News Archive : Sept04 - May05
Steel Pans on GMR
On Saturday 21st May, as the year 9 Steel Band were performing outside Swinton Town Hall, a reporter from GMR was so impressed that she decided to run a story about them!!
Having recorded a number of tracks of music, she then went on to interview the pupiils, who all presented themselves very professionally.
The broadcast went out on Thursday 2nd June and featured pupils Adam and Luke, as well as Mrs Tomlinson. We were able to promote the work of our steel bands and also explain a little of how the pans are made and played.
You can hear the GMR interview in full here (2Mb mp3 file)
Salford Schools' Chess Championship
Congratulations go to Ali, from year 8, who gained a silver medal in the year 8 chess final. Ali was one of four finalists, and in his first two matches he convincingly beat the players from other local high schools.
His third match against Irlam and Cadishead was a very close one. The game went to the wire, but unfortunately following one fatal mistake from Ali, he found himself in check-mate.
Not to worry - Just like Amir Kahn, he'll be back for the Gold Medal next year!!!
3/02/05
Robert Meadmore Concert
On Thursday 3 rd February Year 7 and 8 pupils in school attended a concert by ‘musical theatre' singer Robert Meadmore. Pupils listened to three songs from Robert's new album, heard about Robert's life and were able to ask questions about his career and training.
A representative from Robert's record company, Dramatico, also spoke to the pupils.
The concert was backed by Classic FM and both GMR Radio and Channel M TV Station came to record and interview Robert and some of our pupils.
2/02/05
Melvin Burgess and Burning Issy
Pupils in year 9 at The Swinton High School are working with The Royal Exchange theatre and Creative Partnerships to create art and design work in response to the novel “Burning Issy” by Melvin Burgess.
The pupils have spent 3 days of creative activity with set designer Louise Ann Wilson and art teacher Mrs Louise mills. On Tuesday 1 st February they were visited by the author Melvin Burgess and were able to discuss the book and show him their artwork.
“This has been a very exciting opportunity for our pupils to work with creative practitioners and to consider a novel in an alternative and exciting way” says Jenny Tomlinson Creative Partnerships co-ordinator at the school.
Their finished work is to be displayed in a project with other schools at The Royal Exchange Theatre in July.
December 2004 - Performing Arts News
Community Projects
Our “Haunted House” project for primary schools has begun at Clifton Primary School. Pupils are working through music, dance and drama to create scenes and images of a Haunted House.
The Community Performing Arts Group will begin in January with a music focus of MC/DJ and vocal techniques – we are working with the Youth Offending Team and Greater Manchester Music Action Zone on this project.
Creative Partnerships
We are working with The Royal Exchange Theatre in conjunction with the novelist Melvin Burgess. Pupils across three schools will be involved in transferring the novel to script and then to stage. Our Year 9 pupils will work on the art and design element of the stage adaptation alongside their teacher Mrs. Mills. Mrs. Tomlinson (creative partnership's co-ordinator) and Mrs. Mills will attend 3 inset sessions linked to this project.
Greater Manchester Youth Proms
Two of our pupils, Adam Birchall (Year 9) and Jonathan Kilner (Year 7) performed with the Salford Music and Performing Arts Service at the Youth Proms at The Royal Northern College of Music on Sunday 28th November. Congratulations to both pupils for representing our school and Salford.
Schools Touring / Promotional Concerts
Two concerts have taken place in the last week. On Monday 29 th November “Deeyah” a singer/song writer entertained Year 9 and 7. Deeyah sang, showed her video and talked about the music business, as well as answering lots of questions and providing signed photographs.
On Wednesday 1 st November, Year 8 pupils watched a presentation given by singer/song writer Mark Joseph and his manager/father! Mark sang several of his songs and his father talked about his career so far – It was extremely an informative and enjoyable afternoon!
15/12/04
Foreign languages visit our partner primary schools
At The Swinton High School, either French or Spanish is taught up to KS3 with the option for some to take one or the other as a second language in Year 8. In KS4, pupils have the option of taking one or both to G.C.S.E. level.
