Embedded Files
Spring 2026
Spring 2026
This term our focus is 'Caring for Others' where we will be thinking about how we can show kindness, respect and consideration in our everyday actions. As we introduce OPAL play (Outdoor Play and Learning), we will be linking our music and discussions to how we care for one another during playtimes.
Through music, songs and reflection, children will explore ideas such as sharing, taking turns, listening to others and including everyone in play. We will talk about how our words, actions and choices can help others feel safe, happy and valued, especially when playing outdoors with new equipment and opportunities.
23rd March
23rd March
From Kitty Whittington Musical
From Kitty Whittington Musical
“Happy Ending” is the joyful final song in Kitty Whittington, a musical created for children by The School Musicals Company. Key Stage 2 have recently learnt all of the songs in Big Sing….Year 5 will be performing them soon at “Northwich Sings”, and Year 5 and 6 will be performing the entire musical at the end of the year!
What is happening in the story?
Kitty Whittington is a “rags to riches” story about a brave girl called Kitty who travels to London to make a better life for herself. Along the way, she faces lots of problems:
she is robbed and treated unfairly
she is bullied by other characters
she nearly gives up and leaves London
But she also shows kindness. Most importantly, she befriends a magical talking cat, Mr Bowbells. He was a stray cat, but Kitty showed him kindness by offering him a place to live with her.
At the end of the story, everything changes. The cat helps solve a big problem (getting rid of rats in a palace), and because of this, Kitty is rewarded with wealth and a bright future.
This is the moment when the whole cast sings “Happy Ending.”
What is the song about?
“Happy Ending” is a big, cheerful celebration song.
It tells us that:
things can turn out well, even after hard times
kindness, courage, and patience are rewarded
everyone can look forward to a brighter future
It’s the musical’s way of saying: “Everything worked out in the end!”
This song is a perfect example of the idea “one good turn deserves another.”
Here’s how:
Kitty is kind to Mr Bowbells (the cat)
The cat later helps solve a huge problem
Because of that, Kitty is rewarded and her life improves
So, the good thing Kitty did comes back to help her- just like the saying!
The lyrics in the song also relate to how we should live our lives in general…. “It doesn’t matter how the story starts, it’s how it ends and how you played your part…” “You took initiative, you took the lead, helping the people who were still in need”.
Whether you will be performing this song later this year or not, why not have some fun and try to sing along with the video?
16th March
16th March
Harry Styles
Harry Styles
Who is Harry Styles?
Harry Styles is a British singer and songwriter. He first became famous as a member of the pop group One Direction. After the band finished performing together, Harry started making music on his own.
He is known for:
writing catchy pop songs
putting on fun, energetic performances
encouraging people to be kind and accepting of others
Harry often uses the phrase “Treat People With Kindness”, which has become a positive message he shares with fans around the world.
What is the song about?
“Treat People With Kindness” is a song from Harry Styles’s album Fine Line, released in 2019.
The song encourages people to:
be kind to one another
celebrate differences
make others feel welcome and happy
The lyrics remind us that small acts of kindness can make a big difference.
What style of music is it?
The song is a lively pop song with influences from soul and gospel music.
You can hear:
a strong piano rhythm
a choir singing together
upbeat clapping and dancing sounds
Because of this joyful style, the song feels like a big celebration of kindness where everyone can join in.
How does the song show consideration?
Consideration means thinking about other people and caring about how they feel.
In this song, Harry Styles reminds us that:
being kind helps people feel safe and valued
welcoming others makes communities happier and stronger
everyone deserves to be treated with respect
The message is simple but powerful: If we treat people with kindness, the world becomes a better place for everyone.
Fun fact
At Harry Styles concerts, many fans wear clothes or hold signs with the message “Treat People With Kindness.” It has become a way for fans to remind each other to look after one another and spread positivity.
9th March
9th March
Paul Dukas
Paul Dukas
Who was Paul Dukas?
Paul Dukas (1865–1935) was a French composer and teacher. He wrote music for orchestras and ballets, but he was very careful about his work and destroyed many of his pieces because he wanted them to be perfect.
Today he is most famous for one exciting orchestral piece- The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.
