KS2 children looked at how musical styles around the world have been influenced by the rock and pop music that came out of the U.S.A and the U.K in the 50's and 60's.
George, Keren, Giles and Tony from Gateshead Music Services taught the children about different musical styles and the countries they came from.
The workshop began with' We Will Rock You,' a rock song transformed rhythmically and melodically with a punjabi 'bhangra ' style beat.
Children then sang and played percussion instruments to African rhythms.
A Mexican cha cha cha style song in nine sections was introduced , this was quickly followed with a Spanish Flamenco.
An international flavour of pop music was illustrated with a Bruno Mars song in reggae style.
Calypso and gypsy music was enjoyed before the workshop finished with an appropriately titled Status Quo song..' Rockin all over the World!'
Our thanks to Gateshead Music Services for a fantastic,fun and valuable morning.

Photographs can be seen in our gallery..click here

Miss Lawson's class were learning all about rhythm and pulse today. They were introduced to the Agogo Bells (small high pitched bells),Tamborims ( small hand held frame drums ) and Surdo drums (bass drums). It is hoped that the class will perform together at the end of term .
Mrs Anderson

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2012 is the centenary of the sinking of RMS Titanic, so it was no surprise that Miss Lawson's class decided to study the disaster as part of their topic work this term. In Swalwell, an educational visit is usually organised before a new topic begins - so with this in mind , Miss Lawson took her class to Segedunum to learn about shipbuilders and to run tests and experiments on the collection of model ships in the museum.
The class learnt about some of the earliest ships from the Cutty Sark to the North-East's own Mauritania built at Swan Hunter on the Tyne. The children became riveters, ship builders and designers, as they tested out the best shapes for a ship and investigated how to balance cargo.
After lunch the children used a variety of materials to experience the sound of the shipyard, before a lesson on pulse in music and some singing. Finally the children were able to revisit their Roman knowledge as they explored the Roman museum, posed as soldiers and learned about building arches!
The full day was jam packed with activities and investigations to excite the children.
On the journey home Lauren summed up the day saying "Best trip ever!"

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J Anderson

The Christmas party is something all our children look forward to...and every year we do not disappoint.
This year, Miss Lawson and Miss Foster organised creative , imaginative games, provided fantastic music and kept our Year 1 to Year 4 children entertained for two hours.
Everyone agreed that this was a wonderful occasion and one they had all enjoyed.
Photos

Once again Mrs Lancastle- Smith has written a Christmas play for our older children to perform.
It is the story of two children who get locked in school and travel through the decades meeting all sorts of exciting people until at last they find the true meaning of Christmas.
There is something in this play for everyone, whether you like music from the war years, are fans of the 'Fab Four' or enjoy the music of the 'King of Rock and Roll'.
The children have worked extremely hard and are a credit to their parents and the school .

Photographs
J Anderson

On Wednesday,Chris Connaughton brought to life characters from Alice in Wonderland, from the Dormouse and the Mad March Hare to the White Rabbit and the ever polite Alice.
This production delighted children in Miss Lawson's class.
Afternoon workshops on phonics( 'ch' phoneme) , character description and story telling followed.
Photos..Click here
J Anderson

Miss Lawson's class had a wonderful time at CLC, Watermark, Metrocentre this morning.
They used 2 simple software to create a super story based on Jack and the Beanstalk. They were also introduced to digital music-making and used a programme called SoundBeam to convert physical movement into sound in order to compose their own dance music.
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J Anderson

Four dedicated musicians, from Gateshead Music Service, came into Swalwell Primary School and delivered an active and fun workshop based on the theme 'World War 2'. The workshop linked music and the national curriculum and raised pupils' musical understanding'.
John Parkin, Gareth Weaver, Julie Weaver and Andrew Long, had our children marching, singing, dancing and playing musical instruments.
We would like to say a big thank you to the musicians for their expertise and guidance and for providing us with a memorable morning.
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J Anderson

As part of their Romans topic, Miss Lawson's Class went on a trip to Vindolanda in Hexham. Vindolanda is an old Roman Fort site. They had a fantastic talk from an archaeologist who told them what it would have been like for the Roman soldiers to live there. They walked round the old site, explored a tower and saw lots of interesting artefacts in the museum...The visit will be used as a stimulus for future activities in class.

