Local students shine in examinations

Local students shine in examinations

5 May 2021

PUPILS at Mourne Stars Speech and Drama are as resilient as ever as they have continued to take part in lessons during lockdown.

Classes have been able to go ahead via zoom and have been as popular as ever.

Drama teacher Clare Murnin is extremely impressed with the resilience of each and every one of her pupils, how determined they are to learn and enjoy drama, no matter what is happening in the world.

In class they continued to enjoy performing poetry, s and Improvisations, all the while developing their confidence, self-esteem and communication skills.

Clare has pupils in Newcastle (usually in the parish centre) and has been teaching sessions to pupils in Moneydarragh Hub in Annalong, Newry Street Unite, Kilkeel, and has recently had some pupils take part in a taster course in association with Jason Magee School of Music.

Just before Easter a number of Clare’s pupils took part in graded examinations. These exams were in speech and drama and acting.

Clare said: “For the speech and drama grades the pupils have the opportunity to study poetry and stories. They learn to recite these with confidence, clear expression and articulation.

“They learn how to discuss their work with the examiner and it is wonderful to watch their communication skills develop. It is amazing to see how each of these pupils have developed in confidence and the exams are a wonderful way to mark this achievement.

“As pupils progress through the grades, they learn so much about how the voice works along with literary techniques which, in turn, helps them with literacy and English at school.”

She continued: “Some senior pupils chose to do the acting pathway which involved them studying plays and monologues and understand how to develop characterisation, all the while enhancing their voice, movement, gesture and facial expression.

“The acting exams are very like the audition process which some of the pupils have taken part in before for local casting agents. They all worked extremely hard last term and were all very deserving of their results.  A huge well done to each of them for their determination to do well.” 

A few pupils also took part in the Newry Musical Virtual Feis and received various awards. Watch this space for updates on their achievements as and when they receive their awards.

Missing from the photos are Brendan Morgan (Grade 2 Acting) and Feargal Leblanc (Grade 4 Acting).