VIDEO: Staff at Accrington school delight pupils with Gangnam Style film

5:00pm Monday 31st December 2012 in News

STAFF at a leading East Lancashire secondary school have delighted Accrington young people with their dancing YouTube version of the global hit Gangnam Style.

The video - which features Mount Carmel RC High head Xavier Bowers in his office and includes several male teachers in the changing rooms clad in towels - has been watched more than 3,000 times.

But it has also left one leading councillor concerned about the message it sends out.

While the school staff’s take on the Korean pop song has been a hit with pupils and their friends, former Tory Hyndburn council leader Peter Britcliffe said he was not impressed.

His concerns about the video undermining respect for teachers however have been dismissed by Mr Bowers and governor Monsignor John Daly.

Teachers, cleaners and receptionists at the Accrington school were filmed dancing PSY’s trademark gallop throughout the corridors. Staff also stop staged teachers’ meetings and surprise children in classrooms.

Staff can be seen dancing in the school minibus, in the sports changing rooms wearing strategically-placed towels, and in the school’s reception galloping while throwing imaginary lassoes into the air.

Even a biology class skeleton is seen to try the Gangnam moves.

The YouTube video, named Gangnam Final, carries the message: “You will never see our staff in the same light again!”.

The climax of the video sees staff gathering to dance together in the school gym.

Peter Britcliffe said: “I am not a killjoy but I have looked at the piece, which is being discussed all over Accrington. It is the talk of the town’s young people.

“Having viewed it myself, while most of it is just good fun, there are parts of it certainly that might not improve the respect there should be between teachers and pupils.”

Mr Bowers said: “As far as Mr Britcliffe’s comment, I can assure him that this kind of thing strengthens the relationship between teachers, pupils and parents who have given us an overwhelmingly good response. This is a spoof, like the one done by soldiers serving in Afghanistan.”

Monsignor Daly said: “It is just a harmless bit of fun.”

To watch the school’s version of Gangnam Style visit www.youtube.com and search for Gangnam Final

Comments (19)

5:19pm Mon 31 Dec 12

Steve4x4 says...

"Tory Hyndburn council leader Peter Britcliffe said he was not impressed"

I can assure you mr britcliffe that the majority of folk in the borough are not impressed with you either, we aint boverd that your not impressed, god i hate it when your smarmy face is in the local rags and reading through the drivel.
Hope you have to get a proper job in the new year.
"Tory Hyndburn council leader Peter Britcliffe said he was not impressed" I can assure you mr britcliffe that the majority of folk in the borough are not impressed with you either, we aint boverd that your not impressed, god i hate it when your smarmy face is in the local rags and reading through the drivel. Hope you have to get a proper job in the new year. Steve4x4

5:42pm Mon 31 Dec 12

Graham Hartley says...

At 1.24 two dancers are shown beneath a sign saying 'Gallileo's Gateway'. Such gall, and a serious error given the unfortunate relationship between Galileo and the Catholic church. He was held under house arrest for the remainder of his life after describing the true motion of planets which was revealed to any who viewed them with the newly-invented telescope. Galileo died in 1642, but it was only in 1992 that the Vatican cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Popery is alive and dancing in Accrington.
At 1.24 two dancers are shown beneath a sign saying 'Gallileo's Gateway'. Such gall, and a serious error given the unfortunate relationship between Galileo and the Catholic church. He was held under house arrest for the remainder of his life after describing the true motion of planets which was revealed to any who viewed them with the newly-invented telescope. Galileo died in 1642, but it was only in 1992 that the Vatican cleared him of any wrongdoing. Popery is alive and dancing in Accrington. Graham Hartley

6:20pm Mon 31 Dec 12

2 for 5p says...

I take it these teachers and other staff all came to the school on a Saturday or Sunday when the school is closed. They wouldn't of been doing this horse play during teaching time whilst getting paid by the LEA.

If they were that's stealing a wage.
I take it these teachers and other staff all came to the school on a Saturday or Sunday when the school is closed. They wouldn't of been doing this horse play during teaching time whilst getting paid by the LEA. If they were that's stealing a wage. 2 for 5p

6:38pm Mon 31 Dec 12

Watchkeeper says...

Graham Hartley said:

«... a serious error given the unfortunate relationship between Galileo and the Catholic church. He was held under house arrest for the remainder of his life after describing the true motion of planets ...»

Oh dear - yet another in need of a history lesson.

The Church was acting on the best scientific advice of the day. Galilei was rubbing the scientific establishment up the wrong way as much as the Church. Anyone trying to portray this as "ignorant Church v enlightened Science" is rewriting history to suit their agenda.

The Church had not learned (and has yet to learn) that to marry the science of today is to be a widow tomorrow.
Graham Hartley said: «... a serious error given the unfortunate relationship between Galileo and the Catholic church. He was held under house arrest for the remainder of his life after describing the true motion of planets ...» Oh dear - yet another in need of a history lesson. The Church was acting on the best scientific advice of the day. Galilei was rubbing the scientific establishment up the wrong way as much as the Church. Anyone trying to portray this as "ignorant Church v enlightened Science" is rewriting history to suit their agenda. The Church had not learned (and has yet to learn) that to marry the science of today is to be a widow tomorrow. Watchkeeper

10:02pm Mon 31 Dec 12

Graham Hartley says...