Photographs

J Anderson

Some of our children in KS2 have been given the opportunity to attend swimming lessons at Dunston pool on Wednesday afternoons, starting from Wednesday 7th September. Children will leave school about 1:45pm and return to school at approximately 3:45pm.
If this involves your child please ensure that he/she remembers to bring swimming kit into school every Wednesday and that all jewellery is removed including studs/sleepers.
If a child uses an inhaler it must be brought to the swimming lesson.
A voluntary contribution of £1.50 per week would be greatly appreciated to cover the cost of transport.
Please note that all boys need to wear short swimming shorts or trunks and girls need to wear a one piece bathing costume for swimming.
J Anderson

Alison Ashton, an artist, came into school to work with Y3/4 pupils. She helped the children to design rainforest theatres. Pupils thoroughly enjoyed choosing a variety of different art materials to create mini rainforests and showed their creative side as they made rainforest animals, trees and flowers out of gems, paper and pipe cleaners. The finished designs were wonderful and have been used in an area of the classroom which has been transformed into the most amazing rainforest.

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J Anderson

Gillian Cook, a Gateshead Council Road Safety Officer came into Swalwell today to talk to our older children about the importance of taking care when crossing roads.The aim was to encourage the young road user to develop their own strategy for coping with the road environment and to understand the importance of making safe choices.
Topics covered included:-
Pedestrian Safety
Passenger Safety
Cycle Safety
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J Anderson

As part of her Forest Schools work, Miss Lawson took her class on a trip to the Derwent Walk. Children looked at river habitats, drew sketches and collected resources to bring back to school to help us in our quest to become a forest school.
J Anderson

Year 3/4 enjoyed a fun- filled day at Heworth Grange CLC. Children focused on the principles of animation and used Apple Mac computers and new software to create their own film based on the Second World War and 'the Blitz'.

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J Anderson

The sights and sounds of South Africa reverberated round Swalwell Primary School on Wednesday 4th May, when we welcomed a troop of tribal dancers.
Pupils were entertained in fabulous style when 'The Lions of Zululand' gave an hour-long performance of their traditional music and dance. The Zulu Warriors then enthralled the youngsters by running four workshops.
This was a fantastic opportunity for all our pupils to experience the art, dance and music of another culture.
We would like to thank all family, friends and carers who attended the special afternoon assembly. We are sure you will all agree that this exciting,international, colourful day which allowed our children to experience a taste of a completely different culture ended on an amazing high note.
Photographs can be seen in the website gallery...Click here

J Anderson

This afternoon Y3/4 welcomed parents and carers to a special assembly to showcase their talents and to celebrate the completion of their WWII topic.
The amount of work which had gone into producing the assembly was outstanding...We were shown gas masks and torches made in D.T. science and art lessons, informed of the exciting visit to Eden Camp, told WWII stories and shown a powerpoint presentation which included footage of important visitors to Y3/4.
The assembly ended with a rendition of 'We'll meet again'.
Well done Y3/4 !
J Anderson

Year 3/4 were honoured to welcome Danny Cassidy, the County Poppy Appeal Co- ordinator,and Norman and Frank, two World War 2 veterans, to Swalwell School on Wednesday afternoon (30.03.2011).
The children were privileged as they were able to ask Frank and Norman about their experiences during the war, try on hats and look at their war medals.
Year 3/4 would like to say a huge thank you to these wonderful gentlemen for giving up their valuable time to help with this terms World War 2 Topic.
As a result of the visit it is hoped that we will be one of 90 schools in the North - East to become an official supporter of The Royal British Legion.

