Magnus Church of England bring home performing arts trophy

Magnus Church of England Academy performing arts students have won the Lincolnshire division of a national schools competition called ‘Rock Challenge’ and will now go on to compete in the northern finals taking place in Grimsby in June

Leanne Phillips, Primary and Community Liaison Officer at the Academy, said that Magnus staff and students were thrilled that the team brought home the trophy. “We couldn’t be more excited about the win! We had 28 students involved in the production including performers and crew who had to combine all aspects of performing arts from the concept, set design, costume, lighting design, music production, drama and dance, as well as hair and makeup.”

The competition was held at Grantham Meres Leisure Centre and the staff and students carried out some fundraising to cover the costs of competing said Drama Teacher Samantha Milan.  “Our piece was called Plastic in the Ocean and explored how living in a plastic filledworld has had a devastating effect on sea life and the oceans. The performers transformed themselves into sea creatures and took the judges on an eye-opening journey on the effects of plastic in the oceans.”

Leanne Phillips said that despite the students’ hard work, the standards of the competition were so high that the win still came as a surprise. “We really weren’t expecting to winbecause we only had a short time to prepare, and this was our first attempt.  I remember saying to the students at the start of this process that this time is about taking part, experiencing the event and having fun. So, when our school’s name was read aloud, we were all so shocked!

“The standard at the competition was so high, but I think our theme of Plastic in the Oceans, such a topical subject, made the piece especially emotive. We will be working hard to polish our choreography and technique ready for the Northern Finals now. We are ecstatic that we won and are really excited about the final in June.”

Modest student Ellie Middleton (age 14) said, “During the competition we got to watch the other teams practice and get their sets prepared, so we had some idea of what we were up against. We had all chipped in for our costumes, sewing them ourselves. We were very nervous and wanted to do our best because we were sure it would be the last time we would perform it. 

“The other schools were very good,” said Ellie. “Great competitors and so we were really very surprised to win. When they announced it, we all just looked at each other, unsure that we had heard correctly.  But then we heard Miss Phillips cheering and saw that Miss Milan was crying and that’s when we realised, we had won! We can’t wait to do it again at the finalsbecause we all get on with each other really well, we are all friends and we will do our best again.”

Evie Francis age 14 years said her fellow students did an amazing job. “We couldn’t believe we had won, in fact, I was waiting for someone to say they had made a mistake! We are so proud, honestly, it is all down to team work and all of the hard work we have put in it together. We can’t wait to compete in Grimsby, but for now we are pleased to have brought the trophy back to Newark.”