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February 2024 News

Posted on 5th March 2024 at 12:12

All of our February 2024 News

1st February 2024

We’re thrilled to announce that Maddison has gained Distinction for her grade 8 RAD ballet examination.

It’s an amazing result considering Mads first of all broke her ankle and couldn’t take her grade 8 when her class mates did. Then she sprained the same ankle ( all away from KH thankfully) Unusually Mads passed her Advanced 1 RAD exam held at Elmhurst Ballet School before her grade 8 due to the circumstances and timings.

Huge thanks to Miss Angela for expertly nurturing Mads back to fitness and strength having special coaching to get her back to full fitness. We’re so proud of you Mads and so glad your ankle held up as you appeared in this years MNMT panto as Tom the cat in Dick Whittington. Well done and congratulations.

2nd February 2024

Happy world tutu day everyone.

February 2nd is World Tutu Day, referring to the iconic dancing outfit worn around a ballerina's waist.

The first tutu was introduced in the Paris Opera Ballet by dancer Marie Taglioni during a performance called "La Sylphide", which was the first to feature dancing on tip-toes!

Her tutu, called "Romantic tutu", was designed as a bell-shaped garment covering most of her legs. And guess what?

It was such a success that it remained the typical clothing for dancers until today! Although, from the late 1800s, tutus began to shorten up, thus allowing ballerinas to move more freely.

4th February 2024

Sunday evening Smiles -

Huge congratulations to Hannah (Miss Nicky’s daughter) who has wonderful news for you all below.

Hannah is our KH Saturday Drama teaching assistant and assists Miss Allison who has been coaching Hannah for her audition pieces and taking full charge of our infants when covering for Miss Allison. Well deserved Hannah, from all your KH teachers.

I'm pleased to share that I have recieved an unconditional offer from the University of Salford to study on their BA (Hons) Media & Performance course! The course includes film and TV production, radio production, presenting, acting for camera, directing and producing to name a few of the many modules. The past year has been spent writing my application and gaining experience to add to it and I'm so glad it paid off (thanks to my amazing drama teachers!). I was delighted that my hard work was noticed when I was awarded the Drama and Performance award by Mr Lee and the Performing Arts team at Malton School. I'm sure that it will be a big change in September however I've already been eyeing up the theatre societies and opportunities I will get through the course, university and the location and I can't wait to see what happens next! Thank you to everyone who's supported me with this! 🎬🩷🎥

5th February 2024

We’re so proud to hear, former pupil Laurie Riddiford Scarth will be teaching Acting through song to the 3rd year students at Laine Theatre Arts.

Laurie has played many a lead in musicals in London’s West End and UK tours.

Laurie is now a highly respected and sort after teacher of Jazz and Musical Theatre. Well done Laurie. Photo credit Brandon Bishop.

9th February 2024

Kirkham Henry supports Children's Mental Health Week 2024

Children's Mental Health Week 2024 will take place from 5–11 February 2024. This year's theme is 'My Voice Matters'.

My Voice Matters is about empowering children and young people by providing them with the tools they need to express themselves. During Children’s Mental Health Week we want all children and young people, whoever they are, and wherever they are in the world, to be able to say – and believe - “My Voice Matters”.

Place2Be launched the first-ever Children's Mental Health Week in 2015 to empower, equip and give a voice to every child in the UK. It has since become a well recognised event, with hundreds of schools and colleges participating across the UK (and beyond!) as well as hundreds of children, parents and carers.

Our seniors were encouraged to fill in our survey on the future thoughts for Kirkham Henry so their voices matter.

11th February 2024

Sunday morning smiles- Happy 1st Birthday to Friends of KH Dance supplies. Thank you to Friends trustees for believing in KH and what we stand for. It’s soul destroying when application after application for funding is turned down and knowing there are people out there who believe wholeheartedly in what you do for the community helps motivate you to keep going , just not the people who decide who will receive grants.

