Stevenson Witnesses Fraserburgh Academy Rock Challenge Success

Banffshire & Buchan Coast SNP candidate Stewart Stevenson has congratulated Fraserburgh Academy for gaining first place in the North-east heats of the 2016 Global Rock Challenge.

Mr Stevenson is a strong supporter of the Global Rock Challenge and even picked up his own – unexpected – award at the 2003 event for his help in securing funding to allow the event to continue.

from @ukrockchallenge twitter feed

Commenting on the event, Stewart said:

“I was delighted to be invited to attend the Aberdeen heat this year and I was even more pleased that Fraserburgh Academy emerged triumphant at the end of the night and brought first place home to Banffshire & Buchan Coast.

“The performance by the Fraserburgh pupils was truly spectacular, highly professional and deserving of their first place."

Peterhead Academy also performed at the Global Rock event and demonstrated why they have been so successful over the years.

Stewart said of them:

"Peterhead are now a Northern Premier Division school who go straight to the finals. This year's demonstration by the Academy showed by they will clearly be a very strong contender in the next round of this competition.

"I wish both our schools all the best and will be watching their progress with interest."

The Global Rock Challenge is for the students and their teachers to create and be involved in their own production from conceptualisation through to the live performance. The challenge is also to be the best that they can without the use of nicotine, alcohol or other drugs, and there are severe penalties for anyone who fails that challenge on any event day and for their team too.

Feedback / research indicates that the concept works, with young people clamouring to return year after year to take part, with improved relationships with teachers at school, with a reduction - or even cessation - of substance abuse by team members and with a lower incidence of substance abuse generally within participating schools.

Attendance rates are also boosted, as are staying-on rates into sixth year.

The Rock Challenge® communicates health and social education messages in a positive and supportive environment.