School puts magic in Jump Jam show
A rural Manawatū school has wowed the judges with its onstage performance, winning a title at the national Jump Jam final.
Colyton School won the year 7 and 8 ultimate category, the top competition, at the national final at Tauranga at the weekend.
Teacher Shannon SkeltonMorris said the team was allowed to party on Saturday night regardless of the result, so they were happy to be able to celebrate a win. ‘‘They were just ecstatic. Everyone worked so hard. It was such a big team effort.’’
She said the children had put in lots of preparation, practising three or four days a week, but they also had help from parents during the weekend, for things like hair and makeup.
Their performance was based on the Alice In Wonderland story.
‘‘The song we had written was called Magic. We just tied in the whole Alice In Wonderland, the rabbit came out and says they are late for a very important date.
‘‘Alice chases him, they come through the tunnel and then she is growing and then shrinking from eating and drinking, that was our main trick.’’
She said they were given an overall score of 99.4 out of 100, which was the best at the event.
They won three distinction awards, for technical execution, presentation and creativity.
‘‘We didn’t get to see the other performances because we were on last. I think the kids just came out and used the stage, the costumes were amazing and popped under the lights.’’
She said their performance was incredible and she couldn’t fault it.
There were other Manawatū schools that also had success.
Newbury School won the year 7 and 8 advanced competition and Bulls School finished second in the year 4 to 8 strictly category, where it had to replicate a videoed routine.