Steel Pan Success

13th July 2026Sarah Hall

Our steel pan lessons have been another huge success this year, thanks to our fantastic tutor, Jenny Gilberg. Many pupils have enjoyed learning this unique and exciting instrument, developing their musical skills and confidence throughout the year.

Their hard work culminated in a wonderful Steel Pan Concert in June, where all of the pupils who had taken lessons performed with their bands. It was a fantastic celebration of everything they had achieved, with the audience enjoying energetic and entertaining performances.

We are also incredibly proud that Jenny has been composing music for the Southbank Centre’s Steel Scenes project, which celebrates 75 years of steel pan in the UK. It is inspiring for our pupils to learn from a musician who is making such an important contribution to the UK’s steel pan community.

Congratulations to all of our steel pan players on a fantastic year, and thank you to Jenny for her tuition.

Celebrating a Fantastic Year of Music Across Newminster and Chantry

8th July 2026Sarah Hall

It has been another fantastic year of music-making for the joint Newminster and Chantry ensembles, with pupils developing their skills, confidence and enjoyment of performing through a range of exciting opportunities.

The Jazz Band, led by peripatetic teacher Rachael Carey, has enjoyed a hugely successful year, performing in three concerts and reaching an impressive standard of musicianship. The ensemble has delighted audiences with a varied repertoire including Star Wars, In the Mood, Yellow Bird and Yakety Sax. Many of the older pupils in the group will be moving on to King Edward VI High School, and it has been wonderful to see them grow as confident and accomplished young musicians during their time with the band.

The Ceilidh Band, led by Ann Britt Hedley, has also had a memorable year. Earlier this year, the band performed at the Cheviot Ceilidh, bringing together musicians from Newminster, Chantry and King Edward VI High School. With a caller guiding the dances, pupils performed traditional music while members of the community joined in, creating a fantastic atmosphere. The event was very well attended and was a wonderful celebration of music, partnership and community.

The Percussion Band, led by Steve Doyle, rounded off the year with an exciting summer concert. Pupils showcased their versatility by performing on a range of instruments, including djembes, taiko drums and percussion, as well as transforming into a fantastic little rock band for part of the performance. The concert highlighted the creativity, teamwork and energy that the group has developed throughout the year.

All three ensembles are led by talented peripatetic teachers from Northumberland Music Service, who provide expert guidance and encouragement, helping pupils to develop their musical abilities and confidence. Their dedication has enabled pupils from Newminster and Chantry to experience the joy of playing together, performing to audiences and being part of something special.

We are incredibly proud of all of our young musicians and look forward to seeing how they continue their musical journeys in the years ahead.

Northumberland Wildlife Art Exhibition Celebrates Creativity at Newminster Middle School

8th July 2026Sarah Hall

Newminster Middle School was delighted to welcome families, friends and members of the local community to its spectacular Northumberland Wildlife Art Exhibition, a celebration of creativity inspired by the wildlife and landscapes of Northumberland.

Every pupil in the school contributed to the exhibition, showcasing an incredible range of work including detailed biro drawings, original poetry, song lyrics and animated films celebrating Northumbrian creatures. Inspired by the intricate artwork of contemporary artist Jane Lee McCracken, pupils explored local wildlife through a variety of creative media, producing work that reflected both their artistic skills and their imagination.

The school hall and corridors were transformed into a vibrant gallery, displaying the work of every child and creating a wonderful atmosphere of pride and achievement. Visitors also had the opportunity to purchase tea towels and gift cards featuring pupils’ artwork, allowing families to take home a unique memento of the exhibition while celebrating the children’s creativity.

The exhibition was extremely well attended, with families, local residents, coffee clubs, councillors, civic representatives and pupils from local first schools all joining the celebrations. The event also provided an excellent opportunity for children preparing to join Newminster to experience the school’s welcoming and creative environment.

One of the highlights of the evening was the visit from artist Jane Lee McCracken, whose work inspired the project. She spent time meeting pupils, discussing her creative process and encouraging the young artists. Visitors also enjoyed an interactive art table where they could create their own Northumbrian creature illustrations using biro pens and add them to the growing display. It was wonderful to see children, parents and grandparents sitting side by side, creating artwork together.

The Northumberland Wildlife Art Exhibition was a fantastic celebration of the creativity, talent and enthusiasm of Newminster pupils. Bringing together art, writing, music, animation and community participation, the exhibition demonstrated how creativity can inspire, connect people and create lasting memories for everyone involved.

