Invicta Vlogs
VIAT Festival of Art, Literature and Music
For me, one of the best things about being part of the Valley Invicta Academies Trust is when the schools come together to create a sense of inspiration and community quite unlike anything else. On a sweltering Saturday in July, students from Invicta, Valley Park, SST, and The Lenham School gathered to produce a spectacular exhibition of talent at the first ever VIAT Festival of Art, Literature and Music. From orchestral showcases to poetry readings, incredible artwork to choral medleys, the amount of hard work and passion put in by every single participant was clear.
On the outdoor stage, the festival vibe really came to life, with spectacular performances by bands from each school, as well as some truly amazing soloists. The mix of genres provided something for everyone, with pieces ranging from a head-banging rendition of ‘Basket Case’ by Green Day, to jazzy ‘Soul Bossa Nova’ from Austin Powers. It was great to see students, relatives, staff, and even alumni enjoying soft serve ice creams on the grass whilst appreciating the musical displays, in such a relaxed and uplifting environment; a new setup for school events which I’m sure will remain popular with many! The vitally supportive atmosphere between students is evident at all of Invicta’s performing arts showcases, and continued to be as visible as ever throughout the festival, even with performers from different schools despite never having met before.
Up on the second floor of the SST building, the stunning art exhibition featured over 600 pieces produced by the talented artists from all nine Trust schools, both primary and secondary, highlighting the value of creative expression across a wide range of stimuli, media, and size. It was brilliant for artists to have their work shown as part of a wider event - Skilled crafts that often, do not get a chance to be seen by the rest of the school community, but here were appreciated by many children and adults alike.
In the Literature Marquee, there was a programme of moving and interesting events throughout the day, as well as a display of colourful ‘trees’ made up of students’ favourite books, quotes, and story illustrations. Spectators had the opportunity to hear a striking selection of poetry readings, monologues, and short stories from students at all schools, presenting their passion for different topics, as well as reflecting on their time at school. Between the emotion and captivation of this student work, were discussions lead by visiting author Lauren James and Invicta teacher Guy MacDonald, talking about their inspirations, journeys, and experiences to becoming published writers, allowing the audience to gain a first-hand insight into the field, and ask any burning questions about the intriguing process. Once again, the inclusion of these performances within the festival line-up was amazing to broaden what was available for attendees to enjoy; it’s safe to say there was plenty to keep everyone well entertained!
The indoor stage, seating over 100 audience members, was home to yet another impressive array of musical performances, staging the larger school choirs and orchestra for their show-stopping numbers from Lord of the Rings, Hamilton, and much more. The instrumental flair of students was astonishing, and the attention to detail in every recital really paid off, treating spectators to a rich ‘wall’ of sound that can only ever come from dedicated rehearsal. The day culminated with a musical showcase including students from across all four schools, bringing together the orchestra, choir, vocal soloists, drummers, and a very enthusiastic lead guitar soloist, to produce a breath-taking rendition of Muse’s ‘Knights of Cydonia’. By the final note, very few audience members (and performers!) were left without goosebumps, tears forming, or a huge grin of pride - It truly was a display worthy of any stage at Glastonbury, and a credit to the tireless work of the Music Department staff.
As the end of the academic year becomes suddenly within touching distance, the VIAT festival was a great way to celebrate finally having a full six terms of face-to-face education! Whilst of course there have been ups and downs, there’s no doubt a reflection on how grateful we are is due, since in-person gatherings are such a crucial part of the Invicta experience, and only continue to get bigger and better. Whenever I have the opportunity to help organise, participate in, or even just attend a school event, I am reminded of how proud I am to be a part of this school’s community. Its joyfulness, ambition, and professionalism is truly unmatched, and epitomised through these special occasions where everyone comes together as a team, to make great lasting memories. There’s nothing quite like reminiscing on your favourite experiences, and how they’ve contributed to your growth as a whole person, and for me, this is definitely one that will make Invicta remain close to my heart for years to come.
Amelie Coy
Prefect
