:: Blessed ::

Three years ago the principle of my school laid down a challenge to me to write my own school production. This wasn't a formal conversation, it wasn't in his office and he probably won't even remember our brief chat on the corridor outside the library after my last school production of 'Charlie and the Chocolate factory'. However, that chat planted a seed in my mind, a seed that grew and grew, just like Alice, into the whole school production that ended last night.

It took two years to write, using 4 adaptations of Lewis Carroll's story. This was followed by 6 months of planning and preparation and finally 6 months of rehearsal.

Two hundred and twenty students from all areas of the curriculum, of all ages and abilities were involved in the acting, set design, choreography, costume, music and much much more.

This was added to by a huge amount of staff who worked hard to bring that little seed, planted three years ago, to life. Without their support and expertise, that seed would never have grown and blossomed into what began as a jumble of ideas and developed into a whole school production.

The last night will be a treasured memory for the rest of my life.

I had two prayers, the first was that 'Alice' would be a truly inclusive production with all pupils from our school community being allowed to be be involved and to be able to share and develop their skills.

My second prayer was that each and every one of them would have great fun, and take the experience with them into the future.

My prayers were answered.

I woke this morning feeling happy and blessed.

The hard work, lack of sleep and during the last week the stress and pressure of getting everything ready was worth every minute when I looked at the faces of those students during the finale as they danced to 'Tainted Love' for the last time.

This was my final production after serving the school in this way for twenty one years.

It marks the end of one journey and the beginning of another.

In all those years I have never worked with such a lovely team of young people, we laughed and had fun at every rehearsal. I didn't have to shout or get cross, they made the process so pleasurable and memorable.

If you read my other blog 'A Still small voice', you will know I am a great believer in the power of love.

The hall was filled with love last night.

My last production was all I every dreamed it would be and more.

I feel blessed .....