Ferndown Middle School year 8 pupils recently watched ‘Time in a Bottle’, a drama integral to the teaching of PSHCE.
The play tells the story of Al Kohol who shares with the audience key moments in his life, to date, from 6–24 years old. Like any young person, Al absorbs all that is around him – at home, school and other outside influences. From a fairly early age alcohol is highlighted in the media but no-one seems to talk to him about what it really is.
Once at secondary school, Al gets caught up in a vicious circle of ‘Beer pressure’ that takes him through those vital teenage years.
A series of bad choices culminates in Al suddenly realising that his ‘habit’ of drinking has now taken him through to young adulthood and after a shock at home he realises that too much time has been put into a bottle – now it’s time to take a step back and work out what he really wants.
The play created lively discussion and highlighted the dangers of peer pressure on young people.
Year 5 and 6 pupils watched a theatrical production of ‘Danger at St Magnet’s’. The play was closely linked to the KS2 science national curriculum and was both educational and entertaining. The main theme was materials and their properties and magnets and electricity. It was enriching for the pupils to experience the application of their knowledge and understanding in real life situations. The pupils and staff were encouraged to participate in the performance.
