THREE schools from the Island will be taking part in the opening heats of this year’s Rock Challenge and J Rock dance competitions, which kick off in Southampton next week.
Priory School, Whipping-ham, will be making its debut in Rock Challenge at the O2 Guildhall, on Tuesday.
In all heats, each school will have eight minutes to perform their chosen theme, with every aspect of the performance devised, designed and created by the students, covering a variety of themes, from tackling social issues, to the retelling of real-life events or fictional pieces.
Rock Challenge and its version for junior schools, J Rock, is an opportunity for young people, aged seven to 18 years, to perform live on a professional stage.
In this year’s J Rock heats, Gurnard Primary School and Lanesend Primary School, Cowes, will be taking the stage in Southampton.
Gurnard will have 80 pupils, aged eight to 11 years, performing their piece, Game On — an exploration of the importance of courage, daring, imagination and teamwork — on Thursday.
In Game On, the main character finds himself transported back through time to a virtual world. The only way to escape from being stuck in the game forever is to win each level of the game.
Gurnard’s headteacher Vanessa Hicks said: "The children have really enjoyed working together to learn the dance and prepare for the competition. I have been blown away by their enthusiasm and dedication.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for children from Island schools to compete at a regional level and enjoy watching the performances of all of the other schools taking part."
A celebration of the work of children’s author, Roald Dahl, will be at the heart of Lanesend Primary’s entry, next Friday, February 17.
In their routine, called Pure Imagination, 106 children will showcase a selection of Roald Dahl stories and how his memory lives on even today.
The school has been delighted by the support of Island businesses, including Wightfibre, the Co-operative, Spinlock, Cowes Charity Committee, Big Wight T-shirt, Red Funnel and Spencer Rigging.
The Portsmouth heats of Rock Challenge and J Rock will get under way at the Guildhall on Monday, February 27, with 13 Island schools taking part over six days.

Reporter: jonm@iwcpmail.co.uk