The music became even more popular after it was used in the Disney film Fantasia, where Mickey Mouse plays the apprentice.
The Story in the Music
This piece tells a magical story without any words.
A young apprentice works for a powerful sorcerer.
One day, when the sorcerer leaves, the apprentice decides to try some magic himself.
He enchants a broom to carry water so he doesn’t have to do the work.
At first it seems like a great idea! But there’s a problem…The apprentice doesn’t know how to stop the spell!
Soon:
The broom keeps bringing more and more water.
The room starts to flood.
When he chops the broom in half, two brooms appear instead of one!
The music becomes faster and louder as the chaos grows. Finally, the sorcerer returns and stops the magic before the whole place is underwater.
How the Music Tells the Story
In the orchestra, the music paints the scene:
Quiet, mysterious music at the start shows the magic beginning.
Repeating rhythms represent the broom walking back and forth carrying water.
The orchestra grows louder and faster as the flood gets worse.
A powerful musical moment shows the sorcerer returning to fix the problem.
Listening to the music can feel like watching the story happen!
What Is the Lesson?
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is a great example of the idea that actions have consequences.
The apprentice wanted to avoid doing his work, so he used magic he didn’t understand. Because of this choice, things quickly got out of control.
The story teaches an important lesson:
If we make careless choices, they can create problems we didn’t expect.
It also reminds us that:
Power and tools should be used responsibly.
Learning and patience are important before trying something difficult.
In short:
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Paul Dukas is an exciting piece of music that tells a magical story about curiosity, mistakes, and how our actions can have surprising consequences.
2nd March
2nd March
MC Grammar
MC Grammar
The World Book Day Song is a super fun and catchy song created by MC Grammar to celebrate reading and books! It was made especially for World Book Day, a special day when children and grown-ups celebrate their love of stories.
Who Is MC Grammar?
MC Grammar is a British rapper who used to be a primary school teacher. He loves helping children learn in exciting ways. Instead of just reading from textbooks, he turns lessons into fun rap songs!
He has written raps about:
Books
School subjects
Kindness and confidence
He believes learning should be creative and enjoyable.
What Is Rapping?
Rapping is a type of music where someone:
Speaks words in a strong rhythm
Uses rhyme (words that sound the same at the end, like cat and hat)
Performs over a beat (the music playing in the background)
Instead of singing long notes, rappers say their words in a rhythmic, bouncy way. It can tell a story, share ideas, or spread a positive message.
The World Book Day Song
In The World Book Day Song, MC Grammar raps about:
How exciting books can be
How reading lets your imagination grow
How stories can take you on adventures
The song encourages children to:
Discover new characters
Visit magical places
Become heroes through reading
It has an upbeat rhythm that makes you want to clap, dance, and maybe even pick up a book right away!
Why It’s Special
The song is special because it:
Makes reading feel cool and exciting
Shows that books are full of adventure
Helps children celebrate World Book Day in a musical way
MC Grammar proves that learning and music can go hand in hand- and that reading is something to shout about!
23rd February
23rd February
Steve Reich
Steve Reich
American composer, Steve Reich (born in 1936) wrote a piece of music called Music for 18 Musicians. As the title says, it is written for 18 musicians playing together as one big team!
This piece is a great example of how teamwork makes something amazing happen.
What is special about this music?
Instead of having one loud leader all the time, this music is built from small patterns. The musicians play short musical ideas that repeat over and over. Little by little, the patterns change- almost like pieces of a puzzle slowly shifting into a new picture.
The instruments include pianos, marimbas (wooden instruments you hit with mallets), xylophones, clarinets, violins, a cello, and even singers. Everyone has a part that fits together perfectly.
How is it like a team?
Imagine a football team, a relay race team, or even a group project at school. If one person stops paying attention, the whole team can get confused. It’s the same in Music for 18 Musicians.
Each musician must listen carefully.
They have to come in at exactly the right time.
They repeat their pattern steadily so others can build on it.
They watch and listen to each other to know when to change- this piece has no conductor, so working as a team is incredibly important!
No one part is more important than the others. Even a small, quiet pattern matters! If one instrument stopped playing, the music would feel empty or unbalanced.