Unlike in the U.K, France, Spain and other European countries have taught languages to children of a very early age meaning, that when the children reach secondary school, they are already part way towards fluency. Until recently, the majority of children who came to us in Year 7 had very little, if any language knowledge at all.
The National Language Strategy states that by 2009, M.F.L is to be made a compulsory part of the curriculum in all primary schools in the U.K. under a heading ‘Languages for All, Languages for Life' Not before time we feel!
At The Swinton High School, we have always seen the need for this and for three years, The Modern Foreign Languages Faculty have been actively involved with introducing languages to various primary schools in the local area.
Head of faculty, Mike Dunkley has been flying solo for two school years on this project, working with Year six pupils for an hour a week at The Deans, Wardley and Clifton County primary schools.
The aim is to give pupils a stronger foundation and confidence with a language before they reach secondary school, getting rid of any inhibitions or pre-conceived ideas they may have regarding language learning.
From September 2004 I too have come on board and have been working with St Peter's and St Augustine's primary schools. I am teaching a Year 5 and a Year 6 class. The experience has really opened my eyes as to how quickly younger children can learn and how rapidly they progress in a short space of time. The year 2009 may seem a long way off, but, in preparation, we intend to continue going out to primary schools to offer our language expertise.
14/12/04
Getting ready for the second half of the football season
Looking good in the new Swinton High School blue football kit are Craig and Sam, captains of the year seven and eight football teams. "They are pretty smart" says Craig, "they should make us play better". Let's hope that this is a good omen for the continued success of both these teams when they resume league fixtures after the February half term.
22/11/04
Children and staff bake till they drop to help children in need
Pupils in the Learning Support Unit (LSU) at The Swinton High School were asked how they thought they could help to raise money for Children In Need. Their idea sparked off a week of baking. Cakes and biscuits were prepared by the pupils and the staff. They baked more cakes and biscuits than Jamie Oliver has ever seen. Every day was a sell out so the next day they baked more. By Thursday a massive £275 had been raised. Not satisfied with that amount baking reached fever pitch on Thursday evening and Friday morning. Over 3000 cakes or biscuits later the total raised for children in need rose to over £500.
Here are some of the comments made by the children who helped raise this astonishing amount.
'This week I helped in the LSU the children and teachers baked cakes and biscuits for children in need. We sold them at 20p each during break and lunch time. We raised just over £500 to help children who need our help.'
'This has made me feel good - I have done something by helping other children.'
12/11/04
Presentation Evening
The Presentation Evening this year was held at Buille Hill Banqueting Suite. David Hughes from The EMI Music Sound Foundation was the guest speaker who gave us all an insight into his career in the music business and some of the stars that he has worked with.
Numerous special awards were given out, Jennifer Edwards won the Achievement for Academic Excellence and Simona Garguilo was awarded the Campus Scholarship which is a £250 cheque to help fund her university studies, she is studying Spanish and Italian at Salford University.
The headteachers report said again this years results were the best ever achieved at The Swinton High School. Well done to all of last years school leavers.
11/11/04
Urban Stage Youth Theatre
Starting on the 9th November ‘Urban Stage' Youth Theatre started teaching pupils drama skills and theatre techniques. Hopefully, this is the start of a long partnership where our pupils will work with a team of professionals who are in the performing arts industry. Year 8 have one lesson a week, year 10 have two lessons a week and are taught by Helen Kay. The pupils have been selected by the learning support unit and drama department to have these special sessions so that they can improve in co-operation, communication, creativity and concentration.
09/11/04
MAPAS - Sweet Charity
Thirteen Year 8 pupils went with Miss Smith to see the MAPAS production of ‘Sweet Charity'. The pupils were chosen due to their commitment in drama and music lessons. The performance was an excellent display of musical, dancing and acting skill. Kirstylea Bates in 8N said: “I think it was good – it is a funny play and I'd like to come and do this again.” Elizabeth Tunnacliffe said: “It was really good – the singing was really good too.” Daniel Stafford said: “I think it was excellent. The best scene was one where two characters are stuck in a lift and can't get out – very funny.” Natalie McGuiness said: 2I think it was excellent too, the best part was a scene in where Valator tries to hide Chanty in the wardrobe.”
