PUPILS are preparing to sing like songbirds as they take an Antipodean twist to a European favourite.
West Park Academy has been designated as Australia and will perform Kookaburra at next week’s Darlington Eurovision Song Contest.
Pupils were fine-tuning their performance yesterday as they prepared to do battle on the stage at the Civic Theatre on January 26.
Twenty-four primary schools from across borough will take part in the competition to raise finds for the charities chosen by Darlington’s Mayor Tom Nutt, in line with his life-long passion for international links and town twinning.
The songs were chosen by Durham Music Service with guidance on how to learn them, with schools running simultaneous projects on the country they have drawn.
West Park Academy pupils have been rehearsing since they received their music back in December.
Teacher Lauren Pressdee-Rudd said: “All the pupils have been very enthusiastic and are really looking forward to competing. Having an Australian song in a Eurovision Song Contest could be seen as unusual but they have really enjoyed learning it.”
Year 5 pupil Amy Clark, nine, said: “We are all a bit nervous but also very excited. We didn’t know the song but really love it now and can’t wait to perform at the Civic Theatre.”