Bablake Teachers Show Added Value On Charity Stage

Some of our Senior School teachers, cajoled by members of 2JM, left the comfort zone of their classroom and took to the stage to raise money for charity last week.

The 'Bablake Staff's Got Talent' event was organised by Geography teacher Mrs Jo MacGibbon's tutor group to help raise money and awareness for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which is currently celebrating its 30th year of granting magical wishes to enrich the lives of children and young people fighting life-threatening conditions.

With presenters Jhodi Thandi and Taryn Wilson introducing the acts while other members of the form worked tirelessly both backstage and at front of house, it was just left to the staff to steal the show! And how well they did too, with a variety of magic, music, satire, singing and supple aerobics!

Afterwards Headmaster Mr John Watson, who was drawn onto stage as, we hope, a willing volunteer for an English department sketch, echoed the sentiments of the enthusiastic crowd present. He praised every participant in an email congratulating performers, writing: '"You were phenomenal! What talent….and what courage!"

Mrs Jo MacGibbon was also delighted with the whole exercise, saying: "Thank you to everyone for assisting and/ or performing in 'Bablake Staff's Got Talent'.  It was a fantastic team event and everyone in the tutor group contributed towards its success including making posters, running back stage, collecting money on the door, presenting and even judging the talent.  

The audience definitely received great value for money and we are delighted to have raised over £140 for the form's chosen charity 'Make a Wish Foundation'."

Information about the show!

Running order:

• The English department - Mrs Duke, Ms Farmer and Mrs Martlew. (Satirical comedy & dance mashup!)
• Mr Rushton and Dr Smith. (Green Day & Oasis)
• Ms Farmer. (Adele)
• 'Flex-aerobic' Mrs Tumber, with assistants Caru Mattu and Miss Simmons.
• Mr Bunce and Dr Smith. (Jessie J)
• Mrs Press, with backing band Mr Munns, Vinnie Bhandal and Georgia Gunson. (Amy Winehouse)
• 'Math-magician' Mr Memon, with assistance from Mrs Alderson-Bolstridge, Rachel Faulkner, Ali-Hamzah Ahmed, Ms Farmer & the calculator of shame!

Ms Farmer, in the vocal guise of Adele, was judged the overall winner by the judging panel that included the Headmaster, 2JM's Ria Jasmine-Ladva, Assistant Head Mr Jim Burns and Head of History Mrs Helen Skilton. Mrs Press was judged as second and the English department came third.

Many thanks also to Babtech members and Theatre/ Events Technician Mr Malcolm Wyatt for such excellent work behind the scenes, which ensured such a slick professional show!