William Brookes School Blog

Thanks to Ellie Peters for supplying us with this poster for next year’s ALL SCHOOL REUNION. This really is the last chance ‘Old William Brookesians’ will get to mingle in the shadows of the original school.

We thought it best to let folks know of the event well in advance: some of you may be making a long journey and might appreciate the advance warning.

We’ll be digging deep into our archives for some photies for the day, and would ask you to send any pictures you have to wbs2010reunion@yahoo.co.uk

Title : Breaking Dawn

Author : Stephanie Meyer

Genre : Romanic Horror / Fantasy

Storyline :

Bella Swan is a human who is in love with a vampire - Edward Cullen. Their relationship is very dangerous because Edward could destroy Bella with one bite. This means that their entire relationship is built on the trust they have for one another. Their relationship becomes intimate and Bella’s life is in mortal danger as they discover that she has powers beyond belief.

Themes :

Romantic theme and loyalty amongst friends and family in times of need.

Personal Response :

I found the book was quite hard to put down because the storyline kept me enticed and was very well-paced, I also liked the smaller details given to make the images more intense and I could picture the scenes vividly in my imagination. I also like the style of first person in which it is written because then I see that persons feelings and thoughts plus their personal views of the many situations that crop up for Bella and Edward in this last book of the series Twilight.

Bailey Palmer C8

AS Level Theatre Studies students have been busy rehearsing a performance of Joan Littlewood’s ’Oh, What a Lovely War!

This William Brookes stage adaptation of the famous musical sees all of the cast dressed in Pierrot style costumes.

The show forms part of their studies and is being staged at the Edge  Thursday 15th, Friday 16th and Saturday 17th January.

Oh, What A Lovely War!
Performed By the Year 11 Drama Group
It was clear from the moment that I sat down that Oh, What a Lovely War! was a very prolific play. Its subject matter is, of course, very touchy to some people, as it attempts to satirise war on a whole by depicting certain aspects of World War One. In particular, the incompetent leadership skills of the generals at the time and the blind willingness of certain soldiers to race into a hail of machine-gun fire. The term “Lions led by Donkeys” was a key point of this play and it showed clearly that this was not a “straight laced” play.
Written in 1963 by Joan Littlewood it shows the incompetence of the generals in charge of the different forces of the First World War and how their disregard for life and focus on money led to millions of soldiers being needlessly killed. With its use of music hall songs and Brechtian acting it was a revolutionary play to be performed for its time.
The actors performed the play with much flair especially in the good execution of multi-roling and the projections that were used to great extent. The one criticism I have of the play is that the songs seemed a little under rehearsed but aside from this the acting stood out.
I would recommend anyone to see this play, when it’s performed, if they are interested in World War One or history in general.

By Tom Jennings, Year 12

A competition to encourage students to ‘speak out’ about local services was run as part of ‘Local Democracy Week’ in October, and one of our Year 10 students won an iPod for her email to Councillor June Drummond.

Councillor Drummond asked young people in Shropshire to send her their concerns and views on local services. What impressed her about Jo’s entry was how she not only highlighted the problem of what young people had to occupy themselves during their lunch time, but also offered possible solutions to the problem.

Jo is pictured receiving her iPod nano from Councillor Drummond, whilst Mrs Turner and Mrs Cooper look on.

Every September the 6^th form get together on Macmillan Coffee Morning to help raise money for cancer… and prove we can actually cook!

This year was no different with Sixth Formers really proving their culinary skills; from Beth Dawe’s Terry’s Chocolate Orange Cake to a simply huge chocolate cake, as well as all the fantastic efforts made by everyone else. It was a surprise there was any cake left for the school to eat after the staff and Sixth Formers were let loose on the cakes at break. 

So, due to the massive efforts put towards Macmillan Coffee Morning, £320 was raised just from the cake stall, and then Barclays very generously doubled the amount, bringing the total to £640!  

It’s fantastic to know that our school and 6^th form community is so ready to put so much effort towards helping a greater cause. 

Words: Beccy Moore Photo: Tom Jennings

William Brookes School would like to invite parents and carers of Year 6 pupils to our Open Days.

Our Open Evening runs from 7 until 9p.m. on Wednesday 22^nd October, whilst our Open Morning starts at 9.30a.m. and runs until 12 Noon on Friday 24^th October.

Both events will be most informative whilst allowing you to experience at first hand the school’s facilities; talk to students and staff and enjoy the positive atmosphere we share at William Brookes. 

You may have already seen our website article about the successful bid for building the new school. Here’s a brief outline of the project and important dates for you to find out more about this exciting venture.

As many of you are aware, William Brookes School is built on the site of the Wenlock Olympian Games, forerunner to the modern Olympic Games. Respecting this heritage is an important aspect of the new build, as is the surrounding countryside setting, which will be reflected in the overall design.

The modular design provides four learning zones as well as the ‘heart’. The heart includes the main performance and sporting facilities and can be open to the community without affecting the other learning zones.

Not only will students benefit from top quality classrooms, workshops and laboratories, but a variety of inspirational learning environments:

• Dance and Drama Studios
• Dedicated Music Suite and Rehearsal Rooms
• Sports Hall
• Fitness Suite and Gymnasium
• Grass and all weather Sports and Athletic Facilities
• 25 metre Swimming Pool
• Lecture Theatre and Small Cinema
• New ‘Edge’ Arts Centre

Please come along and see the design at either of two public exhibitions on Saturday, 13th September.

• Much Wenlock, Priory Hall. 9.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
• Broseley, Birch Meadow Centre. 1.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.