Stars advance to the Rock Challenge finals

THIS year’s Portsmouth Rock Challenge has been one of the most hotly contested in recent years.

Schools across Hampshire gathered for the five day event, which was held at the Portsmouth Guildhall and ran from Monday, February 27 to Saturday, March 4.

The Rock Challenge is now split into the main competition and the Junior Rock Challenge, with six winners advancing to the Southern Finals, which will also be at the Guildhall.

From the Senior Rock Challenge, the winners were Christ the King College, Mayfield School and Robert May’s School.

In the Junior Rock Challenge, competition was equally fierce, but the eventual winners were Waverley Abbey Church of England Junior School, Solent Junior School and Orchards Junior School.

Helen Sjoquist from UK Rock Challenge explained: ‘It is just first place who qualify for now, but we will have a number of high scoring runners up who will also qualify for the final.

‘Not all of the southern heats have taken place, so they are yet to be confirmed.’

Be Your Best Foundation Director, Glyn Wright, first place prize presenter, said: ‘Another amazing competition, with young people exploring really important themes and having a fabulous time. Such colour, such vibrancy, such brilliant soundtracks, and the commitment that they’ve shown over the last few days has been absolutely tremendous.’

Sergeant Rob Sutton from Hampshire Constabulary presented the third place prize. He said: ‘It’s a lovely thing to see the enthusiasm from the children.

‘I know on Monday morning when they go back to school, they’ll be telling all their other classmates who will want to come back next year, it’s so exciting.’

The Southern Finals will take place at the Guildhall from Thursday, April 26 to Saturday, April 29.