Home for Christmas

6th January 2020Sarah Hall
Chantry and Newminster choir performed the Christmas musical ‘Home for Christmas’, along with carols, to a packed church full of parents, carers, governors, staff and friends of the schools at St James Church Wednesday 18th December. 
The story of ‘Home for Christmas’
It’s a manic pre-Christmas shopping day and the streets are packed with bargain hunters.  No-one notices homeless Kate falling on the pavement, apart from Nicky and Paul, who help her up. When they offer to help Kate to get home, Nicky and Paul find out that she has no home – except for a cardboard box.
 

Shocked, the children want to help Kate. They go and tell their mother about her, but Mum is just angry to hear that they have been talking to a homeless stranger. As Christmas draws nearer, the children can’t get Kate out of their

minds.  In the end they persuade their mum to help …

 
Parent comments from emails and the CMS and NMS Creative Arts Facebook Page 
 
Absolutely brilliant, heartfelt, emotive production.
 
Amazing performance, thanks everyone.
 
My husband and I had the pleasure of watching this production this afternoon. We were blown away by the talent from everyone involved. Such a heartwarming production. Thank you.
 
What a superb production with a beautiful message.
 
Wonderfully acted with fabulous singing. Some truly beautiful voices.
 
The pupils in this production were a true credit to the middle schools in Morpeth. I am delighted to have seen the performance. Well done everyone!

 

Northern Steel Network Guest tutor workshops 18th & 19th January 2020

6th January 2020Sarah Hall

Workshop Invitation

Northern Steel Network are bringing up London based pan tutor, Delphina James, to deliver a series of workshops on the weekend of the 18th & 19th January. This is a great opportunity for steel pan pupils to further develop their playing and to network with other pannists.

As a guide:
Intermediate level workshops are aimed at players who have about 6 months’ playing experience or more, i.e. primary/middle school/adults. The Advanced workshops are aimed at players who have been playing a number of years and are confident, i.e. high school/adults.

Booking is essential as places are limited. To book onto a workshop contact: louise@northernsteelnetwork.org.uk

Saturday 18th January
Location: Jesmond Park Academy (old Heaton Manor), Newcastle
Workshop 1 – 10.15-11.45am – Intermediate players
Workshop 2 – 1.45-4.15pm – Advanced players

Sunday 19th January
Location: The King Edward VI School, Morpeth
Workshop 3 – 9.30-11.00am – Intermediate players
Workshop 4 – 11.00-12.30am – Intermediate players
Workshop 5 – 1.00-2.30am – Intermediate players
Workshop 6 – 2.30-5.00pm – Advanced players

Prices:
£4.00 for Intermediate session
£5.00 for advanced sessions

 

 

Newminster and Chantry Middle School Choir perform at Wetherspoons for Clic Sargent

13th December 2019Sarah Hall
On Thursday 12th December members of the Newminster and Chantry Middle School Choir performed at Wetherspoons in Morpeth for the Children’s Cancer Charity, Clic Sargent.
The venue was packed with families and customers enjoying a meal or drinks and the choir rose to the occasion performing carols, Christmas songs and pieces from the musical ‘Home for Christmas’ which they will be performing at St James Church on Wednesday 18th December. The Morpeth Mayor attended the event and had her photograph taken with the choir.
Students also enjoyed pizza and chips provided by Wetherspoons after the performance,

A fabulous and very Christmassy evening was had by all.

Kids’ Lit Quiz 2019

14th November 2019Sarah Hall

This year’s regional heat of the annual literary competition was a fiercely fought contest with every round finishing on a tie breaker. With rounds as obscure as Newspapers, Umbrellas, Archery and Confectionery, it was hard to anticipate our strengths.  

In recent years, this contest has tended to interpret the term ‘book’ ever more loosely and questions can skip from Norse mythology and comic strips via the classics to film and TV – a real mixed bag  – all in one round! It really keeps us on our toes!

In its valedictory year, however, the Narnia and Harry Potter series featured prominently as did books published more than half a century ago.  This put us at something of a disadvantage as we like to read books hot off the press, but we rose to the challenge as you will see.

This will be the last time the founder of the Kids’ Lit Quiz competition, Wayne Mills, will conduct the  British competition, although he will continue in his native New Zealand and other antipodean countries.

Our team members feel privileged to have met him and have thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. 

A massive well done for a superb final score to:

Joe in Year 6; Teddy and William in Year 7 and Tallula in Year 8

and huge congratulations to:

Phoebe in Year 6; Michael in Year 7 and Arthur and Chloe in Year 8 for finishing in the top ten!                                                                                          

Newminster hasn’t had a top ten place since their very first Quiz – what a wonderful way to end an era!