DANCE fever hit many Brisbane Catholic primary schools recently with students not only learning some smooth moves but also picking up a swag of trophies.
Students at St Oliver Plunkett School, Cannon Hill, have been competing in Dance Challenges for the past nine years and this year they achieved a hat-trick, winning the Year 4, 5 and 6 trophies and just missing out on the Year 7 trophy.
Assistant principal for administration Tim Cronin said 230 students participated in this year’s challenge and won 27 prizes.
He said the school’s Year 4-7 students thoroughly enjoyed the activity that taught appropriate dress and behaviour, and developed a life-long skill.
“(It) promotes respect between all students, promotes friendships across grades (and) promotes school spirit,” he said.
“Students competed in two dances (this year, tango and jive) and a show dance of all students together.”
Meanwhile, students at St Patrick’s Cath-olic Primary School, Gympie, has proved it also has what it takes when it comes to rhythm and groove.
Students won several ribbons in their first year of competition in a “dance-off” against seasoned participants from St Joseph’s, Nambour, and Stella Maris, Maroochydore.
St Patrick’s principal Kathy Fuller said students from Prep to Year 7 had nine weeks of lessons leading up to the dance-off and about 80 students competed.
“They’ve partnered with classmates for the tango and jive and also learned the more contemporary moves of hip hop,” she said.
She said as this was the students’ first time competing, the swag of ribbons that they attained was remarkable.
“It was a wonderful afternoon and the children represented the school very well and had a terrific time.
“We are very proud of their efforts,” Mrs Fuller said.
