FORTY-eight pupils from Waverley Abbey School in Farnham are feeling ecstatic after their recent victory in the Southern Heats of J Rock.

The upbeat international dance competition for junior aged pupils, is all about promoting positive outcomes and healthy lives for young people throughout the world through performing arts – and giving them new options, perspective and skills.

The performance was the culmination of six months of practise, and the pupils are judged on an eight-minute dance for their choreography, costume, hair and make-up, props, lighting and music.

The school chose the theme ‘Tsunami’ focusing on the destruction and regrowth within a community.

The school walked away with the award for positive inclusion as the school encouraged all pupils to join the J Rock team. Many pupils had never danced prior to the events or performed to such a large audience.

On the night the school was delighted to take first position and will now go forward to the national finals in April. The school also won awards for performance skill; entertainment; visual enhancement; set design and function; stage use; lighting; costumes; sound track; choreography; drama; and stage crew.

Sara Acworth from Zeamu Music, which issponsoring J Rock™ for the second year running, said: “Congratulations to all 10 schools who took part in the J Rock™ challenge at Portsmouth Guildhall.

“This is an amazing event which promotes the performing arts and inclusivity and gives everyone involved a massive sense of achievement.

“The Zeamu Music team were blown away by your performances and delighted to award the overall winners, Waverley Abbey, with the Zeamu Music award for best soundtrack. Good luck in the southern final on April 26.”