Ms Hagerty writes about Strictly Heads…
As you know, we have been planning Strictly Heads for the last year or so and the event finally took place last Sunday at the Park Plaza, Westminster and was a huge success! It was wonderful to see parents and pupils there, not to mention the fun of also winning it!
The whole project was in aid of the London-based charity icandance who work with children and young people with disabilities through dance and performance. In the lead up to the event, each school planned their own fundraisers and in January, we also held an inspiring online Youth Seminar involving icandance members and young people from the 16 schools, which brought the topic of inclusion front and centre.
I would like to thank Sophie (Year 10) and Tilly (Year 10) who were incredibly efficient Stage Managers, Lily (Year 11), Ana G (Year 10), Amalia (Year 11) and Lucrezia (Year 10) for singing so beautifully in the foyer, Clara (Year 8) and Amanda (Year 8) for their help with our celebrity judges and host and of course Minnah (Year 8) who co-hosted with Myleene Klass with such professionalism and stage presence. I would also like to thank Erona (L6th) and Skye (L6th) who assisted with costumes, spending a huge amount of time researching costume styles for all of the Heads, then designing and creating my costume, including last minute alterations on the day.
At the event, the young people from icandance proudly sported t-shirts with ‘Believe it’ printed on the back and the mood was one of empowerment, togetherness and joy as everyone present at the event danced freely together on stage and the differences between us melted away. We all felt what inclusion means in those moments and will never forget the experience. So far, a fantastic £12,000 has been raised for icandance!
I am not sure what we will do next, but I am sure you agree that More House should continue to partner with icandance after such a magical experience on this project.
Credits: Photographs by Fiona Bailey and More House School.
