On 14^th, 21^st and 22^nd November KS2 Drama Club pupils from Essendene Lodge School competed at the Sutton Music Festival in the Speech and Drama section. The children competed in the set poem and duologue category for their respective ages. All of the children performed excellently and received very high feedback from the adjudicator.

Particular success was achieved in the Year 5 and Year 6 set poem category. In the Year 6 category Lottie Church-Brady received first place with a Distinction and Olivia Harris achieved second place. In the Year 5 category Nigella Pearce-Higginson received first place with Outstanding and Euan Campbell achieved second place with Distinction.

Nigella went to achieve the highest score in the Junior Poem Category overall, winning the Cecily Skinner Trophy for Poetry, which will be awarded at the Winners concert on 29^th November.

All children were prepared for the competition by Mrs CHarlie O'Hagan and demonstrated a high level of confidence, speaking clearly and with excellent expression.