Watchkeeper wrote:
Graham Hartley said:

«... a serious error given the unfortunate relationship between Galileo and the Catholic church. He was held under house arrest for the remainder of his life after describing the true motion of planets ...»

Oh dear - yet another in need of a history lesson.

The Church was acting on the best scientific advice of the day. Galilei was rubbing the scientific establishment up the wrong way as much as the Church. Anyone trying to portray this as "ignorant Church v enlightened Science" is rewriting history to suit their agenda.

The Church had not learned (and has yet to learn) that to marry the science of today is to be a widow tomorrow.
Be of that school, Watchy. I am of another, having read other books. I am not among those you claim are trying to portray this as ignorant Church v enlightened Science. Fun it is for me and perhaps so for you, but I suspect that our attacks upon other views will send the rest straight to sleep.

Have a happy new year; they're free for as long as they come.
[quote][p][bold]Watchkeeper[/bold] wrote: Graham Hartley said: «... a serious error given the unfortunate relationship between Galileo and the Catholic church. He was held under house arrest for the remainder of his life after describing the true motion of planets ...» Oh dear - yet another in need of a history lesson. The Church was acting on the best scientific advice of the day. Galilei was rubbing the scientific establishment up the wrong way as much as the Church. Anyone trying to portray this as "ignorant Church v enlightened Science" is rewriting history to suit their agenda. The Church had not learned (and has yet to learn) that to marry the science of today is to be a widow tomorrow.[/p][/quote]Be of that school, Watchy. I am of another, having read other books. I am not among those you claim are trying to portray this as ignorant Church v enlightened Science. Fun it is for me and perhaps so for you, but I suspect that our attacks upon other views will send the rest straight to sleep. Have a happy new year; they're free for as long as they come. Graham Hartley

10:42pm Mon 31 Dec 12

Graham Hartley says...

2 for 5p wrote:
I take it these teachers and other staff all came to the school on a Saturday or Sunday when the school is closed. They wouldn't of been doing this horse play during teaching time whilst getting paid by the LEA.

If they were that's stealing a wage.
Well, yes; and one can consider other evidence at

http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=QJXsqNdAW
Fs

which is a record of Accrington Moorhead's adventure in the same territory. There is support for the view expressed by Monsignor Daly that 'it is just a harmless bit of fun'. I consider it harmful for at least three reasons; first, the objection that you raise on the ground of cost is likely to arise in these times; second, news of the activity which appears during the festive season is evidence for the case that pupils attend school for fun rather than learning and so may as well stay at home; third, the release of material to a wide audience without careful examination (the material, not the audience) leads to the risk that others will find errors of the sort I describe above.
[quote][p][bold]2 for 5p[/bold] wrote: I take it these teachers and other staff all came to the school on a Saturday or Sunday when the school is closed. They wouldn't of been doing this horse play during teaching time whilst getting paid by the LEA. If they were that's stealing a wage.[/p][/quote]Well, yes; and one can consider other evidence at http://www.youtube.c om/watch?v=QJXsqNdAW Fs which is a record of Accrington Moorhead's adventure in the same territory. There is support for the view expressed by Monsignor Daly that 'it is just a harmless bit of fun'. I consider it harmful for at least three reasons; first, the objection that you raise on the ground of cost is likely to arise in these times; second, news of the activity which appears during the festive season is evidence for the case that pupils attend school for fun rather than learning and so may as well stay at home; third, the release of material to a wide audience without careful examination (the material, not the audience) leads to the risk that others will find errors of the sort I describe above. Graham Hartley

1:22am Tue 1 Jan 13

ToffeeGuy says...

Having watched the video and seen the shower scene and the bit with the teacher dancing at 1:57 all I can say is the pies must be very good in the school canteen.
Having watched the video and seen the shower scene and the bit with the teacher dancing at 1:57 all I can say is the pies must be very good in the school canteen. ToffeeGuy

2:41am Tue 1 Jan 13

darwenTower says...

I'm with Britcliffe.

The teachers will earn all the respect they deserve by teaching well not falling over themselves to appear personable.
I'm with Britcliffe. The teachers will earn all the respect they deserve by teaching well not falling over themselves to appear personable. darwenTower

5:28pm Tue 1 Jan 13

davidinburnley says...

Hilarious! Mr Britcliffe, get a life - you never did have a sense of humour even back in the 80s!
Hilarious! Mr Britcliffe, get a life - you never did have a sense of humour even back in the 80s! davidinburnley

5:41pm Tue 1 Jan 13

ToffeeGuy says...

davidinburnley wrote:
Hilarious! Mr Britcliffe, get a life - you never did have a sense of humour even back in the 80s!
Two massive general election defeats since then probably haven't improved his sense of humour either.
[quote][p][bold]davidinburnley[/bold] wrote: Hilarious! Mr Britcliffe, get a life - you never did have a sense of humour even back in the 80s![/p][/quote]Two massive general election defeats since then probably haven't improved his sense of humour either. ToffeeGuy

7:11pm Tue 1 Jan 13

VicLou says...

