“At the beginning when I was told that I had to do a dance in front of a huge audience I was terrified as that was the first news I heard about the school with me being new, on the night I felt great but when I saw everyone and the girls at the front staring at us I was scared, one positive thing was the honour to be the last act of the night. I absolutely loved it as it was just like Edu-dance I did in primary school.”
Morgan Van Droffelaar

“The Year 9 dance challenge was an exhilarating experience that pushed us to step out of our comfort zones and break free from societal expectations. Initially, when we were told that we would be performing in front of a large audience, a mix of nervousness and excitement surged through me. The thought of dancing in front of so many people felt daunting, but it also presented an opportunity for personal growth and self-expression. On the night of the performance, as I stepped onto the stage with my fellow dancers, a rush of adrenaline washed away my earlier apprehensions. The energy of the crowd fuelled our movements, and we danced with passion and confidence. The moment we finished our performance, a wave of accomplishment came over me., I felt proud of myself for pushing past my initial fears and delivering a captivating dance routine. It was a moment of triumph and liberation. Participating in the Dance Challenge had a profound positive impact on me as it shattered the constraints of the "man box" and allowed me to embrace my creativity and artistic side. It taught me the importance of challenging stereotypes and stepping outside of societal norms. Beyond the applause and recognition, the experience instilled in me a newfound belief in myself and my ability to overcome challenges. It was a reminder that stepping out of our comfort zones can lead to personal growth and empowerment. The Dance Challenge was not only a platform for us to showcase our dance skills but also a celebration of diversity, unity, and self-expression. It brought together individuals from different backgrounds and showcased the power of collaboration and teamwork. Through this experience, I learned the value of supporting and encouraging my peers, as we all worked towards a common goal. The Dance Challenge served as a reminder that stepping out of the "man box" and embracing our passions can lead to a more fulfilling and authentic life.”
Dominic Lomen

“Once I first heard about this experience, I thought I was going to be the kid in the back corner, trying to hide myself at the start of this, but slowly, I gained some confidence, and just started to think that it's all about just having some fun with your mates. On the night of the performance, I was anxious about putting myself out there and nerves were rushing through my body, but I was also excited to get the experience over and done with. Once I got out there, I gave it my all, and it was worth all the hard class time rehearsals, and all the ups and downs on the way. One of the positives I took out of this is that I learnt that having fun is just about spending some good time with your mates, and that us boys, especially at our age, need to get out of the man box and step out of our comfort zone. All in all, I really liked this experience and I think it had a big impact on me as a person, and really helped me with my confidence. I also have gained a deeper connection with my classmates throughout this experience.”
Callum Herbert

“When I was told that I would be dancing in front of a huge audience I felt worried because I have no experience with dancing, and I knew that I would probably mess up a few of the moves. After I finished the dance, I did not feel good as I was a bit slow for the moves and I was a bit late and I thought that I would have stuck out like a sore thumb. However, after looking at the video I realised I didn’t look as bad as I thought I did as you could barely see me behind some of the tall kids. Something Positive I took away from the dance was learning the dance moves as they were a lot more complex than I normally would have thought.”
Caelyn Beard

“I felt excited, it is a very nice opportunity to dance in front of a crowd on a stage, I was ready To embrace thy challenge. During the night it was very fun, an exceptional atmosphere from the boys, and I was feeling a little nervous as I missed out on a lot of rehearsals, so I wasn’t as confident as the rest of the boys. Overall, it was a positive experience and I enjoyed it, I learned that anyone can dance and society needs to encourage boys to escape man-box stereotypes. Excellent journey, glad I did it.”
Kai Flanagan