News from Mr Grady
Thursday 15th January 2026
Hello everyone, and a happy new year to you!
I hope the Christmas break was a refreshing one. It feels a long time ago now, with a snow day under our belt for the year.
This week, we have the joy of the school production – Teechers, by John Godber. I am told, by several cast members, that it is very funny, and perhaps even a little bit rude. I shall look forward to both aspects enormously (I am going to see it tonight!)
As a Drama teecher at heart, I always love the buzz of the school production, the sense of working as an ensemble, and the chance to see our students in an entirely different light to the way we see them during the day.
It is always a pleasure to see them own the stage, and make the material their own, building character, setting and atmosphere and all in all having a whale of a time. I miss the rehearsals, and those final few days where you wonder will it ever be ready? (it always is) And what if things go wrong? (They always do, but somehow everyone makes it work!)
I can honestly say that it was in being part of the school band, and then proceeding to working on stage and then directing that I knew I’d “found my tribe.” Even at the age of 16, the stage, the rehearsal room and the collaborative nature of working with different people to achieve something greater than all of us, felt like home.
I hope our students (some veterans of school productions, and some newly inducted) enjoy the next two nights, holding the audience rapt, making us laugh, think and challenging us to reflect. It is a privilege to take to the stage and say “for the next couple of hours, we’re going to entertain you.” It takes courage, confidence, and commitment to do so, and I wish everyone involved, including the wonderful Mrs D’Souza, Mrs Sabin and Mr Tarry the very best of runs, and as Mr Basford might be heard yelling: “Right everybody, Hands on heads and fingers on lips…”
Stay safe and well everyone!
Best wishes,
Mr Grady