Some people need to get a grip. This is harmless fun showing another side to the dedicated teachers and staff at this school!! I think its great!!
Some people need to get a grip. This is harmless fun showing another side to the dedicated teachers and staff at this school!! I think its great!! VicLou

7:21pm Tue 1 Jan 13

davidinburnley says...

ToffeeGuy wrote:
davidinburnley wrote:
Hilarious! Mr Britcliffe, get a life - you never did have a sense of humour even back in the 80s!
Two massive general election defeats since then probably haven't improved his sense of humour either.
I've no problems with his party politics - but he does need to realise we are in the 21st century and stop being such a prude.
[quote][p][bold]ToffeeGuy[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]davidinburnley[/bold] wrote: Hilarious! Mr Britcliffe, get a life - you never did have a sense of humour even back in the 80s![/p][/quote]Two massive general election defeats since then probably haven't improved his sense of humour either.[/p][/quote]I've no problems with his party politics - but he does need to realise we are in the 21st century and stop being such a prude. davidinburnley

10:33pm Tue 1 Jan 13

Tim O'Kane says...

I was educated at st Mary's college in Blackburn and I would have given serious money for a video of the Marist priests doing that. Typical Britcliffe electioneering. More important to appease a handful of Tory Luddites who would have objected to dancing on the sabbath than encouraging a local school to move with the times
I was educated at st Mary's college in Blackburn and I would have given serious money for a video of the Marist priests doing that. Typical Britcliffe electioneering. More important to appease a handful of Tory Luddites who would have objected to dancing on the sabbath than encouraging a local school to move with the times Tim O'Kane

11:56pm Tue 1 Jan 13

Venomp says...

Teaching dance
Teaching dance Venomp

9:18am Wed 2 Jan 13

kate11 says...

I attended Paddock House school in the 70's, the forerunner of Mount Carmel and the teachers always dressed up for a Christmas concert! It was good fun just as this is and many of us from Paddock House will fondly remember them as being good sports!
I attended Paddock House school in the 70's, the forerunner of Mount Carmel and the teachers always dressed up for a Christmas concert! It was good fun just as this is and many of us from Paddock House will fondly remember them as being good sports! kate11

10:32am Wed 2 Jan 13

katey h says...

well well here we go again moan moan , this is my daughters school and teachers , we all liked it , who cares what any jumped up good for nothing waste of time Peter Britcliffe thinks , sometime we all need bit off fun in our lifes .
well well here we go again moan moan , this is my daughters school and teachers , we all liked it , who cares what any jumped up good for nothing waste of time Peter Britcliffe thinks , sometime we all need bit off fun in our lifes . katey h

6:00pm Wed 2 Jan 13

volvowoman says...

"Tory Hyndburn council leader Peter Britcliffe said he was not impressed"

I can assure you mr britcliffe that the majority of folk in the borough are not impressed with you either, we aint boverd that your not impressed, god i hate it when your smarmy face is in the local rags and reading through the drivel.
Hope you have to get a proper job in the new year.

Think the video was brilliant and as for Britcliffe the above comment and the one by Tim O'Kane says it all. It is refreshing to see that in these bleak times us northerners till have their sense of fun...Crack on!
"Tory Hyndburn council leader Peter Britcliffe said he was not impressed" I can assure you mr britcliffe that the majority of folk in the borough are not impressed with you either, we aint boverd that your not impressed, god i hate it when your smarmy face is in the local rags and reading through the drivel. Hope you have to get a proper job in the new year. Think the video was brilliant and as for Britcliffe the above comment and the one by Tim O'Kane says it all. It is refreshing to see that in these bleak times us northerners till have their sense of fun...Crack on! volvowoman

8:27pm Wed 2 Jan 13

liddle 'un says...

MILFS!
MILFS! liddle 'un

9:50pm Wed 2 Jan 13

Graham Hartley says...

darwenTower wrote:
I'm with Britcliffe.

The teachers will earn all the respect they deserve by teaching well not falling over themselves to appear personable.
Thanks, darwen, for that. I was 'with Britcliffe' at (grammar) school and so will be associated with him on those slender grounds. I am with you in your remark about teachers, and wonder if they bothered to read Socrates (Plato).
[quote][p][bold]darwenTower[/bold] wrote: I'm with Britcliffe. The teachers will earn all the respect they deserve by teaching well not falling over themselves to appear personable.[/p][/quote]Thanks, darwen, for that. I was 'with Britcliffe' at (grammar) school and so will be associated with him on those slender grounds. I am with you in your remark about teachers, and wonder if they bothered to read Socrates (Plato). Graham Hartley

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