On Monday afternoon, the Upper School gathered for one of the most anticipated events in the Chinthurst calendar – the House Performing Arts Cup. The hall was alive with excitement as each House proudly presented their four finalists.

We were delighted to welcome two distinguished guest judges: Mr Lobb, Music Teacher at Reigate Grammar School, and Mr Freeman, Head of Drama and Theatre Studies at RGS Surrey Hills. Both judges offered thoughtful and encouraging feedback, recognising not only technical skill but also the creativity and commitment shown by every performer.

The House Captains confidently introduced each act, setting the tone for a truly memorable afternoon.

Griffin House opened the event with a poised piano solo from Matthew, whose confident performance and excellent pedal control were praised. Niko also impressed on the piano, demonstrating strong stage presence and a polished, secure delivery, enhanced by a striking costume.

In drama, Sebastian and Oscar performed a duologue and were commended for their strong characterisation and convincing on-stage relationship. Florence and Emma also delivered an engaging duologue, skilfully switching roles and capturing both humour and mischief with ease. Anya and Freya brought their characters vividly to life in their duologue, captivating the audience throughout.

Aarya delivered a beautiful dance performance, demonstrating excellent timing, musicality and fluid movement, while Kyra’s monologue was powerful and emotive, leaving a lasting impression on the judges.

Musical highlights continued with Adam’s technically demanding cello performance, praised for its rich tone and expressive vibrato. Arnie also impressed with a lyrical and challenging cello piece played high on the neck, filling the hall with a confident and resonant sound. Yusuf’s soft and expressive piano performance showcased strong musical awareness, while Noah delivered a controlled and articulate piano piece, demonstrating impressive balance between both hands.

Saoirse gave a beautiful a cappella performance, using her prop effectively and maintaining a convincing American accent throughout. Toluwa and Annabel’s duologue was performed with great expression and sensitivity, demonstrating excellent listening skills and connection as a pair.

Other standout performances included Mery’s thoughtful and detailed monologue as the Tooth Fairy, Hugo’s commanding portrayal of the Scarecrow with purposeful use of the stage, and Jacob’s confident and mature delivery of his Charlie Brown monologue, showing impressive control and presence at a young age.

Mr Freeman concluded by praising the exceptional standard of performance, even joking that he would like to “borrow” the school’s costume designers.

After careful deliberation, the judges reflected on the outstanding quality and enthusiasm displayed by all performers. Miss Trundle then announced the results: Phoenix House claimed first place with an exceptional range of performances; Pegasus followed closely in second; Griffin secured third place; and Dragon took fourth, with much to celebrate across all Houses.

Congratulations to every pupil who auditioned and performed – your courage, creativity and dedication shone throughout the afternoon. A special thank you goes to our guest judges, Mrs S-T and Mrs Oldfield, our Heads of House, and all those who worked behind the scenes to make this event such a success. It was a true celebration of talent and the Chinthurst spirit.