The Procession - Sunday 8 June StokeFest 2008

If you'd like to find out how we got on with the carnival procession then go to the special carnival blogspot - it's in the other related sites section in the right hand column. But, while you're here - stay a bit longer and find out just how we got to the Stokefest 2008.

What did they say about it?

"He can't get out of the door quick enough on the days when TARU are going in" - Year 4 parent

"She's absolutely loving it. It's the highlight of her week." - Year 5 parent

"I was a bit anxious about whether he'd cope with the noise but in fact it's been brilliant. He's joined in and really stayed focused. It's such an achievement." Year 4, Learning Support Assistant

"When are you coming back? Can we do it again?" - Year 4 student

"It's been brilliant. Just what we needed. So shall we do it again? I'd love to help." Teacher

"Rudy, Rudy, Rudy...." - the clamours in the playground when Rudy arrives says it all really.

Final rehearsals with the primary schools

The first week of term has been a busy one - for Stoke Newington as we find our way through crates and builders as BSF (the infamous Building Schools for the Future programme, otherwise known as Painting Schools for the Future) begins and try to pull together myriad activities that are all going to contribute to a big show of Stoke Newington Schools at StokeFest but also for the primary schools.

For those schools who hadn't yet begun to make their costumes there has been a lot of paper cutting going on whilst everyone had the chance for final rehearsals with TARU.

The percussionists and dancers who've been leading these sessions over the weeks have been praised throughout by staff and children. However, having had a break of over three weeks since the children last had a practical percussion and dance session this was going to be the real test of how well the artists had really done their job... would the children remember?

Well, they did. No surprises there - for many of them this has been the best part of their school week and so yes, they remembered! And are they excited? Just a little. The two classes rehearsed their moves and their rhythyms came together for the first time and became aquainted again with their finished 'gangleader' (the giant puppet) after his/her sojourn to William Patten. And then with excitement really high they performed for the rest of their school or key stage.

And it was great! With drums and the crescendoing "wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo STOKE FEST" passerbys across N16 must have been wondering what was going on. Hopefully they'll all turn up and find out on Sunday.