Lights, Camera, Action!

I am delighted to announce that in the very near future Arnold School will have its own TV Studio. This is an exciting learning initiative for the school and I am most grateful to the Parents' and Friends' Association, which has part-funded this major new project. The Arnold TV Studio will allow teachers and students to develop our own TV programmes that can be broadcast on Arnold School TV and on the plasma screens around school. As a potent teaching tool, the TV Studio also offers significant opportunities for imaginative learning projects to a huge number of our students throughout the whole school, from the Kindergarten to Year 13.

I am hopeful that some new extra-curricular clubs will evolve to take advantage of our tremendous new facility. Budding film makers, engineers and producers will get real life experience of, and training in, the use of HD cameras, sound equipment, lighting and special effects, etc. I look forward to talent spotting our very own versions of Michael Parkinson and Fearne Cotton as well as watching Arnold news readers, weather forecasters and sports reporters on screen.

As a keen follower of Arnold School TV, I particularly enjoyed this week's video, "The Grenada Fashion Show Catwalk Highlights'. Praise should go to the models (many of whom were our cricketers) who impressed a 210 strong audience by 'strutting their stuff' on the catwalk at last week's fundraising event. This was a great night out at Blackpool FC, which was enjoyed by our nervous models as well as by their supportive parents, families and friends. Their collective efforts raised nearly £3,000 for the forthcoming tour. Well done to everyone involved, including JR Taylor's.

My family and I spent Saturday watching our U12s in action at 'The Jean Torrance Hockey Tournament'. The quality of the girls' hockey was excellent, but, more importantly, their sportsmanship was most impressive and we were delighted, as ever, to watch the girls in action. I should also like to pay tribute here to the girls' hockey coaches, whose energy and dedication is tireless. It was gratifying to welcome former headmaster Bill Gillen back to the school as the guest of honour. I know that he greatly enjoyed his weekend on the Fylde.

Talking of sport, Activate Sports will be running sports and activity courses here during the summer holiday. These fun and challenging day camps will include 'The Andrew Flintoff Cricket Academy' as well as a multi-sport/activity week, a gold medals games week, an international netball road show and a hockey master class. There really is something for everyone, regardless of sporting ability. Enthusiasm is all that is required, and Arnold boys and girls certainly have plenty of that! For more details, please speak to Mr Evans or Mr Jones in the Senior School or contact Activate Sports direct. 'Early bird discounts' are available on all bookings made before 27th May.

Our next PFA Event will be the Easter Fair; a family event that will take place at the Junior School between 2.00pm and 4.00pm on Sunday 27^th March. Activities for the children include an Easter Bonnet competition, ceramic painting, a treasure hunt, arts & crafts, SNAG Golf and a penalty shootout. For more details click here.

Today, Tuesday 15th March, is our Junior School Open Afternoon, where we warmly invite visitors to enjoy a tour of the school with one of our eloquent student guides. Please do come along between 1.30pm and 3pm to see the Junior School in action and meet me, Miss Wright and Miss Allen. Arnold Bear is sure to be there too...

Best wishes

Jim Keefe, Headmaster

PS I have had a sneak preview of next week's performance of Rutter's 'Magnificat' and Faure's 'Requiem' by The Arnold Choral Society. It's rousing stuff... don't miss it.

Posted by: J E Keefe
Date: Tuesday 15/03/2011