Newcastle United Stars Visit School
Steve Taylor (Newcastle United and England) was a guest at the school earlier this term when he presented the Community Clubmark Award to North Shields Juniors FC and to the school.
The awards are for the extensive links forged between John Spence and NSJFC, and recognises the club’s and the school’s contribution to developing sport in the community.
Steve is seen presenting a plaque to John Farrage of NSJFC. A similar plaque was presented to Olly Webster, our Sports Facilities Manager, who received the award on behalf of the school.
Steve has not been the only Newcastle United star to visit us in recent weeks. A visit by his boss, Kevin Keegan, brought a real buzz to the school on the last day before the half term break.
The Newcastle United Manager had agreed to be the special surprise guest at the Sportsmark Awards Ceremony which the school hosted, but did so on the strict understanding that the school would not tell anyone in advance that he would be present.
The awards ceremony was in full swing when Kevin arrived and was ushered into the Hall. The response he received, after an initial shocked silence, was tremendous.
Kevin spoke to his audience about the importance of working hard to achieve your goals and the need to get on with others and work as part of a team, illustrating his talk with references to his own career as a footballer and a manager.
After presenting the awards to schools from across the Authority, Kevin answered questions from the audience. The students asked some very direct, even awkward, questions but they were all answered with honesty and humour. Kevin managed to inform, educate, entertain and inspire his audience all at the same time. He’d make an excellent teacher!
After his question and answer session Kevin attempted to leave the Hall, but was swamped by students and staff trying to shake his hand and get a photograph with, or an autograph. from their hero.
He finally did make his escape, only to be met by more students and staff who had discovered he was in the building and were waiting to meet him.
One enterprising Year 11 student had seen Keegan arrive and sent a message out on the school Intranet to “all users” saying “Keegan’s in the Building” - it’s difficult to keep a secret in the age of instant communication.
