Repping and Rapping Our School

Today in Our School:

Two students take on the unthinkable...

-We're wanting to do a rap.

-As in, like, a chicken wrap?

This is going to be a heck of a ride.

And what's the actions like?

Oh!

..as they try to use rap music...

-RAPPING:

-# Get your sums right and your brain gets bigger! #

..to make their teachers cool.

Is that a legitimate move?

Not really.

SCHOOL BELL RINGS

Meet our new Year 7.

Sick bucket!

It's the most important school year of their life so far.

Haircut, sir?

They're all starting here together.

That level of noise is absolutely disgusting.

Ah!

SCREAMING

Yes!

This has seen better days.

You stink, sir.

CBBC have filled the entire place with cameras,

so you'll get to watch Year 7 every step of the way.

OOHING

Hello, I'm Mr Jones.

I'm a maths teacher at Our School,

and every time that you're here, I'm going to be here too.

Right now, I'm late for a lesson, excuse me.

Come on in.

# Our School! #

Boom! Mic drop.

MUSIC: The Lazy Song by Bruno Mars

There are some mornings when you look out of the window

and wish you could just stay in the warm.

Winter at Our School can be pretty chilly,

even if a bit of snow now and then is good fun.

4,000 miles away in Kenya, it's a very different story.

Here, it's often baking hot and kids can walk for miles to get to school.

That's if they're even lucky enough to go to school.

How do I know so much about it?

This is the Memosi School in southern Kenya...

Class.

..which gives an education to children

who wouldn't otherwise be able to go to school.

And this term, our Year 7 students will be raising money

so that even more kids in Kenya can get an education.

There's going to be loads of fundraising,

and head teacher Mr Jones is kicking it all off.

OK. We're going to start with, Lameer.

What's an idea for how we can raise some sponsor money for Memosi?

A costume day where the best costumes win.

Oh, OK.

Like a competition, yeah? Wayne?

An idea is if you support a favourite football team

where you can come in their rivals kit

and I'll come in United kit for us.

Oh, so that's an interesting idea.

Not quite a football and it's not quite a football kit, Wayne, but...

Oh, well done.

We should do like cake sales and things like that.

Yeah, baking.

Me and my friend, Millie,

were on about going to her work and trying to sell, like, buns.

What about giving up food?

I don't think so. No! No! No!

My food! My food!

I know some of you had your own ideas about how to make some money,

how to get some fundraising.

Kayden, do you have any ideas?

We could always make some teachers rap in assembly

-in front of everyone.

-Oh, yes, sir.

I think that's a great idea,

if you can make some manage to persuade the teachers to do it, OK?

Also, are you a beat-boxer?

-Yeah.

-Why don't you go and beat-box with him?

-Yeah.

-Is that all right, Kayden?

Yeah.

So, our resident rapper, Kayden,

along with our top beat-boxer, Javonte,

will be setting our teachers the task

of rapping in a big Year 7 assembly for charity.

So me teachers are now my students.

This is going to be a heck of a ride.

I guess that means the teachers are on RAP-ort, then. Get it?!

Rap music's a big deal for Kayden.

He's even got his own rap video.

It's a...

-HE RAPS:

-# Fresh new start Make it with some art

I could take apart every single shard

# Of my dreams and tell you what they are

# As I've told you in this so far

# I didn't think I would go far

# In my life it's not hard to make new friends

# Cos in the end I know none of them are pretend

# Each and all of them are true friends to the end

# And in school No more cool

# No more fooling around at all

# Don't let one of them fall We'll all stick together forever

# We won't miss school at all

# It's a fresh new start... #

I started rapping about three months ago,

and in them three months I've made quite a few songs.

# I'm going to play my part

# Front and centre in this fresh new start... #

When I used to get bullied in school, it made me feel angry.

# It's a fresh new start... #

I found music's a good way to express how I feel.

Today, in school, Kayden's making the most of his rap skills,

but it could be a bit of a challenge.

What you got there? Is that some homework?

-It's a rap.

-We want you to do a rap.

So, go on, then, tell me how I should do it, then.

You need to learn the words before you can work on your speed.

-SHE RAPS:

-# My name's Miss Black and this is my rap.

# So listen up, kids, and don't chat back. #

Is that rubbish?

Miss Black, she's very enthusiastic about it,

but she was very bad at the same time.

