Congratulations to the St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School in Heaton for winning a special prize at this year’s French Pop Video Competition for the third year running. This is a significant achievement, as the school won the regional finals and attended the national finals in June in London, winning one of three ‘Coup de Coeur’ prizes. The children wrote an original song, celebrating the Tour de France and made a video to go with it.
You can watch the performance on youtube here and find out more about their winning entry and the competition below.
The Vive le vélo, vive le Tour de France video created by St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School pupils is incredibly joyful and full of energy. The lyrics are very catchy, melodious and give a good insight on a French cultural event: le Tour de France ! The students and their teachers must have had a great time creating the lyrics and the clip!
Romain Devaux, French Language Attaché, Institut français du Royaume-Uni
The French Pop Video Competition takes place every year and is open to all UK schools. Next year’s competition opens for registration on 10th March 2024, with entries to be submitted by 1st May 2024. You can find out more about the competition here.
We promote this competition to schools annually, as part of our Express Yourself: North East Festival of Languages and are thrilled that St Teresa’s have once again done the city and the region proud. Well done to all the children and staff at St Teresa’s!
Declan Baharini, Director, International Newcastle
For the third year running Year 5 at St Teresa’s Catholic Primary, Heaton, has won one of the French Institute’s Pop Video prizes for the North of England. The competition is sponsored by notable bodies, including the French, Canadian, Swiss and Tunisian Embassies and TV 5 Monde.
The French Institute invites schools from across the UK to write, film and submit an original song in French, with regional winners going into the grand final.
Although yet to lift the top national prize, St Teresa’s can be justifiably proud of their winning songs in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
The school has won £250 in book tokens for the School Library as well as a songwriting award and, this year, a “Coup de Coeur” trophy for the “exceptional artwork, videography, French lyrics and educational message” of their song. Thomas in Year 5 commented, “I thoroughly enjoyed the performance of our French song. It was very fun to sing, had a lovely melody and a strong message.’
Congratulations to all the children in year 5 for their energy, joyfulness, commitment and ability which shone throughout “Vive le vélo et vive le Tour de France” and to all who supported them in this song: Miss McKenzie, Miss Bell, Charlotte, Lucy, Mr Knox, Mr Fields, Mr Brindley (guitar) and Mr Turner, Head Teacher, for his cameo appearance! Great fun, so much learnt and here’s to 2024!
Allez le Tour et le Vélo!!!
Anthony Knox, St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School, Newcastle