Strictly dancing at Newcastle school

Strictly dancing at Newcastle school

1 May 2019

A NEWCASTLE primary school are to host a Strictly Come Dancing fundraiser to help raise money for the school.

St Mary’s Primary School will be staging the night at Slieve Donard Resort and Spa next Saturday, May 11.

Q Radio’s Ryan A promises to bring a pinch of razzmatazz to the dance extravaganza as he’ll be acting as compere for the evening. 

Dancers include teachers, classroom assistants, parents and past pupils. There will be two fabulous dance demonstrations from European Argentina Tango champions, Anna Arriza D’Este and Marco de Camillis, and 2018 Irish dancing world champions Orlaith Bradley and David Carberry.

Jenni Maguire, a teacher at the school, has been putting the dancers through their paces along with former All-Ireland Ballroom champion and choreographer Graham Jack. 

The event promises to be a great night of entertainment, says Graham,with demonstrations from the world champion Irish dancers to kick start the night followed by couples taking to the stage with a selection of Latin and ballroom dances.

He said: “I am really excited about our event. It is a great opportunity to bring the school and community together for what promises to be a real dance spectacular, while raising money for our school.

“I couldn’t do what these dancers have done. They deserve great credit for putting two dance routines together in such a short period of time.

“The contestants seem to have enjoyed the build up. While there has been pressure due to the time scale in preparation and the work load involved, there have been no tears or tantrums.”

He added. “The practices have been good fun. There have been plenty of laughs. The individuals and couples mix well and we all get on the best. But when the hard work needs to be done, they take it very seriously.”

Jenni said the couples have put in many hours of rehearsals, given freely of their time and have shown great dedication. 

She said: “Some have revealed much hidden talent in rehearsals and head judge, UTV’s Rita Fitzgerald, will have a tough job on her hands but with the help of the panel and votes by the audience on the night the Strictly Ball could be a closely fought battle.”

One of the contestants, Claire Toner, whose son Dylan is a P3 pupil at the school, said: “I volunteered as I wanted to do something different. It was a case of challenging myself and trying something fun and exciting.”

One person who has taken it all in her stride is classroom assistant Rachel Lowey. A past pupil of the school, she is paired with another former pupil and friend Shane Kearney.

She said: “Like Claire, I wanted to learn something new. Never in a million years did I think I’d be dancing on the same stage as some of my old teachers and classroom assistants.”

None of the dancers have experienced formal dance training before and for some it has been very difficult attending the twice weekly rehearsals. 

“As enjoyable as it’s been, one Strictly is my limit,” said school principal Philip Fusco. “We hope this will be a superb event, not just for the school community of St Mary’s.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone on the night and I have no doubt every guest will leave with a spring in their step.”

Tickets are available from the school office and are priced at £15 for adult sand £5 concession. You can also show your support and make a donation through JustGiving page.

Many of the businesses, parents, friends and family have already shown their support by sponsoring a dancer. The school would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for their support.

Sponsors include: McKeever’s Chemist, Property Directions, ActiSport, Nutty Chef, Coco’s, Quinn’s, Diamond Pat’s, Small’s Body Repair and Paintworx, ADS Mechanical Ltd, DTS Plumbing and Heating, Mortgage and Insurance Directions, Mark Samuel Haulage, Kelly Brothers Building Contractors, Medicare, Donard Wines, Tap Room in the Donard Bar, Matthew Toner Electrics & Lick Gelato, Joe Quality Meats, Fitzpatrick’s Car and Commercial Repair, ADHD Parent Support Group, Shimna Cafe, Protamino Nutrition Ltd, Blue Beans and BodyRox.