And what's the actions like?

-Oh!

-Oh!

-MISS BLACK LAUGHS

She's always like, "Yeah, yeah, yo, yo!"

It wasn't working out right.

They don't do that.

Oh, come on!

I need one of those caps for this, and like, lots of gold.

-So, OK, then. Are we ready?

-JAVONTE BEAT-BOXES

# My name's Miss Black and this is my rap

# So listen up, kids, and don't chat back.

# If you're loud or two cheeky expect to see one

# School is your future It's not just for fun

# So that's it from me I'm happy to meet you

# Remember my name cos I'm the history teacher. #

-Yeah.

-Yeah. I'll do my, like, wedding dancing.

Oh, no.

-SHE SINGS:

-# I'm in the mood for dancing, romancing. #

Has she scarred you as much as she's scarred us?

Oh, Miss Black, she's very bad.

She can't keep in with the time.

She's not made for rapping, no.

-SHE RAPS:

-# Look at my face cos my hand ain't listening

# I'm the history teacher What are you missing?! #

Miss, I think you might need... This is your homework, I think.

Miss Black definitely gets an A* for effort,

-but as far as...

-Progress...

She'll probably get an F.

When it comes to music, Javonte's certainly got high standards.

Oh, look at my afro!

It's so big.

In my family, it's my dad, my mum, my sister and me.

-Hello, boy.

-Hi, Daddy.

I describe them as caring, cos if one of us is upset,

they will make us happy.

What happened to my baby boy?

You're too big now.

So, when I was about two,

my mum and dad always noticed me, like, tapping on, like, the walls

or picking up sticks and tapping them.

And they thought, "Oh, let's give him drum lessons."

It's been like three, three-and-a-half years now

that I've been drumming, and I've really enjoyed it.

And check out his marching band skills.

Javonte's certainly got rhythm.

Let's hope Mr Shabir has too.

-Hi, sir.

-Hello, boys. What can I do for you?

We're wondering if you could rap for us?

-I've never rapped in my life.

-That's the funny thing about it.

Yeah, that's the funny thing about it.

So you thought you would come and make a mockery of me?

-Kind of.

-Yes. That means yes.

-Kind of.

-Let's do this.

-It's basically...

That's basically the rap.

"You all know me, I'm Mr Shabir.

"Slick hair.

"Smooth beard." Correct.

"I'm head of your year." Also correct.

Right, let's sit down. Where do you want me?

Let's do this.

You all know me, I'm Mr Shabir.

-HE RAPS:

-# You all know me I'm Mr Shabir. #

-Why is your head moving?

-Cos that's what rappers do.

They kind of, like, move their hands.

-Move my hands, then. Hello.

-No. No, sir.

If we're doing attitude to learning...

-..a good.

-Yeah.

-Not quite there but good.

Do your thing, then, boys.

-JAVONTE BEAT-BOXES

-Three, two, one. Let's go.

# You all know me I'm Mr Shabir

# Slick hair, smooth beard, I'm head of your year

# You'll spot me in Our School, oversharp dressed

# One thing about me, I never get stressed

# I'm king of IT I'm prince of hi tech

# I'm the man, the legend, total respect. #

-Yeah!

-Boom!

Total respect!

Yeah.

-I like this.

-Yeah.

-I might just have to have a career change.

THEY LAUGH

Yes, Mr Shabir. Total respect.

Don't give up the day job yet, though.

As you are fully aware,

we are raising money for our charity in Kenya.

We had a discussion...

..around possible fundraising ideas.

In your pairs, let's talk about ideas, discuss ideas.

Feel free to have a discussion.

What's your idea?

I'm going to shave my hair

because it's so long and it's so annoying.

When I have to wake up and do it, it gets so annoying.

Yeah, I know what you're talking about.

It gets so weird.

I could shave your hair.

-Is that a deal?

-Yeah.

Wow!

I'm pretty sure, I wouldn't let Mr Shabir anywhere near my hair

with a pair of clippers.

Anyone else?

No, I wouldn't trust him.

My dad cuts my hair.

I wouldn't let anyone cut my hair, except my dad and Mr T.

Well, Roman's very trusting.

This is everyone in my family.

This is Dante, my brother.

My mum when she were younger.

Zeena, our dog, which we rescued.

We've got three dogs.

