The Through Our Eyes Digital Heritage Project Launch was held in the Grand Hall in Hall Place & Gardens in Bexley; hosted by us [end2end TV CIC] and celebrating the culmination of a year-long project involving four local schools.
The project was created and project managed by end2end TV and funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund. Young people have been at the heart of this ground-breaking project throughout, where they have worked with industry professionals to discover and create history simultaneously. From researching the history of their schools to producing compelling documentaries, the launch event was a testament to the power of education, creativity, and community collaboration.
The audience was over 100 people strong, including the worshipful Mayor and Mayoress of Bexley, Cllr & Mrs Dourmoush, guest speaker Mark Reid [former Head of Education at the British Film Institute], Bexley Councillors, esteemed composer Jeremy Jackson, Head Teachers, school staff, alumni, parents and other VIPs. The launch was introduced and presented eloquently by some of the young people who had participated in the project, who proudly led the launch event as they did the project itself.
Before the documentaries took centre stage, the audience was treated to an orchestral performance by Bexley Music: a piece especially commissioned and inspired by the children's historical research called 'An Eye on the Time'. The Bexley Youth Orchestra and Big Band paid homage to the rich heritage of local education; with the performance serving as a poignant reminder of how schools play an important part in shaping our communities and nurturing future generations. The opening performance took the audience from 1945 and the end of the war to the present day.
Following this, the audience were treated to the captivating narratives woven into the students' documentaries. Each documentary offered a unique perspective on the history of their respective schools, shedding light on untold stories and cherished memories. From interviews with alumni to archival footage, the digital documentaries will serve as time capsules, preserving the legacy of these educational institutions for generations to come.
One documentary that brought all the schools together was the collaboration into the impact of 11+ examinations. Primary and Secondary School pupils, both selective and non-selective, have produced a unique film about a subject that is often avoided. Researched and considered by Bexley pupils, both by delving into the archives and political stories already known, to interviewing hundreds of alumni who generously explained their thoughts about the test and reflected on the impact it's had on them personally. This resulted in a rich collection of oral histories that have been made into a film that is destined to capture your attention no matter your age.
The Through Our Eyes Heritage Project Launch was not just about showcasing the students' achievements; it was a celebration of community spirit. Esteemed guests, including school staff and parents, gathered to show their support and appreciation for the young filmmakers.
Some of the e2e Crew who filmed and recorded the project launch
The event fostered connections across generations and highlighted the importance of preserving and sharing our collective history. It was a wonderful gala evening led by the children themselves. True professionals and showing they were incredibly proud to take part in something that will leave a lasting legacy - the project outcomes are destined to tour during 2024 until they are donated to Bexley Archives as a complete new heritage collection.
🎥📚🎭🎶🎙️
You can read the children's national press release about the launch here.
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