Passing the Musical Baton
In this piece, the musicians often give musical “cues” to each other. For example, a change in the sound of the marimbas might signal that it’s time for everyone to move to the next section. It’s like teammates giving each other signals during a game.
This means everyone must:
Stay focused
Trust each other
Work together
Keep a steady rhythm
Why teamwork matters
If even one musician rushes ahead or falls behind, the repeating patterns won’t line up properly. The music depends on cooperation. When all 18 musicians play together carefully and confidently, the result is beautiful, shimmering sound that feels alive and moving.
Just like in a great team:
Every person matters.
Every role is important.
Success happens when everyone works together.
So when you listen to Music for 18 Musicians, imagine 18 people listening closely, breathing together, and building something wonderful as a team- proving that when everyone does their part, amazing things can happen.
Of course, the same can be said for any musical ensemble playing any type of music…choirs, orchestras, bands etc. Each and every member must work as a team in order to produce something that’s good to listen to. Those of you who play in the school ensembles (band, recorder ensemble and string group) already know what it takes to be a good team player and put these important skills to good use every time you rehearse or perform in a concert.
9th February
9th February
Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay’s song “In My Place” is about feelings that many children (and grown-ups!) have at different times. The song talks about feeling stuck, confused, or unsure, and wanting to understand where you belong. These feelings are completely normal.
For Children’s Mental Health Week 2026, the theme is “This is My Place”, encouraging inclusion, belonging and connection in our classrooms and school community. Just like the song, it reminds us that everyone has their own place- their own feelings, thoughts, and experiences. Sometimes our place feels calm and happy, and sometimes it feels tricky or overwhelming. All of these feelings are okay.
Understanding Our Feelings
“In My Place” helps us think about:
Feeling unsure about things
Wanting to be understood
Taking time to work out how we feel
The song shows that it’s okay not to have all the answers straight away. Talking about feelings and asking for help can make a big difference.
How Music Helps Our Mental Health
Music can be really good for our mental health:
It helps us express feelings we don’t have words for
It can help us feel calmer or feel understood
It reminds us that we’re not alone
Listening to songs like “In My Place” can help you notice your emotions and feel safe sharing them with others.
Children’s Mental Health Week is a time to remember that everyone’s place matters. Your feelings matter. Whether you feel happy, worried, excited, or unsure- you are not alone, and support is always there.
Music, talking, and kindness can help us all feel more comfortable in our place.
2nd February
2nd February
MC Grammar
MC Grammar
This week is National Storytelling Week, so we’ve chosen some music linked to a popular children’s story book. KS1 will be looking at putting music to stories, whilst KS2 will be learning about rap music-therefore we’ve chosen MC Grammar rapping the story of The Wonky Donkey as this week’s music on Monday piece!
What Is Rap Music?
Rap music is a fun and exciting way of telling stories using rhyming words and rhythm. Instead of singing different pitched notes, rappers talk or chant their words to a beat. These words are often called raps, and the person who performs them is called an MC, which means Master of Ceremonies.
Rap can be funny, serious, clever, or silly- and it’s all about playing with words!
Where Did Rap Music Come From?
Rap music started in the 1970s in a place called New York City in the United States. It grew out of block parties where DJs played music and people danced together.
Rappers began talking over the music to:
Tell stories
Make people laugh
Share ideas
Get the crowd excited
Over time, rap became part of hip-hop culture, which also includes dancing, DJ-ing, and art like graffiti.
MC Grammar and The Wonky Donkey
MC Grammar is a rapper and a teacher who loves mixing music and learning. He became very popular for rapping the children’s book The Wonky Donkey.
Instead of just reading the book, MC Grammar:
Turned the words into a rap
Added rhythm and beat
Made the story even funnier and more exciting
Children (and grown-ups!) loved it because it showed that rap can be playful, great for stories and a fun way to enjoy books.
26th January
26th January
Braimah Kanneh-Mason
Braimah Kanneh-Mason
Schindler’s List is a film that tells a true story from history. It is about a man named Oskar Schindler, who helped save many Jewish people during World War II. The film is set at a very sad time called the Holocaust, when millions of people were treated cruelly and unfairly just because of who they were. The film helps us remember what happened and why it is so important to be kind, fair, and caring to everyone.
