Above right: Pakenham Secondary College students back, left: Jess, Mel, Mitchell, Amber and Jess. Front: Brook, Lara, and Ashleigh.By Sarah Schwager
FIGHTING evil and saving princesses was all in a day’s work for Pakenham Secondary College students on Monday as they took to the stage in the first heat of the 2005 Rock Eisteddfod Challenge dressed as such video game characters as Lara Croft, the Mario Brothers, Frogger and PacMan.
Other schools from the region, including Cockatoo Primary School, have been involved in the weeklong heats at Vodafone Arena, with students dancing and acting their way through the challenge.
While schools won’t find out until next week if they will get a spot in the finals, some did manage to pick up a few awards on the night.
Pakenham Secondary College’s performance on the evolution of computer games, helped the school win awards for costume design, concept and Best New School in the challenge.
The school’s student activities coordinator, Kintara Phillips, who came up with the theme, said the 107 students involved were extremely pleased with their performance and were just happy to have been involved, even if they didn’t make it to the next stage.
There has been a similar buzz of excitement at Cockatoo Primary School.
Principal Darrelyn Boucher said she could not praise the staff enough for their patience during what had been a hectic week in the buildup to Monday’s performance.
“The support that the staff shows for the children and each other has been outstanding,” she said.
The Rock Eisteddfod Open Grand Final will be held on 14 September at Rod Laver Arena.
