Budding superstars sing their heart out in S-Factor finals
Budding Sheffield superstars took to the stage at the Megacentre in the finals of the Sheffield Homes ‘S Factor’ competition. Sheffield Homes asked local youngsters to put their song writing skills to the test and produce a rap or song that would raise awareness of the dangers of playing on building sites.
Children between the ages of 5 and 11, from five primary schools sang their hearts out, with the chance of winning the top prize of £1000 for their school. Eighteen schools entered the competition, called S-Factor for ‘Safety Factor’, and there were 8 final performers on the day, including ‘Building Birds’, the ‘Yellow Hats’ and the ‘Safety Angels’! The two winning acts were The Building Birds from Nether Green Junior School performing Building Beware Song and Girls with Safety Attitude from Greenhill Primary School performing If You Wanna Stay Safe.
Sheffield Homes, which manages 42,000 council homes, ran the event as part of its fourth annual Stay Safe in Sheffield campaign. Previous exciting competitions have included designing a safety poster and designing a life size builder mascot. The campaign is designed to prevent children having accidents on building sites where the Company is carrying out its massive £669million Decent Homes programme, which is transforming thousands of council homes.
Sheffield Homes and its Decent Homes partners; Henry Boot Construction, Kier Sheffield, Lovell Partnerships Ltd, Keepmoat and Wates Living Space have visited schools across the city to hold interactive sessions teaching children about basic health and safety and running the S-factor competition.
The finalists were treated to lunch and entertainment before performing their entries in front of Sheffield Homes directors and representatives from the Decent Homes programme. All children that took part were presented with medals. The winning acts also received a special S-factor certificate and an engraved trophy.
Jackie Bridges, teacher from Greenhill Greenhill Primary School in Norton said: “Through working together to write and perform the song the children became much more aware about safety on building sites and the part peer group pressure plays in taking risks. They have used their song to raise awareness throughout the whole school - this has been a wonderful opportunity and a very valuable learning experience.”
Jon Lovibond, Sheffield Homes, Director of Investment and S-factor Judge added: “It is always an exciting time of the year when local schools come together for the Stay Safe in Sheffield final. Each year the initiative proves to be very popular and it is a fun way to get across important safety messages to children between the age of 4 and 11. It was fantastic to see how well Sheffield Homes and our partners continue to work with the schools and children.
This year’s event was bigger and better than ever before and the children were made to feel like real stars on the day. The entries, as always were very creative and it was impressive to see the imaginative costumes and dance routines that the children had clearly worked so hard to perfect.”
For more information about Stay Safe in Sheffield and Decent Homes work in your area please contact Sheffield Homes Investment Team on 0114 273 5524.