The Arts

Headfort children are active in the realms of music and drama, as well as the visual and plastic arts. Around half of the children learn an instrument. Roughly one third of them learn piano; and the remainder any combination of drums, recorder, clarinet, guitar, accordion, trumpet and violin. Pianists may sit music exams if they choose or simply play as an entertaining hobby. The other instruments are played as a hobby. There is an annual concert in the summer term. Children play as soloists or in small groups. The school also has a choir and two rock bands, one for the older children and one for young enthusiasts.

We have a considerable dramatic tradition. The play occupies a great many children during evening Playtime in the Spring term, either on the stage or helping with lights, costumes, props and sound. Past productions have included Shakespeare, Sean O’Casey, ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird’, adaptations of Wodehouse, Lewis Carroll and Dickens, as well as pantomimes and musicals. Parents form an appreciative audience, generally on St. Patrick’s Day.

Art is part of the curriculum and there is also the chance to do a little Extra Art during Playtime and some evenings. There is an exhibition on St. Patrick’s Day and another before the Carol Concert that concludes the Autumn Term. These exhibitions often show work of a remarkably high standard – a testament to the teaching level, and also to the place itself: Headfort is a place of unusual beauty, and there is no question that its building and surroundings encourage artistic expression on the part of the children.

Children have cultural contact with the wider world by means of trips to plays in Dublin, visiting musicians who give recitals at Headfort, and via television and radio. In the past few years we have heard John O’Conor, Ian Shaw and Donovan performing in our Ballroom.

Reading is also an important part of culture. We have a good central library and there are satellites in most form rooms. The various departments also maintain small libraries. J.K. Rowling has given reading a tremendous fillip and we duly celebrated the Order of the Phoenix on Midsummer’s day in 2003, complete with the ‘Sunday Independent’ and RTE’s Oliver Callan. We are happy to offer guidance to parents over the choice of books.