The WGS Dance Competition Returns!

The WGS Dance Competition made a triumphant return! It truly captured the spirit of Withington – a community where everyone comes together to create something special. What a way to end the Spring term!

After the event was introduced by Year 12 students in an assembly back in February, pupils got to work preparing their routines. Their hard work culminated in an unforgettable evening of dance and entertainment.

The theme, ‘Dancing Through The Decades’, transported the audience to different eras, filled with iconic music, fashion and dance styles. Year 12 students began the show with an assortment of dances before Henny, Matilda and Rosie took to the stage. Expertly compered, they kept the audience entertained in between dances with their comical punch lines and continuous costume changes. They also introduced the two charities the event raised money for: Downing House and Family Fund.

From the swinging sixties to the modern day, the spirit of each decade was dutifully displayed. It was clear that thought, effort and care had gone into each element of the dance. Everything was crafted by the pupils themselves. Well done to all our dancers, choreographers, costume stylists, hair and makeup artists, light designers and the sound technicians, supported by Mr Walsh, our Performing Arts Technician.

The audience was fantastic – full of energy and enthusiasm, cheering the girls on throughout. What a show it was! The calibre was exceptionally high and our three guest judges did not have an easy task at hand. Adjudicating on the evening were Mrs Susan Guest, LAMDA Teacher, Mrs Hannah Curran, Director of the YSBD Theatre Academy and choreographer of WGS’s production of Legally Blonde The Musical Jr, joined by Mrs Julie Buckley, who initiated the Dance Competition over 20 years ago.

Whilst the judges discussed the results, families left the Arts Centre. This enabled the pupils to populate the stands to hear the results. But first, the staff dance! Everyone was on their feet clapping and singing along to Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen. You might have thought that the excitement levels couldn’t get any higher, but the Arts Centre erupted in roars when Mrs Haslam, Ms Baylis and Mr Bennett took to the floor.
With blow-up guitars in hand, they executed the guitar solo with style.

An enormous thank you to every member of our school community. From sourcing costumes, to buying tickets, donating raffle prizes, purchasing refreshments, and providing encouragement at home, your support is greatly appreciated!

The show’s success was a testament to the dedication and commitment of the Year 12 Dance Committee, who orchestrated the spectacle with precision and passion. Throughout the process, they developed invaluable skills in leadership, teamwork and organisation, but what they gave the school community, however, was priceless – memories to last a lifetime.

The results…

Best Teamwork – 11Y Hips Don’t Lie
Best Costume – 9W Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
Best Year 7 Dance – 7W Aint No Mountain High Enough
Best Year 8/9 Dance – 9Y Thriller
Best Year 10/11 Dance – 10Y Ice Ice Baby
Best Year 12/13 Dance – Y13 Levitating Remix
Most Authentic To The Decade – 11X Single Ladies
Judge’s Award – Y12 Beauty and a Beat
Overall winning dance – 10Y Ice Ice Baby