A 'Roaring' Success For Rock Challenge Students

Info Updated March 2012

On Monday the 12th March, a team of Bexhill College students took part in the nation-wide competition Rock Challenge.

Rock Challenge creates awareness for anti-drug and crime-prevention in the form of a friendly performing arts competition for schools and colleges all across the country. The team of students from Bexhill College spent one and a half hours a week working on their entry, a piece centred around the story of the Lion King, from September to the performance in March, with the students also coming in over half term to rehearse and work on building the set, which included a large wooden ‘Pride Rock’ build entirely from scratch by the students.

The piece was choreographed by their teacher Lucy Ayling and dance volunteer Holly Walford, and set, costume, sound and lighting etc. was designed and constructed by the students led by Joshua Noon. There were students involved from across the whole college doing both BTEC and A level programmes including those from Performing Arts, Health and Social Care, Sport and Science.

The day itself consists of - amongst many things - a large group freestyle dance with all of the other schools and colleges involved, dance offs and production meetings, as well as the final performances of all of the schools in the evening to parents and guests.

Student Body Chair Joshua Noon said after the event, ‘I was extremely proud to be part of Rock Challenge! People always ask me why I do Rock Challenge every year, why I spend time and effort rehearsing and building set. The answer? The experience. Rock Challenge is more than just the competition. It's about going to the regionals with the people you love and having a laugh. Rock Challenge is an incredible day and anyone who is lucky enough to experience it will definitely tell you that it's a memory that they will cherish for the rest of their lives. If you're not planning on doing Rock Challenge next year, then I suggest you have a rethink about that and sign yourself up for one of the best days of your life.’

After along exciting day and an amazing evening performance, the team were happy to find out that they had come in third overall, and had won five additional awards, for Best Drama, Most Entertaining, Best Stage Crew, Student Leadership award and Achievement in Drug Awareness.

Teacher Lucy Ailing commented saying, ‘I would like to say a massive congratulations to all those involved in bringing together such an amazing final performance.’

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