All schools offer a full academic curriculum and opportunities to take part in many sports. But in a very good school it is the Arts, the Drama and the Music which allow each individual to go slightly further to find out more about themselves, to try different things and to learn about human character and confidence. At Cargilfield these 3 areas are at the heart of our daily lives.
Creativity and inspiration is at the heart of learning.
Art
We strive to keep children who have a passion for the arts “creative”; hence the school’s programme of Art, Drama and Music is a key feature of life at Cargilfield. Art at Cargilfield is taught by a specialist Art teacher from P3 upwards. Art and Design activities promote discovery and understanding of feelings as well as providing a means of expressing these visually. The Art department is a place where pupils can create with confidence and ambition as they react imaginatively to the world around them. The resulting work- so much can be seen around the school – is often very ambitious and frequently of high quality. Several Art scholarships have been won in the past 3 years: to Oundle, Glenalmond, Merchiston and Loretto.
In addition to painting, drawing, print-making, film making, textiles and photography, Design offers a tremendous mix of imagination and practicality. The emphasis is firmly on project work and problem solving and with 3 ICT suites, Cargilfield children are very well supported in their quest for innovation.
Music
Music is a world of beauty, emotion and power and it is our aim to support, encourage and develop all pupils’ music making. Over 200 pupils take individual music lessons, many on 2 or even 3 instruments. Large numbers are involved in a range of groups and ensembles, from small orchestras to wind and jazz bands, from choirs to rock groups. Boys and girls take part in concerts both in and out of school while the chapel choir sings regularly in public each week. Pupils can also benefit from hearing professional musicians perform both at Cargilfield and in Edinburgh and Perth in particular. Master classes are held regularly.
Drama
Drama at Cargilfield is for everybody; both our indoor theatre and our small outdoor theatre are in use throughout the year and up to 6 production take place. The junior drama group works in the evening once a week; the senior drama group works throughout the year. Short and Shakespeare plays are acted by years 6 and 7; P3 perform their own play at half-term in the Summer Term. The junior production is normally outdoors at the end of June and during the last 4 years the following productions have been produced at the school: Fiddler on the Roof, Alice in Wonderland, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Treasure Island and Wind in the Willows.
Art, Music and Drama are about fun and enjoyment but most importantly they are about gaining confidence; confidence gained from working with other individuals, making mistakes and laughing: an important feature of Cargilfield life.
