[I]n April, seventeen Cumbrian schools will take part across two days of Rock Challenge® and J Rock™ at the Sands Centre, Carlisle. Whilst fourteen schools will be competing, Cumbria is also home to three Premier Division teams!
The Whitehaven Academy, St Benedict’s Catholic High School, and West Lakes Academy will all be showcasing their performances in April, as they have retained their status as premier teams. They have automatically qualified for the Northern Premier Final at Grimsby Auditorium.
West Lakes had a particularly successful 2017, they placed first at the Northern Premier Final with their piece ‘Only the Queen may breed’, a story about a hive of worker bees. The school won an incredible 14/15 Awards of Excellence, including ‘Performers Choice’ which sees the other competing teams vote for their favourite performance. This is obviously a fantastic achievement and one which they will be hoping to emulate this year, when placing within the top three at the Premier Final will secure a place at the National Final.
Also returning after 2017 success is Dearham Primary School and Maryport Church of England Junior School, who both won their respective heats, qualifying for the Northern Junior Final. Maryport placed third at the final, winning thirteen awards for excellence for an impressive piece entitled ‘Where memories live on…’ which made exciting use of UV lighting to create dancing skeletons! Silloth Primary School and Beckermet C of E Primary School will be entering J Rock™ for the first time in 2018! They will be working hard to establish the event in their schools, and looking forward to experiencing a J Rock™ event day for the first time!
Assistant Event Manager for the UK Rock Challenge®, Charlotte Payne explains why she is looking forward to another year of Rock Challenge® and J Rock™: “The ethos of supporting other teams and making healthy and positive choices which is encouraged by Rock Challenge® is always so well embraced by everyone who takes part. It is great to see the teams encouraging one another during the day and congratulating each other on their performances, and is one of my favourite things about Rock Challenge® and J Rock™!”
Be Your Best Foundation CEO David Beal adds: “The Be Your Best Foundation is proud to produce Rock Challenge® and J Rock™ again in 2018. The chance to perform at a professional venue is such an invaluable opportunity for young people and is an incredible experience for everyone involved!”
Tickets are £14.05 each and available now from 01228 633766
