Clubs
You may also be interested in the extra-curricular activities page.
The Animal Shed and Greenfingers Club
Meets in the animal shed every break time and lunchtime. Activities include helping to look after the school rabbits and guinea pigs, and growing and looking after plants. In the spring term help is needed to grow vegetables in the garden to feed the animals and also to help grow flowers for sale to boost animal shed funds to pay vet bills.
to access a PowerPoint presentation about the Animal Shed, designed by a Year 9 student. A printout of the slides in this presentation is also available here (PDF document).Ballroom and Latin Dancing Club
Ballroom and Latin Dancing Club
The St Ivo Ballroom club was started in January 2006 in response students’ requests. Since then, student and staff membership has increased to 44: students from year 7 - 13 enjoy learning all 10 Ballroom and Latin dances. These are: Waltz, Quickstep, Slow Foxtrot, Tango, Viennese waltz, Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba, Jive and Paso Doble. The students also learn basic salsa, and Argentine tango (seniors). Other dances covered are social foxtrot, disco hustle, some sequence and Scottish reels.
Participating in Ballroom and Latin dance is a wonderful way to keep fit, develop confidence and improve learning, particularly for boys. Regular attendance over 6 weeks shows excellent results. This style of dancing is an excellent life skill and already some of the 6th form students who have moved on to university have joined clubs there. Currently some of the year 13 students are also members of the Cambridge University dancers club.
The beginners’ sessions for September 2008 are held on Wednesday lunchtimes from 1:10pm to 1:50pm. Years 7 - 11 in the hall and years 12 and 13 in the gym.
The improvers (last years beginners) and seniors sessions are on Fridays after school, from 3:10pm to 4:15/4:30pm. Seniors in the gym and improvers in the hall.
All members can practise at Tuesday lunchtimes in the hall. There is also general dancing immediately after classes on Fridays until 5.00pm in the hall.
Students from all year groups and staff are always welcome. The club would like to encourage more boys to join. It is best, although not a requirement, to join at the start of the academic year, as the sessions are progressive.
There is no requirement for special clothing, although some students attending Friday lessons, change out of uniform and wear something more comfortable. School shoes are appropriate, however trainers make this style of dancing difficult. Many students, once they become proficient, wear ballroom and latin shoes. These are purchased form a dance shoe stockist. Mrs Bartlett can advise you of the best stockist. The clothing requirement for the public dances depends on what type it is and advice is given at the relevant time.
The club runs at least one social dance evening per term in the school hall as well as Sunday afternoon tea dances from time to time. These are open to the public and are an ideal way to raise funds. Members pay a minimal charge to cover the cost of their refreshments.
The senior club members attend at least 2 Black tie balls per year. Cambridge University Dancers’ Club runs these. They are a fantastic way for the students to dance to full strict tempo bands and to use their dancing skills. There are always demonstrations by professional dance couples at these events. The students also attend other public dances and tea dances in the locality. There is a cost to attend the public events. The club also relies on parent/carer help with transportation.
By attending such functions the students have met professional dancers such as Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova, Ian Waite and Camilla Dallerup, Mario Cavallaro and Joanne Clifton, Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace, Hannah Harala and Andrew Ceurdan, as well as Matthew and Nicole Cutler.
Blackpool Trip
The senior members participated in the inaugural visit to Blackpool at the end of June 2008. They were fortunate to enjoy some of the events of the “Tribute to the War Veterans” week, as well as dance in the Tower Ballroom to the Empress Orchestra. It is hoped that this club trip will become a regular senior members’ event.
Club members have participated in the annual St. Ivo dance production - Spotlight. The dances, performed as teams, were: Cha cha cha, Waltz, Tango, French jive, Paso Doble and Samba.
Once students have regularly attended the club for a full year, they are invited to audition to participate in Spotlight.
Spotlight 2008 was a resounding success. The two dances performed were a Samba to “La Bamba” and a Paso Doble to a James Bond theme tunes medley. In total 39 students participated in the two pieces. Watch this space for Spotlight 2009!
Workshops
Workshops by outside professional dance teachers are run each year. These give the students an opportunity to extend their choreography repertoire and technique. There is a charge for these activities. The next expected workshop will be in July 2009.
Parents/Carers
Parents and Carers are welcome to come and watch the sessions, even participate if they wish. Help is always needed for transport to events and is always gratefully appreciated.
Any students and staff interested in joining the club should please come and see Mrs Bartlett - room 24. If you are a parent/carer interested in helping, especially at future social events, please contact Mrs Bartlett at school.
Books over Breakfast
This small club is for all those students who wish to come and read fun plays. We are a friendly lot and we often have a sixth form volunteer to help us. We have games too! We start at 7.40am with cereals and toast, tea, coffee, orange and apple juice. We finish at 8.30am. We run on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Homework Support Club
Homework Club runs on Monday to Thursday after school, between 3.00pm and 4.30pm, primarily for Year 7. Teaching Assistants are available to offer help and guidance in as many subject areas as possible.
Press Club
The Press Club meets regularly to discuss items suitable for release to the local press, regarding school or individual achievements and events. They produce a display board in the foyer to highlight these activities.
Clubs Timetable
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Monday - Tuesday - Wednesday - Thursday - Friday.