Humberston Academy Newsletter 11th December 2025

Principal’s Summary

“The more you put in, the more you get out.” The opportunities our students have accessed this term have once again been overwhelming. This latest edition of our newsletter will celebrate just some of the highlights! DREAMs is an aspect of Humberston Academy life that we regularly talk about with our students. It is built into our House System with each student and staff being allocated a house; Determination, Resilience, Endeavour, Ambition and Motivation. We believe that these attributes allow us to be successful. Not only that, but representation, leadership and working as a team are skills that every person requires in order to be successful in their chosen profession and every day lives. This term we have seen a host of inter-house competitions already take place in a variety of subjects from our traditional sports competitions of cross country and rowing to the more academic in Computer Science and Modern Foreign Languages. We pride ourselves on there being an inter-house competition for everyone at Team Humberston. Our objective is for every student to represent their house in at least one competition each year. We have also taken time to raise awareness of several important national focuses. Assemblies and PSHE lessons focused on Black History Month, Remembrance Day, Anti Bullying Week and UK Parliament Week are just some of the opportunities we have embraced this term as we continue to educate students beyond the national curriculum. Finally, I would like to conclude my summary to this edition by congratulating our Year 11 students on their conduct in the recent Pre Public Examinations (PPEs) that have taken place in November. They have all worked so hard during this intensive period. The “Mock Results Day” will be coming up in December where we reveal the results, focusing on where improvements can be made prior to the next set of assessments as we continue to prepare them for the Summer Examination season. I hope you enjoy this edition, and the articles included as well as celebrating the success and achievements of our students. Wishing you all a fun-filled Christmas when it arrives and look forward to seeing all students ready to go again in the new year on Tuesday 6th January.

Careers Day

The Academy continues to develop strong partnerships with employers/providers from diverse employment sectors.  This year our Careers Day was a huge success.  Well thats what we thought but the feedback from our students (across all year groups) and visitors was extremely positive.  Our Year 7 and 8 students participated in their Professionals Day; firering questions at 15 professionals from different sectors, to try and guess both their job role and industry sector.  We listened to student voice following our previous Careers Day and the Year 9 and 10 cohorts were lucky to meet and work with a fashion designer from London.  We also had a mixture of TEAMs calls, where colleagues across different European countries, working for DFDS, showcased how they communicate effectively.  The Year 11 cohort were extremely busy, with support from NELC Lincs2 Coordinators, completing their personal statements and applications for Post-16 pathways.  As always, our students demonstrated their Humberston Charm and we thank all our visitors for their time, effort and contributions in supporting our Careers Education programme. Mr Mundell

Christmas Tree Decorating

Our Year 11 students who consistently demonstrate excellent attendance and behaviour were rewarded with a special opportunity to help Mrs Laursen decorate this year’s Christmas tree. This has become a much-loved tradition over the past three years, and once again the students rose to the occasion with enthusiasm and care. To make the experience even more memorable, students were treated to delicious hot chocolates and marshmallows, kindly provided by Mr Simpson. With the tree towering above everyone, it became a real team effort—Mrs Laursen and the students carefully directed while Mr Simpson bravely went up and down the ladder to place the final decorations. The result is a truly stunning Christmas tree that is now proudly on display for everyone to enjoy throughout the festive season. We hope the students enjoyed being part of this special tradition as much as we enjoyed seeing their fantastic teamwork and festive spirit. Mrs Laursen

Remembrance Day

This year we explored the origins of Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day. We did this through sharing Major John McCrae’s Poem, In Flanders’ fields. “The Poppies blow between the crosses row on row…” We reflected on what remembrance means today for those who have served, their families and friends. We looked at examples in our local area of how we remember and have remembered the service and sacrifices of our own families and friends. History club are collating, remembering and sharing the stories of their family members who have served in the armed forces or those who have supported and helped on the Home Front during the wars. Currently, lots of stories of local heroes are being shared as History club are creating our very own HUA Remembrance Booklet. If you have a contribution that you would like to make, please email or bring in to the academy, the story and a photograph if possible. Final thoughts, from Major John McCrae, “We lived, felt, dawn…loved and were loved”. Mrs Ashcroft

