A celebration of youth

In July 2009, 410 children from across the partnership, celebrated our diverse culture at an extravaganza at the Sage – hall 1 - Gateshead.

 The Extended Services team organized the 3 months prior to the event and co-ordinated the external professional dancers and voice coach. Stage direction was organised by St Benet Biscop High School staff and Benet Enterprises. All filming was carried out by Jonathan Hall (ex student) and Allen Patterson (year 12 and on the steering group of the Ambassadors).

It was decided to work in mini clusters so that children from the middle schools could work with their own feeder first schools. This would create familiarity with each environment as well as make friends prior to attending new schools. The big event (with each school recognizable by a different colour t-shirt), had visual impact of schools within the partnership working together.

Outcome

• Parents, children, ambassadors and staff all contributed to making costumes in workshops prior to the Sage.

• A dance showcase took place in March 2009 to demonstrate and create an interest in performing. This was so successful that it had to be split onto 2 nights held at St Benet Biscop.

• All participants had the opportunity to work with professional external voice and dance coaches – some who have never had the opportunity before.

• 3 months of dance and singing workshops in different venues with children from the first schools working with each other and middle schools and some middle schools working with the high school.

• 410 children from across the partnership took part in this programme

• 6 Parents from the art workshops took part in New York, New York alongside staff and head teachers of some of our schools.

• Strengthened links between families and children from mini clusters.

• Raised aspirations, confidence and self esteem of participants

• Raised the profile of the Catholic Extended Services Partnership to over 1,100 people in audience.

• Richard Crulley, Senior Ambassador and Chair of steering group received the ‘Richard Crulley Award’ for the biggest contribution to the Extended Services agenda and the school. It is hoped that this will be awarded to students over the years as they are inspired by the role models of the Ambassadors.

Evaluation remarks included:

• ‘The performance at The Sage was outstanding and a real tribute to the energy, passion and commitment you have. ....I believe we are honoured to be part of the Catholic Partnership’. St Cuthberts.

• ‘I’d like to say a massive thank you to you and all your pupils for the spectacular I witnessed a the Sage last week’. Carol Leckie, Extended Services Advisor, NCC

• ‘It’s not just about the organisation, its about having the vision to do something so massive and spectacular. ....the process was just as good – working with professional singers and dances was an experience our children wouldn’t normally have had’. St Andrews.

• ‘A huge big thank you to all of you for letting me take part in another fantastic opportunity. Thank you, thank you, thank you’. Student of St Benet Biscop and an Ambassador.

Method

• Funding for this event was provided by Awards for All to pay for the professional dance and voice coaches, art workshops, drama workshops, costumes (hire, made and bought) and transport (between workshops and to the Sage return)

• The hall was paid for from ticket sales and the sale of the DVD’s.

For next year’s dates – watch this space!!!!