New Marston primary pupils' talent show (From thisisoxfordshire)

New Marston primary pupils' talent show

9:00am Wednesday 30th January 2013 in News By Fran Bardsley, covering Education, East Oxford and Cowley. Call me on 01865 425439

CHEERING and applause filled an Oxford primary school as talented pupils took to the stage.

It was for New Marston Primary School’s own version of hit ITV show Britain’s Got Talent – New Marston’s Got Talent.

And the youngsters at the Copse Lane school demonstrated a huge range of different skills to their fellow pupils.

On show was everything from hula-hooping to cornet-playing, from singing to tae kwondo and from rapping to drawing.

Every Direction, made up of parent and lunchtime supervisor Sarah Vicars, parents Claire Armstrong and Kirsty Ray and parent governor Clare Messenger danced to Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now. Staff including school secretary Jane Cartlidge, foundation teacher Alex Smith, Year 1 teacher Dani Greenaway, Year 2 teacher Fran Horsfall, Year 1 teaching assistant Anne Beddoe, Year 3 teacher Helen Pearson and Year 5 teaching assistant Maggie Nicholson, came together at the end to sing and dance to There’s no Business like Showbusiness.

But after 62 children aged five to 11 had performed along with the two adult entries, the winners were named as Patricia Popus and Shayde Harris, both six and from Marston, whose rendition of We Are Never Getting Back Together by Taylor Swift impressed the judges, governors Roy Darke and Kelly Daniel.

Shayde said: “I was quite nervous.

“It felt really weird to be on stage. I’m really proud that I won.”

Patricia added: “I was quite scared before, but when I was on stage I wasn’t scared anymore.

“When we won I was so happy I wanted to jump.”

In all, 283 pupils attend the school, meaning nearly a quarter took part in the show on Friday.

Leanne Elias, eight, from Marston, who played the cornet, said: “I had a good time.

“I enjoyed seeing all the other acts.”

Archie Hedger, eight, from Headington, and Ibrahim Alasadi, eight, from Marston, pulled on their martial arts gear to perform a demonstration of tae kwondo.

Ibrahim said: “It was an exciting day.”

And Archie said: “It’s a time to share your talents with everyone.”

Hope Sikula, seven, from Headington, and Safya Elzain, seven, from Marston, performed a duet on cello and violin.

Hope said: “It was brilliant.

“We are all very talented here – even the teachers.”

Safya added: “I found it quite good fun and everyone was clapping.”

Headteacher Zara d’Archambaud said: “The judges were very impressed by the standard and, having seen the acts over the years, New Marston really would give Britain’s Got Talent a run for its money.

“The children were so pleased for the winners and it was great to recognise the hard work and the talents that we have.

“New Marston is very proud of the young stars and looks forward to seeing them on the stage in years to come.”

The show has been running, at different times in the school year, since 2008.