Thanks also to the parents who find the time to help in which ever way possible.

We’re waiting for news when KH CIC will merge with friends charity to become a Charitable incorporated organisation, where we will continue to fight for funding under a new umbrella.

Have a lovely half term everyone

Miss Angela.

14th February 2024

We’re so proud that former pupil Andrew McNicol Artistic Director of mcnicolballetcollective will be in Chicago this week, as his work Yonder Blue will be performed by the @joffreyballet alongside pieces by Liam Scarlett and Stina Quagebeur.

Congratulations Andrew from all at Kirkham Henry. Photo Cheryl Mann

16th February 2024

Another amazing PROUD moment we’d love to share, former pupil Scott Garnham together with Simon Schofield ( Sisco entertainment) are producing Made in Dagenham concert version at The London Palladium on 16th March. Pixie Lott (as Rita O’Grady), Bonnie Langford (as Barbara Castle) and Killian Donnelly (as Eddie O’Grady) see below info regarding full cast and tickets. Brilliant news Scott we are all hugely proud.

17th February 2024

Here’s yet another PROUD moment we wish to share with you from our Head Boy Jack Gibson.

I wasn’t sure which avenue I wanted to take to pursue my dream in technical lighting for live events, but having attended an open day at Rose Bruford College in Sidcup, I knew it was the college and course for me and I am pleased to say that I have received an offer from them to study on their Creative Lighting Control BA (Hons) course from September.

The course tutor commended me for the quality and content of my portfolio saying ‘how it showed hard work and dedication’ both qualities I have learnt in abundance from my time at Kirkham Henry along with my love for performance and everything it entails.

Thank you to everyone who has supported and continues to support as I move towards my next adventure.

We’re so proud of you Jack for your dancing and technical achievements and wish you all the very best for your future. Here’s to hoping you can help us out in Showcase ‘24 ( but still manage the Senior tap number 😱)

18th February 2024

Sunday evening smiles- As Student Volunteering week comes to an end, we still wish to celebrate and thank our Student Volunteers even though it’s been our half term.

Student Volunteering Week is an annual event that celebrates and promotes student volunteerism across the United Kingdom. This week-long campaign encourages students to engage in volunteer activities, make a positive impact on their communities, and develop valuable skills.

What is Student Volunteering Week?

Student Volunteering Week is a nationwide initiative that highlights the importance of student volunteers and the significant contributions they make to society. It provides a platform for universities, colleges, and student organizations to showcase their volunteer opportunities and encourages students to participate in various volunteering projects.

Huge thanks to our student volunteers and teaching assistants who also volunteer extra time to their job description, we’re very grateful and proud of you all.

5th February 2024

Today was a busy ‘connecting ‘ day for Kirkham Henry. Miss Kyla along with Lisa one of our volunteer mums , were part of an event created by Community Mental Health Transformation for all of North Yorkshire and Humber. It was an event to bring together lots of professional organisations that work in their local community and beyond with mental health , physical health , holistic therapies, music reading , dance.

We are all aware of the amazing benefits our classes have for our older community as well as our children and their families and today was a great way to get to find and make connections with local NHS professionals, therapists , mental health workers and get Kirkham Henry into the wider area’s of North Yorkshire .

Lots of chatting and meeting new people , it was a lovely morning . Thanks to Lisa for setting up our little stall to show off our community wellbeing classes for all .

21st February 2024

Save the date. Everyone invited to take part.

SHOWCASE 2024. 20th and 21st JULY.

22nd February 2024

PROUD MOMENT-

11 years ago this week former pupil Samantha Raine danced her final performance on stage at The Royal Opera House Covent Garden and became the youngest ballet mistress of The Royal Ballet company.

Today as Senior Répétiteur Sam (Miss Angela’s youngest daughter) is as busy as ever preparing the Corps de ballet and staging performances for world wide audiences.

Congratulations on your achievements Sam we at KH are extremely proud.