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Dance
I have always been passionate about exploring creative dance opportunities for
all age groups throughout my teaching career and the different perspectives,
challenges and outcomes they provide. After many discussions of my interest
in Primary outreach work at KEVICC, and doing the odd workshop or tailored
request, this year the Dance Department has been involved in the Primary
Partnership Liaison Programme (PPLP). This has been a real privilege and I feel
so lucky to be a part of. So far this year, I have worked closely with Harbertonford
and The Grove Primary Schools.
Harbertonford requested that I go to their school (as transporting them to
KEVICC was difficult) to teach years 4, 5 and 6 a topic on Space. Both the
teachers and students relished this opportunity and were always very excited
about their Thursday sessions. I was particularly impressed on how the class
teacher engaged with the resources and embellished the work from week to
week so that the work progressed much quicker and with depth of knowledge.
I also learnt some very insightful information about the planets such as that
Mercury has wrinkles, so we built that into the improvisational tasks. It was
also refreshing to see how the year 6 students automatically acted as the lead
learners for years 4 and 5.
After connecting with The Grove for their Performing Arts
Week in the Autumn term, and providing dance workshops
to every key stage, I was excited about their return to KEVICC
to participate in dance based around their new topic – which
was Dartington and Totnes.
I felt the medium of dance was such a positive way to
start their new project. Students in year 3 used a picture
that illustrated the River Dart and came up with the most
wonderful ideas about what they could use to explore dance;
some were literal, like bird-like qualities or a wave from the
river, whilst others were more original like how the shadows
formed on the bridge.
I look forward to my sessions scheduled with Bidwell Brook
and Park School later in the term.
Sarah McInally
I have been part of the team here at KEVICC since January as part of my teacher training for my PGCE in secondary dance at
Exeter University. In this time I have seenfirst hand thedemands andchallenges of teaching ina21st centurysecondaryschool
– and I have loved every minute! Being a teacher is so much more than the delivery of subject knowledge; it includes working
as part of a team, engaging, motivating and encouraging students, as well as getting to know so many people with many
different experiences. The performing arts department at KEVICC have been so welcoming and really made me feel at home.
Dance Trainee
Abbie Gallacher
They have been a joy to work with
and have really given a boost to my
confidence. They are all so passionate
about their subjects and this is clear
through their commitment to their
students alongside the numerous
extra-curricular classes that they run.
A big big thankyou to my subject
tutor Mrs McInally who has really
supported me throughout my time
here. She has demonstrated what
it takes to be a successful teacher
whilst being a great mentor as well.
She has really helped me to develop
my skills as a teacher and I cannot
thank her enough! Mrs Reeves-
Sharp, also a dance teacher, has been
amazing during my time here. Always
available for a chat and a laugh, Mrs
Reeves-Sharp is the perfect teacher
to be working with when you need
cheering up, and such a role model
for aspiring teachers. She has shared
with me many tricks of the trade that
will make my teaching career run a lot
more smoothly.
The students here at KEVICC are also
great to be around with the ability to
motivate staff members with their
enthusiasm and witty comments! The
classes I have taught whilst being here
have been so respectful, and worked
with me to help them progress. The
dance talent students we have here
at KEVICC are exceptional, and it has
been nothing but a pleasure to work
alongside such passionate, committed
and respectful students.
I am so looking forward to coming back
to watch the annual Sprung dance show
in April – good luck to all involved!
Abbie Gallacher