05/11/04
'SPARK' - M6 Theatre Company
M6 Theatre Company came into school on 4th November. They showed their performance of ‘Spark'. A play about four teenagers and their parents. It showed how people communicate and mis-communicate with each other. All year 11 GCSE drama students and year 10 drama and performing arts pupils watched the play and will be using an analysis of it in their written exam and coursework.
The play was set in a ‘Skate Park' in Manchester. As well as in the homes of the characters. Each actor played a minimum of two characters and showed this by using clever acting skills such as – self-narration.
Liam Armson 10T said:
“I would rate this play 7/10 because they showed good characterisation and it is a hard hitting play for 14+ years.”
18/10/04
Performing Arts College Launch
On the 14th and 15th of October there was two days of hard work and celebration! The newly named Performing Arts College was celebrated by touring over our local partnership schools, Mossfield, Clifton, Wardley, St. Peters, The Deans, All Hallows R C High School and Oakwood High School.
The schools each had either a workshop given by our Junior Theatre Company or a Steel Pans performance. Over 500 pupils took part in these events.
The culmination of the two days was 1000 balloons launched into the sky in “The great Balloon Race”. The winner of the first prize (£100) was Laura Jones Y10 and her balloon travelled to Dorset. The forms that sold the most balloons were 8S, 8O and 9S. Each form won a prize and the individuals who sold the most, also received gifts.
Now the job of The Swinton High School Performing Arts College is to lead the way in the teaching and development of drama, music and dance. We have a commitment to improving the cultural life of our school by providing opportunities that might not otherwise be available in most secondary schools. We have a commitment to improving the facilities at the school, and sharing the performing arts with our community in Swinton.
18/10/04
The Great Balloon Race
On Friday 15th October, the sky over Swinton and Pendlebury saw the celebration of The Swinton High School becoming a Specialist College for the Performing Arts as almost 1000 printed blue balloons were launched from the school yard.
In the early afternoon, pupils, staff, friends and family of the school worked non-stop to fill the balloons with helium and attach balloon race tickets to them ready for the big launch. For £1 everyone was invited to buy a race ticket with their name and address on, with the hope of it being returned from the furthest place to win £100.
At 2pm Mr Biddlestone gave a speech to onlookers before the school steel pan band entertained the crowds and the balloons were launched to loud cheers.
To date, the furthest a balloon has been returned from is Dorset although many have come from places such as Crewe, Nantwich and Shropshire. Pupils in the learning support unit are recording the balloon's progress on a large map, which is on view outside the LSU.
Many thanks to everyone who helped make the launch a success including the volunteers and the steel pan band!
15/09/04
Drama News
Rehearsals are well under way for our production of The Tempest. We are performing our half hour version of Shakespeare's classic at The Lowry, as part of the Shakespeare Schools Festival on the 21 st October 2004. Support for our 30 strong cast would be fantastic, please contact The Lowry directly on 0870 787 5780 for ticket details.
Auditions were held last week for Spectacular Dracula, which will be performed, in a double bill at Christmas with The Tempest. Miss Smith and Mrs Tomlinson were overwhelmed with over 100 enthusiastic students auditioning. I believe everyone who attended the auditions will be involved in the production – ‘They're all just so good' Miss Smith said. Watch this space for rehearsal progress reports.
The drama department are also eagerly awaiting the upgrading of the drama theatre and drama studio. Hopefully, next time you read this I will be telling you all about our fantastic facilities.
01/09/04
Performing Arts
We are very excited this year to begin our work as the only specialist performing arts college in Salford. We began at the beginning of September planning, teaching, organising and prioritising all of the many wonderful new opportunities that we hope to achieve over the next four years.
The curriculum options have been widened this year with our school being a ‘pilot' for the new ‘applied GCSE in performing arts'. The course has secured interest from the increased flexibility 14-19 project and also the ‘Aim Higher' initiative. We are pleased to say that we will be working with practitioners from Pendleton College Performing Arts Faculty to team teach and help in the delivery of this new course.
This is simply a brief introduction to our initial work. We will frequently up-date this section so that you can be informed of our projects, success, pupils' achievements; both curriculum and extra curriculum, community schools, community partners and the future of The Swinton High School, Specialist Performing Arts College!