Pictured above are Year 14 pupils Maeve Morgan and Shane Fegan, who won the International Projects fundraiser ‘St Paul’s has got Talent’.

The staff and students of St Paul’s performed to a packed house in aid of St Paul’s International Projects. A capacity crowd were entertained by students and staff who danced, sang, drummed, strummed, recited and whistled their way through the night. All year groups were represented among the acts and the audience added to the success of the night through their encouragement and responses.

In true reality television style the audience were involved in the selection process through filling in a voting slip, with votes being tallied by the organising committee. The top three acts were announced to the crowd – solo singer Sarah Kilgallon (Year 8), Irish Dancers Ronan Magennis (Year 9), Anna McCann, Aine Malone (Year 10) & Ruairi McCann (Year 11) and guitarist & singing duo Shane Fegan & Maeve Morgan (Year 14). The judging panel, consisting of Paddy McEvoy, Maria Wilson, Marion McNamee, Catherine Hughes & Julie Simpson, then decided the overall winning act – with Shane Fegan & Maeve Morgan being announced the overall winners. It was very fitting that these two won the show as both travelled to Romania last year and did excellent work while there. Mr Burns, MC for the night, handed over the trophy and cash prize of £100 to the winning act.

However, this talent show was one with a difference! As usual, St Paul’s goes one step further and not only was the talent of official acts showcased on the night. Year 14 students treated the audience to a surprise flash mob and nobody expected them to jump up from their seats in the crowd to Nathan Carter and then take to the stage with carefully selected songs from Evolution of Dance. This fantastic contribution to the night was enjoyed by all present and serves as evidence of the type of student that St Paul’s produces.

In keeping with surprise acts, the teacher novelty act went down a storm as they performed on stage to Tina Turner and Gangham Style. The entire audience responded as the teachers took to the floor and danced their way down through the hall.

The final aspect of the ‘talent show with a difference’ was the contribution of Kevin Kearney who did a brilliant Elvis routine and got the crowd on their feet, out of their seats and on to the stage to jive the evening to a close.

This event was very successful in creating a great evening’s entertainment for the St Paul’s community and also raising funds for needy places that will be visited when the St Paul’s teams begin their visits next week. A total of £2,851.80 was raised through this event, all of which will go directly to the orphanages, schools, clinics, hospitals etc that the staff and teachers will have the privilege of visiting.

The organising committee would like to sincerely thank all those who contributed to the event in any way, staff and students. Special thanks also goes to Marty McCone who looked after sound on the night, past pupils who sponsored prizes and Dan Gregory’s who donated the tuck shop for the night.

Videos of the Acts performing.

Year 14 Flashmob

Staff Novelty Act

Act 1

Act 2

Act 3

Act 4

Act 5

Act 6

Act 7

Act 8

Act 9

Act 10

Act 11

Act 12

Act 13

Act 14

Act 15

Reigning Champions

The Acts.

Rooney O’Malley’ dancers, who opened the show as they were the reigning champions.

Photos of the Acts performing.