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Northlands video shared by Kirk Franklin

Grammy Award-winning gospel singer Kirk Franklin (Photograph by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

A Bermudian school choir was put under the spotlight on a Grammy-award winning gospel artist’s Instagram account.

A video of the Northlands Primary School Choir performing Kirk Franklin’s Bless Me took off on social media, with the artist sharing it on his personal account.

Mr Franklin wrote in his post: “When I had the idea for this song for Maverick City, I was concerned that it may come off a little corny and childlike.

“Well, God knew.”

The song, created with the band Maverick City Music, was released in 2022 for the Kingdom Book One album.

Diallo Rabain, the Minister of Education, also gave Northlands Primary and choir leader Terry Henry recognition for their hard work.

He said: “What an amazing and inspirational performance of Bless Me by Kirk Franklin.

“The Northlands School Choir, under the leadership of Mr Terry Henry, is shining brightly in the international spotlight.

“It is an honour to be singled out and celebrated by one of the greatest gospel music artists, Kirk Franklin.

“Congratulations, and we are very proud of you. Well done."

Tamicia Darrell, the principal of Northlands Primary, said she was excited by the recognition, adding that it was “well deserved” for Mr Henry and the pupils.

She said: “The school is known for a lot of great and amazing things.

Northlands Primary School (Photograph by Akil Simmons)

“We have a saying that these types of things make Northlands special, and the production that they have on social media is just one of those types of things.”

Ms Darrell noted that the choir placed first in Skyport’s Great Christmas Carol-Off competition last year, and received a $5,000 award.

She said that the choir was the school’s strongest method for promoting the arts.

She added: “Our kids are amazing in so many ways, but just for them to be featured for their musicality is just as exciting.”

Northlands increases reading comprehension levels

At Northlands Primary School, reading comprehension scores increased dramatically, jumping from 54 per cent to 86 per cent in 18 months, Tamicia Darrell said.

She added that this reflected “a very progressive commitment and stance at Northlands to making sure that we cater to the whole child”.

Ms Darrell said: “We have a vision that by 2026 100 per cent of our children will be reading at grade level.

“We have 14 children left to get us over the hump.

“We’ve put all of our time, energy and effort into them.”

She added: “Every decision that we make is for students. Every single decision.

“We’re really proud, and we’re excited for what we’re doing.”

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Published March 04, 2024 at 7:57 am (Updated March 04, 2024 at 1:12 pm)

Northlands video shared by Kirk Franklin

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