We had a fantastic day on 1st May at the Hackney Empire. After four intense weeks of putting our performance together we were finally ready to compete in the Rock Challenge London event. In the morning we practiced in front of the other competing groups and we met one of our own past teachers who now works for Lambeth Academy, Ella Simmons.

The evening event was spectacular and the standard was very high. Kieran Power represented the school with confidence along with his co-hosts Jessie Stacey, Aimee Haywood, Leandro Kaienga and Lianne Wilkinson, and explained our theme for the performance. The whole team were amazing and were a credit to our school. One judge commented on the fact that the storyline drew her in making her want to see more. Another judge described the performance as breathtaking.

Lois Acton, Channel 4 Producer and Founder of Grassroots Inc, had told me about Rock Challenge when she was our guest at the Battle of the Bands 2008 way back in November so I asked her if she would be able to attend the show. Normally Lois is one of the Rock Challenge judges. Not only was she happy to attend and support us along with other members of our committed staff (a big thank you to Ms Abras, Mrs Bird and Mr Duncan!) but she spent the evening with one of our parents and was full of compliments and encouragement for our students.

The Charles Darwin Rock Challenge team were awarded a total of six awards. Each award seemed to highlight the level of commitment given by the students, and the various staff and community members who supported them. Mrs Kearney and her Sixth Form team were awarded best make-up and hair design, Karen Willis (Superarts) for her choreography. Our students led by Scott Englefield achieved the Student Leadership award and the other schools involved awarded us Performers Choice! I’m just waiting now for Ross Matthews to win the Photo competition!! Achieving third place was no mean feat in light of the short time span and I’ve no doubt that these students will bring home first place in 2010!!

If you would like to see the Charles Darwin’s Rock Challenge Evolution, they will be performing again at the Biggin Hill Festival in July and you can watch the Hackney Empire performance below. Many thanks once again to everyone involved for this wonderful experience.

Karen Dwyer-Burchill