Spotlight falls on talented youngsters

YOUNG people's talents will shine through during a week-long celebration of their achievements.

A number of primary and secondary schools across Ipswich have signed up to take part in the national Shine Festival. The pupils will be joining around a million other youngsters from across the UK who will be showcasing their talents in sport, the arts, technology and community work.

Among the schools taking part, which started yesterday and ends on Friday, is Farlingaye High School in Woodbridge, where lower school students are holding a series of special assemblies to showcase arts-based projects undertaken throughout the year.

Halifax Primary School in Ipswich will also be staging a Carnival Week, which will involve making musical instruments and dancing.

Rachel Phillips, drama teacher and arts co-ordinator at Farlingaye, said: “It's so important for the students to feel that their achievements are being acknowledged.”

Cliff Lane Primary School in Ipswich held a singing morning where several year five groups from different schools came together to form a choir of about 300 children.

Carol Alevroyianni, development director of Shine, said: “Shine Week aims to celebrate every talent in every young person and, of course, we expect to see talented film makers, writers, singers, scientists, young leaders and entrepreneurs as well as perhaps less obvious talents such as caring and problem solving.

“Shine is all about recognising this individuality and showing young people that every talent, no matter how small it may seem, it something worth celebrating.”

Last year more than 2,500 schools and organisations nationwide took part in the first ever Shine Week.

In next Monday's Evening Star there will be four pages of stories and photographs covering all the activities taking place in the schools in our region.

Tell us about your talents - write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.