Totton College Performing Arts Wins Rock Challenge for Second Year Running!

Students from Totton College are celebrating their heat win in the International performing arts initiative known as the ‘Global rock Challenge’. Teachers and students from across the college pooled their resources to ensure that a stunning dance and drama performance was backed up by great music and a professional set – all designed by the Foundation Arts Students at Totton College. During the day Nicola Otton, Leader of Dance at Totton College, received an award for 10 years involvement in and commitment to UK Rock Challenge.

On their way to winning the heat with a performance of ‘Viral deceit’ at Southampton Guildhall, the team wowed the judges, gaining awards in Best Choreography and Performers’ Choice. The performance dealt with the issue of how fast a new virus and the conspiracies which surround it travel across the globe; How unconfirmed stories about super-bugs pose a danger to the public if taken seriously and help fill the pockets of anyone making cures.

The Rock Challenge is an international performing arts competition for schools and colleges, focusing on driving home positive messages about substance misuse and crime prevention by providing young people with the opportunity to experience a ‘drug-free high’.

BTEC Dance students at Totton College said, “Choreographing and performing made us feel proud of ourselves and the other members of the Dance Company”.

Nicola Otton, summed up, “A wonderful day and a great opportunity to see the other schools' work. I would like to say a huge thank you to the members of staff who supported the Dance Company in creating this year's entry”.

Brian Price, Head of Performing Arts said, “A glorious performance capped off weeks of hard work by a team of around eighty people, resulting in a deserved first place at Rock Challenge last night. The eight minute production contained dance of the highest quality – and I sat back and smiled! What a great night”.

Sarah Hammett, Assistant Principal, who also attended the event added, “I thought last year’s performance couldn’t be improved, but yet again the students have raised their game in order to produce a very professional winning performance. Our exceptional talented teaching staff and the investment in a dedicated Dance studio and the superb Hanger Farm Art Centre facilities are certainly paying off: it just keeps getting better and better!”