school band

“An incredible experience”: Years 2 and 3 stage Finding Nemo Jr!

18th March 26

Four children stand on a school hall stage dressed in black trousers and brightly-coloured t-shirts, with an iridescent backdrop. One in pink wears an octopus headdress. another in yellow is dressed as a seahorse. Two others wear fish headdresses, one yellow and another orange. Two children sit on the floor of the stage, dressed in blue.

Our Lower School Hall was transformed into an underwater wonderland last week as children from Year 2 and Year 3 staged multiple performances of Finding Nemo Jr.

With vibrant costumes, a colourful set and rousing musical numbers, the production followed Nemo’s father, Marlin, as he embarked on a courageous journey across the ocean to find his son.

In keeping with our values of collaboration and creative thinking, pupils played a central role in bringing the show to life. Children contributed to casting decisions, costume creation and the production of promotional posters – helping them to develop key communication and collaboration skills.

Two young students stand on a school hall stage, in front of an iridescent backdrop. One child wears black trousers, an orange t-shirt and an orange clownfish head piece, the other wears brown trousers, a green t-shirt and has a papier-mâché turtle shell on his back.

Our Head of Lower School, Karen, said: “I had the privilege of watching the show this morning and it did not disappoint!

“The performance marks the culmination of the children’s enquiry project, The Theatre Machine. One of the key ideas they have been exploring is how many different people collaborate to bring a production to the stage.

“Ten teachers, 83 children and many parents worked together to create something truly special. What an incredible experience it has been.

“A huge thank you to everyone who gave their time to make this happen for the children.”

A group of young children stand on the stage in a school hall. They are dressed as a variety of fish and sea creatures, including a pink starfish, a brown blowfish, and an orange clownfish.

Our Lower School curriculum incorporates enquiry-based learning, designed to help children understand the wider world and their place within it, while also building core academic skills.

Centred on the theme of ‘communication’, this project explored the question: How do people express themselves and their ideas through performance art?

Children considered how to use their voice and body to express ideas, emotions and feelings, paying attention to volume, tone, eye contact, body language and pacing.

They also explored how the various roles within a theatre, such as staging, costume, props, music, lighting and acting, all contribute to a show’s success – and the importance of working collaboratively towards a shared goal.

Watch our Instagram Reel of the production, featuring pictures of the wonderful costumes and a recording of the children’s singing, below!

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