Here's the 4-1-1 on Chris's old High School
The Official Site: Northgate High
Chris has a lovely mention on the Performing Arts page, that goes a little somthing like this:
Northgate High School has long enjoyed a reputation for fine productions, combining the elements of drama, music and dance with the artistic and technological aspects of scenery production, make-up, lighting and video production.
One of our former students is reading Drama at the University of Cambridge. A current Sixth Form College student, Chris Rankin, played the part of 'Percy Weasley' in "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" and is currently filming the sequel.
We have well-established links with feeder schools, acting as a centre for a number of events including a Wind Band Day and an annual Zimbabwean dance festival. Drama and musical presentations are regularly 'taken' to the local community, be it the opening of Dereham Christmas lights, the Singing Group performing at the local hospital or the Concert Band performing in the local church and primary schools.
We have strong cultural links with a network of European Schools in France, Germany, The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Spain and Belgium. Our Drama Group took the "Little Shop of Horrors" to Europe, performing in Paris, Baarn (The Netherlands) and Dortmund (Germany).
Our Concert Band plans a European tour in 2003. Over the last six years we have been the leading light in a series of European Arts Festivals, at Northgate and also in Dortmund and Amsterdam. The 2002 European Arts Festival is again hosted by Northgate. Fifty European students will be involved in workshops including Stage Design, Clay and Ceramics, Photography, Contemporary Dance, Drama, Orchestral and Choral Work.
Our link with The Clare School in Norwich (a school for children with physical and learning difficulties) has brought tremendous benefits for both school communities and epitomizes Northgate's desire to become a Specialist School in the Performing Arts. Anyone witnessing a group of young people of mixed needs and abilities, working together through the Performing Arts can have no doubt about the power of this medium in acting as a vehicle for raising self esteem, aspirations and achievement.
Having tasted the benefits and opportunities that access to the Performing Arts can bring to the school, and to local and international communities, we have a passion and a mission to increase both the variety and quality of these opportunities. The raising of confidence and self-esteem engendered by increased involvement in Performing Arts projects will raise achievement of students across the whole curriculum in Northgate and its partner schools.
The Dereham community in this part of rural Norfolk has insufficient opportunities for involvement in the Performing Arts. The establishment of a quality venue with facilities for theatre, music and dance will enrich the life of the town, enhancing Performing Arts opportunities for all.
