Showstopping performances in Rock Challenge

Schools from Fareham, Gosport and Waterlooville triumped in the Be Your Best Southampton Rock Challenge heats earlier this week.
Henry Cort in the Rock Challenge 2016  Picture: Nick ScottHenry Cort in the Rock Challenge 2016  Picture: Nick Scott
Henry Cort in the Rock Challenge 2016 Picture: Nick Scott

Teams are required to create and stage an eight- minute themed dance routine in front of a live audience and a team of judges.

Henry Cort Community College was awarded first place with its performance Twist of Fate.

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It also swept the board by winning 11 awards for excellence in a diverse range of categories, including choreography, soundtrack, set design and concept.

Beautiful and captivating from the start, the impressive large set pieces guided the audience through a story of power and powerlessness in 1940s Poland.

Familiar historical visuals were incorporated into the well-thought out set.

The students have now qualified for the Southern Open Final B at Portsmouth Guildhall in June.

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Henry Cort College principal Claudia Cubbage said: ‘I am so proud of everyone. The production was a testament to all the hard work and dedication displayed by staff and students who produced an outstanding performance and truly deserved the awards.’

Henry Cort in the Rock Challenge 2016  Picture: Nick ScottHenry Cort in the Rock Challenge 2016  Picture: Nick Scott
Henry Cort in the Rock Challenge 2016 Picture: Nick Scott

Third place went to Crookhorn College, Waterlooville, for its piece Moment of Impact, which took the audience on a journey of love and loss and through the ups and downs of life.

Brune Park, Gosport, came away with a trio of awards – Be Your Best Foundation Award for student leadership, Rock Challenge Award for cultural and educational achievement and Be Your Best Foundation Award for positive inclusion.

Patron of the Be Your Best Foundation, Baroness Ruth Henig said: ‘The entertainment provided has been innovative and extremely exciting – a true testament to the months of hard work and commitment put in by all the schools, teachers and communities.’

The event, held at O2 Guildhall, Southampton, attracted a large audience and was supported by PQA,