St Mary’s Rules! — 181 Children, One Donkey, a Motocross Bike and a 10-Year-Old Director Create an Epic One-Shot-Style Film

 

Pupils at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Deal, Kent have created their own ambitious school film - directed by 10-year-old Oscar, in collaboration with more than 182 of his schoolmates. This was a collaborative project that involved the whole school community.

 

Their film, St Mary’s Rules! is a joyful, chaotic, heart-bursting, one-shot-style tour of the school, filmed on an iPhone and a rolling office chair that doubled as a homemade dolly. The project was designed to give prospective families a genuine look at everything the school offers, seen through the imagination and eyes of its pupils. The film demonstrates the school’s Catholic values of Kindness, Respect and Resilience. It shows the children’s teamwork alongside the generosity of parents and carers to give up their time to support the children in creating this exciting film.

 

Despite having no budget, Oscar and his classmates envisaged then delivered a film packed with unforgettable moments, including:

· A real donkey in a nativity scene

· A motocross stunt performed by a Year 4 rider

· Gymnasts flipping across the playground

· The school band blasting out the soundtrack

· A baking scene complete with clouds of sugar

· A drone-shot finale featuring giant hand-painted letters

· Our beautiful prayer area, developed and visited by our children.

 

Every scene, prop and idea came from the children themselves, from auditions for speaking roles, to cardboard stunt barriers, to painting the 60cm-tall letters that spell out ST MARY’S RULES! in the closing shot. Parents and staff also played a vital behind-the-scenes role, helping with costumes, supervising scenes and coordinating the many children involved.

 

The two shoot days were full of laughs (including the donkey being stubborn, weather chaos - turns out cardboard stunts don’t mix well with gusts of wind!), and plenty of quick problem-solving. Narrow doorways meant Oscar had to hop off the rolling chair and switch to slow, steady walking shots - creating the only hidden cuts in the film.

 

Several pupils, who are usually very shy, delivered standout performances, surprising their teachers and even themselves. The experience brought the whole school community together, showcased the incredible facilities at the school and gave the children the chance to lead, collaborate and shine in ways they’ll remember for years.

 

The premiere in the school hall received huge applause, with pupils begging to watch it again… and again. As the largest one-shot-style pupil-led school film ever, St Mary’s Rules! stands as a testament to what children can achieve when they

dream big! If you wish your child to be part of our school family, please do get in touch and arrange a visit. We would love to welcome you to our school. Please visit the school website Home - Home - St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Deal to see the school results and achievements and Ofsted report.

 

Please follow the Facebook link to watch the full video https://fb.watch/E2suXiXoks/

Contact:

Beccy Martin [email protected] 01304 375046

To find out more about our amazing school and the high expectations, both academically, spirituality and socially, of our pupils please do make an appointment to come and visit us.

 

Headteacher Mrs. Riddell said:

“This project epitomises St Mary’s - joyful, ambitious and completely child-led. The pupils dreamed it up, shaped it, performed it and brought it to life. The whole community came together to make something truly special.”

 

Oscar (aged 10) said:

“I just wanted to make something really cool that shows how awesome our school is. Everyone worked so hard. It was the best two days ever and I’m proud of what we made.”

 

Credits:

Directed by: Oscar (aged 10), in collaboration with the pupils of St Mary’s

Drone footage: Deal Drone Man (facebook.com/dealdroneman)

Music: St Mary’s School Band & iRock