On Wednesday 6th November, a selection of students from Year 9 to 11 were invited to enjoy a touring production of Afsaneh Gray's 'The Border' by Theatre Centre.

On Wednesday 6th November, a selection of students from Year 9 to 11 were invited to enjoy a touring production of Afsaneh Gray's 'The Border' by Theatre Centre. The academy was lucky enough to receive this visit as part of a national competition prize, won by Year 9 student, Scarlet McElwee.

In the autumn term, last year, around 180 Year 8 students entered Theatre Centre's National monologue writing competition, which Scarlet was declared the overall winner of. Her monologue was then performed and filmed by a professional actor and shared as part of the company's digital monologue festival in early 2019.

The theme of the competition centred around peace and conflict, which was reflected in the message of the play too: a comedic and clever piece, focused on the separation of a young girl and her beloved dog, due to the segregation of the fictional lands of West and East Oolia. The production allowed students, and accompanying staff alike, to consider their thoughts on what it means to be a stranger or a friend; when people should open their borders to others in need; and the importance of using their voices to speak up about the issues they deem most important.