Rock Challenge 2019 ‘Black Swan’

8th March 2019J Godbolt

On Monday 25th March, around 50 students from Oathall took part in the 2019 Rock Challenge Competition. This was the culmination of 7 months hard work and dedication from the performers, stage crew and lighting team. The achievement from each and every student was outstanding.

Oathall’s performance this year was titled ‘Black Swan’. This was a contemporary, street dance fusion piece that explored the physiological and psychological struggles of a mentally delicate dancer and her strive for perfection, only to find herself struggling to maintain her sanity as she descends into madness from the pressure of perfection. To succeed, she will have to transform herself into something she has never been.

The Rock Challenge was established in order to combine the benefits of taking part in a large scale dance production with involvement in a positive ‘ drug-free’ activity.

Although Oathall did not win, the students’ performance was recognised with awards gained in the following categories

• Award of Excellence in Lighting
• Award of Excellence for Entertainment
• Award of Excellence for Visual Enhancement
• Award of Excellence for Stage Use
• Award of Excellence for Costuming and Character
• Award of Excellence for Soundtrack

Performance faculty enrichment leader, Mrs Avery said

I am proud that at Oathall the Rock Challenge event brings students of all ages, backgrounds and gender together in order to work collaboratively on a brilliant production. The students take charge not only of choreography but costumes, sound, lighting and scenery.

I would like to thank every student who took part in and contributed to this year’s production, you were all a pleasure to work with. Finally, thank you to all the parents & staff who kindly support dance at Oathall and help to encourage our students to achieve amazing things.

 

Rock Challenge 2018

6th February 2018J Godbolt

On Tuesday 30th January, students from Oathall took part in the 2018 Rock Challenge Competition. Although we weren’t placed this year, the achievement from each and every student was outstanding. This was the culmination of 7 months hard work and dedication from the performers, stage crew and lighting team.

Our performance this year was titled ‘Is it in my head’. This was a contemporary piece looking at aspects on mental health. The concept was based on the on the quote;

‘We are so accepting of any body part breaking down, other than our brains. That is ignorance, pure ignorance. That world has created a world that doesn’t understand depression, that doesn’t understand mental health’.

The Rock Challenge was established in order to combine the benefits of taking part in a large scale dance production with involvement in a positive ‘drug free’ activity. I am proud that at Oathall the Rock Challenge brings students of all ages, backgrounds and gender together in order to work collaboratively on a brilliant production. The students take charge not only of choreography but costumes, sound, lighting, scenery and video direction.

The actual Rock Challenge day is a blur of pre performance nerves and energetic preparation. The students are able to watch other schools rehearse as well as take part in mass warm up, dance sessions and competitions. Each school gives a performance of 8 minutes which seems to go by in a flash following all the hard work and anticipation. Our students all performed magnificently, every single one giving 100% effort. It is always a joy to see how the all students work together as a team, and really reflects the ‘community’ aspect of Oathall.

I would like to thank every student who took part in and contributed to this year’s production, you were all pleasure to work with. With special thanks to Kaytlin Smith and Florence Gaskell in year 11, their hard work and commitment did not go unnoticed. Thank you also to all the staff who gave their help to the running of the event.

Although Oathall did not win, yet again we swept the board gaining awards in the following;

• Award of Excellence in Lighting
• Award of Excellence for Concept
• Award of Excellence in Entertainment

Finally thank you to all the parents who kindly support dance at Oathall and help to encourage our students to achieve amazing things.

Rock Challenge 2017

16th February 2017J Godbolt

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On the 6th of February, 56 enthusiastic Oathall students took part in Rock Challenge at the Hawth Theatre in Crawley, where we competed against several other schools and colleges.

This year our dance was called ‘The Forest Is Our Home’ and was an environmental piece about deforestation. Our performance took the audience on a journey through the beautiful and captivating rainforest where indigenous people live in harmony with the forest until logging tradesmen threaten to destroy their homes for profit. The performance describes how the indigenous people fight against the logging industry to rebuild and regrow.

Our students have worked hard since last October to put together this 8-minute dance performance. The sound and light team supported the performers with the set, videoing the performance and creating effective and atmospheric lighting designs. They were able to learn from the professionals managing the desks. Throughout the day itself everyone had a fantastic experience and by the end of the evening, we had won awards for performance, entertainment and lighting.

Oathall nationally recognised for arts and cultural education

1st December 2014J Godbolt

Back row left to right: Mr Martijn Van Galen, Mr Edward Rodriguez, Mrs Amy Kingsford, Mrs Carol Mac Taggart, John Moore (art and music), Kelly Tingley (dance), Joe Willis (drama), Rhiannon Jones, (dance), Sophie Farrell (drama), Mina Mae Alexander (music), Nathanael Thomas-Atkins (music). Front row left to right: Mrs Carla Avery, Charlotte Weller (music and drama)

Artsmark Gold has been awarded to Oathall College for its commitment to, and excellence in, arts and cultural education.  Headteacher, Mr Edward Rodriguez presented the award to a group of students representing all of the arts disciplines at the last night of the college’s performance of William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet. Continue reading →

Oathall’s Big Sing

17th October 2014J Godbolt

Pupils from Haywards Heath primary schools joined students from Oathall Community College today for a morning of music and singing at Oathall’s Big Sing. Now in its third year, the Big Sing aims to boost the musical confidence and experience of Year 5 and 6 pupils by allowing them to perform with older students under the expert tutelage of Emily Barden, Head of Vocal Studies at WSCC Music and music teacher Martijn Van Galen. Continue reading →

Zimbe! Come sing the songs of Africa

30th June 2014J Godbolt

Zimbe performers at Ardingly

Oathall’s performers having a quick break in the summer sunshine at Ardingly.

Oathall’s choir joined over 500 hundred singers at Ardingly College last Wednesday for an epic performance of British composer Alexander L’Estrange’s African-Jazz choral masterpiece Zimbe!

Zimbe! is a fusion of traditional African song and jazz, in a format which is already drawing together singers of all ages, ability and nationalities across the globe. The music is accessible, instantly likeable and fun to learn as well as to perform.

The event was part of the Ardingly Arts Festival in support of Ardingly in Africa, staged in conjunction with West Sussex Music.

Oathall performers rise to the challenge

25th March 2014Oathall

A large contingent of Oathall students took part in the Rock Challenge dance competition in Crawley on Monday 24 March.Rock Challenge 2014

Following a full day of technical rehearsals the troupe took to the stage at The Hawth and dazzled the crowds with their original dance routine which drew inspiration from traditional fairy tales.

Cinderella made an appearance during the show – which was set against the backdrop of an enchanted forest – along with a coven of terrifying witches!

Over 90 dancers in total took part in the Oathall performance whilst several other students helped out behind the scenes with staging, lighting, hair and make-up.

Continue reading →