Two staffies, one Staffie cross,

and we've got a little Jack Russell Terrier, cross poodle.

Wait.

I think that's Dante when he was little.

Dante's my brother and when I was four, unfortunately he passed away.

He had an asthma attack and then he died in hospital.

Having lost Dante, like, when I were young, like,

it changed me as a person.

That's me and Dante.

Because I were only four when he died, we didn't have, like,

that many photos.

This is like one where we are together,

so it's one that I like to keep.

Dante would be 18 this year.

As an 18-year-old brother, we could, like, look up to him,

ask him questions, but I can't do that,

because he's not around, is he?

I think losing Dante's changed me quite a lot.

I'm more close, like, to being emotional,

like, because of what happened to me when I were younger.

Most of my friends are girls.

Like, in primary, I used to get judged a lot by people.

Like, say, "Oh, like you're this, you're that, you're this

"cos you're going around with girls", but I'm not really bothered.

There's a girl called Olivia in my form.

She's constantly happy.

She's, like, never sad, and we get on really well.

We met this year,

and already I feel like we're becoming really close friends.

We just kind of get along.

Today, Miss Ahmed's a big announcement to make

to Roman and his class.

-Morning, year 7.

-ALL:

-Morning.

What I'm here for today is I'm looking for two ambassadors

to take to Kenya.

EXCLAIMING

Who would like to go?

-Kenya?!

-Oh, my God. Really?

Right, you'll be working with a charity.

-Is Kenya in Europe.

-No. It's Africa. Africa.

That's a long way to travel, babe.

Kenya. It's like so far away.

It's like on a completely different continent.

It's really exciting because it's the opportunity of a lifetime.

Does Kenya have a beach?

I hope it has a beach.

Our two Year 7 ambassadors will need to be ready

for the experience, and on top of their game.

For the next two weeks,

there'll be a whole group of us watching you lot.

Please be on your best behaviour and I shall see you soon.

See you in Kenya! Cos I know I'm going.

Back to our teachers on report,

learning to rap to raise money for the Kenyan school.

-Hi, sir.

-We want you to rap.

-It's for charity, sir.

-For charity?

-It's for charity.

-OK. Cool.

But I warn you, I'm really bad at rapping.

Kayden, you've got to imagine, you're my audience, my fans.

Yeah? Come on, give me a beat, then, give me a beat.

JAVONTE BEAT-BOXES

Go.

-HE RAPS:

-# I'm new to the school I'm an NQT

# That's not a rap name That's what they call me

# I wear a white coat I work in my lab

# Experiment safely Dissect on a slab

# A flash, a bang Science don't bore

# It's just my name Sure, Mr Shaw. #

-Boom!

-Boom! Mic drop.

-Really good.

The best thing about Mr Shaw's rap,

was the fact that he wanted to have a laugh with it.

We're going to see a new side of you.

A new side of me?

Yeah, cos you're not always, like,

down with this rap stuff, and like...

I'm always down with this rap stuff.

I've just got to hold it in sometimes!

-The next teacher we have got to teach is Mr Jones.

-Mr Jones.

-The head teacher.

-Yep.

We're going to end up with detention after this!

Yeah, probably.

So I think it's going to be good cos you have a very deep voice.

My voice is, like, very drone-y.

-Is it not a bit boring for rapping?

-No.

I was nervous, because I weren't doing much of me homework

and I thought he were going to bring that up.

Would you mind saying the word homies?

Homies? I think homies is pretty cool, I think, these days,

that's fine. Is there a tune?

Yeah, I'm the tune.

OK, let's get this...

JAVONTE BEAT-BOXES

# I'm the main man here at FPA

# Welcome to Our School, everyday... #

Am I doing it a bit too much? Is that? Or are you OK like this?

-You're fine.

-Yeah, we'll just go with it!

# You'll see me around when I'm out on patrol

# It's a serious business It's not just a stroll

# You'll meet lots of homies when you start here

# Head down, work hard Make it your year! #

Yeah!

He has a good voice, like, to rap,

but he's not actually fit out for that kind of thing.

Is that a legitimate move?

-Erm... Not really. If you want it to be.

-Not really!

MR JONES LAUGHS

Over the last few days, staff have been watching our Year 7 students...

I'm just sending young Josh, who seems to be devoid of tie or blazer,

to see you. Cheers.

