b'The News Issue 18 ArtIssue 18 The British School of AmsterdamExhibitionBattle ofThe GCSE and A Level artBook Week the Bands exhibition stands as a testamentBook Week at our school was an exciting one.to the boundless creativity andA celebration of literature and reading! The week kicked off with a This years Battle of the Bands (BotB)plethora of activities and events aimed at fostering a love for books talent within our student body.among our pupils.came back with a super-chargedOne highlight of the week was the Xtreme Reading competition, As the Globe transformed into a gallery, visitors dose of energy, talent and excitementwere greeted by a symphony of colours, textures, andwhere pupils were encouraged to push the boundaries of where and how they read. Whether it was up a tree or underwater, we wanted from the more than fifty musicians,emotions, each piece a reflection of the artist\'s uniqueto see our pupils embrace the adventure of reading.sound and lighting engineers, andjourney and vision. Teachers also got involved by displaying their favorite books on their From intricate pencil sketches to bold sculptures and doors with the "I Am Reading" poster. This not only showcased their ushers that took part - with eachdetailed prints, every artwork told a story, invitingliterary tastes but also sparked curiosity among pupils. Adding to viewers to delve into the depths of imagination and group playing a fundamental roleinterpretation. The exhibition showcased not onlythe fun was the "Who is the teacher?" competition, where teachers hid behind their beloved books, prompting pupils to guess who was in the success of this years event. the technical skill but also the passion and dedicationbehind each one. It was a playful way to engage pupils and inspire them invested by each pupil in their artistic endeavours. to explore new reads.Parents, pupils, and teachers alike marvelled atThroughout the week, English classes featured book recommendations the diversity of styles and themes explored, fromfrom the English team and teachers, encouraging pupils to discover abstract expressions to poignant social commentaries.new literary gems. The Book Day costumes were another wonderful Conversations buzzed around the room as pupilsaspect of the week with pupils and teachers alike doing an incredible shared their insights and interpretations, fostering ajob of being creative with their outfits. Thank you to all who sense of community and appreciation for the arts. participated!Through this showcase, pupils not only celebrated their individual achievements but also demonstrated their ability to communicate and connect with others The bands gave stunning performances with manythrough the universal language of art.individuals making their debut at BotB this year. Every band offered a unique take on a famous rock or pop song and with fifteen bands performingthere was something for everyone.On the night, the judges struggled to pick a winner as performance after performance dazzled the audience with sensational lighting displays and a much improved sound quality after a recent sound-system upgrade in the theatre (thanks to the Parents Organisation)! WhileMedia Trip there could only be one, no wait three, no wait, five winners (several new categories added this year) in truth everyone on and off stage were winners, as band afterThe MediaLIVE! student band left the stage to rapturous applause from a veryconference hosted at DisneylandThe Q&A sessions offered pupils the invaluable enthusiastic audience.opportunity to engage directly with the experts, allowing As last years champions, Jazz Band returned to performParis was an exhilarating andthem to ask questions and gain firsthand career advice. while the judges made their final decisions, and afterinsightful experience for bothThis interactive component added depth to the learning much deliberation: Ominous Circle emerged the winnersexperience, as pupils delved into various aspects of Media of this years event, with Lazer, My Love and Sixth Formpupils and teachers alike. Studies and explored potential career paths.Band snapping up second and third place. New categoriesThroughout the event, leading industry experts deliveredOverall, the MediaLIVE! conference was a resounding included Best Newcomer won by Vortex Blaze and Bestcaptivating presentations, providing a unique insight intosuccess, accomplishing its goal of bringing Media Studies to Original Song which was taken home by The Bananathe dynamic world of the media business. Theselife and fueling pupils\' future career ambitions. The event Splits.presentations not only complemented the curriculum atnot only broadened their understanding of the media All in all it was a hugely successful event. If you missed itboth KS4 and KS5 but also sparked enthusiasm and ignitedlandscape but also instilled in them a sense of excitementwe hope you can make it next year! aspirations among the pupils. and possibility for their future endeavors in the field.16 17'