As part of Northumberland County Council’s digital inclusion programme they are holding a digital/STEM discovery day in Alnwick during October half term. This event is open to children aged 9-13 and will give them the opportunity to explore all things STEM.
Bookings are now open, and will close on 28th October at 1.00
The Pearl of Africa Children’s Choir spent a fabulously energetic day at Chantry and Newminster Middle Schools on Tuesday 17th September as part of their tour of the North East for 2 weeks.
Their visit comprised of an assembly performance for both schools, workshops for classes and an afternoon workshop for the joint schools choir. The visit culminated in the most amazing evening performance in the Chantry hall. The Pearl of Africa Children’s Choir performed music, singing and dancing along with some joint pieces with the Newminster and Chantry school choir. The audience of young and old loved the cultural exchange and Newminster and Chantry would like to thank the choir for visiting and providing us with amazing musical memories.
To coincide with the visit and raise money for the charity Pearl of Africa Child Care Ltd, the pupils at both schools wore non uniform in the colours of the Ugandan flag – black, red, yellow and white. The choir brought African crafts which were on sale all day. We hope to have raised a good total for the Pearl of Africa Child Care Ltd charity.
The charity Pearl of Africa Child Care Ltd, which organises the tour, is a registered charity in England and Wales and all the money is sent to the charity which sends it to Uganda to help the schools educate, house and feed orphans and destitute children in six schools in Kampala and Masaka District in S.W. Uganda. Molly Wasswa, co-founder of the schools, will be travelling with the choir once again on their eighth visit to the North
This week we are launching an exciting project in the Creative Arts Department with our local Rotary to create an eco-greenhouse from plastic bottles. As a school community we need to collect 1300 2 litre plastic bottles. We are therefore asking students at Newminster to bring 2 empty clean bottles in to school next week, the correct size and with the label removed. The students will then decorate these in their Art lessons over the coming weeks and they will be turned into a greenhouse with the help from Rotary members towards the end of this term. This project will link to the issue of global warming and climate change.
As you may be aware there has been a significant rise in the number of measles in the country and the NHS are doing their very best to get information to parents on how to ensure their child is safe. Measles can be a very serious disease, leading to ear and chest infections, fits, diarrhoea, and damage to the brain.
Please take a moment to read more information on this disease and how to ensure your child is safe by clicking here.
The Pearl of Africa Children’s Choir is touring the North East for 2 weeks in September fundraising. They are planning to spend a day at Chantry and Newminster Middle Schools on Tuesday 17th September.
Their visit will comprise of an assembly performance for both schools, workshops for classes and an afternoon workshop for the joint schools choir. Their visit will culminate in an evening performance which will take place at 6:30pm in the Chantry hall. The Pearl of Africa Children’s Choir will perform along with some join pieces with the Newminster and Chantry school choir. Tickets for the concert will be available on the door (adults £4 and children £3). There will also be refreshments, African crafts on sale and a raffle.
To coincide with the visit and raise money for the charity Pearl of Africa Child Care Ltd, we are planning on holding a non uniform day across the two schools where pupils wear the clothes in the colours of the Ugandan flag – black, red, yellow and white with a suggested donation of £1 per student. African crafts will be available to buy on the day too.
The charity Pearl of Africa Child Care Ltd, which organises the tour, is a registered charity in England and Wales and all the money is sent to the charity which sends it to Uganda to help the schools educate, house and feed orphans and destitute children in six schools in Kampala and Masaka District in S.W. Uganda. Molly Wasswa, co-founder of the schools, will be travelling with the choir once again on their eighth visit to the North East.www.pearlofafrica.org.uk
Choir members will need to return to school to perform in this exciting concert at 6pm on Tuesday 17th September.
We look forward to seeing you there.
If your child is starting school or transferring to a different phase of education you need to apply for a place. The portal for you to make your application opens at midnight on 12th September 2019 for applications into Middle (Yr 5), Secondary (Yr 7) and High School (Yr 9) related to Sept 2020 entry.
Could we kindly remind you to log on via the NCC website and apply before 31st October. Applications received after 31st October will be classed as ‘late’ and will not be processed until all ‘on time’ applications have been allocated.
The following link will provide further information and guidance:
Northumberland County Council are actively recruiting for a new School Crossing Patrol to be based at Mafeking Park Roundabout, Morpeth (site 74).
