Rock Challenge gauntlet is thrown down

A CREATIVE challenge at which schools from Ross-shire have excelled down the years has put out the call for entries to this year’s event.

The Rock Challenge and J Rock competitions run by the Be Your Best Foundation aim to inspire, engage and motivate young people to make healthy and positive lifestyle choices.

Primary and secondary schools across Ross-shire have embraced the annual challenge and enjoyed an impressive measure of success with Alness, Invergordon and Dingwall secondary schools all making it to the Scottish finals, giving a distinctly Highland flavour to the showcase in Dundee.

Each show on the nationwide tour provides the opportunity for young people to experience an adrenalin-based high through performing live on a professional stage – Eden Court in Inverness in the case of the Highlands.

Successful teams then progress to Scottish finals.

The programme encourages young people to get their creative juices flowing rather than using tobacco, alcohol or other drugs.

Teams of students will perform a five to eight-minute dance, drama and design piece that they have prepared over the course of many months with teachers, parents and members of their wider community.

Schools typically rehearse and support one another during the day, before performing at a spectacular evening show.

Entries for this year’s event open on Tuesday, September 18.

The Highland regional heats will be held at Eden Court between April 1 and 3.

Set to a theme of their choice each school’s performance is completely original and can vary from tackling a political or social message, retelling a true event, or can be based on an entirely imaginative concept.

Rock Challenge and J Rock aim to help increase the understanding of social issues, historical or scientific events or literature.

A spokeswoman said: "Last year 22 local schools were involved in the Highland events and in 2019 we look set to attract even more schools, making it our most popular year yet!"

To receive all the latest information on how to secure a place in the 2019 events a school can contact the Rock Challenge and J Rock office by emailing events@rockchallenge.co.uk to be added to the mailing list.

Entries are on a first come, first served basis.