Creative Learning Award for the Makaton Choir

We were delighted to be invited to the Aberdeen City Council Children and Young People’s Services Awards today which were held at the Beach Ballroom.

Arriving at the Beach Ballroom

The Makaton Choir, led by Emmeline, our Music Therapist, had been nominated for the Creative Learning Award. There was tough competition with two other schools nominated so we were delighted when Orchard Brae were announced as the winners.

Our Makaton Choir delegation with the Lord Provost

Well done to our senior pupils for representing the school today. It was wonderful to be present at the Ceremony, celebrating learning and achievements from across the City. Congratulations to everyone that was nominated!

The obligatory Awards Selfie

Our Certificate and Award

Musical Fun with Drake Music and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra

On Wednesday 4th September the staff and pupils of Room 16 attended a music composing workshop run by Drake Music and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

We arrived in the hall and took our seats as 2 cellists played a smooth and relaxing melody.  A third musician played various instruments and handed them out to pupils to join in.  My favourite moment was when he started playing a trombone and one very shy pupil simply grinned and said “Wow!”

The pupils (and staff) had the opportunity to play various percussion and wind instruments.  Pupils were given a sense of control as the cellos and trombone would repeat the sounds they had made.  You will see lots of big grins in the photos.

 

 

Exploring The Secret Garden With M & M Theatrical Productions

We had a very special performance in school this morning thanks to M & M Theatrical Productions.

They enchanted us with their adaptation of the classic children’s novel ‘The Secret Garden’ by Frances Hodgson Burnett and we loved having the opportunity to experience the wonder of a live theatre performance.  After the show, some of the students also had the opportunity to meet the cast and explore the set.

Thank you M & M for putting on this wonderful show for us.

 

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Looking Back And Moving Forward With Room 8

The beginning of summer is upon us! As we head into the final stretches of the school year, everyone should take time to reflect on the highs and lows of the year. What worked? What flopped? How can you improve for next year? What from your old job will you bring to your new one? What must you definitely leave behind?

However, when we take time to reflect on our year and take stock of how we’ve grown and changed, we are more able to acknowledge the gifts of this passage and harvest our own learning for the future.

Let’s find out together our best moments.

Seasons’ Change At The Lemon Tree

Last night a group of pupils from across the school performed their piece, Seasons’ Change in the Lemon Tree Studio as part of Aberdeen Performing Arts ‘Light The Blue’ festival.

The pupils (along with some friends who unfortunately couldn’t make the performance) and staff members have worked extremely hard throughout a series of workshops in school, where we worked collaboratively with Kate from Aberdeen Performing Arts, class teacher Jessica and Emmeline our music therapist, in order to create our final performance.

There has been lots of fun along the way as everyone fully engaged their senses to develop a piece of drama which allowed the cast members and audience to move through the seasons.  We used a wide range of stimuli and there were lots of surprises along the way.

All of the pupils were a true credit to themselves and the school in last night’s performance and the audience’s participation was fantastic.  We are so proud of everyone involved and would like to thank them all for all their hard work and effort in performing a truly magical and unique performance.

 

 

 

Rehearsals At The Lemon Tree

Some of our staff and pupils had a super morning at The Lemon Tree, rehearsing for our upcoming performance on the 11th of June as part of Aberdeen Performing Arts, Light The Blue Youth Arts Festival.   We have been working alongside Aberdeen Performing Arts to create a performance which takes you on a sensory journey through the seasons, with some surprises for the audience along the way!   As you can tell by our photos, we all had great time and we can’t wait for the final show and it would be wonderful if you could come along and join us.

The performance is free but tickets must be obtained prior to the event – please see the link below for booking details.

https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/creative-learning/light-the-blue/in-performance/orchard-brae-school/?fbclid=IwAR3BBV0ezL3uxkOeAxNkH3rKHfEUSzdVEFbrmeOaLT-YmrVDY9pngsyu00g

 

 

 

Little Musicians in Afternoon Nursery (Howes Road)

Our little musicians have been thoroughly enjoying their music sessions with our Music Teacher. Engaging with the songs and music through percussion instruments, streamers and bubbles.

 

Spring Art in Room 9

Room 9 pupils appreciate our natural world.

They have observed Spring daffodils growing and produced these wonderful paintings depicting our class’s daffodils.

We have all looked at the paintings and commented on them. We all agree they are fabulous pieces of art.