On the 14th of November, Bishop Luffa School raised over £7000 for local charities in their annual ‘Sixth Form Fashion Show’. The tradition has been going strong for nearly 30 years, and this year it saw a record amount being raised. The evening was organised entirely by students in the school’s sixth form, and it was them who starred in the ‘Now Year 6 Disco BLS Fashion Show!” 

 

The whole event was spectacular to watch, the enthusiasm and excitement of the students adding to the atmosphere of the evening. The dances were choreographed by the students and the clothes donated by local charity shops supporting the event. With the evening totalling 21 dances - as well as a teacher dance! - the show was fun-filled and action packed. 

 

From classics like Lady Gaga’s ‘Poker Face’ to party anthems like House of Pain’s ‘Jump Around’, there was a song and dance for everyone, not to mention the wacky costumes that took to the stage. 

Credit must also be given to the tech team who dazzled the stage with amazing sound and lighting, without whom the show wouldn’t have been the same. 

 

Above all, however, the thing that made the evening such a success was the participation of the sixth form students, and the community that they showed throughout the evening. Their joy and spirit was rejuvenated after many years of cancelled shows and virtual events, a feeling that is surely shared with many students across the country. This year the show was back in full force and with more fervour than ever before, the audience sharing in the student’s zeal to return to normality. 

 

Austen Hindman, Headteacher, describes the fashion show as “the event that sums up our school - everyone is included and everyone takes part.” 

 

“It is hard being a teenager,” he says, ”life can seem to be defined by looks and popularity. The fashion show acknowledges that but then says it doesn’t matter: everyone is going to get a cheer from the audience, no matter what.” 

 

When asked about the history of the show, he said, “It’s been going for as long as anyone can remember. There are parents watching their children perform and thinking about their routine when they were in Sixth Form. It is a great tradition and I am very proud to have been a part of it.”

 

Joining the students in centre stage were the three charities being supported this year - Sussex Snowdrop Trust, the Grassroots Trust and Sanctuary in Chichester. All proceeds collected by ticket sales, donation buckets and QR-codes (who carries cash anymore?) went directly to the three charities, with over £7000 being donated in total. The immense success of this year's event must be credited to the students; they organised, presented and starred in the show, not forgetting the time they dedicated to rehearsal. 

 

It was truly a night to remember, for students as well as the audience, and I can’t wait to see this amazing tradition carry on for many years to come.