  Thanks to all who supported us by buying a gift for your loved ones!

Joseph – review by Geraldine Durrant

Joseph Review from the Theatre South-East website

Review of Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Sackville School 12 – 14 February by Geraldine Durrant

“JOSEPH” has always been a particular favourite of mine, since the days when my children played it on endless repeats on long car journeys.

We wore out tapes, had the song book and once turned up a week early at The Hawth in our eagerness to see the show performed live.

So I looked forward with keen anticipation to Sackville’s production this week – and it did not disappoint.

There can be few more feel-good shows than this musical comedy with its catchy songs, clever pastiches and witty lyrics.

And while Rice and Lloyd-Webber may have gone on to more “serious” work,  they will always be remembered most fondly for their first professional collaboration written originally as a choral piece for Cholet school, and since extended into a much-expanded and much-loved family show.

And Sackville’s production was terrific, fizzing with an infectious enthusiasm which delighted its audience.

Charlotte Nield gave a simply dazzling performance as the eponymous hero.

Her bright personality shone through as she soared effortlessly above the ensemble choir, flawlessly hitting all the high notes.

Her crisp diction ensured none of the lyrics were lost and her nuanced acting moved easily between Joseph’s strutting youth, resplendent in his multi-coloured coat, to real poignancy in her solo Close Every Door To Me when imprisoned and abandoned in Egypt.

Olly Howland, as Potiphar, also gave a lovely performance with some deft comic touches as the rich-but-unhappy husband whose wife – played with seductive charm by Eve Lewis – makes her move on the unwilling Joseph.

And Jack Charlton Nevitt made a marvellous Pharaoh. 

With a physique born to wear Elvis’s flared jump suits, Jack’s strutting arrogance and terrific vocals were among the many highlights of the show.

Ollie Hodge and Rachel Davies turned in solid performances in their roles as the Butler and Baker, while Maud Kendrick, Peggy Wheeler, Nicole Noakes, Chloe Harman, Abi Hewitt  and Lucy Barber all brought some lovely voices to their shared role as The Narrator. 

There was sterling work too from Joseph’s band of bad brothers, with James, Batters, Eric Parker, Alex Flude, Jacob Knock, Tom Duncan, Seren Foulds, Rebekah Tyler, Keira Ellis, Katelyn Page, Freya Eastcott and Natalie Rathbone all turning in lively performances on their road from revenge to redemption.

But it is the entire ensemble which makes Joseph such a perfect production for schools and while the soloists certainly deserved praise, they were supported by an enthusiastic cast and dancers – and the school’s talented in-house orchestra of staff, pupils and parents under the musical direction of Tom Heatley.

All-in-all a marvellous evening which reflected enormous credit on Sackville’s staff and pupils, and which sent its audience out into the night humming the tunes…

Coronavirus – advice and information

Coronavirus – advice and information

We were contacted on Monday February 10th by the Director of Public Health for West Sussex with information to share with parents/carers and students.

What is the coronavirus?

The 2019 Novel Coronavirus has been spreading since it was first reported in December 2019.

Symptoms include fever and respiratory symptoms including coughing and shortness of breath. Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.

If you develop these symptoms and have recently travelled to an area where the coronavirus is being widely reported or believe you may have come in contact with the virus then you should stay indoors and call NHS 111 informing them of the details linking you to the virus.

A case of coronavirus has been confirmed in Brighton & Hove?

One individual from Brighton & Hove tested positive on Thursday 6 February and is in a London hospital where they are being well cared for.

The new case is a known contact of a previously confirmed UK case, and the virus was passed on in France. Where this person lives has not been confirmed by the Chief Medical Officer.

Public Health England is the lead organisation responding to the situation. Public Health England is working with partner organisations to take measures to prevent any possible further spread of the virus.

Anyone who may have been in contact with the virus is currently being identified and will be contacted directly by Public Health England.

What should I do?

If you do feel unwell having travelled to the UK from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau in the last 14 days, then you should stay indoors and call NHS 111, even if symptoms are mild.

If you have travelled from Wuhan or Hubei province in the last 14 days then you should stay indoors and avoid contact with others as you would with flu, and call NHS 111 informing them of your symptoms and inform them of your recent travel to the city.

Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:

    • Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
    • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
    • Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
    • You can find the latest information and advice from Public Health England at www.gov.uk/coronavirus

If you are feeling unwell and have not been contacted by Public Health England, then there is no need for concern.

You should continue to treat your symptoms as usual for seasonal flu or a common cold. If you feel unwell and do not know what you should do, then call NHS 111.

Where can I find more information?

 

Information flyer from the NHS

Annie Dilek

Annie Dilek – ‘the bravest young woman in the world’

It is with profound sadness that we share the news that former student Annie Dilek passed away on Monday January 27th.

It is an understatement to say that she was an inspiration to all those around her. Better to use the words of one comment on her Facebook page: this was the bravest young woman in the world. 

For over a year Annie had been increasingly unwell, but not once did she complain, and never did she put herself before others. Annie was still socialising and joking as recently as last weekend, and her wide circle of friends were with her right to the very end.

Our thoughts are especially with her mother and father, and her brothers Rodi and Shane. For her very many friends the world this morning is a darker place. She has left a space that can never be filled.

What remains are some wonderful memories. Annie’s sunny disposition never left her, and the love which the whole Sackville community held for her was obvious every time she visited the school. One enduring memory will certainly be the trip to Ashdown House Hotel with her closest friends and the sixth form staff, where she enjoyed a high-tea full of laughter and fun, most of which originated from Annie herself.

For those of us who knew her, each will have many special recollections. Rest in peace, Annie.

Remembering Dot Barden

Remembering Dot Barden

Our fantastic former teacher Dot Barden was given a fitting send-off by the Sackville community on Thursday 6th February. To describe her is a ‘former teacher’ does not begin to do justice to her part in the lives of so many students, colleagues and friends, so many of whom were present to celebrate her extraordinary life.

Many were seeing each other for the first time in years, and the old school canteen was once again alive with their memories of their time at Sackville and just what Dot had meant to them.

Dot’s son Calvin read a moving Eulogy. This was followed by an appreciation of her grandmother by Letty, Dot’s eldest grandchild. In both of these speeches the energy and subversive humour of Dot came to fore, making it all the more clear how important she was to everyone who knew her, and just how much she will be missed.

A highlight of the evening was the reading of one of Dot’s own poems by another grand-daughter, Cerys, who is in year 8 at Sackville.

All-in-all a fitting tribute to one who will never be forgotten.

Sackville works with Cambridge University

Sackville works with Cambridge University

Students in year 10 got a taste of life at Cambridge University after hearing a talk from Dr Matt Bullimore on Tuesday 4th February. Dr Bullimore is a regular visitor to Sackville and talked of the need to try to get the best GCSE grades possible, and that with these behind you anyone is in a position to apply for a place at Cambridge or another of our prestigious universities.

On Thursday 6th, a minivan full of year 12 students visited Chuchill College to get a taste of life in the university, talk to existing students and staff, and to be given further advice on how to secure a place in one of our most competitive institutions. These students will commence their applications later this year. 

2020 has seen Sackville get four offers at Oxford and Cambridge, and we hope to be able to continue this success rate in coming years.

Of course this can only happen with strong academic progress and good teaching. We are pleased that the publication this week of the official school performance tables showed both are in place at Sackville, with our GCSE students once again significantly above average.

Year 8 German students at the BFI

Year 8 German students shine at the BFI

Our year 8 German students visited the British Film Institute on Thursday February 6th.

This is the third group who have been this year, following our French and Spanish students earlier in the term.

Once again our students were fantastic, and many volunteered to offer answers on the microphone.

Thank-you to all of the students for their hard work, and to the MFL department for organising.

Robyn’s photography success

Robyn’s photography success

A number of our A level photography students recently entered their work for the Rotary International Young Photographer of the Year competition.

Each student selected three images to present to a panel of judges, who looked at a range of submissions from local schools. EG Meridian Rotary Club chose three photographs by our Year 12 student Robyn Shenton to put forward to the regional finals. We are really proud of Robyn and the powerful images she created in the first term of her A level course. Students Rosie Sands, Emma Oglethorpe, Frida Love, Luke Slater and Holly Atkinson were all awarded a certificate of participation and we would like to thank EG Meridian Rotary Club for providing this encouraging experience for them.

Two of Robyn’s photos are reproduced here, ‘Orb’ and ‘Ominous Red Sky’.