Mental Health Matters

15th September 2020Sarah Hall

Just a reminder to all parents, carers and students that your School counselling service is up and running for the Autumn term.  In recent weeks and months we have all been experiencing change and challenge and the service is here to offer students in all year groups any “first aid” in mental health matters that might have materialised as a result. This can be in the form of a one off “drop in” or a series of sessions with myself or Carolyn (our volunteer counsellor).

Our lovely counselling room has been adjusted to ensure we are COVID secure and we welcome your referrals.  In all cases adult permissions will be sought for a series of sessions and safeguarding procedures will always be adhered to. Please just send an email to Sarah Railton via the school office or approach your form teacher or any adult in school to make a referral.

 

The Lion King Experience

11th September 2020Mrs C Allison
The pupils at Newminster Middle School have embarked on their ‘Lion King’ journey this week. All students are taking part in ‘The Lion King Experience’ as part of their music lessons this year. They will also be taught the music curriculum.
 
‘The Lion King Experience’ is an immersive, project-based exploration of theatre. This introduces theatre into the classroom and will culminate in the whole school producing a production of ‘The Lion King’.
 
Each of the eighteen sessions launches with a video introducing the day’s theme through backstage access and on-screen instruction. After a teacher-facilitated full class activity, students work in three groups – called Prides – to solve a creative challenge. The Prides share their work, reflect as a group, and learn from one another.
 
Through ‘The Lion King Experience‘, students develop and experiment with a variety of theatrical and 21st Century Skills. From acting and design, to creativity and collaboration, ‘The Lion King Experience‘ is a holistic arts-education that fulfills many educational standards, including some Common Core State Standards and the National Core Arts Standards. 

Extra-Curricular Music Ensemble Groups 2020-21

11th September 2020Mrs C Allison

This year will be different in the way that we are running ensembles at NMS due to COVID19 and the restrictions. There will be 3 ensembles running this term. Unfortunately we are restricted to offering them to one year group at a time. The ensembles will begin the week commencing Monday 14th September 2020. If your child plays one of the instruments below (to whatever standard) and is in the year that the ensemble is for, please encourage them to join the ensemble. The Percussion Ensemble will take total beginner players and drums / percussion are provided.

Taking part in extra-curricular music activities can boost confidence and self-esteem along with further developing instrumental skills and making new friendships:

  • YEAR 6 PUPILS ONLY – Tuesday 3.30pm – 4.30pm: Ceilidh Band (violin, guitar, flute, penny whistle, Northumbrian pipes, bodhran, keyboard, bass)  in Newminster Hall (starting Tuesday 15th September)
  • YEAR 7 PUPILS ONLY – Wednesday 3:30 – 4:30pm: Jazz Band (clarinet, flute, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, drums, guitar, keyboard (able to use school keyboards), bass) in Newminster Music Room (starting Wednesday 16th September)
  • YEAR 5 PUPILS ONLY – Thursday 3.30pm – 4.30pm: Percussion Ensemble (Percussion and drums provided – beginners welcome) in Newminster Hall (starting Thursday 17th September)

If your child would like to attend one these ensemble groups, they will need to attend the rehearsals starting the week commencing Monday 14th September 2019.

Our ensembles have been funded by the schools and the Music Service and are run by music peripatetic teachers from the Music Partnership North who are DRB checked.

All instrumental tuition with Music Partnership North will take place on line. Steel pan lessons will start later in the term and will be taught in year group bands.

Choir is unable to take place this term however all the pupils at Newminster will be taking part in ‘The Lion King Experience’ during their music lessons and we have plans to develop the project into some kind of performance in Summer 2021.