UK Parliament Week

Wow! What a week! A fantastic week celebrating UK Parliament Week - our provision and offer gets stronger and more interactive every year! This years activities started with a whole school assembley with Mr Lee about Democracy and how students can be involved with democratic processes. On Tuesday PSHE became Parliament Week PSHE - with students learning about manifestos. Students got the opportunity to write their own and discuss and debate them with their form, some outstanding examples will be displayed in the canteen over the next couple of weeks for students to read! Wednesday saw a special 'do now task' to see how much students could remember and on Thursday our interhouse quiz followed with results to be announced soon! Finally on Friday Mr Lee and Miss Tunnicliffe hosted the annual whole school debate - this is the real jewell in the crown! The debate this year focused on whether animals should be kept in zoo's or not and we were blown away by the arguments put forward by students and the counter debates that followed - some future politicians in this group for sure! Mr Lee

Armistace Day

On Tuesday 11th November 2025, Thomas Postle and Daniel Bennellick were honoured to be invited to the annual ABP Remembrance Memorial Service at the Royal Dock Basin, Grimsby Docks. Both were very proud to be able to represent Humberston Academy this year. Daniel was also representing Cleethorpes Sea Cadets.   Thomas had the opportunity to place a homemade poppy wreath on the dock side memorial and Daniel proudly stood on sentinel duty throughout the service, a true display of respect and discipline.   The ceremony was attended by many local dignitaries including The Mayor, High Sheriff, Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Chief Constables, MPs and Council Leaders.   Thomas stated, it is so important to remember the members of our community who have sacrificed their lives. During the World Wars, Grimsby lost over 350 vessels and suffered 2,385 deaths. These were mainly local fisherman. Grimsby Royal Docks was the largest base for minesweepers in WW2. Grimsby Docks was a vital place for min sweeping and utilised requisitioned local fishing boats and trawlers for the dangerous task of clearing mines.   Daniel said, it was a privilege to be in the presence of many high-profile dignitaries and representatives from across our community, all gathering to honour those who served and sacrificed.   They both were exceptionally proud to represent Humberston Academy at the memorial and the opportunity to show our respect for the many lives lost at sea and our local Humber estuary. Thomas Postle Year 7 & Daniel Bennellick Year 8  

Year 11 PPE

Thank you very much to our Year 11's who have just completed their mock exams. We had two weeks of excellent behaviour, positive attitudes and brilliant attendance. As a year group we were up at almost 99% attendance. This shows that we can do it and we must now keep it up! Thank you and well done - Mr Edwards.

Anti Bullying Week

During Anti Bullying Week, we increased awareness within our PSHE lessons and assemblies by education students on the various categories of bullying, along with reporting strategies and our two interhouse competitions. The first event was Odd Socks Day, where a total of 90 students were recorded for wearing odd socks, thereby enhancing the visibility of our campaign against bullying. Resilience was the house that triumphed in this competition. In addition, our Anti Bullying Ambassadors organised their own interhouse competition that took place during the same week, featuring key terms associated with bullying throughout the activity. With an impressive 209 entries, Determination emerged as the winning house in this competition, having the highest number of entries. Mr Mundell  

Geography Field Trip to Hubbard's Hills

Y9 recently got the opportunity to attend their second piece of Humberston fieldwork! We were delighted to take the entire Year group to Hubbards Hills in Louth over two days in October. Y9 got the opportunity to put their learning into action as we studied 4 techniques centred around the River Lud - one of the last remaining Chalk streams in England! Students completed surveys, measurements as well as a duck race to see which part of the river flows fastest! A fantastic opportunity for all students and part of our commitment to fieldwork for every year group! Mr Lee

Geography Field Trip to Skegness

Y10 recently attended their GCSE Geography fieldwork trip to Skegness. This is a compulsary element of their GCSE course and students were able to get an understanding of both Human and Physical Geography in Skegness. Students spent the morning on the beach looking at whether Skegness required and further beach nourishment and the afternoon in the town looking at the effects tourism is having on Skegness. Students have since gone onto write up both pieces of fieldwork in preperation for being questioned on them in their upcoming exams - A successful day all round! Mr Lee

