The Arts at East

The last few weeks here at school have been intense, and a creative triumph for our students. We have had mellow, moody Unplugged, movement and dance in Epic Arts from Cambodia; cultural extravaganza with Culturama (video highlights here), and the musical Aurorasonica spectacular; HS Drama is still to come in the shape of the not-to-be-missed Chrysalids. We have also had SEASAC volleyball, football golf, cross-country, and ACSIS swimming. And all this on top of regular Academics, Service, PSE and for some, Outdoor Education expeditions at October break.

It would be easy for me to tell you what wonderful sporting and artistic events these were - and of course they were. But that’s not the point; our focus is on what the students learnt; not on the performances themselves; the performances are the means to the end - not the end itself. And what did the students learn? Here I want to focus on the Arts; Sports deserves its own special focus another time.

So what did the students learn? It’s hard to convey the richness, really, because it’s is not quantifiable; and it’s different for different students. But still:

• For the student who wrote that he sees ability and disability differently as a result of Epic Arts, it was about understanding people of difference;
• For the dance leader who told me how she nearly gave up at one point but was so glad she did not, it was about determination and resilience;
• For the student who wrote that “music brings people together, no matter what nationality, background, ability”, or the ones who intentionally sought out cross-cultural dances, it was about our common humanity;
• For the students who composed original music to go with our productions, it was about creativity and commitment;
• For the students who wrote about the characterisation in Chrysalids, it was about reflecting on how uniform and authority can influence our behaviors;
• For the student who wrote “I don't often go after what I want to accomplish and I am proud that I finally did, in the midst of [a stressful time]” it was about their own efficacy and a growth mindset. 

We have so many examples - I could list them at length here; and all this is absolutely consistent with what we know about the Arts - that they bring skills that will, tomorrow, be as applicable in the boardroom as they are today in the classroom. And for those students who lead, direct and manage, the learning is perhaps even more profound - leading 250+ students in an event is no mean feat. I believe we are rightly developing a reputation as a school where students can drive things (Culturama, for example, was actually a student idea, and they do 90% of the work).

For many students, their involvement in the Arts will be among the most abiding memories of their school lives; for some, it will form bedrock in their lives. So don’t be seduced by the slick performances and smiling faces; this is much more important than that.

The drama, dance and music studios have been and still are constantly busy late at night and at weekends. What a wonderful testimony to our students’ ambitions, creativity, collaboration and resilience. We can all be so proud of them.