Music Sharing

The performance hall at Saint Paul’s Catholic High School resounded to the sounds of local Primary School children along with Year 7 children from Saint Paul’s, older students, Music Service staff and players from the Halle Orchestra all playing music especially created on the day.

These music sharing days, led by Rachel Johnson (Music teacher at the school in Newall Green) and Andy Spearpoint (from the Music Service), provided an opportunity for everyone involved to see the High School, meet staff and students and get a taste of what to expect next year. All those involved joined in singing verses written in the individual schools on the subject of ‘Change’.

Music Service staff and players from the Halle Orchestra along with staff and students from Saint Paul’s spent time last year in each of the local Primary Schools enjoying a day of music making and lyric writing with the then Year 5 children. This is part of a larger programme of activities organised by the North West Music Partnership, a DCSF funded programme.

The event brings the Primary School children on to the premises of the senior school so that pupils feel comfortable about the move when the time comes to transfer from primary school to senior school. It creates stronger bonds between the schools and allows the primary school pupils to become more familiar with the secondary school.

The time at the school allows the youngsters to understand a little about how secondary schools work and helps them to build their relationships.

“This was a fantastic day which everyone enjoyed,” said Ms Ellie Brookes, Head of Expressive Arts at Saint Paul’s and winner of the North West Teacher of the Year Award 2009. “It’s really important for us to meet these possible future pupils at a young age. It helps to build their confidence about moving to secondary school.”

“Visits such as this are a great way for the primary school pupils to become more familiar with Saint Paul’s,” said Head Teacher Wiktor Daron, “It then makes their transition to secondary school a much smoother and very positive experience.”