Year 11 Football Team -Grimsby & District Plate Winners

Our Year 11 Boys football team were deserved winners of this year’s cup competition, in a hard-fought win against Healing Academy. The final took place on a cold winter’s night at the Bradley Football Development Centre.  The players were treated to a Champions League style entrance, lining up in the tunnel and walking out with officials, before showing respect to one another through both teams shaking hands. The opposition looked overly confident in the tunnel, knowing that they were facing a depleted Humberston side.  As the fog settled in, Humberston took to the field in a 5-3-2 formation, anticipating a tough night against a strong Healing side. From the off, Humberston were the better side.  Enjoying spells of sustained possession, we worked the ball nicely up the pitch and started to threaten the Healing goal.  Healing had one thing on their mind, that was to send the ball long into their number 9, who apparently was their main threat.  Unfortunately, for him, Owen, marked that chap out of the game for the entirety, in a very solid and disciplined performance.  Even when the Healing striker resorted to foul play, he couldn’t put our man off his game. Late in the first half, after an increased spell of attacking football, Humberston took the lead through Rahime.  Much to the surprise of many, he acrobatically turned the ball into the Healing net.  This finally woke up the Healing team.  Humberston defended gallantly throughout the rest of the first half, going into the break, a deserved 1-0 up. A quick refocus at half time and we were back at it.  What happened from here on out, can only be described as the most ridiculous finish to a Football game, that I have ever witnessed.  Prompting School Sport Partnership Development Manager, Craig Dobbs to say… “In my 15 years in this role, this was the best, most eventful game of Football, I have ever seen”! The Humberston boys were prepared for the second half onslaught from Healing.  The effort and discipline displayed was immense.  Colossal second half performances at the back by the already mentioned Owen, along with Will and Sam, set the tone throughout.   Ollie W and George supported the 3 centre backs from the flanks and did their best to get forward and link up with the midfield.  Tireless performances in the middle of the park from Lucas, Lewis and Rahime, complemented the hard work being done by the defenders.  Ollie M, took it upon himself to be the voice of the boys for the evening.  Not only did he lead from the front with his work rate, but he also did everything he could to motivate and keep spirits high.  Archie led the line.  It was not an easy job at all, but he made it look easy, he ran down every loose ball all night, causing problems and creating opportunities, to give the defenders well-earned breathers throughout. The entire second half was as competitive as it could be.  With both sets of players giving their all.  A frustrated Healing side often gave a little too much.  Resulting in several free kicks and some questionable officiating.  Fresh legs were introduced to a tired Humberston side.  Fin, Corey and Noah, gave their absolute all to support the team and offer some well-deserved rests, to some of the boys, who were beginning to tire. Enter Alex in the Humberston net.  His performance should have been recorded to be shown to all young aspiring goalkeepers.  An insane display of resilience, bravery and top class saves without a doubt, kept the Humberston boys in the game.  The highlight being a ridiculous sequence of 5 successive saves, that had everyone watching, applauding what they had just witnessed!. A crazy second half ended 2-2.  2 of the 3 goals scored, were penalties.  The penalty awarded to Healing was a little on the generous side.  They finished it well, not even Alex could keep it out of the Humberston net.  The Humberston penalty was dispatched clinically by Archie. The boys started preparing for penalties.  Only to be told by the referee that we had 2, 5-minute halves of extra-time to navigate first.  This period of the game was no different.  More drama, big saves, injuries and goals came our way.  At the half-time break.  Humberston are 3-2 down and only have 10 fit players.  With 4 brave souls taking refuge in the Humberston dugout.  Mr Edwards sent out a bat signal into the crowd and Ashton answered.  Borrowing dirty kit from injured players, he joined the pitch with just 5 minutes to go. Tactics had to change to allow for Humberston to stay in the game.  We could not allow for all this effort to be in vain.  A more attacking approach was opted for to keep the tie alive and take us to penalties.  Mr Reliable (Archie) decided that he would continue to run after every ball.  His efforts paid off and brought the game back to 3-3, when he scored a magnificent goal from 30 yards out.  He really deserved this after his performance, ALL the boys did! Onto penalties! The team bravely decided for themselves who was going to take a penalty and in what order.  5 hands went up.  We were ready.  We all knew that Alex would save at least one, you could just feel it after his performance throughout the match. Archie took the first, ever confident.  I think he’d offered too much during the game and his legs had given up on him.  Unfortunately, the penalty was saved.  Over to Owen, who calmly placed the ball passed the Healing keeper.  An excellent penalty then came from Ollie M and you guessed it, a big save from Alex.  Next was Ashton to slot the ball home.  Putting the pressure on Healing’s talisman, with the 5th penalty.  He did the honourable thing and kicked it over the bar. ALL players (including those that were apparently injured) sprinted to their goalkeeper to congratulate him and the boys embraced one another in a very nice scene.  They truly deserved this after a fantastic and gutsy performance. MOTM: On a normal occasion, any of these players would be given man of the match.  There were some truly outstanding performances.  But, it has to go to Alex “The Cat” Thomas.  Without him, we just would not have got to extra-time and then would not have got to penalties! I am thrilled to have been a part of this evening and it is genuinely up there with one of the best moments in my teaching career. Thank you, gents, for your effort and discipline. Mr Edwards

