Spotlight shines on talented pupils and unsung heroes as they're honoured at Customs House

Talented pupils and those who go above and beyond were given their moment in the spotlight.
Jarrow School pupils Dilmi Mahesha, left, and Lucy Foggo.Jarrow School pupils Dilmi Mahesha, left, and Lucy Foggo.
Jarrow School pupils Dilmi Mahesha, left, and Lucy Foggo.

Acts including a pianist, dance troupes, singers, a violinist and an impressionist, took part in the first South Tyneside’s Got Talent show.

Watched by hundreds of their families, friends, teachers and VIPs at the Customs House, in South Shields, they were celebrated alongside 14 unsung heroes who have committed selfless acts to improve the lives of others.

Boldon cheerleaders.Boldon cheerleaders.
Boldon cheerleaders.
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They included a schoolgirl bereavement counsellor, dedicated student mentors, and an organiser of events and sponsorship for a hospice and cancer charity.

All South Tyneside schools were invited to take part by creator and organiser Vision for Education, the UK’s fastest growing and most trusted teacher recruitment agencies.

Gareth Gaston, Vision for Education’s secondary manager, said: “South Tyneside’s Got Talent is a great new way to show off the multitude of talent that exists in our schools.”

South Tyneside’s Got Talent launched in February, with each school involved holding a talent show to select an overall entrant. Those picked were singer Caitlin Florence, from Harton Technology College, singers Lucy Foggo and Dilmi Buwanayake, from Jarrow School, Andy Lamar, an impressionist from South Tyneside College, pianist Simona Didiasova, a pupil at St Wilfrid’s RC College, and singer Connor McGee, from Bamburgh School.

Mortimer Community College pupil violinist Harsev Singh with pianist John StephensonMortimer Community College pupil violinist Harsev Singh with pianist John Stephenson
Mortimer Community College pupil violinist Harsev Singh with pianist John Stephenson
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Hebburn Comprehensive School was represented by rock band Envy, and St Joseph’s Catholic Academy by singers Georgia Loughton and Stephen Armstrong.

Violinist Harsev Singh, accompanied by pianist John Stephenson, represented Mortimer Community College, with a group of cheerleaders performing for Boldon School. A dance troupe represented Epinay Business Enterprise School, and dance act Keelman’s Krew represented Keelman’s Way School.

Teachers also nominated an unsung hero.

Those selected were brothers Reece and Kieran Garthwaite, Clodagh Denham, Caitlin Robertson, Charlotte Stephenson, Mohammad Samadpour, Lewis Kerrigan, Liam Swan, Joseph Harvey, sisters Ailsa Samuels and Mhairi Samuels, and Emily McKerill.