Page 26 - link magazine

This is Greendown • 4

Triumph for performers in Shakespeare Festival

Supported by some 3,000 parents and visitors who paid to watch them, nearly
1,200 students from twenty different primary and secondary schools and two
FE colleges performed a world first here at Greendown in May this year when
they acted out thirty minute versions of 35 of Shakespeare's plays. Three
hundred Greendown students performed seven of the plays.
With grants from the Millennium Lottery Awards, Swindon LEA, Swindon
Community Arts Foundation, Education Extra and the Shakespeare Birthplace
Trust, the students did two performances each of their selected play which had
been adapted by the teachers themselves with help from nationally-famous
Shakespeare teachers, Chris Geelan and Sarah Gordon of the Young Shake-
speare Company.
The brain child of Assistant Headteacher Tim Noble, it followed the
successful work on Shakespeare done with partner primary schools over three
years and led to an invitation from Buckingham Palace for Tim to meet the
Queen as part of the raising achievement in schools awards.
Next year, Greendown will be hosting a play writing festival, celebrating the
history of Swindon. We have already received £2,000 from Swindon Commu-
nity Arts Foundation in support of this venture and will once again be looking
to business to help us with an exciting educational initiative.
Left: a collage of performers in the Shakespeare Festival 2000

Stretching students across a range of

sports
Since opening fifteen years ago, and using its outstanding facilities and dedicated
staff, Greendown has developed significant sporting strengths in its teams and
games events. Many Greendown students go on to achieve great things on playing
fields beyond the school.
Sam Dell won a local gymnastics competition. Zoe Mead is a member of the
Wiltshire Hockey Squad and participated in the Millennium Youth Games, which
took place at Greendown. Laura Worley is an all-round athlete who took part in
Swindon Schools' Cross Country and runs and swims for Wiltshire while Martin
Hall, also a star athlete, broke the Wiltshire 800 metre record and was Wiltshire
Champion for his age group. Matthew Bennett was all round sportsman of the year
at Greendown and Michelle Myers is a county hockey player. Finally, Daniel
Thomas -Rashid is a capped Wiltshire rugby player and competed in the javelin at
the English Schools' Championship
Some of our sports talent, rear from left, Martin Hall, Michelle Myers, Matt
Bennett, Daniel Thomas-Rashid. Front, Sam Dell, Zoe Mead, Laura Worley

Junior leaders take initiative
The past year has seen the launch of the Junior Sports Leadership Award (JSLA) in years 10 and 11. The certificate
received at the end of the course is recognised by prospective employers, keen to take on students who can work as a team,
show initiative and have the key skills of planning, organising and leading.
In year 11, some 60 students have reached the final stages of their assessment. To pass the course they must teach a group
of fifteen primary school pupils in a
sport of their choice. This includes
Greendown is West Swindon's following a lesson plan which involves
Community School catering for proper warm up and preparation, skills
local families and a wide range practice and a game.
of community groups. Students on the course wrote to
We always make visitors very Motorola requesting financial support
welcome and are happy to give for their lessons and received a cheque
parents tours of the school. for £100 which was presented to Salt
For more information please Way School.
contact, Youngsters at Salt Way remained
Primary parents: Tim Noble under the impression that Greendown
students were visiting teachers.
Other parents: Steve O'Sullivan
Pictured left, Roshni Patel and Sarah
Community use and bookings: Beckett present Salt Way teacher Mr
Amanda Yeoman (mornings only) Andy Ballard with the Motorola
Tel: (01793) 874224 funding

'This is Greendown' is published by Greendown Community School under contract with The Link Magazine