Gifted and Talented Pupils in South Shields
               

70 pupils from our four schools participated in the workshops over two weeks in August at St Wilfrid's. The workshop categories were:

During the two weeks, the musicians, dancers and singers rehearsed the 25 minute pre-match entertainment for the Newcastle Falcons v Leicester game which took place on September 2nd.

The marketing workshop were visited by representatives from The Shields Gazette, The Evening Chronicle and a consultant from IC Newcastle Website. Over the two weeks, the pupils created a four page full colour supplement for the Gazette ( for which they sold advertising), a full page in The Evening Chronicle and managed and updated several web pages on IC Newcastle's site. Three of the pupils also interviewed Newcastle Falcons' players Tom May and Dave Walder and the whole experience was videoed by our documentary team. The Gazette pull out special was a resounding success, designed, written and edited by the pupils. A remarkable achievement.

Our documentary team videoed the entire project from day one and were instructed in the art of film making. They were also responsible for managing the Big Brother diary room which gave pupils and staff (!) a chance to record their thoughts and feelings about the project.

Tom May and Dave Walder visited all the workshops and were photographed by local newspapers to publicise the project. We were even lucky enough to be reported in the Times Educational Supplement.

The final performance on match day was fantastic. Everyone enjoyed the occasion and it was a fabulous experience for those involved.

Because our pupils were so outstanding, they were invited to Bradford to perform their show alongside children from Bradford schools at the closing match of the Bradford Bulls' season in front of a crowd of 14,000. The match was televised on Sky and our pupils were interviewed for a ten minute feature which was shown on Sky Rugby League World.