Show Stopper Our School

BELL RINGS

We've been following Year 7...

Awesome!

..through the most important year of school, so far.

You're not here to have a laugh and a good time.

You're here to learn.

With so many changes,

new friends...

Have you got a cloth?

..and new teachers.

You are a Greenwood boy.

It's been an exciting world to discover.

Wow.

Sometimes lots of fun

and, sometimes, a bit tough, with different challenges for everybody.

We're in year 7. We're acting like three year olds.

We rigged our school with loads of cameras...

Is this what you see when you look through a camera?

Cos this is awesome.

..so you could find out exactly what happened.

You're on report, by my request.

I'm Trev.

I used to go to school here, but now, I'm one of the teachers.

Last question, cos you're going to run out of time.

-Welcome to the finale of Our School.

-I need a wee!

The arrival of summer means the first year of secondary school

is almost over and so much has happened during the past ten months.

Today on Our School, we're going to look back at the highs and lows...

Instant detention.

..of year 7.

But first, no end of year would be complete without a talent show.

The acts have been rehearsing for the past eight weeks and now,

it's a chance for the confident...

# ..feels nothing...#

..and the not-so confident...

Where do I have to hold this?

..to show us what they've got.

Whoo! Welcome to the Year 7 talent show!

Our judges, who you might have noticed, Miss Grover.

Give her a round of applause.

Mr French.

And Miss Richardson.

They've all got a really difficult job this afternoon.

They've got a tough decision to make.

Waiting backstage with the huge responsibility of opening

the show is Taylor-Jay.

I'm feeling nervous, but excited.

Taylor's no newcomer to the spotlight.

Outside school, she's a keen member of her local drama group.

I do singing, dancing and acting.

# You never brought me flowers...#

With so much experience behind her, Taylor-Jay is one of the

favourites to win the talent show.

I enjoy it when I'm on stage. I'm just me. I just let out my voice.

But even for someone so full of confidence, this performance, in

front of all her friends, has given Taylor-Jay some last minute wobbles.

Let's welcome our first act this afternoon.

Oh, I'm so scared!

I was nervous, my heart was pounding. I couldn't breathe.

This is Taylor-Jay!

# You turn and I learn that the walls come falling down.

# Not a word, only heard what my friends could tell me now...#

Taylor-Jay was just amazing.

She just kicked off the whole performance

and I think she was just great.

# ..but all these scars I can't replace... #

She's a confident singer.

She doesn't care what anyone thinks about her.

She just gets on the stage and tries to enjoy it.

# ..nothing at all No, no, oh. #

Let's hear it for Taylor, everybody!

What a fantastic start to the show. That was absolutely tremendous.

I hope I win, but when it got to the high note,

I went a little bit off.

I don't think anyone noticed, Taylor-Jay.

That's a tough first act to follow.

Next into the spotlight is Sam, who first set her sights

on singing in a girl band.

I'm freaking out.

But in rehearsals, I discovered singing wasn't her only talent.

Is that a made-up dance?

-Yeah, pretty much.

-Whoa! Just dropped 10p.

-Shouldn't I be throwing money at you?

-Me!

So, Sam decided to sack the singing and throw everything into her

dance routine.

# I stay out too late

# Got nothing in my brain

# That's what people say Mm-mm

# That's what people say...#

Sam's performance was really fun.

It made everyone laugh and happy and cheerful.

# ..at least that's what people say...#

It was whacky, mad, but it was good.

# ..I go on too many dates...#

When I first went on stage, I was like, "Yeah, yeah, I can do this."

But then, I realised everyone was staring at me. That's why I ran off.

# ..at least that's what people say Mm-mm

# That's what people say Mm-mm...#

Guys, give Sam a big round of applause!

CHEERING

Sam's been fantastic up till now.

I ran off stage, because too many people were staring at me.

She's pulling herself together backstage. She's all right.

Don't worry, Sam. Just take your time.

# And it feel like I am just too close to love you...#

Meanwhile, it's up to Spencer to keep the show on the road.

