The student councils at The British School in Tokyo (BST) play an active role in everyday school life throughout the entire academic year, and just before the recent April break the Showa Primary Student Council hosted a talent show.
The evening was the culmination of many meetings during which the council discussed how they could showcase the students’ range of performing arts abilities. Eventually it was decided that a talent show along the lines of “X-Factor” or “Britain’s Got Talent” would be a great showpiece.
And so began the frenzied organization of the event and “gentle” persuasion of students to participate. The Showa Primary Student Council advertised the evening in posters and newsletters; planned audition times, locations and rotas; and, of course, judged the preliminary rounds.
After months of hard work and in front of an audience of students, parents, and teachers, the finals began. Students from Years 4–6 (ages 8–11) made up the final twelve acts and kept the audience spellbound and amazed as they performed dance routines, played musical instruments, sang songs, and hula hooped!
After some truly breathtaking performances, the panel of judges finally decided on the winners for the four categories. The overall Year 4 winner was a team effort, with girls from Y4G performing a dazzling dance display; the Year 5 winner performed a heartbreaking solo of Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black; the Year 6 winner put on a dizzying display of gymnastics, body popping, and dance moves; and the overall winner sang a stunning rendition of True Colors by Glee.
The evening ended with a standing ovation for the encore. This remarkable evening will long be remembered for the truly sparkling performances the many performers gave their adoring audience. BST truly has Got Talent! — NEIL WILLIS
