Drama is an important part of the curriculum in each class in its own right but also is used a teaching strategy in several other subjects eg history, gaeilge, english.
In St. Brendan's, we try to give all children opportunities to perform as often as possible. We hold regular school assemblies to mark special feasts and festivals such as Halloween, St. Patrick's Day, Christmas, Easter etc. It is the tradition for each class to perform one or two pieces relevant to the theme. We enjoy the choral verse, sketches, animated songs and dances that are learned and performed by every class from Junior Infants upwards.
We hold a Christmas Concert every year, with each class usually performing a short play, musical or choral poem. Members of the school community past and present turn up for what is always a heart-warming evening of Christmas performance, cheer and fun.
Most years we hold a Talent Show where children audition and perform in front of an audience.
At all times, the emphasis is on enjoyable participation and a little bit of pushing yourself outside your comfort zone! We are constantly surprised by the previously hidden performing talents that many of our children develop.
We have to mention, of course, the major musicals that have been produced by teacher Olwyn Parslow throughout the years. Olwyn has a huge interest in music and drama and allows children to experience the full production suite from auditions and call-backs to rehearsals, costume design, set painting, sound and stage management. Children were given opportunities to participate in full stage productions in our own school hall. Among the shows produced were: Oliver, Bugsy Malone, The Sound of Music, Grease, Hairspray and even a Christmas Pantomime
The main objective of the drama curriculum in primary school is :
Drama to explore feelings, knowledge and ideas, leading to understanding.
The content of the Drama Curriculum is broken into three strand units:
- Exploring and making drama
- Reflecting on drama
- Co-operating and communicating in making drama
