Fire Safety

6th July 2017Mrs K Shutler

In light of the recent Grenfell Tower incident the Learning Trust has carried out a review of both fire safety in its broadest terms as well as narrower concerns on cladding and tower block evacuations.

All of the Learning Trust school buildings have a fire risk assessment in place and all have been reviewed within the last six months, including a discussion with a fire officer. Regular checks of fire safety equipment are undertaken and fire evacuation procedures are practiced termly. Any recommended actions from these systems have been minor improvements and have been implemented quickly.

In April 2017 the Education funding Agency approved an application for capital funding for Newminster Middle School and Chantry Middle School to update elements of fire safety equipment; upgrading alarms, detection and fire doors to the latest building standards. This work will be completed by 31/08/17. The fire risk assessments carried out for this purpose indicated a good level of fire safety existed and that a timely upgrade of equipment would continue to ensure these standards were maintained.

The fire escape procedures for our tower blocks are approved by the fire officer and regularly tested. The blocks are all evacuated in a few minutes.

The cladding on each building has been reviewed and it meets the highest class of fire safety rating. In addition no tower block is higher than four storeys or 18 metres and they are not residential which fire regulations class as a much lower risk situation than Grenfell Tower.

This review has been supported by fire safety professionals, building specialists and the Local Authority Health and Safety Team. The results have been provided to the Department for Education who are satisfied that each school has a low fire risk.

Year 5 Hopes and Dreams Day

3rd July 2017Mrs K Shutler

Year 5 had a full day dedicated to thinking about their future careers and study pathways during the ‘Hopes and Dreams Day’ on 30th June 2017. The purpose of the day was to raise an awareness of a range of different careers.

This is the first year that we have trialled a full day of CEIAG (Careers education information and guidance) for our year 5 students and the day proved to be popular with the students.

Here are some quotes from the students…

“It was a fun way to think about what you want in your future.” Lily

“Amazing day and it really helped me to think about what I could do in the future.” Anna

“I enjoyed the police workshop and looking at all of their equipment.” Elliot

The event was supported by a range of organisations as outlined below.

  • NERAP (North East Raising Aspiration Partnership) – An organisation that works in partnership and on behalf of all of the North-East Universities – they facilitated a fun, interactive activity that outlined the benefits of higher education, focusing on the careers it can open up
  • British Army – a variety of army equipment was brought in for the students to see / touch and try on. This included clothing / webbing / power suits / headsets etc. They also brought along a Land rover vehicle so that students could take a look inside
  • Northumbria Police – A hands on and interactive session. The session explored separate roles within Northumbria Police
  • Accenture (IT and technology company) – The team from Accenture outlined who they are and what they do as a business. They will be brought mini robots for students to programme and test.

Samba Band perform at the Northumberland School Games

27th June 2017Mrs K Shutler

On Thursday 22nd June the NMS and CMS Samba Band, lead by Steve Doyle from Music Partnership North, performed for the Northumberland School Games.
They played for the opening ceremony and around the pitches for various sports and events to entertain both players and spectators. The band even paired up with members of Cragside Primary School djembe ensemble to perform some wonderful pieces.
Much fun was had by all!

“This event was a great performance opportunity for our pupils. They played extremely well and we enjoyed a fun musical day out!” – Ms Jones, Curriculum Leader of the Creative Arts at Nemwinster and Chantry Middle School.

“I loved performing with Cragside Primary djembe ensemble. We made some new friends!” – Leo Buchan, year 5.

“I enjoyed playing while the sports were going on. It felt like we were supporting all of the teams!” – Maddie Bullock, Year 5.

