Grade 2 Assembly, May 2, 2019

WHEN GRADE 2 STUDENTS TAKE CENTRE STAGE, CONFIDENCE ROARS

By Jennifer Pawluk, Communications Specialist

Earlier this week, I had asked Ms Hanson's Grade 2 students why they enjoy performing:

Exclaimed one, "I like having all eyes on me!"

For many, in the spotlight is an uncomfortable place to be.

Not so at Balmoral Hall School.

Recently, Ms Hanson's and Ms Borodkin's Grade 2 classes entered the spotlight not once, not twice, not thrice, but on four occasions over a period of two weeks from late April to early May.

First, they welcomed their parents to an intimate talent show, held in Dr. Doerksen's music classroom, on April 26. Joining them, I was awed by their powerful stage presence. Imagine a seven-year-old belting out Katy Perry's "Roar" from her seat behind the piano. Someone else performed "Reflection," from the Disney musical Mulan, unaccompanied. Others demonstrated their skills in dance, gymnastics, fencing, archery, and martial arts. Lego and playdough and paint, oh my!

Most remarkable, however, was the excitement that they shared in learning more about each other.

"Some of the talents, we didn't know that some of our friends actually had (those)," shared another Grade 2 student.

Collaboration strengthened their highly anticipated assembly on May 2, presented to their Junior School peers, as well as Grade 2 families, in Sifton Family Theatre.

"In an adaptation of Peter Reynold's The North Star, we explored the idea that we each have our own paths to discover and follow in life," explained Ms Hanson, "and so public speaking, movement, and drama all played a part in our assembly."

Added Ms Borodkin: "Confidence and understanding the importance of practice resulted in a wonderful performance."

Next, Grade 2 students performed for a full house on Grandparents' Day, May 3, both with the Mozart-Shield-winning grades 1 to 3 choir and later on their own as a dance troupe.

Finally, they reprised their show-stopping performance of "The Pink Panther Theme" for the Junior School dance recital, May 10.

"As classroom teachers, it is gratifying to see them shine in areas that we do not always observe in class," Ms Borodkin said.

Concluded Ms Hanson: "In their learning, Grade 2 students demonstrate the ability to be risk takers and remain open-minded as they celebrate their strengths and discover new things."

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Balmoral Hall School

630 Westminster Ave. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada  R3C 3S1
Tel: (204) 784-1600 | Fax: (204) 774-5534 | info@balmoralhall.ca
Charitable Registration No. 12994 3932 RR0001
Our mission at Balmoral Hall School is to inspire girls’ imagination and the courage to excel, to reach, to lead, to care.

We are a nondenominational independent day and boarding school, educating students from Junior Nursery to Grade 12.