A WEE COUNTY secondary school is set to take part in a nationwide performance competition in Dundee later this month.

Alva Academy will take part in The Rock Challenge which aims to inspire, engage and motivate young people to make healthy and positive lifestyle choices.

The event, which takes place on Wednesday March 27 at Dundee's Caird Hall will see around 350 students from all over Scotland accepting the challenge for another year, showcasing the hard work they have put in during the weeks and months leading up to their performance.

Alva Academy pupils will take to the stage to dance with a classroom theme.

One of the school's dance teachers said: "This is the first time Alva has competed in Rock Challenge. This opportunity has allowed a number of our pupils to take part, from being in the choreographed routines to helping with the set design, make-up, and sound and lighting.

"The pupils get marked on their costumes, props, staging and choreography, and there needs to be evidence that the final performance is all down to the pupils. It's hard work but it will all be worth it in the end.

"Every performance has to be centred on a theme and ours is The Classroom Coming to Life.

"We will have a giant globe as one our props and as it's spun by the class teacher, played by one of our S6 pupils, it will land on a country and the animal associated with that country will come to life.

"Our S1s are monkeys, the S2s are jellyfish, the S3s are chameleons and the S4, S5 and S6 pupils are lions and tigers.

"Each year group will have just over a minute to perform. Go team Alva."

The Rock Challenge encourages an adrenalin-based high gained through performing, rather than using tobacco, alcohol or other drugs, as well as providing proven and evidenced benefits above and beyond these original objectives.

Teams of around 20 to 135 students, will have up to eight minutes to perform their chosen theme to an audience made up of family, friends, VIPs, sponsors and a panel of industry professionals.

Each year there is a variety of themes, from the tackling of current social issues to the retelling of real-life events or fictional pieces, with every aspect of the performance devised, designed and created by the students and teachers.

Alva Academy are encouraging anyone interested to take the trip to Dundee to support their pupils in what is a "wonderful opportunity" for everyone involved.

Tickets are £14.50 and available now from 01382 434 940 and at dundeebox.co.uk