..and have come up with a short list of who they think might have

what it takes to become a school ambassador and travel to Kenya.

They are...

Abdul,

Olivia,

Roman,

Jennaia,

Ewan,

Morgan,

Ibraheem

and Fareed.

They're all going to have to pitch for their chance to go.

I think it will be really hard for me.

Think about what they have to do just living in the heat.

I've heard that they don't even have proper water supplies.

I know how to be grateful.

We would die from not having internet for 30 minutes,

they don't have electricity or anything.

I would miss England, the school, my family.

While the eight finalists put the finishing touches to their speeches,

what other thoughts do Year 7 have on Africa?

BUZZING

Africa is a continent.

-It is.

-Is that it? Is that all you know?

-Yeah.

Madagascar is part of Africa.

I'd be happy to live in Africa, cos there might be a chance

I'd be able to get a pet lion.

Not in England, though.

# Africa Tsamina mina eh eh. #

You know that song?

The sand is actually like so hot that it can melt things.

HE SINGS CIRCLE OF LIFE OPENING

No!

Cave men descended from there,

so everybody in the world is African.

Africa is nowt like Sheffield.

Can I get this right?

I'm part German, part Irish and part English,

but I have the smallest bit of Africa in me?

We'll leave Aaron with that thought,

because our Kenya finalists are ready with their speeches.

Right. Ready to shine now, guys.

So you can pretend you're on X Factor.

Each of the contenders will face a panel of judges

from the school, the charity and CBBC.

I was, like, really nervous when, like, all the people came in.

-Especially the head teacher.

-Yeah, the head teacher.

First up...is Morgan.

Come on down, Morgan.

I felt nervous cos the first person to do it. It was kind of scary.

I think that I should go to Kenya because my dad was in the army

and he did his army training there

and I really want to follow in his footsteps.

I want to go to Kenya because I've never travelled on a plane before

and I would call it a travel bug.

I take so many things for granted like water, food,

sleep health and electricity.

It would be so hard for me and it would be a challenge,

but I'm willing to take that challenge.

I would also like to be chosen so that in the future

I can research and make their lives better.

I'd like to give them an opportunity to hear about my life in England

and what we do at school.

I want to know how they feel without getting clean water,

without getting fed every day.

I would really like to go to Kenya,

so I can learn all about their culture.

Going to Kenya would really help me open my eyes.

I know it's a long shot but I would really like to go with Roman.

Me and Roman have become really close friends

and we would really like to share this experience with each other.

Thank you for listening.

I think there were like a few things that I messed up on,

-cos, like, I stutter a little bit.

-Like talking really fast.

-Yeah, I talk really fast.

-I talked so fast.

Right, then, folks, we're going to make some dreams here.

We've got to - eight students.

We've got to choose two of them to be ambassadors.

I spent ages thinking of that speech I did,

so hopefully I will get chosen.

She's a very strong ambassador of the form.

She's a hard-working, mature young lady.

If I got it, I'd feel really happy,

because I'd be able to prove that I'm brave enough

to go to a different country.

She's very helpful.

She's always ready to give everything a go.

I felt proud of what I've done.

I hope that'll take the judges thinking about me.

He clearly did some research, he took it seriously.

I believe he's got a good heart. His morals are in the right place.

I'd be really, really happy if I got picked.

He's always willing to talk.

He's always able to explain how he thinks and what he's feeling.

I've the smallest feeling that I'm going to go.

Just that look from Mr Jones.

He just winked at me.

It's interesting, listening to your discussion,

there seem to be two stronger ambassadors

and we should choose based on the two strongest ambassadors.

Hmm, it's a tough decision but not nearly as tough

as the job Javonte and Kayden face.

We want you to do a rap.

-A rap?

-Yeah.

Blimey, as in like a chicken wrap?

-So this is what I've got to do?

-Yeah.

-Yep.

JAVONTE BEAT-BOXES

I'll give myself a count in.

# Mr Web, hands up, here's a question

# I'm looking at you... #

Mr Web... Oh, Mr Web.

# To save a green planet it means so much to me

# The world is my subject, BIG-UP, geography. #

-Mm-mm-mm.

-Not great.

He was a tough one.

While the teachers brush up on their rapping skills,

Roman's collecting money for his head shave.

Are you going to sponsor me for my head shave.

