Creative Arts
Our desire to develop confidence within our pupils at The Banda is inextricably linked with encouraging creativity, both through performance or artistic expression.
Drama
Drama is interwoven into life at The Banda, whether in the classroom or on the stage. A weekly Drama lesson is taught by a specialist teacher and a host of performance opportunities are provided throughout the Upper School and are exciting favourites on our annual calendar – these take us from events such as the Verse Speaking Competition and Year 5 and 6 play, to the annual Year 7 Shakespeare en promenade performance. Excitement builds each year towards the main school musical production which has delighted audiences with classics such as The Lion King, The Wiz, Little Shop of Horrors and Bugsy Malone in recent years.
Art and Design & Technology
A buzz of industrious activity will be found on opening the door to the Arts Centre. Our Art room is a purpose-built studio with high ceilings and ample natural light and pupils gain experience in drawing, painting, still-life, animation and printmaking through the study of a curriculum that is fresh and stimulating.
Our DT workshop boasts a healthy selection of tools, machinery and sewing machines along with purpose-built benches and vices. A varied and creative curriculum covering the key aspects of woodwork, textiles, electronics, graphics and computer-aided design ensures pupils are kept stimulated and excited by all that is on offer in the workshop. A Food Technology room also allows for this aspect of the DT curriculum to be followed.
Potential Art and DT scholars are identified and enrolled in a scholarship programme and we are proud of our excellent success rate to top secondary schools both overseas and here in Kenya.
Singing
A thriving vocal scene allows for all our pupils to have the opportunity to sing. The Main Choir is open to all and regularly performs in assemblies and concerts. Our Chamber Choir is made up of pupils selected on their musicality and vocal ability and the music is generally specifically arranged for the choir by one of the music staff, resulting in a completely original repertoire. There are opportunities to study voice with our singing specialist and every year we are proud to host the inter-school Vocal Festival.
Instrumental Music
Whether our pupils wish to play piano, woodwind, brass or strings, our team of peripatetic music teachers allow for a wide range of musical instruments to be taught. Orchestras and ensembles provide the added bonus of playing music together with friends and we are always keen to showcase their talents in concerts and assemblies. We help pupils prepare for ABRSM and LCM music examinations, as well as, for our strongest musicians, scholarships to secondary schools.
