Newark's Magnus Academy win second place in global dance competition

Magnus Church of England Academy have achieved second place at a global dance competition.

Up against nine other schools on Friday the Magnus Academy in Newark transformed into sea creatures as they won second place in the Northern Open Final of the Global Rock Challenge.

The competition was made up from an array of forward-thinking performances on show at the Grimsby Auditorium, with the Newark school's theme 'Plastics in the Ocean' hoping to take the audience on an eye-opening underwater journey.

Attending the event was assistant chief constable, Scott Young, from Humberside police who described the event as "absolutely amazing".

"The standard improves year on year and all the young people tonight were fantastic. We saw different dance styles and the costumes and themes were all fabulous."

He added: "I don't know how the standard could possibly get better next year! I think everybody deserves an award this evening."

It comes after the school won the Lincolnshire area heat of the challenge which took place last month at the Meres Leisure Centre in Grantham.

Samantha Milan, head of drama at Magnus Academy and Rock Challenge leader, said she was "extremely proud" of what all of her students had achieved, adding: "It was truly a team effort from performers, stage crew, set and costume designers and staff."

Rock Challenge competitions are professionally produced events that bring students together through dance, drama and design so that its members stay in school and away from drugs.

Also proud of the Magnus students, primary and community liaison officer and Rock Challenge leader Leanne Phillips, said taking part was always about giving pupils opportunity.

"To get this far has been a dream. The concept of the piece has really opened our eyes and we have lots planned at Magnus to help reduce single use plastic," she added.

The Magnus piece aimed to educate audiences about the devastating effect of plastic on ocean wildlife, attracting a large number of people and hopes to achieve the top stop in the global challenge next year.

For more information about the annual Global Rock Challenge, please visit: www.rockchallenge.co.uk/