As we approach the Christmas break, Kelham Hall’s magnificent Dome venue was alive with a showcase of colour, music and dance, following the Diverse Academies Learning Partnership’s annual Creative Arts Festival.
Hundreds of students and pupils from across the trust’s primary and secondary academies took part in the event, with spectacular performances depicting this year’s theme of ‘colours’. Parents, carers, staff and dignitaries were treated to wonderful, visual performances, which culminated in a moving rendition of ‘True Colours’ performed by all academies.
All the students and pupils who participated had spent a number of weeks preparing and perfecting their routines – some of who performed for the first time and to a capacity audience, in this spectacular venue. Each academy gave their own interpretation of a colour to a rapacious response.
Special guest Janet Richardson, Deputy Lieutenant, gave a closing address which heaped praise on all those involved: “For all your hard work and effort building up to this event, give yourselves a big round of applause.”
Claire Backhouse, student engagement lead across the trust, added: “It’s been an absolute privilege to host the proceedings today. The students have done us proud, and it was a pleasure to see the audience respond with similar pride, reflecting all the hard work and practice put in by all. It’s events like this which enable our children and young people to build their confidence, self-esteem and showcase their creative talents – and that was evident in abundance.”
The students who performed at the event will be rewarded for their efforts with a trip to the pantomime ‘Beauty and the Beast’ at Nottingham Theatre Royal in January.
Across the year, the trust comes together in a number of events and uses these opportunities to raise funds for the student’s chosen charity. Ticket monies raised at the Creative Arts Festival will be donated to this year’s charity, the Teenage Cancer Trust.
