Dear Parents/Guardians,

It has been a hugely busy month for the whole of ACS Egham what with preparing for reports, the NEASC/IBO visit, our all school assembly, sport tournaments, Troilus and Cressida, in addition to business as usual. However, I wanted to take time to reflect on how I was moved by the weekend’s entertainment in Gym 1 and how it is typical of what makes this school a special place to be.

I am still tingling with excitement from my first experience of an ACS Egham production and what was truly one of the best plays I have seen in many years including those on the West End! It is a tribute to our talented students, highly talented faculty and committed parents.

It is always magical to see unveiled for the first time the incredible talents of young people- whether you’re sitting in the audience as a parent, a teacher, a principal or a friend- or keenly watching from the wings as a director or producer. This happened watching Chloe Keller’s production of Shakspeare’s Troilus and Cressida. Conscious of a smile of wonderment on my face throughout, I marvelled at students from Grades 6-12 performing at their very best whether acting, dancing, singing, making music, behind the scenes, serving interval refreshments or at the front of the house. Not only was it clear that the performers had a deep understanding of their roles and the dramatic backdrop and historical setting of the play, but when they came together to take their final bow, it was clear that they were a fantastic team who had had a lot of fun!

For all the romance and humour, Shakespeare leaves us feeling rather uncomfortable with a tragic end captured powerfully in the black and white silent film of World War II bombsites. In the wake of Remembrance Day, the message of a lesser-known Shakespeare play is still very much alive in the pain of war in our modern world. This learning can’t have escaped the performers or the audience.

As Gym 1 was transformed to the smoky, steamy café set of World War II and a Resistance movement that aligned itself with rebellious jazz music and swing dancing of the time, this theatrical experience I imagine must have touched a chord with our young adults, themselves perhaps for the very first time toying with similar emotions of love, conflict, laughter and rebellion. These kinds of experiences our students will remember for a lifetime as they take learning beyond the classroom to real life helping them to connect with themselves, with others, with the past, the present and the future.

Well done and thank you to the whole team! As the NEASC/IBO visitors stated we do indeed have a ‘top notch school’ community at ACS Egham! Let’s celebrate this and be proud!

Cathy Jones
High School Principall
Email: cjones@acs-england.co.uk