LAST week the speech and drama and music departments were representing Moor Park at the Courtyard Theatre and St John's Church in the Herefordshire Performing Arts Festival.

The cafes adjacent to St John's were brimming with excited children rehearsing their pieces, with evidence of hot chocolate around their lips.

The first class was Year 4 poetry and were thrilled to win gold, silver and bronze - a fantastic start.

Throughout the week the children took part in their competitions in front of audiences ranging from 30-120 people. All the children gave confident, entertaining performances. Public speaking is an essential life skill and one that is encouraged and taught at Moor Park. Examinations are regularly taken and Moor Park students have regularly received some of the highest marks in the country.

Over the week, 59 children took part in poetry, prose and instrumental classes and were supported by family members who patiently watched up to 32 performances in a class and then listened to each personal adjudication. However, the real heart warmer was how team members supported each other, praised their friends when they had returned from the stage and shared in the success of others.

Moor Park finished the festival having won medals in every single class entered. Twenty four medals out of 12 classes; 7 gold, 9 silver and 8 bronze. Alex Limond in Year 4 won two gold medals and was asked by the festival to perform at their Gala night at the Courtyard Theatre.