DRAMA

Braeburn International School

Drama Department Newsletter – Term Highlights

Year 7 • Year 8 • IGCSE Year 9.5 & 10
“Expressing Ideas • Building Confidence • Creating Together”

📚 Year 7 – Exploring the World of Drama

This term, our enthusiastic Year 7 students laid the foundation for their drama journey by developing an understanding of key theatre concepts and performance techniques. They explored the language of drama, learning to use basic stage directions and terms such as “blocking,” “improvisation,” and “projection” confidently in class activities.

Students engaged in various practical workshops designed to build acting skills, including facial expressions, body language, and voice control. Through script work and improvisation, they practiced interpreting characters, communicating emotions, and responding to different dramatic situations.

They also developed a basic understanding of stagecraft—including how lighting, sound, and set design contribute to mood and storytelling. Working collaboratively in groups, students planned and presented short performances, learning the value of teamwork and constructive feedback.

Above all, Year 7 students made impressive strides in building self-confidence, improving public speaking, and beginning to reflect meaningfully on their own performances and those of their peers.

Year 8 – Broadcasting for Radio

Year 8 students stepped into the role of scriptwriters, voice actors, and directors through our creative unit on Broadcasting for Radio. This exciting unit focused on storytelling through sound, encouraging students to think critically about how dialogue, sound effects, and vocal tone bring stories to life without visual elements.

Students wrote their own short scripts, incorporating elements such as narration, character dialogue, and environmental sounds. They explored the importance of tone, pitch, pace, and pause in vocal delivery, learning how to vary their voices to suit different characters and emotions.

Working in teams, they recorded and presented their scripts, using minimal props to simulate a real radio studio environment. These experiences helped students express ideas more clearly, reflect on their speaking habits, and develop confidence in performance without relying on visuals.

By the end of the term, students demonstrated growth in creative thinking, vocal control, and collaborative communication—key skills not only for drama, but across all disciplines.

🎭 IGCSE Drama Year 9.5 & 10 – Embracing the Stage and Studio

This term marked an exciting beginning for our IGCSE Drama students in Year 9.5 and Year 10 as they were introduced to the Cambridge IGCSE Drama Curriculum. Students explored both the theoretical and practical elements of drama, understanding what is expected in terms of coursework, performance preparation, and written reflection.

Workshops focused on developing core acting skills, such as character development, vocal expression, physicality, and spatial awareness. Students also began exploring voice acting techniques, learning how to adapt their voices for different roles, moods, and audience settings.

A major highlight of the term was their collaborative puppet theatre project in celebration of Swahili Day. Together, the students designed and constructed a puppet show set, working hands-on with materials to build a miniature stage and scenery. They created and animated animal puppets, each with a distinct personality and voice. These characters were brought to life through well-rehearsed scripts, and students applied voice variations, tempo shifts, and dramatic timing to bring authenticity to their performances.

This project allowed students to apply their understanding of stage set-up, character creation, and ensemble performance while building strong collaboration with peers. They also demonstrated the ability to reflect on their own work, giving and receiving constructive feedback as they refined their presentations.

✨ Final Thoughts

Across all year groups, our drama students have shown incredible growth in confidence, creativity, and collaborative thinking. Whether stepping onto a stage for the first time, writing their own scripts, or performing behind a puppet curtain, our students continue to shine as imaginative thinkers and expressive communicators.