Grahamstown has been abuzz this week as schools from around the country are in town to attend the 40th National Schools Festival. The festival, organised by the Grahamstown Foundation's Arts Education department for Grade 12 pupils, started on Sunday, at the tail end of the National Arts Festival, and ends on Thursday.
Grahamstown has been abuzz this week as schools from around the country are in town to attend the 40th National Schools Festival. The festival, organised by the Grahamstown Foundation's Arts Education department for Grade 12 pupils, started on Sunday, at the tail end of the National Arts Festival, and ends on Thursday.
Marketing manager of the festival Benita Rama said it started off well despite poor attendance from Eastern Cape schools.
She said there were about 40 schools from around the country and even one from Zimbabwe.
But the local schools failed to come in numbers and be part of the festival.
"We are not sure of the reason, maybe it had to do with funding issue. Previously we were sponsoring the schools and they were attending the festival very well. "
Also we can't say they were not aware of the festival because we did our best in marketing it. But we also understand that some schools from the location find it difficult to fund raise.
"Transport to get around every day is a problem and some local schools can't afford it. "The festival is a lifetime opportunity for the pupils and they get the chance to mingle with others from other schools and share ideas," said Rama.
She said some of the workshops in the festival programme included the hands-on interactive learning experiences in the 'Be Creative' workshop sessions, creative writing workshops, microphone techniques, and the science of being on air.
Rama mentioned that the Grade 12s this year also had an opportunity to find out about various disciplines of arts, exploring the basics of physical theatre and dance.
"They had the chance to discover their creative writing abilities and the power of words.
"Also they expressed their feelings about life issues they are dealing with through visual art, music, words and movement, and mastering the skills of acting with experts," said Rama.
Some pupils visited the Rhodes University journalism department for journalism and photography workshops.
Photojournalism assistant lecturer at the department Mia van der Merwe gave a workshop titled 'The best camera is the one in your pocket'.
She said it was great working with the pupils.
"We showed them that there was no need to have a fancy camera to take a good picture. You can get a nice picture with your cellphone," said Van der Merwe.
Nicole Howes, a pupil from Grantleigh College in Richards Bay, said the festival was fun and she was learning a from it.
"I'm loving it and have been attending all different types of shows. "It was my first time coming here and one thing I can't leave behind is that it was freezing," said Howes.
