College students stunned everyone as the performers set a great challenge for others!

It was all fun and excitement yesterday for 10 Bay of Plenty and Waikato schools as the 2010 J Rock™ and Stage Challenge® event began. Stage Challenge is a dance, drama and design spectacular where the students are the stars. Each performance runs between 5 - 10 minutes and has a recorded soundtrack to perform too. J Rock™ is the Stage Challenge for the junior schools under 12. Luckily, one of our own schools attended the event. Katikati College was our local school to perform and they finished off with a very good comment, not only from the judges, but also the rest of the people I spoke to who saw the magical performance. They also ended up with a fantastic score which will be discussed more into the story.

As the group of 65 plus another 12 support crew departed the school at 8.30am, excitement was packed in the bus on the way to Baycourt Events Centre. The four Years 13 students, Rubi Sikora, Jonti Bachelor, Teagan Richards and Nicole Jeffrey explained to the judges last night that their performance was about bringing New Zealand together. They also told us that all the staff and students involved in the performance has worked hard and I sure did see that after being at Baycourt for around 15 hours. Those 15 hours for everyone included rehearsals, setup, make up and costumes setup, and loads more! Including walking to shops to buy food. It was a great day and I know everyone had a fantastic time!

A few people who are not always mentioned, but have put an extremely hard amount of work into producing a great performance is the people who sit in a box and play around with a whole lot of buttons, it is the Technician Crew. And yes, Katikati College has its own "Professional" student led technicians. Head Technician, Oscar Dowson and Assistant Head Technician, Oscar’s brother, Angus were doing an awesome job trying to sort out lighting that would go well for there schools show. I was also helping them on the follower spots and getting ready to follow the dancers on stage, all I could hear through the headset was Oscar talking to the Lighting Manager of Stage Challenge 2010. Sometimes, it could be good and other times it could just be a muck and also Oscar thinking of a new idea. Although the lighting didn't go as planned, I'm sure the audience would agree with me by saying it was still one of the best school performances of the night, even the judges would agree with me. Once Katikati College had finished performing their item to the crowd, it was then time to hear the judge’s decision. While listening to the judge’s comment I saw a lot of people nodding their head, agreeing with the judge. He, basically, said to our Student Representatives that Katikati College had set the mark for other schools to beat. He also said that Katikati College was one of the best performances he had ever seen that night. Once everyone had then reentered the dressing room, all faces were filled with excitement and joy. Some, nearly in tears. But, then soon enough came the moment of truth. Who would win this years ASB regional Stage Challenge® event? As schools were rewarded with excellence certificates, which Katikati College received 10 awards for, then came the decision moment. Backstage, the group were crossing their fingers. Then, as the host read the paper, in 2nd place, Katikati College. People were jumping around the room, and including me, full of  happiness. Everyone was so happy and some even ready to go home as the night finished at 9.45. As everyone departed, I heard a few people walking by saying Katikati College should have got first place. But, unfortunately, Tauranga Boys College just got it buy a few points for there Angels and Demons theme. It was a successful evening and one night to remember, and we sure will in a couple of weeks as it go to air, via TV3's, Sticky TV.

More details on when in goes to broadcast will be posted soon.

For all other details of last nights event like, results, merchandise and loads more about this year and next years event, visit: www.stagechallenge.co.nz     :-)

College students get there time to shine!

Reported by Brin Rudkin

Katikati College has recently been kindly donated some radio gear to use to broadcast to the Katikati community. Teacher in charge of the group, Stuart Macrae, said to us that, "The radio station will be setup for student use",

he also told us that,"The students will be taught how to use the gear as well as setting it up!"

The radio station will be a useful resource at the school, not only for having fun, but to also get students involved in learning the media industry. It is a great way for students to build up their self-confidence in speaking. Students will be taking over the rolls of many different duties including: Presenting, sound engineering, researcher, advertising consultants and the list goes on forever! At the last meeting that we attended, the story was looking for local organisations or businesses to help fund the group.

At the moment, they have already asked the BOT for funding. They have told us that any people willing to help the group get a free advertisement which includes sound effects and a voiceover track, and the advert will last for at least 20-30 seconds. So, if you are interested in funding the group, email Stuart Macrae at, smacrae@katikaticollege.school.nz or Student Representative at, rb8092@katikaticollege.school.nz. You can also phone, Brin Rudkin, by calling: 07 5482861 or email him at, brin.rudkin@journalist.com. More details on this story will be posted soon.

NEXT WEEKS STORY PREVIEW:

Katikati College performs at the Stage Challenge 2010!

Reported by: Brin Rudkin
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The annual Whangamata Beach Hop is once again a popular event to attend. I tagged along to see New Zealand NO.1 Nostalgia Festival in action.

The Beach Hop has been an exciting event for Whangamata for the last 10 years giving the attractive little town loads of publicity.

As we arrived into Whangamata, we knew that we were in petrolhead heaven! We soon discovered that most of the cars were not in Whangamata, instead they had gone for a fun run to Onemana, which is 9km north of Whangamata. An estimated 5000 people were at Onemana Beach Domain and a whopping 80,000+ people are expected to enjoy the 4 day Nostalgia Festival. Beach Hop Organiser Graeme 'Noddy' Watts, said "It was such a great day last year, how could we not come back for the 10th anniversary celebrations. It’s such a fantastic way to promote not only Whangamata but New Zealand as well!"

Once the cars had rested at the picture perfect beach of Onemana, the traveled back to hot rod heaven and looped Port Road for a few hours. And, in the parade were the fire brigades from Katikati and Athenree. Unfortunately, I was unable to catch  up with the guys, but I did manage to catch up with some hot rod fanatics and here's what they said:
" An AMAZING EVENT! Must see next year!"
" I've already booked accommodation for next year!"
" Once again, a GREAT event!"

The beach hop this year also including other fun events like:
Hop Idol, Live Bands, and loads more!

And this year they were also giving away something very special!
They were:
1963 Buick LeSabre Station Wagon
1930 Ford Model A Roadster
1990 Harley Davidson Custom Bobber
The winners will be announced soon!

There is also a Beach Hop Movie Crew who are making a video that highlights this years event. They have also mixed together a whole lot of other videos, from past 10 years of the festival which is a limited edition DVD. All these films are up for sale, as well as a whole lot of other merchandise, on the website, www.beachhop.co.nz. We will also have a reporters video diary which covers this story posted up soon.

And thats a wrap for the Beach Hop 2010. For more info and details on next years event and merchandise sales, visit: www.beachhop.co.nz

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