Schools
7 September, 2022
Highly commended awards for St. Columban’s dance troupe
THE Caboolture-based Saint Columban’s College earned four highly commended awards at the Pinnacle Dance Challenge, held at the Noosaville-based Saint Teresa’s Catholic College.
St. Columban’s achieved the awards in Senior Hip Hop, Senior Lyrical, Junior Hip Hop (Boys Crew) and Junior Student Choreography, while the school also took part in Junior Contemporary, Junior Lyrical, Junior Musical Theatre, Senior Contemporary, and Senior Jazz.
All up, 42 St. Columban’s students from years 7 to 11 took part in the Pinnacle Dance Challenge.
Other competing schools were state and private schools from the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Logan and Ipswich, with some sections having more than 16 dances competing against St. Columban’s.
St. Columban’s Dance Troupe Coordinator and dance, drama and humanities teacher Courtney Kemp said the school had two amazing full troupe performances – Senior Jazz and Senior Lyrical – with 41 students on stage at once.
Senior Jazz featured a full Lady Gaga performance with all 41 students in white wigs, and the Junior Musical performed an exciting mashup of all the entertaining Greatest Showman Hits.
The St. Columban’s dance troupe had trained from week four of the first term, before ramping it up during the competition season. During this period, the students rehearsed up to three mornings and two afternoons each week in addition to lunch times.
“This was our first year back competing after covid and building our dance troupe which was quite small,” Miss Kemp said.
“Our focus for the students was to have fun and have the experience of performing on stage and competing against other schools yet also witnessing other schools’ amazing skills.
“Competitions are so rewarding and as much as they love placing, the students are always just buzzing after the big day competing.”
Miss Kemp said the highly commended placings were very rewarding for the St. Columban’s students and teachers, and were a great testament to the extra rehearsals and effort the students put in.
“The team has grown so much since their first competition in April when they only received one placing, and then (it was on) to Pinnacle and receiving four placings against very similar schools in the region,” Miss Kemp said.
“The St. Columban’s dance troupe students have shown their dedication and talent at the various Eisteddfods they have competed in.
“They have shown how they have worked extremely hard to improve and work as a team.
“It has been delightful as their teacher to see them have fun, be so committed, and represent our school with pride.
“We are truly proud of what they have achieved this year.”
Miss Kemp said St. Columban’s dance was “like a family”, with the students from years 7 to 11 all gelling together beautifully.
“They all are so supportive and caring about one another, and it is so nice to see them say hi and hang out at lunch times, outside of dance troupe sessions,” Miss Kemp said.
“Last year we only had a troupe of 27, and to grow to 42 this year is an amazing achievement.
“We love that the Arts are growing.
“Previously at Brisbane Performing Arts Challenge we also received first place for Junior Hip Hop Mega Crew, second place for Junior Contemporary, second place for Junior Musical Theatre, and Highly Commended for Senior Jazz.
“(It was) a wonderful achievement for all the students.”
