St Thomas Aquinas RC Secondary School

St Thomas Aquinas RC Secondary is a Roman Catholic, co-educational, secondary school located in Jordanhill, Glasgow.

The school’s steelband has been running since 2010 and is called the St Thomas Aquinas Steel Pan Band.

It was formed as a result of an international school link with St Josephs Girls’ Roman Catholic Primary School, Trinidad. Pupils from St Thomas Aquinas have been working with students in Trinidad on biodiversity and music projects.

The steelband practices for an hour every Wednesday and is taught by the music teacher Ms Morrison. Pupils are encouraged to take the opportunity to lead the band and teach their own arrangements.

In the steelband’s short history, it has performed at some notable events:

  • In February 2012 they performed at the first regional Music for Youth Festival in Glasgow.
  • In May 2012 the school welcomed Ms Julien, the Principal of St Joseph's, Trinidad. Before she returned home, the school held a farewell concert. The highlight of the concert was the Junior Steel Pan Band. Ms Julien praised the students on the quality of their playing, praise indeed from Trinidad the home of the Steel Pan.

The steelband also performed at the school’s summer fairs and numerous events around Glasgow. The most recent was to open a conference at the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) building in Glasgow.

What the pupils say?

“Enjoy it”

“It’s fun to learn a new instrument”


Information suplied by St Thomas Aquinas RC School