Rocksteady Inspires Young Musicians at Newminster Middle School

8th July 2026Sarah Hall

Newminster Middle School has been delighted to continue working with Rocksteady Music School, providing pupils in Years 5 and 6 with the opportunity to develop their musical skills, confidence and creativity through playing in bands.

Rocksteady has been a valued part of school life for several years, giving pupils the chance to learn instruments in a fun, supportive and inspiring environment. Through weekly sessions, pupils work together in small bands, developing skills on instruments including guitar, drums, keyboard and vocals while learning about teamwork, performance and musical expression.

A highlight of the Rocksteady experience this academic year has been the three concerts performed for parents, families and the school community. These events have given pupils the opportunity to showcase their progress, perform live and celebrate their achievements. Pupils are encouraged to take ownership of their bands by choosing their own band name, helping them develop a strong sense of identity, creativity and pride in their performances.

Over time, pupils have grown in confidence and ability, progressing from beginners to enthusiastic young musicians who enjoy sharing their talents with others. The experience of rehearsing and performing as part of a band helps pupils develop communication skills, resilience and a real sense of achievement.

The impact of Rocksteady has continued beyond pupils’ time at Newminster. A number of Year 6 pupils have been inspired to continue their musical journeys by taking up further instrumental lessons through Northumberland Music and working with visiting peripatetic music teachers who provide small group and individual tuition.

It has been wonderful to see pupils discover a passion for music and develop the confidence to pursue new challenges. Rocksteady continues to play an important role in encouraging creativity and ensuring that young people have the opportunity to experience the joy of making music together.

Northumberland Music – Register here for instrumental lessons at Newminster –https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/education-skills/northumberland-music/music-tuition

Rocksteady Music School – Register here for Rocksteady lessons at Newminster – https://www.rocksteadymusicschool.com/

Wansbeck Valley Foodbank

7th July 2026Sarah Hall

With the school holidays fast approaching, we would like to make families aware that support is available from Wansbeck Valley Food Bank. As the holiday food voucher scheme is no longer in place, some families may need additional help over the summer break.

If you require food support during the holidays, you can contact Wansbeck Valley Food Bank directly by telephone between 9:00am and 2:00pm. The team will take your details and arrange the appropriate support for your family.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need assistance.

Shrek-tastic! Middle Schools Musical Delights Audiences 

24th June 2026Sarah Hall

Pupils from Chantry and Newminster schools staged a spectacular production of Shrek the Musical over three unforgettable evenings from 16th–18th June.

The performances were a tremendous success, showcasing not only the incredible talent of the cast but also the dedication and creativity of students working behind the scenes. What made this production particularly special was the extent

to which it was pupil-led. Students involved in Arts Award designed and created the impressive backdrops, while others worked alongside Mr Hughes to support the sound and lighting, gaining valuable technical experience and helping to bring the show to life.

Audiences were full of praise for the production. Visitors from local schools, members of the community and trust leaders all commented on the high standard of the performances, the professionalism of the cast and crew, and the evident hard work that had gone into every aspect of the show.

One visitor described the performance as “fantastic,” praising the cast for being “brilliant and so well rehearsed.” Another commented that it was “fabulous, as always,” while community members described the show as “full of real talent” and commended the staff for providing such outs

tanding opportunities for students.

Primary school pupils from Morpeth feeder schools were also invited to attend. Staff from the schools reported that their children thoroughly enjoyed the performance and were inspired by seeing former pupils performing on stage. Many commented on how exciting it was for younger children to see what they could achieve in the future.

The Trust CEO, Glen Whitehead, also praised the production, highlighting the tremendous effort of everyone involved. They noted that the cast were brilliant, the costumes and set looked fantastic, and the entire show ran smoothly, describing it as “a real credit to everyone involved, both on stage and behind the scenes.”

The success of Shrek the Musical is a testament to the hard work, commitment and teamwork of the students and staff who dedicated countless hours to rehearsals, production planning and technical preparation. Their efforts created a memorable experience for audiences and provided students with invaluable opportunities to develop confidence, creativity and performance skills.

Congratulations to all of the pupils invol

ved for their outstanding performances and contributions behind the scenes, and thank you to the staff whose support and dedication made the production possible.