1. What is J Rock??
J Rock? is a performing arts event incorporating dance, drama and design which provides Australian primary school students with an opportunity to express their creativity through music and dance by producing and eight minute performance. The focus of J Rock? is on students learning the benefits of being active and eating healthy food in a fun atmosphere. Students, teachers, parents and communities work together helping to prepare the school?s performance reflecting the personalities concerns, hopes and dreams of those who create it.
J Rock? offers students the opportunity to experience the thrill of performing live on stage and the satisfaction of working together in a large team while learning the importance of eating right and being active. The end result is a night of true inspiration and entertainment, displaying Australian children at their best. |
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2. Why was J Rock? established?
Due to the increase in Australia?s childhood obesity epidemic, the immense popularity of the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge®, and to commemorate the event?s 25th Anniversary in Australia, a junior event was established. After many years and thousands of requests from parents, the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge® Foundation decided that it was the perfect way to celebrate the achievement of 25 years and extend vital health messages to even more children. |
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3. What does J Rock? achieve?
J Rock? works on a number of fronts to address the contributing factors behind the staggering childhood obesity rate in Australia. The event?s focus is on students having fun while making healthy lifestyle choices and learning how important being active and eating healthy food really is.
Traditionally, performing arts programs attract students that may otherwise be at risk of missing out on the fitness benefits of participating in organised sport programs. J Rock? allows students with minimal skill levels to participate in this highly accessible project through dance. Dancing requires a high level of cardiovascular fitness and improves coordination. Students involved in J Rock? come away with the important message that lifetime habits of eating right, exercising and staying healthy start when you?re young.
Over the years the internationally recognised high school version of the event (Rock Eisteddfod Challenge®) has been proven to help participants on a social level, building self esteem, boosting confidence, resiliency, promoting teamwork, encouraging students to live a healthy lifestyle and increasing the bond between students, schools and the community. The primary school?s event aims to do the same by establishing links between children, parents and schools. |
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4. What is involved in a J Rock? entry?
Just like their high school cousins J Rock? provides the opportunity for primary school students to tell a story of their choice, on stage with costumes and music. Utilising the same prestigious venues and ?A? class production equipment provided for the high school event.
A school?s entry into J Rock? is an original performing arts presentation set to music. Each performance is based on a theme of the schools choice and runs between 5 and 8 minutes. The schools entry can involve as little as 10 and as many as 140 participants (comprising of a maximum of 100 performers, 20 stage crew and 20 support crew) making the event accessible to any school no matter how small or large they may be.
After many hours of rehearsals and hard work the students present their performance to thousands of audience members in some of Australia?s first class venues.
Awards are given at the end of the night to recognise schools achievements including performance, dance and production, community support, student achievements, school initiative and more. As a non competitive event every school performing will be recognised with an award every participant will receive a participation certificate. |
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5. Where can I find a J Rock? event?
J Rock? can be seen in Brisbane, Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart, Perth, Gold Coast, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton and Adelaide with more locations to be detailed at tour times. |
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6. Who participates?
Participants don?t have be a dancer, a performer or even a school to get involved. J Rock? is open to any school, anywhere in Australia. No matter how small or large, rural or metropolitan, private or public, J Rock? is achievable and accessible and most importantly FUN for everyone who participates!
In the inaugural year the event has attracted approximately 250 schools around Australia, it?s a vast difference to when the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge® first began in Sydney 25 years ago with just 8 schools. Combined with the secondary schools events the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge® is the largest and longest serving youth cultural event in the country. |
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7. What is the difference between the senior and junior Rock Eisteddfod Challenge® events?
Unlike the secondary school?s Rock Eisteddfod Challenge®, J Rock? is a non competitive event. J Rock? provides an opportunity for students and schools to participate in a friendly environment and encourages participation rather than competitiveness.
A series of workshops and activities will be incorporated into the daytime activities for the students on the performance day. Throughout the day professional educators will run workshops on nutrition, sport, dance, drama and health to show them how fun learning about being healthy really is. The whole day is educational as well as entertaining for the students.
In J Rock? there is an expenditure ceiling of $2,500. Schools can not spend more than this on there performance, making the event a level playing field for every school. |
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8. What do the schools receive for participating?
J Rock? is a non competitive event no matter if you are from regional, rural or metropolitan areas or come from a public, independent or private school everyone is a winner in J Rock?.
During the day time activities students can win prizes from bikes to activity packs to encourage our strong philosophy on being active and healthy. In addition to this each school will receive Awards of Excellence for their performance on the night and every member of their team will receive a colourful participation certificate to take home with them.
J Rock? is accessible, educational, entertaining and most importantly FUN for the students involved! Participants go away with the feeling that they accomplished a goal and lean how important working together in a team really is. |
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9. Where and when are J Rock? shows?
J Rock? is a national event held in 16 locations across Australia. Check out the Dates and Locations section of this website to find out when the show comes to you. |
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10. Where can I purchase tickets?
Tickets go on sale two weeks before the event in each location. Go to the Tickets section of the website and get a ticket reminder sent to your nominated email address. |
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11. Can I enter as a community group?
Yes! Community groups can enter J Rock?, please call the office in order to check you are eligible. |
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12. Can we join with another local school?
J Rock? allows up to 3 schools to merge to form one entry without specific reason. This means joining forces of students and teachers. |
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13. Can we sing using microphones in the performance?
There is no live singing or percussion allowed in a J Rock? performance. |
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14. Are there any restrictions on theme choice?
We do not impose any restrictions on theme choice or content - schools choose themes on a wide range of topics from fantasy to social comment ? whatever you and your students like! |
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15. How can schools get involved?
If you or your school is interested in participating contact the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge® Foundation toll free on 1300 725 287 or email the office:admin@rockchallenge.com.au |
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16. What is the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge® Foundation?
The Rock Eisteddfod Challenge® Foundation is a non profit organisation which was formed in November 2001 to run the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge® and J Rock?. It is a member of the registry of cultural organisations and is registered for tax deductible gifts. |