If you are interested in this role or know of anyone who may be, please contact NCC by email ([email protected]) or ring parking services on 01670 620220.
The role of School Crossing Patrol is a valuable and rewarding role, working for usually up to an hour in the morning (8.00 am – 9.00 am) and up to an hour in the afternoon (3.00 pm – 4.00 pm) in term time only, but these hours vary slightly depending on the site.
The basic duties include the safe passage of children and adults across roads at school time and you must be able to follow straightforward instructions and to work outdoors all year round. Successful applicants will receive full training, uniform and the Northumberland Living Wage Supplement in addition to their basic salary.
Newminster and Chantry Middle Schools in Morpeth have both been awarded the prestigious Platinum Artsmark, accredited by Arts Council England. This is the second time that the two schools have been given Artmark’s top ranking. In making these latest awards, which are reassessed every two years, the Artsmark panels praised the breadth of arts and cultural education offerings at the schools, and pointed to the commitment to and the support for these activities given at governing body level. They also commended the clear management at the schools and the collaboration and sharing of the Artsmark experience with other schools. There was recognition of the contribution that the arts could make to the wellbeing, confidence and skills of pupils.
Simon Taylor, CEO of the Three Rivers Learning Trust: ”The Artsmark Platinum Award is very well deserved by both Chantry and Newminster Middle Schools, and celebrates the breadth of our curriculum and the many wider enrichment opportunities, which are available for all students The Three Rivers Learning Trust has a firm commitment to supporting the arts and I would like to congratulate the schools on this wonderful achievement and thank the staff who contribute their expertise and energy to promote the arts.”
Bryan Stewart, Headteacher of Chantry Middle School: “This is fantastic news and a real sign of the dedication of the students and staff towards the Arts at Chantry Middle School. We focus on developing the whole education of each child and this award supports our core aims and philosophy. Well done to all involved!”
Charlotte Jones, Curriculum Leader of the Creative Arts across the two middle schools, who has coordinated progress in the Artsmark journey: “I am so delighted that we have now achieved the Artsmark Platinum Award twice for both schools. This is a huge accolade would not have been possible without the support of pupils, staff, parents and carers, governors and the Trust. The partnerships that we have been able to build and sustain with the local community, together with a range of local, regional and national organisations, have also been essential to our journey. We have shared our Artsmark experience with other schools
Newminster Middle School
Morpeth Newminster Middle School has maintained its high level of commitment to quality arts-rich education. Examples of the school’s diverse and engaging offer include School of Rock, Health and Wellbeing Days, Sign2Sing and Rock Choir, all of which involved large numbers of pupils with TV and media coverage providing a feeling of togetherness and involvement. Arts Awards and competitions provided further opportunities to stretch and challenge pupils. It is clear that Artsmark has become a key contributor in terms of the school’s core values Whole child development is central to your concerns and the arts are a key vehicle for the school in realising its ambitions, inspiring student personal development by broadening experience and supporting social, moral, spiritual and cultural learning. The school continues to take seriously its advocacy role and has contributed to knowledge sharing, for example: staff addressed conferences across the NE detailing your Artsmark journey. They have also presented at events for Bridge North East, MPN and training sessions at T3RLT. The school maintains written blogs and articles, documenting aspects of the Artsmark journey which are distributed through various websites and newsletters. In terms of taking a lead in training and showcasing best practice the Case Study describes how you have organised meetings and training events, delivered by NMS staff, with partner schools, culminating in a future event that will highlight the outstanding musical activities taking place across the partnership from first access musical experiences through to middle and high school ensembles with the aim of exemplifying how music and the Arts are fundamental to a young person’s educational journey.
Congratulations on your Artsmark Platinum Award!
and organisations and hope to be able to do so with many more in the future.”
Dates for the start of Music Ensembles are as follows:
Choir – Monday 9th September in Chantry Middle School Hall – 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm
Ceilidh Band – Tuesday 17th September in Chantry Middle School Hall – 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm
Jazz Band – Wednesday 18th September in Newminster Music Block – 3.30 pm – .4.30 pm
Percussion Band – Thursday 19th September in Chantry Middle School Hall – 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm
All instrumental lessons are due to start the week commencing Monday 16th September. If pupils missed the deadline for lessons they can sign up with MPN details on website home page.
Morpeth Panto Open Night for Jack and the Beanstalk is on Monday 9th September 7.15 in the KEVI Lower School Hall.
