"Pupils excel in stage challenge"

From:  North Harbour News, 15 June 2007

Hibiscus Coast schools put on some of the best shows in Auckland.

Whangaparaoa College beat seven other schools to come third in their heat of the 2007 Supre Stage Challenge last week.

For stage challenge newcomers Whangaparaoa College, the result is a huge achievement.

The school has only been established for three years, making its oldest students year 11, and this was only their second stage challenge.

"It was so amazing. We were just shocked to come third, especially when it's our second year and we're up against year 12 and 13s who have been doing it for ages," says year 11 student Jessica Thompson.

"We just have so many enthusiastic teachers, and a really creative school."

Challenge director and drama teacher Jo White credits support from parents and the effort by the 140 performers and stage crew as the main ingredients in the school's success.

It also helped they had a good theme, which saw actors replay the seven stages of life from Shakespeare's poem All the World's a Stage.

"It's pretty amazing what the kids have done. It's months of work for that eight-minute performance but it's so worth it," says Ms White.

Stage Challenge is a youth health programme that encourages students to do their best without alcohol, tobacco or drugs.