We've been super creative in the Prep School this term. Drama has flourished with staff and pupils learning new film techniques which have been put to use in the production of our M and P Form plays. In addition to individual instrumental lessons and online concerts, pupils have been writing music inside the classroom and using outside spaces for socially distanced singing. In the Art department the kiln has been fired up and we have used a range of mixed media techniques to produce some wonderful pieces.

To see more photographs, please click on the link below:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/fettes_college/albums/72157717313048188

 

Art

Our youngest pupils experimented with paper cutting and sticking, inspired by the work of African American Illustrator, Ashley Brian and his book, Beautiful Blackbird, whilst P Form looked at the work by Nigerian artist, Twins Seven Seven, that focuses on mixed media and pattern. They have enjoyed creating their own paintings in his style.

S Form have used mixed media for their ‘looking close’ pictures and also made clay gargoyles inspired by the Bryce building, whilst T Form created their own Hundertwasser houses, making miniature gardens to go with these.

Our older pupils looked at the contrast between Van Gogh sunflowers and Amstel Kiefer's, black and white sunflowers to create their own print composition. They used lino tools to carefully cut out the blocks and printed for a strong black and white finish.

2nd Form have worked on various styles of portraiture. One particularly effective piece was inspired by Faith Ringgold's ‘Street Story’ quilt, showing each pupil looking out of windows.

Music

Despite the restrictions, Fettes Prep musical heart is still going strong, albeit to a slightly different beat!

Our string players have been rehearsing each week, learning two exciting new pieces which we showcased in our virtual concerts. Chamber Choir singers and music classes have been singing outdoors in their bubbles, observing two metre distance rules. 

In the classroom, pupils in every year group have been enjoying rhythm games as well as composing their own music using Sibelius and Noteflight notation software; some extremely talented young composers are starting to emerge with exciting musical premieres to be released very soon.

Our Remembrance Service included some beautiful, moving performances and we are now working on our online Carol Service, including more outdoor singing and instrumental playing as well as our Staff & Parent Choir.

And finally, we had news that Henry has been asked to join the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland's Junior Orchestra. He has made fantastic progress on the trumpet over lockdown and beyond.

Click here for a link to one of our December concerts:

https://sway.office.com/rqHMGBvLNbaheUCS?ref=Link&loc=play

Drama

Although we have been denied the traditional Christmas treat of watching M and P Forms’ plays in the Chapel this year, the shows have gone on! Staff and pupils have worked tirelessly to produce the first ever Fettes Prep Drama movies as part of the Drama department’s ‘Christmas Hamper’ of filmed treats, which are going live to parents on the last day of term.

The three plays were filmed in-house by Mr Martin-Nye and Mr Bywater, ably supported by our talented actors and budding filmmakers. The squash courts became dramatic film sets complete with green screen and professional lighting and we scouted out areas of the Fettes campus for our outdoor shoots. Mrs Weatherby’s fabulously bold costumes and Ms Barancova’s wonderful artwork provided pizzazz and glorious backdrops to our endeavours.

M Form’s film is a joyous dramatization of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas’, a dreamlike imagining of Santa’s arrival at a house full of wide-eyed children. A jolly old elf and some squeaky mice also feature!  PF Form’s production tells the quirky story of a strange, four-headed cuckoo that invites itself to stay at the house of two poor siblings and then proceeds to eat all their food. PY’s film transports us to the North Pole, where Santa is interviewing all manner of strange creatures for the role of Cookie Supervisor. Each tale reflects the skills of the pupils who should be really proud of their hard work, patience, and creativity in bringing these stories to life.

For added value we also created some ‘bonus extras’, including Christmas facts, jokes, hilarious outtakes and, most importantly, a Merry Christmas message to all.