Drama Club currently runs on Mondays between 3.30pm and 4.30pm. Mrs Taylor welcomes all Upper School children wishing to attend this popular club. Due to the large numbers of children who enjoy stretching their acting muscles, there are actually two clubs which run on alternate Mondays, one for Upper 1 and Upper 2 pupils, the other for Upper 3 and Upper 4.

From September to February Mrs Taylor works with the children on a range of skills needed for the stage, but not before they've played lots of confidence-building games. After auditions in February, Drama Club then focuses on rehearsals for the summer play.

Rudston summer shows are very well received. The children showed terrific ability, confidence and star quality in Bugsy in 2005. Previous shows have included Rebecca Riding Hood, Murder at the Hotel Crumhorn, Roger Ravenbeard, Bugsy Malone, Oliver and Annie.

In addition to performing at Christmas and the school's Prize Day, the children work very hard to provide what has become a wonderful evening of entertainment at our annual concert held at the Rotherham Arts Centre.

We have a choir of almost 50 pupils, singing a balanced diet of unison and two-part songs, an orchestra, guitar group and recorder group. The training choir has proved tremendously successful over the last few years, with many children progressing to the main choir.

The school is very proud of the achievements of these various groups that perform regularly at school functions and events throughout the year. We regularly win instrumental and choral categories at the prestigious Mexborough Music Festival. The choir were regional winners of the 'BBC North Choir Fest 2001'. They also sing every year for the Rotherham Hospice and join one of the local churches for their Harvest Festival celebrations.

The Girls' Games Club, staffed by Mrs McHale and Mrs Donkin, is held on Wednesdays from 3.30-4.30pm. Any girls from Upper School are very welcome to join. The emphasis is on fun and enjoyment, whilst acquiring and improving the skills involved in sports and games.

The girls are encouraged to cooperate and work in groups to improve their team skills and their understanding of the tactics of games. Older pupils are given the opportunity to teach simple skills to the younger girls, and are also given the responsibility for organizing them within a group.

Everyone who comes along to Girls' Games is encouraged, whatever their ability.

Activity Club runs after school from 3.30 until 5.20pm for children of parents who, for work or other reasons, are unable to collect their child from school at the usual time. (On a Friday evening Activity club finishes at 4.45 pm). Upper School children join at 4.30 pm, having attended another club or Late Prep. The club is run by Mrs Powell and Miss Vaughan.

Activities include baking, construction, role-play, outdoor activities such as riding the bikes and trikes, playing with sand or water and ball games. Upper School children are also able to do their homework and are supported by the staff. All Activity Club children are given a 'tea' to keep them going until they get home.

Every year we run a residential trip for Upper 2, Upper 3 and Upper 4 children. In the past we have journeyed to the south of France, the wilds of Scotland and Normandy.

In April 2002, Rudston children visited an outdoor activities centre in Lagganlia, Scotland. Children had the opportunity to ski, climb, abseil, orienteer and canoe, amongst other things. The highlight for many was the 'gorge walk'. This unusual experience involved donning waterproofs and an insulating suit that made the wearer look like a teddy bear. All this was necessary because the walk itself was more of a wade - up a steep stream. The best bits were the slides into natural pools of, well, less than warm water. Then back to Lagganlia's steam room to get the blood circulating again.

These trips provide an ideal opportunity for children to develop in confidence and extend their range of skills.

The football team at Rudston participates in the local primary competitions in September and March. These take place on Saturday mornings and involve a series of 10-minute mini-matches against other Rotherham schools. The team also plays full 11-a-side friendlies with local schools, although this usually takes place in Spring. In the past we have arranged fixtures with other independent schools in Doncaster and Sheffield and these matches usually take place after school.

You can always spot us at matches: the sponsored football kit is a striking purple and black!

A number of our pupils have been selected to represent Rotherham in regional matches against other South Yorkshire and Midland County towns.

Throughout the Upper School games programme the girls are gradually introduced to the skills of netball in their games lessons. Pupils in Upper 3 and Upper 4 begin to play full-sided games and fixtures are arranged against local schools to give them the opportunity to use their skills in a competitive situation.

In March the team participates in the IAPS tournament, where they compete against schools from all over the north of England.

All the pupils at Rudston have the option of attending regular instrumental lessons with our team of highly experienced peripatetic musicians. At present we are fortunate to have the services of Mr Roger Stamp (woodwind), Mr Steve Lewis (guitar), Mr Brian Towse (trumpet/cornet) and Mrs Susan Allison (violin).

Pupils work towards the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music graded examinations, and when ready, they are invited to join the school orchestra.

As most instrumental lessons occur during the normal school day, pupils are time-tabled on a rotation system, so that they don't miss the same curriculum lesson each week.