13th July 2018

Summer Concert 2018

Mr Riding would like to send the following message to all those who planned, took part in or attended the Summer Concert on Monday 9th July:

“The Summer Concert 2018 will live in my memory for ever. It was a culmination of 12 fantastic years watching the Performing Arts Department grow and flourish in our school. Every single person who stepped onto any of the three stages should feel really proud of themselves. The sheer quality of the performances was totally outstanding. As I said on the evening, I was not allowed to have a programme so that I didn’t know what was coming next. I was just told to sit back, relax and enjoy it! What a pleasure it was! I loved the idea of past pupils looking back over each of the last 12 years. Their messages were fantastic and provided a suitable backdrop to the performances. The ‘play list’ was a total joy to me as it represented all of my favourite music and all of my favourite shows. How Mrs Colclough remembered that, from a discussion we had on a bus travelling along the east cost of America in 2015, I will never know . . . but then again, nothing Mrs Colclough does surprises me if I am being honest.

It was a real privilege to see all the pupils performing but I would like to say a particular thanks to those past pupils who returned to All Hallows. I tried to see everyone after the concert but some had left and I didn’t see everyone. To all of you I say a huge THANK YOU SO MUCH for giving up your time to return. It was a joy to see you and I (and all other staff) felt a real sense of pride when seeing the fantastic, talented people you have become.

What can I say about Mrs Colclough? She too must have taken huge pride in seeing everyone. The work she has done over 11 years at All Hallows was, for me, encapsulated in a wonderful evening of celebration. I know how much she has inspired all the performers, the esteem in which she is held by you all and the pride you all get in being part of a very special part of our school. I thank her sincerely for all she has done for all of us by providing such an inspirational ‘platform’ for our incredibly talented pupils.

To everyone involved in any way, thank you so much for making last Monday the best Performing Arts night I have ever had in 38 years of teaching.”