Pupils from three of our primary schools  joined thousands of other children to create a spectacular choir at a prestigious venue.

The group of 40 from Clenchwarton, West Lynn and Walpole Cross Keys Primary Schools made the trip to Sheffield on Wednesday (19) to participate in a mass choir of 8,000 for the Young Voices concert.

All three schools have choirs which have been meeting weekly to practice their numbers ahead of travelling to the Sheffield Arena for their gig.

“Young Voices is a great opportunity for our pupils, to be part of a choir of over 8,000 pupils all singing together is incredible. We get to visit huge arenas, whether in London or, this time Sheffield, and see some vastly different places,” said Billy Overton, Assistant Headteacher at Walpole Cross Keys Primary.

“The atmosphere is incredible and very noisy, but when the children all sing together, it certainly gives you goosebumps - they sound incredible when they sing in unison and surprise themselves in how good they are and they can’t stop smiling. They go from very nervous to very excited in a couple of beats,” he added.

The playlist for this year included 12 songs with many based on compilations on different themes. There was a Bob Marley medley, Hairspray medley as well as songs from pop and dance as well as a few original songs.

The Marley Magic medley was to celebrate the legacy of the artist who would have been 80 earlier this month. The special arrangement included Three Little Birds and One Love and was performed in conjunction with the Bob and Rita Marley Foundation.

Last year the children visited the O2 Arena in London, but this year it was decided to try somewhere different with an arena they had never visited.

“Our three schools have been going to Young Voices for a while, before I started. Last year was my first experience and I thought it was a brilliant opportunity for pupils and a tradition well worth maintaining,” added Mr Overton.

Young Voices has been running for more than 30 years and offers a concert experience for children of primary school age - and is the largest children’s choir in the world. 

“Music is a really important part of a well-balanced curriculum both for individuals and bringing people together as a whole. Learning about music and understanding musical elements, as well as playing and performing, gives every pupil a better understanding of where music comes from, what influences it and the skills involved,” said Mr Overton.

A WNAT teacher was recognised for her sterling work with young people when she received a prestigious award at the annual Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) This Is Youth event.
Alysha Moat, who teaches PE and Health and Social Care at Smithdon High School in Hunstanton, has co-ordinated the school’s DofE programme since 2010, and was named as Runner-Up Torch Bearer of the Year at the ceremony, which took place at the Transport Museum in London.
DofE Gold Award Holder and Youth Ambassador Ms Moat was described as “breaking down pupils’ barriers to participation and cultivating a dedicated group of valued volunteers” and of creating “a lasting legacy of inclusivity, community support, and pride among students and volunteers alike”.
She received her award from the CEO of DofE, Ruth Marvel, OBE, at the event, which was attended by around 300 people, including nominees, award winners, celebrities and other special guests.
“It was an amazing experience,” said Ms Moat. “I felt honoured to have received the award, and felt I received it for the volunteers at Smithdon, who are the people that help it to run.I am proud of what we do at Smithdon.
“I’m emotional, having done my Bronze, Silver and Gold at Downham Market, volunteered with them, went on to be a Young Ambassador at uni, and then completed various challenges, such as the Diamond Challenge, and then became DofE Manager at Smithdon.
“It is a privilege to work with youngsters at Smithdon, giving them opportunities I had that made me who I am, and I am very proud of all the students that take the plunge to do the Award with us.
“Without DofE, I would not be where I am.”

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