August has been a busy month for Co-Curricular Creative Arts and THE GRAF, with music, visual arts, film and conversations bringing new experiences to our pupils and the wider school community.
Coming Up: A Conversation with Rodrigo Jordán and Ciclo de Cine: El Agente Topo
On Monday 24 August at 16:00, The Centenary Library will welcome Rodrigo Jordán (OG-1976) for the next edition of our Conversatorios.
Jordán’s career includes some of the most demanding challenges in world mountaineering. In 1992, he led the first Latin American expedition to reach the summit of Mount Everest. He has since led expeditions to K2, Antarctica, Greenland and Lhotse, and has brought many of these experiences into his work in education, leadership and team development.
The conversation will focus on leadership, teamwork, personal challenges and resilience, offering pupils and members of our wider community the chance to hear about these experiences and reflect on their own approach to challenges and collaboration.
The event is open to pupils, parents, staff and Old Grangonians.
To attend, please register through this LINK.
On another hand, our Ciclo de Cine returns on Thursday 27 August at 18:30 with a screening of the acclaimed Chilean documentary El Agente Topo (2020), directed by Maite Alberdi.
The film follows Sergio, an 83-year-old widower who is hired by a private investigator to go undercover in a retirement home. What begins as an unusual assignment develops into a touching and often humorous story about the people he meets there.
Following the screening, we will welcome the film’s producer, Marcela Santibáñez (OG-XX), for a conversation about the making of the film and the creative and production process behind it. The session will offer our community an opportunity to learn more about the story behind one of Chile’s internationally recognised films.
The event is open to pupils, parents, staff and Old Grangonians.
To attend, please register through this LINK.
ABSCh Senior Music Day: 17 Schools at The Grange
The month began with the ABSCh Senior Music Day, hosted by The Grange and bringing together pupils and teachers from 17 British schools in Chile.
Under the theme “Poetas Chilenos”, pupils spent the day rehearsing and working together in bands, choirs, brass and string groups, as well as other ensembles. The day ended with a final performance bringing all the groups together.
Seven pupils from 2°EM and 3°EM represented The Grange:
- Florencia Garrido – Voice
- Flavia Correa – Voice
- Martín Schmidt – Brass
- Gabriel Cohen – Brass
- Nicolás Stevenson – Brass
- Justina Esnaola – Voice
- Rafaela Francolino – Voice
The final performance included three pieces connected to Chilean poetry and music:
- La pajita – Inti-Illimani
- Hallazgos – an original composition based on a poem by Gabriela Mistral
- Sube a Nacer Conmigo Hermano – Los Jaivas
One of the highlights of the day was a visit from musician Ángel Parra, who spoke with pupils about music, Chilean poetry and his family’s musical legacy.
For our pupils, the day was also a chance to meet young musicians from other schools and experience what it is like to rehearse and perform as part of a larger musical group.
Winter Season 2026: Exploring Light Through Art
August also marked the opening of Winter Season 2026, the second exhibition season developed by THE GRAF.
Inspired by this year’s THE GRAF theme, Light, the exhibition brings together work by pupils from Lower Prep, Upper Prep and Senior School, alongside the work of guest artist David Scognamiglio.
The JJ Assembly Hall will host the exhibition throughout August, September and part of October, giving pupils and families the opportunity to spend time with the work during the school day and beyond.
David Scognamiglio is an Italian visual artist and architect based in Chile. His work explores the relationship between light, space and perception through installations, light sculptures and photography. His background in architecture, Light Studies and Contemporary Art Research connects naturally with this year’s THE GRAF theme.
Pupils are encouraged to visit the exhibition during their breaks. Parents can also visit outside school hours and on Saturdays during sporting activities.
The Grange at the Interescolar de Artes
The Grange has been selected in all three Music categories in which it participated at the Interescolar de Artes 2026: 5° and 6° Básico, 7° and 8° Básico, and Enseñanza Media.
Our pupils will now move on to the next stage, with performances taking place in October. Congratulations to all the pupils and teachers involved for the time and dedication they have put into the preparation.
The Grange is also participating in the Visual Arts category. The works created by our pupils are currently being prepared for submission, and we look forward to sharing further news as the competition progresses.
Pupil Concerts: Learning Through Performance
The Individual Instrument Programme has also begun its semester of Pupil Concerts.
Throughout the second semester, pupils studying singing, piano, violin, drums, guitar, flute, bass and other instruments will have the opportunity to perform for their families and the wider school community.
Performing is an important part of learning an instrument. Preparing for a concert asks pupils to practise, concentrate and manage the nerves that come with stepping onto a stage. It is also a chance to share something they have been working on with an audience.
Voices of The Grange: A New Episode on the Way
Our Voices of The Grange podcast continues to develop, with pupils involved in researching, preparing and conducting each interview.
The team is currently working on its fourth episode, which will focus on the Spirit of Service in the context of the Mes de la Solidaridad. The episode will explore experiences of service and commitment to others, as well as the different ways in which members of our community contribute to those around them.
Creativity That Connects Our Community
Across music, visual arts, film, photography and communication, August has brought together different parts of our creative programme and given our pupils a range of ways to participate.
There is plenty more to come over the next few weeks, from exhibitions and concerts to conversations and new creative projects. We look forward to sharing it with our community.
