Amazing Christmas Concert

What an amazing night!  The children were fantastic.  Soloists, duets, small ensembles, Year 7, choir, carollers, and orchestra alike - all worked so very hard.

The day was stress-free and calm - the children were super all day and worked well towards putting the finishing touches to their music.  The afternoon concert was as lovely as that which was presented in the evening.

Parents and staff all enjoyed the children's performances, and it was especially lovely to see more and more students in the audience.

Success at Sainsburys

The children were superb today and they have raised just over £190, thanks to the fantastic support of the shoppers at Sainsbury's in Newcastle.  The £190 will be put towards the school's Gambia Appeal fund.  Their beautiful singing (and smiley faces) encouraged the shoppers to part with their hard-earned cash in exchange for some festive cheer.  We were really proud of them.  It was great that so many parents, aunts, uncles, siblings and grandparents were able to pop by and say "hi".  Mr Rushton and Miss Milne were very grateful for the accompaniments put in by Hannah Brown and the harmony lines from Mr Cross, Mr Winter and Miss Graham.

A mixture of secular and sacred Christmas songs and carols were shared by the children with the people of Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Only five sleeps ...

... Until the Christmas Concert is finally upon us. The children have worked really hard and would love to 'show off' their music to you. Please get your tickets from reception - £5 adults and £3 concessions.

Fantastic carolling today

The carollers went to Maryhill Day Centre today and lead the residents in community singing, and what a fantastic job they did too.  The residents were clearly in the festive mood and they joined in - some of the ladies and gentlemen were brilliant singers (one gentlemen had previously been a member of the Biddulph Male Voice Choir) and our children were in awe of the lady who sang the descant for The First Nowell.  The children and the senior citizens alike really enjoyed the afternoon, for very similar reasons.  We look forward to sharing our music over the remainder of this festive season.

Residents' Association Performance

 The carol singers were out in force on Tuesday 4th December, performing at the Clough Hall Residents' Association meeting.  The girls were tremendous and their hard work earned a £30 donation to the school's Gambia funds - fantastic - our heartfelt thanks must go to the Residents' Association for their very kind donation.

Have a look at a couple of the videos, taken by Courtney, which show the girls performing at Hollinwood Close Sheltered Housing, where the meeting of the Residents' Association took place.

Carols in Kidsgrove

The children turned up smartly and in fine voice on Saturday morning bright and early.  We sang at the opening of the Kidsgrove Victorian Christmas Market - a lovely experience.  As we left to walk to Tesco, the lovely lady representing Tesco at the market gave us a big bag of fresh cookies to share - they were very welcome.  When we got to Tesco, the Newcastle Foodbank volunteers were busy collecting food for people who will have nothing this Christmas.  We were amazed by how generously people were donating.  Our children all went and spent a pound to donate food to the charity as well.  We sang a great many carols and really enjoyed ourselves - we all feel very festive now.  Special thanks from all of the children, Mr Rushton and Miss Milne go to Hannah, Dr Norris, Mrs Norris, Mr Winter and Miss Graham who joined in with beautiful four-part harmony and with stunning keyboard accompaniments!

Come and see us the children perform this week at the Clough Hall Residents' Association meeting at Hollinwood Sheltered Housing on Tuesday 4th December, starting at 7.45pm. (Children to meet there by 7.15pm).  The children will also be singing at Maryhill Day Centre on Thursday 6th December in the morning, spreading festive cheer.

Sat 1st Dec - Carollers

Saturday's arrangements are as follows:

Meet at the Town Hall (Victoria Hall, Kidsgrove) at 9.40am in full school uniform.

We will sing there and then walk down to Tesco for 11am. 

We should be done by 12.30pm and you will be "free to go" - parents to collect from Tesco, Kidsgrove please.