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Written by Miss Lawson
Posted by Mrs Anderson

On Wednesday morning our KS2 classes participated in a marvellous music workshop delivered by Gateshead Music Services 'A' team.
Judith, Craig, David and Tom certainly hit the high notes with their educational, entertaining workshop on music and dance.
The children were introduced to a wide variety of music and dance from history including an
Elizabethan Dance, Morris Dance and Charleston. Pupils also did The Hand Jive and The Twist.
The session ended with a fabulous rendition of Bolero.
Photographs can be seen in the gallery.
J Anderson

On 10th February, Mrs Corbett ( an ex- employee of Swalwell School), came to share her memories of World War 2 with members of our Year 3/4 class. As well as bringing photographs, medals and her own handwritten poems about the war, Mrs Corbett also sang wartime favourites like' We'll meet again '.
The afternoon ended with Mrs Corbett and our Y3/4 pupils dancing to the tune of Glen Miller's ' In the Mood '.
Everyone agreed that this had been an exciting, interesting fun way to learn about the war.
Thank You, Mrs Corbett.
From Miss Lawson and all the children in Year 3/4.

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J Anderson

Children from our Year 3/4 class, Will, Lauren, Demi, Liam, Reece, and Connor took part in a multi - skills event which was held in Whickham School sports hall this afternoon.The event was won by Front Street with a score of 169 but we came a very close 2nd with a score of 168. As usual ,the children did us proud.They all had a lovely time mixing with other schools in the catchment area.
J Anderson

Today Y3/4 watched Chris Connaughton perform The Tinder Box and The Firebird

Chris told the classic Hans Andersen tale,The Tinder Box, with excitement, intrigue, laughter... and three dogs with eyes as big as your imagination!

In an amusing and exciting journey into fantasy and adventure, actor and storyteller Chris created a new version of the classic tale, The Firebird. This story featured the five senses as well as themes of perseverance and trust.

The performances offered ideas for follow up work on storytelling, adjective work, and other literacy activities.

Photographs...Click here
J Anderson

On Monday 10th January, children in Year 3/4 had a fabulous time at Eden Camp in Malton, North Yorkshire. Many came back to school with images in their heads ready to write some wonderful descriptive sentences about the war.
Many thanks to Miss Lawson for arranging the trip.


CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOGRAPHS
J Anderson

Our Year 1,2,3 and 4 children came together this afternoon for their annual christmas party. For some this is the highlight of the year.The children were kept happy and entertained with a number of games, competitions and dances. Miss Lawson and Miss Foster were responsible for organising this exciting and unforgettable party which ran for two hours from 1.15pm to 3.15pm . Special thanks to Miss Gowland, Mrs Hall and Miss Sanderson for helping out and to Mrs Gray and Mrs Anderson for party food . Photographs are now ready to view in our gallery.
J Anderson

Swalwell's Christmas productions have wowed audiences. Considering the lack of rehearsals due to bad weather school closures, all our pupils still managed to give a polished, professional performance.
A big thank you to all parents, carers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and older brother and sisters who attended the plays and who continue to show support for Swalwell. Finally, a big thank you to all pupils in Nursery, Reception and Years 1 to 6 .You were fantastic and we are all very proud of you. Photographs can be seen in the gallery in the Christmas performances album.
J Anderson

Years 5/6 and Year 3/4 pupils were invited to Whickham School on Monday 1st November, to see a school production of 'Beauty and the Beast'.
Our children enjoyed the show and commented on the quality of the costumes and acting. Thank you to all those at Whickham School for the kind invitation and the warm welcome we received.
J Anderson

Keren, Tony, Giles and George from Gateshead Music Services came into school to do a music workshop based on music in the movies. The aim was to show how music helps to create mood and it's importance in films, and to learn more about the elements of music by looking at movie soundtracks. The children tapped rhythms, played instruments and enjoyed listening to music from Toy Story, Pink Panther, Rocky, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Mission Impossible, Star Wars and Up.
Photographs can be seen in the gallery.

J Anderson

Yesterday, children in KS1 and KS2 learned about how to stay safe whilst using the internet, mobile phones, chat rooms and games on line. Mr Carter, a consultant from Gateshead City Learning Centre, discussed the dangers of using social networking sites such as facebook and My Space.
Pupils were informed that you have to be much older before being permitted to use these sites.
The messages were clear;
Children should never give personal information online or arrange to meet someone they don't know.
Children should not bully, harass or abuse anyone else online.
Children should report any abuse they experience themselves online , by clicking on the report icon.
J Anderson