Upton Junior School pupils have taken part for the first time in the long-established Thanet Music, Drama and Dance Festival.
Youngsters from the Broadstairs school gathered an array of first, second and third awards as part of an impressive overall debut.
Deputy Head of School Dave Walker, who worked with Upton’s young performers in the run up to the festival, said: “What a superb event this is – it is the first time we have taken part and it’s been a truly excellent opportunity for the children.
“We put this out as an opportunity to every child in the school who wanted to try out for the festival in a range of categories – it was their chance to challenge themselves and we had a great response.
“Upton entered 34 boys and girls who have all gained valuable public speaking experience and who’ve put themselves out there in front of an audience.
“We managed to enter every category open to us as first time entrants. I’d especially like to thank Lynn Myhill, secretary of the Festival, for her support in getting us involved. Her advice on everything made the experience very simple from an organiser’s perspective.”
The high standard of performance impressed judges and adjudicators and Mr Walker added: “It is a tough test for children in many ways but the Upton team performed very well and each performer can feel proud of themselves whether they came in the top three or not.
“It is an excellent experience for them and the festival works very well in tandem with our creative and performing arts provision at Upton. We are already looking forward to the 2020 festival.”
A number of Upton pupils were entered in each category. Special awards were made for first, second and third places:
Original Poem Open Category: 1st Max Spurgin, 2nd Zaynab Qamar.
Original Poem Years 5 and 6: 1st Anais Esteve; 3rd Emelio Domiguez.
Original Poem Years 3 and 4: 1st Ariadne Richardson; 2nd Evie Lapthorn; 3rd Sophia Hards.
Poetry Recital Years 3 and 4: 1st Rosa Bumpstead
Bible Reading Year 4 and under: 2nd Ariadne Richardson; 3rd Sarah Kirubagaran.
Bible Reading Years 5 and 6: 1st Ryan Baskaran; 3rd Jasper Mummery.
Prose Reading Year 5 and 6: 2nd Elsie Meades.
Prose Reading Year 4 and under: Joint 3rd Freddie Roger and Sadie Barratt.
Public Speaking: 2nd Ryan Baskaran; 3rd: Betty Beaumont;