Purcell’s Stellar Coder
We were delighted to hear earlier this week about the exceptional progress Year 9 student Luca has made in the field of coding.
Last term, Luca took part in a coding project called ‘Mission Zero’. The project offered young people the opportunity to write a program which would take a reading from the colour and luminosity sensor on an Astro Pi computer on board the International Space Station (ISS), and use it to set the background colour in a personalised image for the astronauts to see as they go about their daily tasks. Luca‘s code ran on the 22nd May at a quarter past one in the morning whilst the ISS was over North America. His code measured the average colour of the backdrop behind the computer using its colour and luminosity sensor, set some pixels to display that colour as his image’s background, and then set the other pixels to display a tree.
What an out-of-this-world achievement! Congratulations, Luca.
Voice Masterclasses
Last Thursday (6th June), the singers were joined in their regular song class by Stephanie Edwards, a former Purcellian who left in 2015. Stephanie wowed us with her singing of operatic arias by Bizet and Lehar and a highly dramatic lied by Mendelssohn. She then talked us through (and answered questions on) her training at the Royal Scottish Conservatoire, post graduate studies in Berlin and the fascinating and arduous process last year of her auditioning (successfully) for a place in the chorus of the Royal Opera, Covent Garden. The whole session was a real source of inspiration to our current singers.
This Wednesday (12th June), a group of Purcell singers observed a masterclass given by the internationally renowned mezzo-soprano, Anne-Sophie von Otter. It was held in the base of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in Tufnell Park. She was working with four singers who are on the orchestra’s Young Artists program and who sang songs and arias by Monteverdi, Bach, Charpentier and Haydn. Drawing on her own extensive experience, she led the singers through their arias with technical and musical advice which inspired the singers and all of those observing. Thanks are due to Hattie Rayfield who facilitated this opportunity for us.
Concert Department Review
External Concerts
On Saturday 8th June, 5 Purcell students performed at a Lunchtime Concert at St James’ Church, Bushey. This was the second time visiting the church recently, and the audience was warm and full.
Congratulations to Zhuldyz, Yifei, Birce, Lorenzo and Jiahao for performing a wonderful programme of Beethoven, Debussy, Chopin and Boulenger.
Lunchtime Concerts
This week we enjoyed three Debussy pieces, also Milhaud, Wieniawski, Saint-Saëns, Elgar and a jazz standard by Burke and Van Heusen. Piano, violin, cello, and clarinet performances featured, as well as the first harp performance of the term, Etude No.21 by Dizi.
Friday saw a change of venue perfectly suited for a great performance from Martin Shaw’s group.
Well done to Amelie, Begum, Kira, Cole, Farrah, Lorenzo, Yoko, Zhuldyz, Birce, Jiahao, Shlomi, Jacob, Johnathan, Boris, Keir and Adi for your performances.
5-A-Side Football Tournament
Excitement was high on the fields of Purcell last Sunday (9th June) as the 5-a-side football tournament kicked off!
Purcell’s Head of PE and Physical Wellbeing, Hannah Noonan, commented that ‘it was a brilliant event that both staff and students thoroughly enjoyed’ and that ‘the students were an absolute credit to the School and such a joy to watch!’.
The play was quick, competitive and skilful, and the games were full of suspense. The final was between the Orange and Blue teams and, after a closely contested game, the two sides could only be separated by penalties. The Oranges were eventually crowned champions!
Congratulations to all of the students who took part, and particularly to the winning Orange team of Shlomi (Year 11), Sonya (Year 11), Arlan (Year 8), Lucas (Year 8) and Joshua (Year 10).
Special thanks to Estates Supervisor Andy Millman, Sunley Houseparent Rachel Price and Head of PE and Physical Wellbeing Hannah Noonan for organising the event and giving their time so willingly, and a special mention to ex-teacher Panos Fellas for returning to Purcell to referee.
