P7 pupils in St. John’s High School, Dungiven

P7 PUPILS GET THE DRAMA ‘BUZZ’ AT
ST. JOHN’S PRIMARY SCHOOL!

St. John’s Primary School in Dernaflaw, Dungiven, was the setting on 10th March ‘05 for 3 small plays by the P7 class.  The collection of sketches was the main project of the young participants as part of the Verbal Arts Centre’s ‘BUZZ’ Programme which had lasted nine weeks.

Drugs Education

Cynthia Browne, The Verbal Arts Centre’s Creative Arts Co-ordinator in Drugs Education, explained the work which culminated in the plays; “Very often, as an element of participation in the BUZZ Programme, groups produce main projects which are designed to act as part of a campaign in their local area and well beyond, as was the case with St. John’s Primary School’s live drama which was performed to other school pupils and staff, parents, French exchange pupils and other visitors.  In preparation for the performance, over a number of weeks, P7 were divided into 3 groups and they then devised storylines and wrote scripts on the subject of how to say “No” to a drug pusher. The resulting sketches were diverse, sometimes hilarious, poignant and even surprising, but thoroughly enjoyed by the equally varied audience in attendance.”

An example of one of the scripts is below;

Finvola – Woho!

Erin - Look who’s coming!

Anna – Aye, the Odd Squad!!

Louise – No, the three drug addicts!!

Riona - Do you want some?

Louise - No thanks, they don’t tempt us.

Shauna - Maybe I’ll try a wee taste, sure it does no harm.

Girls - Can we have a word with Shauna? (said in an angry voice)

Niamh - In private…please.

(Girls talk to Shauna and she changes her mind)

Erin - She’s changed her mind.

Finvola - You mean you three have changed her mind for her!

Riona - Are you sure you don’t want some?

Niamh - No thanks, we don’t want to waste our lives on drugs just like you!!

(Niamh pushes Riona’s hand out of the way and the drugs fall on the ground and they scramble on the ground trying to pick them up)

Louise – Sure, you’re drunk and so stupid!

Anna  - Look at us, we‘re fine!!

Niamh - I look at you!!

(Anna falls pulling the other dealers down with her)

Erin - At least we can stand on our own two feet!!

(Girls laugh and walk away)

Shauna - I really have to go to the toilet, I’ll catch up with you later.

Girls - No way!!

Shauna whispers - Watch this!

Dealers – So, do you want some now that your stupid friends are gone?

Shauna - Yes, give me the lot.

(Riona laughs at the girls)

(Shauna takes the drugs, throws them on the ground and stamps on them)

Louise - Who’s laughing now?!

Girls - Good one, Shauna!!

By pupils in P7, St. John’s School, Dernaflaw, Dungiven