Primary Robins: Spring term report

Winnall Primary School has really embraced Primary Robins – they have even set up a Primary Robins Choir.

In this term’s songbook I included the song “Red Red Robin” for obvious reasons! I was not sure how the children would take to it, but hearing them this week, it is clear they love it as much as I do. They sing it so enthusiastically and listening to them would brighten even the greyest of days. I will record it next week and put it on the website.

One boy, whilst looking at the music asked, “What does this squiggle mean”? David told him that it was a rest (a crotchet one in this case) the little boy’s reply was, “OK, so we can have a little break?”

Exactly!

In another class a young girl who has learning difficulties and does not normally take part, joined in and was even brave enough to sing a verse of “A Spoonful of Sugar” by herself. She sang it very beautifully and her teacher was visibly moved.

The whole class then joined in and gave a great rendition. They love to all bend down on the phrase ‘helps the medicine go down’ and at the end a little boy enquired whether a spoonful of sugar really does help. He said he would try it out and let us know. Another child said, “My little brother watched Mary Poppins at the weekend and I got really annoyed!” When asked why, he replied, “There is just too much singing!”

They all love singing rounds – and these are great at getting the children to really work together in their group and listen to each other. This week we split into their swimming groups and so had tadpoles, dolphins and sharks. In one class we sang in six different groups – the record so far!

On Thursday I visited Redbridge Primary School. The children here have now been having Primary Robins lessons for five terms and in every class the singing is vastly improved. The children all take part with great enthusiasm and their concentration and posture are so much better. They now really tell the story of the songs they are singing through colour, dynamics and emotion.

Next week they are performing the songs they have learnt this term to their parents, who, I am sure will be incredibly proud of them, just as I am.

Annabel Larard – Project Leader