Student Zone » Extra-Curricular Activities
Extra Curricular Activities
The Expressive and Performing Arts Team at St Wilfrid’s work closely with English/PE learning areas to provide many opportunities through extra-curricular activities in the Arts to complement classroom teaching. We've previously participated in the Woodard School’s Symphony Hall Concert in Birmingham and a two night residential to see RSC productions of ‘Taming of the Shrew’ and ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, 'Wicked' in London as well as trips to many other theatre events. Professional artists are also invited to visit the school with expert workshops on stage make up application and lighting design techniques. Additionally, we participate in the Bolton Book Award and have had famous children’s authors working with pupils including Joe Craig and Nigel Hinton – unforgettable hands-on experiences which the students thoroughly enjoy.
In Music, inspirational choral work is a regular feature of the performing life of St Wilfrid’s with our beautiful Christmas Carol Service always a highlight. In Dance recently, we helped to showcase the talents of our family of schools’ primary students; and a thriving Art Club exhibited successfully at our end of term Artfest. We have performed our whole school musicals ‘The Wizard of Oz’, and 'Hairspray' and eager modern musicians recently contributed to a well received ‘Rock Fest’ concert at King George’s Hall in Blackburn. Whether you’re a performer, a visual artist, or someone interested in being an effective back stage crew hand, there will be something for you to get involved in at St Wilfrid’s and you’ll feel a valued member of the team.
A ‘Readathon’ raised over £2000 for children’s charities in its first year (1997), and is now established as an annual event in the school’s busy calendar of events.
The Young Engineers and Technology clubs continue to flourish, whilst the Science Area is engaged in a number of external competitions.
Duke of Edinburgh Scheme
From the age of fourteen (Year 10), young people can enrol to join the Award and progress through the three levels; Bronze, Silver and Gold.
We have many pupils who join and train, in their own time, to participate to gain this ‘extra’ qualification. Pupils must fulfil the requirements of each of the four sections of the Scheme; Service, Skill, Physical Challenge and Expedition. The activities encourage cooperation, responsibility, self-reliance, personal achievement and perseverance embodied within a spiritual, personal and social development. St Wilfrid’s is proud to say that at last years presentation ceremony we had more pupils receiving awards than in any other Blackburn school! As we have our own highly skilled, experienced and qualified leaders you can rest assured that participants are in safe hands.
The opportunity is for all and challenge is the essence of the concept. The Expedition programme exemplifies this with planning, preparing and completing a journey with a specifically outlined purpose.
Practice and Assessment journeys are generally undertaken in areas like Trough of Bowland and Derbyshire area for Bronze and Silver Awards. The more adventurous Gold Expeditions tend to take place in mountainous regions, like Snowdonia in Wales and the Ben Nevis region of Scotland. Five of our students successfully completed their Gold expedition this summer and will be meeting the Duke himself in spring to receive their awards. Prospective employers and Universities look favourably on this award as it shows a level of commitment. It is also a lot of fun!