April 2024
Dear Trinity College London South Africa community,
This month I would like focus on two collaborations Trinity College London is lucky to be involved with; firstly, the National Ensemble Competition spearheaded by the team from Rustenburg Girls’ Junior School in Cape Town, and secondly the collaboration between Trinity College London and Creative Education International (CrEd) which has a broader Africa focus in Drama and Musical Theatre.
I have been collaborating closely with the team putting the National Ensemble Competition together and it’s been a pleasure to be a part of the process. Hendrik Marais, Head of Music and Creative Arts at Rustenburg Girls’ Junior School in Cape Town, is the driving force behind the initiative, ably supported by a strong team. Following on from similar events, this will be held annually and draw ensembles from around the country and from a diverse set of entrants.
I know firsthand the joy of ensemble music making, and it was a very easy decision to motivate for Trinity to become lead sponsors of the Ensemble Competition. Although the inaugural event will no doubt feature many Western Cape schools, we know its success will lead to a larger intake of entrants from further afield in years to come. From the Trinity perspective, it is an honour to be involved and to have the Trinity brand associated with such a positive music education event.
Creative Education International (CrEd) is an Africa focused arts education organisation, with a growing footprint on the continent. As announced earlier this month, Trinity College London and CrEd have entered into a partnership which will bring the organisations closer together, making it easier for CrEd students to gain international qualifications through Trinity College London. It's a win-win arrangement as it allows Trinity to broaden its reach, and it brings internationalisation, professionalism and teacher support and training to the CrEd network.
In the introductory Webinar (you can access the recording below), Duncan Rice of CrEd outlines the idea of the essential skills learned through performance arts education, and how these need to be seen in the context of today's world of work. These skills include creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. We hope and believe this patnership will ultimately allow more African learners to gain these skills, and in so doing continue to succeed in all areas of life.
Best regards,
Peter
Peter Borchers - Trinity College London National Manager for South Africa, Botswana and Namibia
peter.borchers@trinitycollege.com