# ..and there's nothing I can really say...#

He's won two talent shows at primary school and the crowd

are loving his performance.

When Spencer got up there, loads of girls were like,

"Ooh, I went out with him!"

Like, every single one of the girls, I think it was.

# ..So I'll be on my way.#

Let's hear it for Spencer!

-Well done, mate.

-Spencer, you've got such an amazing fan club here.

CHEERING

There were about 50 people filming that,

so I think you're going to be an overnight sensation on you tube.

Well done, Spencer, it was excellent. Well done.

Miss Richardson?

Waiting nervously, Sam is trying to pluck up enough courage to go

back onstage to try again.

Nerves got the better of her, but I know you guys in Year 7 are going to

really, really blow the roof off now to welcome back onto stage,

Samantha!

CHEERING

Come on, Sam!

She might have been a bit shaken, making a swift exit first

time round, but can Sam now perform her full dance routine?

# I stay out too late

# Got nothing in my brain

# That's what people say Mm-mm

# That's what people say Mm-mm...#

-She came back on. And she started doing the same thing.

-Whoo!

# ..but I can't make you stay

# At least that's what people say...#

She came back on and started dancing.

Which is even more, like, brave of her.

Well done, Sam.

Looks like you did shake off those nerves, after all,

and the crowd loved it.

Come over, Sam. Miss Richardson, how brave is Sam coming back out?

I am just so impressed and so happy that you came back out.

You epitomise everything that we look for in young people.

You know, sometimes things don't go entirely to plan,

but you overcame that challenge and you did just an amazing job.

Well done.

Let's hear it one more time, everybody, for Sam!

CHEERING

I felt really proud, because I got back on stage.

She did get slightly nervous,

but for her to come back onstage just made me very proud.

I'm glad she never gave up. Brilliant performance.

Up next, Ameera waits anxiously in the wings.

I'm shaking. I really don't know if I can do it.

OK, next up, we have Ameera!

It's no surprise she's nervous.

SHE SPEAKS OWN LANGUAGE

Ameera's more comfortable studying hard at home

than standing on a stage.

When she was dragged along to a band rehearsal, I was surprised

to see she had real potential, so convinced her to sing solo.

You've got a really nice tone to your voice, really strong.

But when it was time to rehearse in front an audience,

nerves got the better of her.

-Ameera?

-No, not yet.

-Why've you got scared?

-I can't sing in front of these people.

-Why?

Because, look how many there are.

It's now or never, Ameera.

Time to see if you've worked out how to control those nerves.

Come on, Ameera. You'll be fine.

Ameera! Ameera! Ameera!

-ALL:

-Ameera! Ameera! Ameera!

# No, I can't take one more step towards you

# Cos all that's waiting is regret

# And don't you know I'm not your ghost any more

# You lost the love I loved the most...#

I was surprised when Ameera sang, because she's not one of them

chatty people.

-She's more of the ones that like...

-Quiet.

-Yeah, very quiet.

And shy. But it takes a lot to get up on a stage and perform in

front of so many people, which she done.

# ..half alive

# And now you want me one more time.#

Let's hear it for Ameera!

CHEERING

That's a loud cheer.

I'm absolutely blown away. That was an absolutely stunning voice.

Well, Ameera, I think you're a real contender for this competition.

I think everyone would agree.

You've given us a really difficult decision to make here.

I thought you were amazing. Well done.

Brilliant. Let's hear it for Ameera one more time. Thank you very much.

I felt really happy, as soon as I'd finished,

cos at the start of year 7, I wouldn't have thought that

I'd ever be able to sing in front of the whole of my year group.

Next up, it is the Elite Cheerleaders!

CHEERING

-Come on, guys.

-I can't go.

-No.

-Shall I walk on first? Come on.

Good luck, everyone. Good luck.

The cheerleaders have devoted months perfecting what they hope

will be a show-stopping routine.

But as they take to the stage, one vital person is missing.

Well, I've twisted my ankle, while I was playing dodge ball in PE.