Christmas Dinner 2025

The countdown to Christmas has officially begun, and we’re excited to announce that our annual School Christmas Dinner will take place on Wednesday 17th December 2025. This much-loved tradition brings students and staff together for a warm, festive meal before we all head off for the holiday break. The dining hall will be decorated, and the atmosphere is sure to be warm, cheerful, and full of seasonal spirit. We look forward to sharing this wonderful celebration with our students. Let’s make this year’s Christmas dinner the most joyful one yet! Mrs Huxford

Online Safety

In our ever-increasing digital world, it is vital that students know how to remain safe online. This term, we have been celebrating Cybersecurity month during the month of October and encouraging students to remain cyber safe. We have also provided education and guidance in half term 2 on the risks of AI. Cybersecurity In half term 1, students have had an assembly about keeping themselves safe online including themes of passwords, protecting personal information and phishing. Some of the advice given is as follows: Make your passwords as strong as possible -          Use 3 random words together -          Do not use personal details, like your dog’s name! -          Use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, and use numbers and symbols -          Make sure you have a different password for each website.

Limit the amount of personal information on your social media -          Do not put key pieces of personal information (addresses, date of birth, school) on your social media account or give these to other people. -          Information can be gained through multiple clues by a dangerous person! (Posting a picture in your school uniform = what school you go to). Don’t fall for phishing emails/ Scams -          Criminals try to use fake emails and fake links to get you to fill in personal information. -          This way they can use your information to pretend to be you! - Think: If something is too good to be true, it probably is! Warning signs of phishing emails -          No personal greeting -          Email address is not from the company -          Pressured time limit -          Poor grammar Mrs Barrs

AI

In half term 2, students have had an assembly about the risks of AI, including themes of deepfakes, misinformation and disinformation. What is generative AI? - Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that creates new content, such as text, images and audio by learning patterns from existing data. - Chat GPT is a famous example of this, but there are other programmes like DALL-E also.

Are there benefits? -          Absolutely: AI can help with your learning! -          It can help you to test your knowledge by generating quiz questions to practise with.  -          It can help explain something for you: like a step-by-step explanation of photosynthesis.  -          However: never use it to write essays or coursework as this is plagiarism. -          Remember to fact check: some information that generative AI has access to is out of date! Why could this be harmful? -          75% of 16–24-year-olds get their news from social media.  -          Generative AI can create realistic news headlines, and even videos that look real.  -          This makes it harder to spot misinformation (when somebody accidentally shares something that isn't true) and disinformation (when somebody deliberately spreads false information to trick people).

Deepfakes -          Deepfakes use a type of technology called "machine learning" to create a digital version of someone- it maps a person's face and mouth movements and copies them.  -          This means that a video posted online could be made into a deepfake.  -          This digital version could be programmed to say or do something that you have not said.  Top Tips For Spotting Generative AI -          Check sources carefully- look at a wide range of information online. -          Look out for AI labelling: some social media platforms require content to be marked as AI generated- but it's not always obvious! -          Amateur deepfakes can be spotted by unusual flickering or blurring around someone's face.

