Tonight, in Mayfield, our school musical will open, and there are a lot of nerves around the place.  Kind of the reaction that you would hope from the students.  But what a journey they have had to get this far.

I don’t know how many schools still do musicals as part of their Transition Year experience, but I hope that it’s a lot.  There is so much going on that it is something that, I believe, really adds to the whole TY experience, and benefits the students hugely.

Obviously, there is the sheer work of learning script and song.  There is the choreography, there’s the stage directions.  But unless you have been in one, it’s hard to comprehend just how much time is taken up with nitty-gritty details, and how much commitment is required from ALL of the cast and crew.

When the musical practices began, we had students who had never memorised a script, never sang in public, and never danced on stage.  And now they’re doing all three.  The students who were lucky enough to be picked for these roles have grown so, so much over the past few months that you cannot but be immensely proud of what they have achieved.  Add to that the effort put in by the back stage crew, those helping with costumes, props, and it really is an incredibly team effort.

The effort isn’t just confined to school time either.  We had students in each day of St. Patrick’s weekend.  And while they were in, they worked hard.  Ditto for the mid-term break.  They were all in, working their hearts out, and not complaining about it.

Anyway.  Sometimes it’s just good to remind ourselves about the good things that happen in our schools.  I’m looking forward to the show tonight, and again, just so proud of what the students have achieved.  Break a leg, guys.