Just hours earlier, crucial team member Taimar had been forced

to pull out.

Everyone that's in cheerleading, they're all moaning

and that, cos, like, I'm the only

one that really knows how to hold Kiara up.

I'm the tallest and the only one that can actually

hold away properly.

And we're just thinking, "Oh! Trust it to happen to us."

It's a devastating blow.

With key lifter Taimar unable to take part, will the remaining

cheerleaders be able to pull off their finely rehearsed routine?

When it came to our lift, I was feeling a bit nervous.

I thought I was going to fall and hurt myself.

CHEERING

Phew! That's one lift out of the way.

So far, all appears to be going well.

But, can the girls hold it together for the closing lift?

The cheerleaders have finished on a high.

Let's hear it for Elite Cheerleaders!

Stay here, girls! Mr French, what did you think of that?

When you've got so many people onstage and quite a confined

space, it's really hard to coordinate all of your activities

and everything you're trying to do, but I thought you were really good.

Excellent. Let's hear it one more time for the cheerleaders!

CHEERING

With everyone loving the acts so far, it's time for the last

performance of the show.

I'm feeling so scared.

This girl's had some nerves, but is coming out to sing

for us all and I know you're in for a real treat.

Finally, it's Shannon's turn and she has a very personal reason

for wanting to be onstage.

It's quite a depressing song,

but I'm dedicating it to my passed-away brother.

That's why it means so much to me.

Just before starting year 7,

Shannon's disabled brother, who she helped to care for, sadly died.

Whenever he was upset, I used to sing to him and he used to

calm down. It was, literally, just like

a magic spell I'd cast over him. I'd sing to him and he'd fall asleep.

Losing her brother made starting at Greenwood difficult

and she struggled with her lack of confidence.

So, going out and singing in front of a big crowd will be

a massive challenge.

I'm pretty scared, because I don't

usually do this sort of thing.

I'm a really shy person.

I can't deal with the fact that I might mess up.

I'm really scared that if I mess up,

everyone's going to make fun of me.

I'm just really scared about getting on the stage.

This is Shannon!

CHEERING

-Go on, Shannon!

-Go on, Shannon!

I was shaking on the stage and I was so scared.

I could feel my heart beating, I could hear it.

# If I die young, bury me in satin

# Lay me down on a bed of roses

# Sink me in a river at dawn

# Send me away with the words of a love song

# Uh-oh, uh-oh

# Lord make me a rainbow, I'll shine down on my mother

# She'll know I'm safe with you when she stands under my colours

# Oh, and life ain't always what you think it ought to be, no

# Ain't even grey, but she buries her baby

# The sharp knife of a short life...#

I've never heard Shannon sing

and when I heard her sing I was like, "Whoa!"

# I've had just enough time...#

It was like a very big shock to people, cos nobody knew

she could sing like that.

She's got such a good and powerful voice.

Everyone was really shocked. We were like,

"That came from Shannon?"

#..sink me in the river at dawn...#

She's really, like, quiet, in real life

and I didn't know that she could get up there and sing like she did.

# The sharp knife of a short life, well

# I've had just enough time

# So, put on your best, boys And I'll wear my pearls.#

CHEERING

Let's hear it for Shannon!

Once I finished it, it's like a feeling that you're never going

to forget. It felt like I was showing everyone my full

potential and what I can do. I know for a fact that

no-one can take that away from me.

-Miss Richardson?

-Wow!

-Is that it?

-Yeah, speechless!

-Miss Grover?

-Well done. That was absolutely brilliant.

Fantastic. Mr French?

I genuinely think you could have a career in singing.

That was just amazing. Wow.

Shannon, let's hear it for her, one more time!

CHEERING

They have overcome their nerves and put their heart and soul

into their performance.

But who has won this year's talent show?

OK, the winner of this incredible talent show is...

Shannon!

CHEERING

Let's hear it for Shannon, everybody!

She was a really good singer and she deserved to win it, obviously.

When I got off that stage, all my friends were backstage.