National Coding Week (15th – 21st September)

Students were encouraged in our first interhouse competition to hunt for clues around the school to find the hidden word. The correct word was “Colossal”, the first computer to encrypt messages.

The standings were as follows: 1st place: Motivation 2nd place: Determination 3rd place: Endeavor Joint 4th: Resilience, Ambition A huge well done to all those who took part! Mrs Barrs

National Coming Out Day

A further annual awareness day that the Academy recognises is National Coming Out Day, which takes place on 11th October every year. National Coming Out Day is a day for everyone to recognise inclusiveness, not to force LGBTQ+ people to come out, or to shame people who haven’t done so; being true to yourself and having the courage to share an important part of your life with others.  Humberston Academy are proud to hold the Rainbow Flag Award and continue to raise awareness around wellbeing and inclusion.  Our fantastic, expert pastoral staff, with support from our Student Leadership team, have rebranded our Diversity and Inclusion club, which is now named Help Unite All (HUA), which is on every Friday lunch time and is open to all students. Mr Mundell

World Mental Health Day

Wellbeing and Inclusion are at the heart of everything we do at Humberston Academy.  Our proactive approach ensures that students feel safe and well, in order to lead happy and healthy lives.  The World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on 10 October every year. This year's theme set by the World Federation for Mental Health was access to services’.  The Academy, through assemblies, Tutor and PSHE lessons highlighted the importance of people being able to protect their own mental health whatever they're going through, because everyone deserves good mental health.  World Mental Health Day was an opportunity to expose all stakeholders of the academy, pause and reflect about the importance of mental health generallyas well as signpost towards the most appropriate services.  Aligned with Humberston Academy values, we all need to look out for ourselves and each other. Mr Mundell

Rugby and Netball All Star Training

The DRET Rugby and Netball All Stars squads both impressed this week as they each secured victories in their respective fixtures. The Rugby All Stars delivered a strong, disciplined performance, showcasing powerful teamwork and skill across the pitch. Their commitment in both attack and defence set the tone for a confident win. Not to be outdone, the Netball All Stars produced an equally outstanding display. With sharp movement, accurate shooting, and cohesive play through the court, the team controlled the match from start to finish and earned a well-deserved victory. Both results highlight the strength of sporting talent across DRET and the hard work of the players and coaching teams. A fantastic achievement for both squads. Miss Glover  

Grimsby and District Cross Country Championships

On Wednesday, Humberston Academy students ran superbly at the annual Grimsby and District Cross Country Championships at Weelsby Woods. After recent rainfall, conditions were challenging but all of our students showed incredible grit and determination to finish their races strongly. We are very proud of each and every one of them. There were over 50 students in each race and a special mention goes to the following students who all achieved top 10 finishes in their respective races: Kaitlyn S - 1st , Mark S - 1st, Ellis M - 2nd , Bobby R - 2nd , Jasmine C - 3rd, Drew M 4th, Reuben J - 6th, Charlotte K - 8th, Annabel T- 9th The next big event will be the County Championships in Scunthorpe and we will announce the qualifiers shortly. Watch this space... Mr Timson

Rowvember

Humberston Academy once again rose to the challenge in this year’s DRET Rowvember, demonstrating commitment, teamwork, and an incredible collective spirit. Rowvember is an annual David Ross Education Trust event that encourages students and staff across all academies to row as far as they can throughout the month of November—promoting fitness, perseverance, and friendly competition. This year, Humberston Academy delivered an exceptional performance, rowing an outstanding 843,051 metres over the course of the month. This remarkable achievement reflects the dedication of everyone who took part, from early-morning sessions to after-school pushes for extra metres. Every contribution—big or small—played a vital role in reaching such an impressive total. Rowvember continues to be a highlight of the academy calendar, bringing the school community together through a shared goal and a positive, energetic atmosphere. Humberston Academy is proud of every student and staff member who stepped up, showed resilience, and helped power the ergometers all month long. Congratulations to everyone involved. Miss Glover  

