Newsletter
Duke’s Variety Concert 2009
In
December, 108 pupils were involved in the school performance
held at the Alnwick Playhouse. Congratulations to all our
stars who worked so hard in the weeks beforehand to produce
an amazing selection of acts to entertain the Alnwick
audience, including our poets, choir, dancers, magicians and
hosts.
We received a well deserved glowing review in the
Northumberland Gazette and thanks must go to all staff,
parents and pupils who worked so well as a team to produce
the
show.
This has been a memorable experience for our youngsters and
also for the more experienced members of the cast.
From the School Governors'
Committee
I sometimes think that pupils and parents, and maybe even some of the
staff, wonder why people volunteer to be school governors. Why do they
do it? What's in it for them? Well, the reality of why we do it is, I
suppose, a wish to help and support the Headteacher and staff to make
the Duke's as good a school as it can possibly be for the children.
As to what's in it for us, the answer, in material terms, is 'nothing
really'. We certainly don't get paid and as for bonuses ....! But this
week we've had two fantastic examples of things that make being a
governor at the Duke's and, now, with the Aln Community Schools
Federation, enormously worthwhile.
At the Playhouse on Tuesday and Wednesday there was an amazing display
of musical and dramatic talent from our youngsters. There's no doubt
that using the Playhouse is a great boost both for the performers and
the audience. Our school hall is very impressive and historic, but the
acoustics are frankly awful, so it is tremendous to be able to see and
hear the children really well in a proper theatre.
Many, many thanks to Mrs Cochrane and Mrs Puddephatt for their wonderful
efforts in organising and producing the Royal Variety Show. Great
congratulations to all the performers - pupils and staff - for the
vastly professional and entertaining show they put on for us all. Who
would have known that the governors have had in their midst their very
own talented Sugar Plum Fairy? Mind you, I suspect that the staff Flat
Footed Stompers could have been just a wee bit under-rehearsed.
Then on Thursday, with the Alnwick Gazette, came The Alnwickist. This
was the first collaboration with the Gazette that involved all four
schools in the Federation and what a high quality showcase it was for
the skills of the youngsters of Alnwick, aged 4 to 18. Between you and
me I thought the quality of the articles in The Alnwickist was rather
better than much of the material in the main paper.
Very well done to everyone who has been involved in these two
productions that absolutely make the job of being involved in school
governorship worth the time and effort. And may I close by wishing all
our pupils, parents and staff a very Happy Christmas from the Duke's
School Governing Committee.
- Chair of the Duke's School Governors' Committee
Primary Maths Challenge
This November some of Year 5 and Year 6 took part in the Primary Maths
Challenge. This is done nationally and puts KS2 mathematicians through
their problem solving paces! All those who took part enjoyed the
challenge and worked hard.
In particular Alex Clark Thompson received a silver award and the
following pupils received a bronze award:
Ula
Campbell
Shemiss Webbe
Zara Orange
Matthew Cook
Chloe Appleby
Rebecca Rogerson
Sam Jagger
Leyla Webbe
Patrick Johnson
Year 5 Egyptian Day
On
October 13th, the Year 5 pupils stepped back in time to the
age of Pharaoh Akhenaton for a historical activity day. We
spent the morning in the market place of Thebes busily
preparing for the Festival of The Nile in the afternoon. All
pupils were involved in soap carving, mod roc cartouche
making, writing hieroglyphs and making canopic jars and
amulets from clay.
During the afternoon, the Pharoah and his Queen (Nicholas
and Abby) were entertained by dancers, actors and soldiers,
whilst enjoying a sumptuous feast prepared by the royal
servants. We even had a royal food taster who was poisoned!
Year 6 Tudor Day
On Tudor Day we dressed as Tudors. In the morning we made
gold coins, scent bags and candles and lots more. In the
afternoon we were visited by an actor who had received a
letter from Shakespeare and then we joined King Henry for a
banquet in the afternoon. It was a great day.
Year 6 Visit to the Laing Art Gallery
When we went to the Laing Art Gallery we saw loads of art
but not just paintings; we looked at sculptures too. In the
afternoon we did a workshop about the stories behind the art
and we also visited the gift shop.
Marguerite Sawyer 6S
Sport
There have been competitions in indoor athletics, badminton, rugby, netball,
football and skipping this term. Year 6 were 2nd and Year 8 3rd in the
Sportshall Athletics. Year 8 enjoyed a rugby tournament against 7 other teams.
4 Year 8 boys received badminton coaching and then played a tournament involving
high school and middle school pupils. The girls decided against joining in.
Matches have been played against Seahouses Middle School where the boys drew in
football and the girls were 2nd. The football team drew against Belford.
Some of the Year 5, 7 and 8’s have had football coaching and some Year 6 have
had rugby coaching.
The Year 5 football tournament was cancelled due to wet conditions and not
enough football boots making it a health and safety issue.
Skipping
started with an afternoon session last term and has regenerated playground games
and now after coaching with the help of North county Leisure, Year 5 competed
against other schools.
There has been great interest in becoming a sports assistant with over 20 pupils
applying. This is double the amount that applied last year so we’re pleased to
see the pupils taking advantage of what is on offer.
The fun fitness club will begin in the New Year (street dancing, yoga and
aerobics to mention a few) so keep an eye on the notice board for more
information.