And all of them were just hugging me.

And then, my mum and dad came round and they kept on saying

they were so proud of me and that just made it feel even better.

Well done, Shannon. What a way to end the school year.

Ten months ago,

150 nervous newcomers walked through the doors of

Greenwood Academy, to embrace a whole new life at secondary school.

It's been a busy year of challenges and new experiences.

From school trips...

THEY SCREAM

..to Shakespeare plays...

Argh!

-..from healthy eating...

-Pig's feet.

..to outdoor sleeping....

I'm way too cold.

..and from sporting goals...

THEY CHEER

..to starring roles.

What is it like to experience autism?

You, kind of, learn to live with it.

There have been so many great achievements.

-You're nearly at the end of Year 7. It's been a good year?

-Yeah.

Kind of.

To celebrate those triumphs and bring their first year at

secondary school to a momentous end, there's just one final event.

I know you have had some amazing experiences throughout the year

and you've got one more to come.

A Year 7 awards ceremony.

The end of year awards have got everyone thinking about their

first year in secondary school.

Honestly, secondary school looked so hard

when I first started and I was like, "I'm not going to make any friends

"and I'm going to be the odd one out."

And as soon as I started and I saw there was people thinking the exact

same as me.

At the start of the year, I didn't know anyone.

I was really shy, didn't really know anyone and didn't talk to people.

We all knew that we felt the same, we were all scared, we were all

nervous, we didn't know what was happening.

So, we all just stuck by each other.

At the start of the year, I thought it was going to be hard. But then,

I started fitting in and it started to get easier.

It's good, really.

And it's easy, as well, so that's pretty good.

-It's not easy. Year 7 isn't easy.

-It is for me.

But you'll be able to get through it.

You'll be able to get through it.

Year 7 has been the most challenging,

but amazing, thing I've ever done.

I've done some stuff that I didn't think that I could do.

It's been tough, it's been a good year, though. A positive year.

I've grown a lot in confidence, cos I met more friends.

I've grown as a person.

Now that's it's come to the end of Year 7, I know where I belong.

And I think my friends are all by my side and I know what I need to do

and who I need to be.

It's been really awesome, Year 7 has.

One of the best years of my life, I reckon.

The scene is set.

The awards are waiting and Miss Richardson is keen to celebrate

Year 7's big achievers.

We've had our ups and downs since September, so it's nice

to remember the good things and let the kids know that I have been

watching all year.

So have we, and the first award recognises someone whose

sporting achievements have put her head and shoulders above the rest.

OK. The first award Rising Sports star, Libby.

Come on up, big round of applause, then.

Libby battled off close contenders for captaincy of the girls'

new football team.

I think I would be a good football captain, because I am

even and let everyone have their say.

Then, she went on to successfully lead the girls in their first

football match.

CHEERING

She's an all-round sporting star, who's shown she can really kick it.

-Well done, Libby.

-OK, round of applause again for Libby.

APPLAUSE

I feel quite proud of myself for winning the award and they've

all said to me that I'm a good captain for the football team.

Libby definitely deserves that award. Although she's short,

she packs a punch.

For her to be picked for the football team as well,

is incredible. So, well done to Libby.

Since starting our school, we've seen lots of our students

all helping each other whenever they can, to make the most of their

first year and settle in.

The next award is for two students who Miss Richardson thinks

have been particularly helpful.

OK, next one is Most Helpful.

Charlie and Lucy. Round of applause, please, for them.

When they said my name, I felt a bit surprised and I was shocked.

I think Charlie really deserves this for his work with Eesa.

-Knight, flight, fright.

-Knight, flight...

Before coming to our school, Eesa had never been to school before

in his entire life and didn't speak a word of English.

Imagine how tough that must have been.

You write you.

But Charlie quickly stepped in and has been by his side ever since,

helping him settle in nicely.

I'll take him.

I feel really proud and I think my mum will faint because of it,

cos I'm never usually this good in school.

But I'm really proud.

And Lucy, or as she's known to her friends...