6th November - Humberston Academy: Night at the Musicals Brings the House Down Humberston Academy’s Night at the Musicals was a feel-good, full-volume celebration of everything we love about school shows. Students lit up the stage with songs and scenes from some of the biggest musical hits, and the energy in the room was buzzing from start to finish. From heartfelt solos to upbeat group numbers, every performance showed just how much effort and excitement the students had put in. The staging, lighting, and choreography made the whole show feel extra special—like a mini West End right inside the academy. What really made the night stand out, though, was the atmosphere. Families, friends, and staff packed the hall and cheered on every student who stepped up to perform. It didn’t matter if they were seasoned performers or trying something new—everyone was supported and celebrated. Night at the Musicals wasn’t just a show; it was a proper community moment. A night full of singing, smiles, and memories that will stick with students and the audience for a long time. And if this year was anything to go by, the next one is going to be even bigger. 18th November - Humberston Academy Open Mic Night: A Celebration of Talent and Community Humberston Academy’s Open Mic Night has quickly become one of the school’s most anticipated events, offering a warm, welcoming platform for students to share their creativity. Whether it’s singing, instrumental performances, or original work, the evening celebrates individuality and courage in a supportive atmosphere. Held in the academy’s drama studio, the event brings together students to cheer on performers of all experience levels. For many young people, the open mic is more than just a stage—it’s a chance to grow in confidence, take risks, and express themselves freely. The variety of acts showcases the depth of talent across the academy, from polished performers to those stepping onto a stage for the very first time. What makes the Humberston Academy Open Mic so special is its spirit of community. Applause is loud, encouragement is genuine, and every participant is celebrated for having the bravery to take part. Events like these strengthen the school’s culture of creativity, positivity, and belonging—reminding everyone that when students are given a platform to shine, they truly do. This event is truly run by students, for students. Humberston Academy Choir – Voces Uniti Shine in a Stunning Performance of Rutter’s Magnificat Humberston Academy’s choir, Voces Uniti, delivered an unforgettable evening of music as they joined forces with the Grimsby Bach Choir to perform John Rutter’s Magnificat to a completely sold-out audience at Grimsby Minster. The historic Minster provided a breathtaking backdrop, its acoustics carrying every note with warmth and clarity. Voces Uniti rose to the occasion brilliantly, performing with confidence, passion, and a level of musicianship far beyond their years. Their harmonies blended beautifully with the experienced voices of the Grimsby Bach Choir, creating a rich, full sound that filled the entire space. Rutter’s Magnificat is a joyful, vibrant and technically demanding piece, but the choirs embraced every movement—from the energetic opening to the more reflective, delicate sections. The audience responded with enthusiastic applause, clearly moved by the power and emotion of the combined performance. For the students of Humberston Academy, it was a standout moment: singing a major choral work on a professional stage, in front of a packed audience, alongside one of the region’s respected adult choirs. It was a night that celebrated talent, teamwork, and the growing strength of the academy’s music programme. The success of the concert has left everyone—students, staff, families, and concert-goers—buzzing with pride and excitement for what Voces Uniti will take on next.   27th November - Humberston Academy Year 10s Explore the Arts at Franklin College Creative Conference Year 10 students from Humberston Academy enjoyed an inspiring day at Franklin College’s Creative Conference, where they had the chance to dive into hands-on workshops in MusicMusical Theatre, and Music Technology. Throughout the day, students tried out new skills—from experimenting with digital sound production to learning performance techniques used in the world of theatre. The workshops were led by industry-experienced staff, giving students a real insight into how creative professionals work. Alongside the practical sessions, students also explored a range of career pathways in the arts, discovering how skills in music and performance can lead to exciting opportunities in sound engineering, theatre production, composing, performing, teaching, and more. The visit gave students a fresh look at what’s possible after school and left many feeling excited and motivated about future creative studies. It was a fun, engaging, and inspiring day that opened their eyes to just how many opportunities the arts can offer.   