“Music is a unique form of communication that can change the way pupils feel, think and act. Music forms part of an individual’s identity and positive interaction with music can develop pupils’ competence as learners and increase their self-esteem. Music brings together intellect and feeling and enables personal expression, reflection and emotional development. As an integral part of culture, past and present, music helps pupils understand themselves, relate to others and develop their cultural understanding, forging important links between home, school and the wider world.

Music education encourages active involvement in different forms of music-making, both individual and communal, helping to develop a sense of group identity and togetherness. Music can influence pupils’ development in and out of school by fostering personal development and maturity, creating a sense of achievement and self-worth, and increasing pupils’ ability to work with others in a group context.
Music learning develops pupils’ critical skills: their ability to listen, to appreciate a wide variety of music, and to make judgements about musical quality. It also increases self-discipline, creativity, aesthetic sensitivity and fulfilment.”
National Curriculum, QCA, 2009

Music is at the heart of Sacred Heart to engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music, foster a range of skills as musicians through appreciating a range of styles of music, composing and performing music.  Every child from Nursery to Year 6 engages in quality music education taught by specialist teacher, Mrs Morgan.  Each year group has a weekly lesson which follows the National Curriculum, enabling children to acquire and build on their musical skills and knowledge as they progress through the school.

The National Curriculum aims for music are to ensure that all pupils:

• Perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions, including the works of the great composers and musicians
• Learn to sing and to use their voices, to create and compose music on their own and with others, have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, use technology appropriately and have the opportunity to progress to the next level of musical excellence
• Understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated, including through the inter-related dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations

Music and Young Minds - Why is music important?

(Text quoted from childrensmusicworkshop.com)

• Music provides a unique opportunity for literacy - listening and hearing in new ways to help with aural discrimination
• Playing instruments and adding movement teaches sequential learning linked to reading comprehension
• Music uses both sides of the brain, affecting the growth of a child's brain academically, emotionally, physically and spiritually
• Music is academic -trains the brain for higher forms of thinking
• Music is physical - can be described as a sport. Learning to sing and keep rhythm develops coordination. The air and wind needed to blow into wind instruments promotes a healthy body
• Music is emotional - Music is an art form and gives children an artistic outlet to express themselves
• Music is for life - Different people have different skill strengths but everyone can sing, with or without other instruments. Music is a gift you can give you child that will last their entire lives

There is an enormous range of musical resources and activities that can be accessed from home to help to develop your musical skills. Don't worry if you don't have instruments at home, you can always use your body or household items or make your own. Don't forget - you all have an instrument - your voices!  

Do send in photos and videos of your music making at home!

The Music badge is part of a company called BBC and is one of the badges from the collection of Blue Peter badges. It is designed by the one and only Ed Sheeran who designed this to inspire people to give music a go. It is the best badge there is and I recommend that you apply for one! They are free and all you need to do is print off the form, fill it in (with the help of an adult) and post it, with a photo, to the address on the form. 

There are three main sections it asks you to complete on the form - 

1. What music you enjoy/play

2. To find out about music that your family loves and what it means to them

3. What are your top 3 favourite songs and why

Easy! Apply for yours today and let's build a Sacred Heart collection to celebrate our love of music.

You'll feel so proud to wear this! A few children have already received their badges and are so happy! Here's what Esther (Year 6 Music Captain) had to say...

' I was really excited to get my Blue Peter Music Badge. All you need to do is download the form and answer a few simple questions and send a photo of you playing a musical instrument; it could even be your voice! You should get one too!'

Well, I would agree with her. We should all have a shot at this badge. I look forward to seeing your badges in school!

A big congratulations to those that have already applied for and received their badges!!!

Noel, Year 6 Music Captain 

Merton Catholic School Deanery Virtual Choir Project

The Merton Catholic School Deanery has created a very exciting virtual choir project and Sacred Heart has been chosen to take part!  This project will be launched at the end of the academic year in July on YouTube and in our Church communities and parishes. We are so privileged to be collaborating in such a wonderful project. A selection of Year 5 singers were chosen to represent the school and they had such a fantastic afternoon with Ms Christian-John, the choir director, recording all of the different audio and visual parts to accompany singers from other Merton primary and secondary schools.   We cannot wait to share this with you once it is launched – it is going to be amazing! Well done to all Year 5 children who represented the school so brilliantly. We are so proud of you all!

Mrs Morgan