Musical Opportunities At Warkworth School
Warkworth Primary School prides itself on offering a wide range of musical experiences to our students.
Our classroom programmes focus on full participation and the fostering of enjoyment and confidence as classes from Year One to Six take part in their regular music lessons. The Juniors (Years 1-3) learn singing, music and movement and some instrumental work. The Senior classes also include singing, Music and movement and instrumental work. Recorder and ukulele are also included in the senior class programmes whilst in Year 6 the music programme is formalised under the headings Beat & Rhythm, Tempo, Pitch and Style.
On Wednesdays experienced itinerant teachers come to give trumpet, piano, flute, clarinet and saxophone lessons to small groups of children who perform regularly at school concerts. There is also the opportunity to study for Trinity College exams if the students wish. These instruments were chosen because the children can continue them at Mahurangi College in their Jazz Band.
Guitar lessons are given after school one night a week. A huge group of children come to learn chords and songs to play. The children's lesson is followed by a lesson for adults. It is open to parents, grandparents and any friends of the school. The purpose is to give parents a musical opportunity and to say "thank you " for their support of our school.
Several performance groups operate in the Senior school. A large choir have weekly practices and sing regularly in the community and for public concerts. A yearly highlight is leading the Warkworth Carols by Candlelight with the Warkworth Brass Band.
Band is made up of our brass and woodwind players. A percussion group often accompanies the band. They perform at a school concert when the pieces are ready. Parents are welcome at all our concerts to see and enjoy our results.
Drumming is a popular choice, especially for boys. This year instead of a limited number of children in a weekly group, a drumming teacher was brought in to give all the senior side classes an opportunity to do some group drumming exercises.
A popular lunchtime group is the Campanology group- Handbells. They operate in the second half of the year and perform at our concerts. They particularly enjoy playing Christmas bell tunes at our end of year functions.
Kapa Haka comes under our performance heading. We have a very able leader who is supported by staff members and parents. Our Kapa Haka is growing in popularity and looks wonderful in their performance outfits. They take part in school concerts and a local yearly festival.
We have a cultural group of Tuvaluan and Kiribati children which meets regularly to practise songs and dancing in their own languages. They have proved to be a popular performance group and have done public performances as well as special school concert. Their drumming group is particularly amazing to hear.
We are confident that we offer many opportunities for keen musicians and performers and welcome any enquiries as to how we can help your child develop their musical talents.
Linda Gribble
Music Teacher