28th November - Humberston Academy Students Hear Their Music Come to Life with the Berkeley Ensemble Year 10 and 11 music students from Humberston Academy enjoyed a truly memorable experience when they spent the day at Skegness Grammar School to hear their own compositions performed by the acclaimed Berkeley Ensemble. The visit gave students the rare opportunity to listen as professional musicians brought their ideas off the page and into the room. Hearing their melodies, harmonies, and textures played live allowed them to understand their work in a completely new way—spotting what worked well, what surprised them, and how small musical choices can change the listener’s experience. Throughout the day, members of the Berkeley Ensemble shared insights into performing new music, offered feedback, and encouraged students to keep developing their creative voices. The atmosphere was supportive and inspiring, with students from both schools coming together to celebrate original composition. For Humberston Academy’s young musicians, it was an unforgettable chance to connect their classroom learning with the world of professional performance—leaving many feeling even more excited about music, composition, and future creative paths. DRET Grimsby Carol Service Brings Festive Magic to the Minster 10th December 2025 The DRET Grimsby Carol Service filled Grimsby Minster with festive warmth and music as pupils from across the Trust came together for an evening of celebration and song. Humberston Academy’s choir, Voces Uniti, took centre stage with a stunning performance of a brand-new arrangement of Sussex Carol—written especially for them by Dr Willis, the academy’s Musician in Residence. Their rich harmonies and polished delivery showcased the growing strength of the academy’s choral programme and captivated the audience from the first note. They were joined by enthusiastic performers from Edward Heneage Primary AcademyFairfield Academy, and Havelock Academy, each group bringing its own energy, confidence, and festive spirit to the Minster. The variety of voices—from the youngest singers to experienced secondary performers—created a joyful celebration of music across the DRET community. As an added highlight, several Humberston students were given the unique opportunity to step behind the scenes and explore the workings of the Minster’s magnificent organ. Under the guidance of Mark Keith, Director of Music at Hull Minster and Choral Humber, students learned how the instrument produces its powerful sound and even tried their hand at the keyboards and stops. The event not only showcased outstanding musical talent but also celebrated collaboration, creativity, and the shared joy of singing—an inspiring start to the festive season for all involved. 🕷️  Rehearsal Update: The Addams Family Takes Over Humberston Academy! Something delightfully creepy is happening in the performing arts department… Rehearsals for The Addams Family musical are well underway, and the cast is bringing a whole new level of spooky energy to the stage. Morticia’s glide is getting smoother (and eerier) by the day, Gomez is perfecting his dramatic flair, and Wednesday’s death-stare is now so convincing it’s giving even the teachers chills. The ancestors have been haunting the rehearsal space with some impressive choreography, and the harmonies are sounding hauntingly beautiful—almost too beautiful… Backstage, props seem to be moving on their own (we’re sure that broom wasn’t there a minute ago) with our new props club, led by Mrs McClane and the lighting team is experimenting with shadows that are just a little too lifelike. But don’t worry—it’s all part of the fun… probably. With every run-through, the show is growing stranger, funnier, and more fantastically freakish. If this is what rehearsals look like, the final performance is going to be drop-dead good. Stay tuned… if you dare.  From January rehearsals will be extended on Mondays and Fridays until 5pm but not everyone will be needed for every rehearsal (rehearsal schedule to be released soon) 🦇💀   🎄 Upcoming Events – Humberston Academy Music Department 🎶  This term is filled with festive performances and wonderful musical moments! ✨ DRET Lincolnshire Carol Service  📅 10th December  🕜 1:30pm  📍 Grimsby Minster ❄️ Humberston Academy Winter Concert  📅 11th December  🕖 7:00pm  📍 Academy Hall  An evening of music from across the academy—everyone welcome! 🕯️ Humberston Academy – Nine Lessons and Carols  📅 16th December  🕕 6:00pm- 7:00pm  📍 Grimsby Minster  A traditional and atmospheric Christmas celebration where all are invited to take part. ️ ✨ Christmas Carol Service for TCT  📅 18th December  🕖 7:00pm – 8:30pm  📍 Academy Hall and Joe Catley Memorial Garden  An opportunity to listen and join in —everyone welcome! Mr Sleight  

Credits:

Created with images by weyo - "Top of view christmas star decorations jingle bells fir tree pine cones on free concrete background" • Dar1930 - "A computer motherboard with a state-of-the-art AI processor.,AI generative."