Students give their all on stage

Rotorua Lakes High School put on a great performance at last night's Stage Challenge. Photo / Stephen Parker

The Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre was tittering with nervous anticipation, as hundreds of high school students from all over the district tried to dance their school to glory.

Eight high schools, and one primary school, gave their all on stage last night in front of a packed venue for the 2015 Stage Challenge, an event involving dance, design and drama where the students are the driving force.

Western Heights Primary School started the evening off as the final performance from J Rock, the non-competitive section of the competition.

The venue erupted with applause after the school's performance about the importance of the natural environment.

Taupo-nui-a-Tia College opened the Stage Challenge section with an Anzac-themed performance titled: "With pride and joy we wave goodbye."

Each performance ran between five and eight minutes.

Up to 140 students from each school worked with parents, teachers and their local community to create their performance.

Western Heights High School choreographer Sherrick Martin said the choreographers had been preparing since last year, with rehearsals beginning in February for the 102-member cast. "We've won two years in a row, we want to win."

Western Heights High School student Tenny Tamai said meeting new people was the best part about Stage Challenge. "I am nervous and excited. I've never done it before, there are heaps of people who have never done Stage Challenge before."

Although there were no overall winners at Monday night's J Rock, the non-competitive, primary school section of stage challenge, Westbrook Primary School took out the Spirit of Stage Challenge award.

- As the Rotorua Daily Post went to print, the winners of Stage Challenge had not been announced.

-See the Rotorua Daily Post website for video.