PERFORMING ARTS HOUSE FESTIVAL (PAHF

Together apart. PAHF 2020. The challenge this year has been like no other. Reimagining 20 minute live performances to 6 minute videos. The joy that our community felt when coming together to watch the films from each House. This year, in a year like no other, the Ruyton girls rose to the challenge. The aim of this year’s PAHF was to explore our 2020 life on loop, and the importance of #stayinside and #staytogether, and the idea of connecting via socially distanced media. Inspired by the classic movie Groundhog Day, each House’s final plot was influenced by whether it was summer, autumn, winter or spring. During this unique event, our Year 11 students displayed exceptional leadership and rose to the challenge with creativity and grit. The creation process involved lots of Microsoft Teams conversations, and a Mentor and Workshop Day with the Year 11 Leaders on topics such as dance, editing, filming, plot development, and leadership/ organisational skills, with expert staff in these areas.

The Year 11 girls then facilitated and led a PAHF day entirely online, with the whole Senior School. Art, music, acting, filming, dancing and singing were all brought to the fore, as well as the incredible editing and technical skill of the Year 11s, who tirelessly learnt how to edit hundreds of hours of footage into a six minute piece. As Lauren Perfect, our Deputy Principal, Head of Senior School aptly said: ‘It took great courage for all girls to step out of their comfort zone and create an artwork together, however, if the final product is anything to go by, this risk was well and truly worthwhile … It was a very special moment that the whole Ruyton Senior School community deserves to be incredibly proud of.’ Congratulations to all the girls involved in creating this spectacular event. It is a testament to their ability to find leadership within themselves and others in uncertain times, and we couldn’t be prouder. Darcie Kane-Priestley and Ange Allen Director of Drama and House Co-ordinator