Madelaine Williams came to Jesmond in 1984 joining forces in the music department with Helen Hancock (1980-1985) and in so doing inherited the foundations established by Bill Bryant, Greg Paterson and subsequent music teachers.
Madelaine had developed her interest in drama and piano from school days in Port Hacking and Jesmond was the perfect environment to pass on her skills and knowledge.
As the music curriculum was evolving in the late 80s, so too was the need to satisfy course requirements and meet academic standards. There were also, however, greater opportunities for creative expression and choral variety.
After the last of the “big shows” in 1986, these opportunities were manifested in productions such as Charlie Brown, Gangsters, Gals & Goodtimes, There is Nothing Like a Musical and Rock Eisteddfods.
In 1992, Murder at the Music Hall was Madelaine’s final show. The objective was to involve a third of the school across a range of performing arts. Sue Leask (Start Struck & French teacher 1975-1986) and Joy Kingsford (Art teacher 1981-2006) were both major collaborators, along with community help from the P&C and parents which was coordinated by long-term friend of the school, Mrs Pam Pilgrim.