St Oswald’s dancers impress at Whitley Bay

Dance lovers were in for a treat, when children from St Oswald’s Catholic Primary in Gosforth joined others from across the Newcastle area to take to the stage at the Whitley Bay Playhouse.

The school has participated in the Newcastle PE and School Sport Dance Festival for more than 15 years, with ten pupils showcasing their talents at this year’s event.

“The children’s theme was a mix of their favourite pop songs, and they chose their own outfits, which they felt reflected their own style,” said Year 1 Teacher and PE Coordinator Gemma Summersby, who ran the after-school Dance Club where the young performers honed their skills.

“Their mega mix included Little Mix, Alex Warren, KPop Demon Hunters, and Zara Larsen.”

Dance groups from more than 25 schools performed in the day-long event.

“A dance club and performing at a festival can be such a special experience for children, and it’s about so much more than just learning routines,” continued Mrs Summersby.

“It gives them a real boost of confidence. Standing on stage in front of an audience might be scary at first, but, once they’ve done it, they often realise they can do things they never thought they’d be able to.

“It’s also a great way for them to learn teamwork. Everyone has a part to play, and they quickly see how important it is to work together, stay in time, and support each other to make the performance work.

“Dance is also a brilliant way for children to express themselves. Not every child finds it easy to use words to show how they feel, but movement gives them another way to tell a story or share emotion.”

“On top of that, it helps with focus and resistance,” she added. “Learning a routine takes practice, patience, and lots of repetition. They learn that things don’t always come instantly – but sticking with it pays off.

“And, of course, there’s the magic of it all. Performing in a real theatre is exciting and memorable. It’s something they’ll talk about for a long time and feel proud of for years to come.”