Big Friendly Giant.

She's a class superhero. Always on call...

-Lucy!

-Are you OK?

..there to protect...

Lucy! Hide me!

..and willing to help.

She looks after everyone, cos everyone goes, "Lucy, help me!"

Put the name of it and then the colour together.

I was really proud of the award and I felt really chuffed about it.

Thank you very much, guys. Well done, very impressed.

Being at secondary school isn't just about work in the classroom.

There have been plenty of after-school activities and trips,

to learn more about the world outside.

Some students, in particular, have taken this a step further,

working hard to help those outside of school in need. And one of them

is up for the Most Charitable award.

And the next award, Most Charitable. Kacey.

Big round of applause for Kacey. She's done an awful lot. Well done.

When I won the award, I felt happy, because I actually won something.

I didn't think I was going to.

Please, buy one of my cakes!

Kacey is so good at raising money for charity...

You're saving the children!

..she can even do it in her sleep.

In January, she was one of a group who slept out all night,

to raise hundreds of pounds for the homeless.

I feel quite bad for homeless people, like,

when they're out every night and every day.

She's done so much throughout the year. And really puts in her

personal time after school in different events.

So, well done, Kacey, keep it up.

This year has been one of momentous achievements,

producing some shining stars.

And to end the ceremony, there is one very special award, for the

Most Inspirational Student.

OK, finally, Most Inspirational. Now, I don't know if some of you

actually remember when Leo stood up here and did his entire assembly?

That takes an awful lot of guts, OK.

Not everyone is as confident, as myself.

So, round of applause for Leo.

Leo, please, come up. Well done.

Really, really proud of what you did that day.

What he did was really great.

Leo is autistic, a condition not many of the class

knew anything about.

What is it like to experience autism?

To help them understand what it's like to live with autism...

When you first know that you've got it, you don't

really understand what it is.

..Leo made a film about how he deals with his condition.

None of my friends used to understand me.

None of my teachers, no-one. You should understand yourself.

And presented it to the whole of year 7.

Just because I have ADHD

and autism doesn't mean I need to be treated different to anybody else.

That assembly that he did with the video was very inspirational.

He was brave enough to put the video on the screen

and show the whole class.

Leo really does deserve that award.

He worked so hard on making his video.

And, actually, showing how he really feels is a very,

very hard thing to do.

-Do you want to say anything, Leo?

-Thank you for this award.

And the assembly I did, that was really hard

and I was actually really scared before I did it.

Well, I think you've spoken really confidently today,

so, well done, Leo.

For someone who, just a few months ago, would never have stood up

in front of the whole year, it's a huge triumph.

Massive round of applause, guys.

Well done, Year 7. I am very proud of you all.

And you definitely deserve all the awards you've been given.

So, now, let's go and party.

Miss Richardson's reward for all of Year 7 is an end-of-year disco.

You've all successfully made it through your first year

at secondary school.

So, what advice would you now give to anyone starting in year 7?

Right, I'm going to give you some tips. When you first start Year 7,

you've got to listen.

-Be yourself and make friends.

-Don't let anyone get you down

and make new friends.

Be polite, be prepared, don't show this all the time

and do make the most of it.

Don't be afraid of anything,

because it's actually not as bad as you probably think or have heard.

Be positive, keep your head up and don't be scared.

Always be kind. Show good attitude and always...

always be the person that will go and help someone.

Do your work and mess about a bit.

No, don't mess about, at all. You want to be good.

Hypocrite.

What's that?

The advice that I'd give to any Year 7 would be to believe in yourself.

And if you think you can't do something,

it's most likely that you can.

That's it from Our School. Thanks, guys.

THEY CHEER

Best of luck for Year 8. I love you all.

The best thing about secondary school is like you can take in your

phone and go on it even in lessons, like, I never get caught.

You're going to get caught now, if a teacher watches this.

I tell my best friend Vanessa that she's very pretty,

she's got an ugly smile and she's got dodgy teeth.

And her smile's like this.