He's having his hair shaved tomorrow morning.

And finally, it's my turn to show them how it's done.

-What this?

-It's a rap.

It's rap? Do I look like rapper?

You can wear me cap if you want.

Can I? Let me wear your cap.

Sponsor me!

Hand sign?

Lean, hat.

-Not too lean...

-Not like this?

You look like you're going to float down.

Are you going to sponsor me any money for me head shave?

JAVONTE BEAT-BOXES

I've forgot the first line.

-Are we ready for tomorrow, then?

-Yeah.

-I'm bringing in the money.

-Can you sponsor me?

-Of course I'm going to sponsor you.

Of course I'm going to sponsor you.

# Straighten your tie and tuck in your shirt

# Mess is my business It don't have to hurt

# I got your number you can add or subtract

# Multiply, divide

# You got it It's cracked.

# Rap is a word But for me it's a figure

# Get your songs right and your brain gets bigger. #

-Yeah!

-Yes!

-Got it!

-Finally.

-Yeah!

VOICEOVER: Yes, nailed it!

In assembly, Miss Ahmed is about to reveal

who is going to Kenya to visit the school

for which Year 7 have been raising money.

Right it was really difficult to decide

which two ambassadors that we were going to take with us.

There was eight students in total. They did extremely well.

It was very, very difficult to decide who we were going to take.

So, without further ado,

I'd like to announce there's two students from Firth Park

who will be representing us in Kenya.

Can we please have a big round of applause for...

..Olivia and Roman.

We're going to Kenya!

I feel like the luckiest person in the world.

Well done.

Well done, Roman. Well done.

SHE SINGS CIRCLE OF LIFE OPENING

Being selected from 270 pupils was a really emotional experience for me.

I feel like it's a lifetime experience,

because not many people get to go to Kenya and work for a charity.

I am excited.

So, there we are, our two ambassadors, heading to Kenya.

Although, before they go,

one of them has important business to attend to.

Roman, are you excited to have your hair shaved off?

It will feel so weird. It's going to feel so cold as well.

There's no backing out now.

The crowds are gathering.

The stage is set.

But has Roman got what it takes?

I'm scared.

All right. Morning, Year 7. Today's assembly is a special one.

Well, Roman, do you want to come down?

A round of applause for Roman, please.

CHEERING

Shake my hand. Take a seat there.

If we can talk and work at the same time...

LAUGHTER

APPLAUSE

Let's start giving him a nice '60s fringe.

Oh, I knew Mr Shabir shouldn't have been trusted with those scissors.

He was so brave.

He didn't care what people think.

Some people are mean and say stuff like that,

but he didn't care, he just did it.

Mr Shabir had never done anybody's hair before. Roman trusted him.

I wouldn't trust him. No way.

Shall we go down the middle?!

CHEERING

Three, two, one!

EXCLAIMING

-CHANTING:

-Roman! Roman! Roman! Roman!

-BOTH:

-Roman! Roman! Roman!

CHANTING CONTINUES

Very brave. I would never sacrifice my hair.

Never.

Never.

Very brave as well to let a teacher do it

in front of so many students.

A round of applause for Roman, please!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

I just want to say, if someone's prepared to have a haircut

as bad as this one, then they deserve this sponsorship.

-Thank you.

-Well done. Give him another clap.

In the end, Mr Jones came up to us and he gave me £20

-to put in the charity box.

-Nice.

-There's a tenner coming your way.

-Thank you.

It's good because I did it for a good cause and a charity

and I've raised, like, a lot of money.

It's like, a good feeling.

And even better, then he and Olivia get to visit Africa

to see where all the sponsorship money go.

We're representing Firth Park, which is still kind of cool.

Ten out of ten, I'm really excited.

Next time, find out how the teachers get on,

rapping in front of an audience.

-HE RAPS:

-# I work in my lab I dissect safely... #

And I've forgotten the words.

Can I put my sock there...?

I've seen some... That's meant to be funky, isn't it?

-No.

-No?

-That's not funky, is it?

-Not for you.

-That's not supposed to be cool.

-I think I look funky.

-Your sideburns are coming in too.

Sideburns? Why would there be sideburns?

-I'm 11!

-I can see it.

-I'm 11!

I can see little hairs coming on.

Sideburns, great.

It's something to look forward to!