The music for Schindler’s List was written by a famous composer called John Williams. He is one of the world’s most well-known film composers and has written music for many movies, including Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Jurassic Park. For Schindler’s List, John Williams wrote very gentle and emotional music to help us feel the sadness, pain, and hope in the story.
The main instrument we hear in the music is the violin. The violin often plays slow, quiet melodies that sound like a human voice. This helps the music feel personal and emotional, as if it is telling the story of the people in the film. The violin is supported by an orchestra, which includes string instruments, woodwinds, and very soft brass. The instruments work together to create a calm, thoughtful sound rather than loud or exciting music.
The music helps us understand the themes of the Holocaust. It reminds us how important it is to remember the past and learn from it. The quiet, sad sound reflects how much people suffered, but it also portrays kindness and hope, especially when people help one another.
When we listen to this music and understand it’s context within the film, we can learn an important lesson: everyone matters. The story of Schindler’s List teaches us that we should allow everyone to belong, no matter how different they are. Whether people look different, believe different things, or come from different backgrounds, we are all human and deserve to be treated with respect. Music, like this piece, brings people together and reminds us to be kind, welcoming, and understanding.
19th January
19th January
from the Disney film Aladdin
from the Disney film Aladdin
“Friend Like Me” is a super lively and joyful song from the film Aladdin. This version is performed by the famous American actor and singer, Will Smith.
In the story, Aladdin has just found a magical lamp, and when he rubs it, out pops the Genie- a funny, amazing character who can grant wishes! The Genie sings this song to Aladdin to show how powerful and helpful he can be.
When the Genie starts singing “Friend Like Me,” he’s showing Aladdin all the incredible things he can do. He transforms into all sorts of silly and exciting versions of himself- like a marching band or a cowboy, just to make Aladdin laugh and have fun. The Genie wants Aladdin to know that with him around, there’s never a dull moment!
It’s not just about the magic- it’s about being a great friend. The Genie sings about how he’ll help and celebrate with you, and how life is better when you’re having fun together.
“Friend Like Me” is a big, bouncy, and jazzy song full of energy, and has lots of:
Jazz and swing rhythms- It makes you want to tap your feet!
Fast, playful lyrics- The Genie talks quickly and confidently, like a friendly showman.
Fun sounds and surprises- The music jumps from one exciting idea to the next, just like the Genie does.
How many different instrument sounds do you recognise when you listen to the song?
The song teaches a great lesson about friendship: a good friend helps make sure others are having fun too. The Genie isn’t just showing off- he’s trying to cheer Aladdin up and make him feel special. That’s what friends do! They lift you up, make you smile, and make ordinary moments feel magical.
12th January
12th January
The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were a very famous band from England. There were four members in the group: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. They loved making music together and became one of the most popular bands in the world. Their songs are still enjoyed by people of all ages today.
One of their songs is called “With a Little Help From My Friends.” This song is about friendship, teamwork, and helping one another. It reminds us that things are easier and more fun when we don’t try to do everything by ourselves.
In the song, the singer talks about how friends can help when someone feels tired, stuck, or unsure. Friends can cheer each other up and work together to get things done. That’s why this song is a great match for our theme of “who should clean up?”!
When everyone helps to clean up together- putting toys away, tidying tables, or picking things up- it doesn’t take very long and feels much nicer. Just like in the song, a little help from our friends makes a big difference. By working as a team, we can keep our space clean and show kindness to one another.
5th January
5th January
Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi
Welcome back to school! To match today’s snowy return, this week’s Music on Monday is “Winter” from The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi.
The Four Seasons is a set of four violin concertos, each representing a different season of the year. Written in 1725, the music is a famous example of program music—music that tells a story. Vivaldi even included short poems (sonnets) to describe what’s happening in each season. In Winter, listen for the shivering strings, icy winds, and stamping feet as people try to stay warm in the cold weather.
This energetic and imaginative piece is the perfect way to welcome us back and kick off our week!
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