“The Arts nourish the soul,” said Miss Patricia Routledge at the official opening of the Creative Arts Centre. Miss Routledge was Guest of Honour at the gathering that included Mr Simon Knight West Sussex High Sheriff and Mrs Knight, Mr John Ridd, Chairman of Chichester District Council and Mrs Ridd, Mr Michael Woolley, Mayor of Chichester, Canon Nicholas Frayling, Dean of Chichester Cathedral, Mr David and Mrs Pam Grey, the architects for the Centre, Miss Dale Rooks and Mr Rupert Rowbottom, Chichester Festival Theatre and many parents and friends who had over the past three years made donations for the Creative Arts Centre fund.

Over a hundred guests heard Miss Routledge describe her belief in the importance of the Arts in children’s lives and her admiration for the School’s reputation for the Arts. The Creative Arts Centre is a wonderful vehicle for pupils’ artistic energy, enthusiasm and talent.
Miss Routledge also expressed her admiration at the way the Big Walk involved the whole school and raised over £26,000. She presented prizes, donated by friends and parents, for the most successful fundraisers: Highest Fundraiser Hannah Pownall, 9 Wilson; Best in Each Year fundraisers, Rebecca Wilson, 7 Wilson, Megan Alcock 8 Sherborne, Jodie Wilson 9 Wilson, Hannah Frost 10 Sherborne, Dominic Mortimer 11 Bell, Josh Ward-Penny Year 12, Lewis Jaffa Year 13; Wilson House top House fundraisers, with top twelve pupils Hannah Pownell, Jodie Wilson, Rebecca Wilson, Elaine Sands, Jessica Scott, Benjamin Hetherington, Nicola Timney, Jennifer Brown, Daisy Carlton, Chloe Read, Lucie Mirams and Daniel Patterson. Best tutor group fundraisers were 7 King.
It’s been hard work raising the money for the Centre, but watching pupils at work last night gave vivid proof that it has been worth it. Through its lighting the Drama Studio gave pupils’ presentation of elements of Macbeth an extra intensity and power; next door in the Dance Studio, Year 11 pupils took a Year 7 dance group through its paces making full use of its sprung floor. A Year 10 band demonstrated the versatility of the recoding studio, while in the new Music Room the Swing Band accompanied two singers, Katie Linane and Elliot Hanan, in a number of jazz and rock pieces. A solo guitarist serenaded visitors in the corridor. Upstairs in the new Art Rooms, guests were impressed by the exhibition of Year 10 self-portraits and enjoyed the opportunity to talk with artists from Years 10-13 about their work.

The evening was rounded off by a brief but spectacular fireworks display.
My thanks to everyone – pupils and staff, parents, friends and guests, who made the Opening an occasion to remember.
Nick Taunt
Headteacher

A full-size version of the picture above can be seen here.

This photo is posted in the Picture Gallery PhotoGallery/FormalOpeningoftheCreativeArtsCentre.