3rd February 2005

• Children in Reception, Years One and Two took part in a rhythm workshop on Tuesday. They were placed in four mixed-age groups, each one being taught to play a different rhythm based on a word or phrase linked to the theme of Chinese New Year. The four instrument groups consisted of maracas, bells, drums and claves.  By the end of the workshop pupils had performed the rhythms simultaneously, using a range of dynamics.  Whilst being great fun, this was also a wonderful opportunity for children to take part in a larger ensemble piece and practise following a conductor. 
    
• Pupils in Key Stage Two also took part in a rhythm workshop on Wednesday.  Over 100 instruments were played: maracas, tambourines and a huge assortment of drums that had been loaned to the School from Northamptonshire Music Service.  Four challenging rhythms were rehearsed, and then used as the basis for a group performance.  This was recorded so that the pupils had an opportunity to hear their work as an audience. All the pupils had a chance to change instruments too, giving them an experience of playing in each of the instrument groups.
    
• Pupils in 4LD led a whole school assembly today with the presentation of a drama about different forms and styles of art, as a way of reminding pupils about what they have learnt during Art Week. Tomorrow will be the last day of Art Week, but its resounding success with the children means that this initiative will certainly form part of next academic year’s calendar.
    
• Our football team was defeated in last night’s Floodlit Football League’s match against St Thomas Moore, with a score of 5-0.  There was no score up until half time, but then followed a flurry of goals.  Our opponents were the league’s best team by far, and their top position was a difficult one for our lads to overcome.  They are still aiming for a place in the semi-finals, and are on course for this at present, despite last night’s disappointment. 
    
• Parents are reminded that pupils should only bring toys of a small size to school to play with at break times, and that there is no expectation for them to bring any at all if this makes home life and morning routines any easier!  Pupils in Year 3 have recently started bringing in toys that are much too large to store in the classroom.  These will not be ‘allowed out’ with pupils at break times in future.
    
• The PTAFA Quiz Night on Saturday was very well attended, with the team Mostly Harmless winning the medals this year.  The PTAFA have recently provided all parents with a pocket sized calendar of events, so ‘dip into it’ to reserve a place in your diary for the next event.