My knight in painted armour

23rd June 2017L Dickinson
You battle one million and one things every day,
But you still manage to stay strong.
You have an overwhelming sadness corrupting your brain,
But you still cling on to happiness.
Parts of your body are too weak and diseased
to do what you love.
But you do it anyways and it’s always amazing-
So this one’s for you-
My strong, happy, amazing hero
I tell you a lot but,
I love you!
You are extraordinary!
And I can’t imagine a life without you.
Casey Dixon (Year 8)

Hold My Trust

23rd June 2017L Dickinson
You are my hero, but do you know?
I think I‘ve been quite clear.
When I gave you my trust you held it,
please continue to hold it dear.
You used what you had to lure me out-
you lured me out with life.
Life I’d forgotten how to live,
life I’d barely witnessed.
Yet you showed me a future, a future
from the past: you helped me to forgive.
Forgive and at the same time not-
holding back my trust.
Hold my trust
‘I won’t let you get hurt again,’ you said
But you know. You’ll leave. But to me you’ll stay.
Hold my trust and I promise you
I won’t give your trust away.
Eve Haines (Year 8)

To you from me

23rd June 2017L Dickinson
Dear my invisible hero,
a one no one else knows.
The quiet voice with loads of impact,
your always pointed toes.
You make my ambitions stronger,
you segregate right from wrong,
You may not know:
That your golden smile is contagious
and your sequin eyes glow
to me more than anyone else,
my invisible hero
from Ciara
Ciara McLarnon (Year 8)

 

Newminster and Chantry perform The Rocky Monster Show

21st June 2017L Dickinson

​On Monday 19th June and Tuesday ​20th June Newminster and Chantry pupils put on The Rocky Monster Show.

This bizarre, anarchic and very funny, Rock ‘n’ Roll musical was a riotous mix of the Addams Family, Young Frankenstein and Phantom of the Opera, with Rebecca and The Rocky Horror Show thrown in for good measure!

Baron Frankenstein’s descendant, and ex-pop star turned professor of Genetics, creates DNA moulds of people in his computer. How these moulds come to life as the ultimate Rock Group, headed by a clone of Elvis himself is the highlight of the hilarious plot.

More traditional monsters also add spice to the explosive mixture. The packed out audience and cast loved the Rock ‘n’ Roll score, much of which is an affectionate send-up of the 60’s.

The whole show was done by the pupils and involved around 200 youngsters. The set was made by the Bronze Arts Award students, tickets and programmes were designed by students, lego club made props, sound and lighting crew provided wonderful special effects not to mention the singing, dancing and acting.

The production has involved many partnerships. Students from the Acting Degree at Newcastle college provided acting coaching, a sixth form KEVI student choreographed and taught the dances, KEVI staff and students have helped with the sound and lighting with many staff from both schools involved with tuition and supporting roles.

 

QUOTES 

I have enjoyed rehearsing the show with my friends because I loved dancing and singing – Leah Clark, year 7.

The Rocky Monster Show has given me the opportunity to make new friends and given me new opportunities. We all thoroughly enjoyed being taught dance by Antonia, a sixth form student from KEVI – Tyla Miller, year 7.

​The show was a wonderful mix of acting, singing, and dancing, and was really funny too – Melissa Daglish, year 7.

​The costumes and set had been designed by the pupils and it was all so creative! -Charley McClellan​, year 7.

I thoroughly enjoyed being part of a brilliant performance. The best part was dancing to the Time Warp, which involved some complex dance moves – Imogen Mellor, Year 6

I enjoyed being part of the performance because I learnt more about myself and challenged myself musically – Ethan Carter, Year 6 

I loved being part of the show. I made lots of friends and it boosted my confidence. I love being on stage as it makes me feel happy as well as giving me butterflies – Sienna Howard, Year 6 

It was superb. We were resilient in making the show the best it could be, always striving to be better. The end show was amazing after the amazing guidance of our teachers and coaches  – Kate Leja, Year 6 

Simon Taylor, Executive Head teacher of the Three Rivers Trust said, “This was a wonderful show, full of fun, great tunes and fabulous dancing.  With almost 200 students involved from the cast, technical and stage crews, it highlighted the talent, energy and enthusiasm of our children and staff, and continued the great tradition of the creative and performing arts at the Three Rivers.”