A group of enterprising Grade 11 pupils from Clifton College walked away with the top honours in a novel schools anti-steroids campaign run by Discovery SharkSmart, producing a catchy rap video that addressed the effects of steroid abuse in a creative and contemporary manner.
The video entitled The Bigger They Are was produced by members of Clifton College’s Film Academy, under the supervision of English master and slam-poet Ian “Ewok” Robinson.
“We encouraged students to provide an adolescent’s perspective on the use and abuse of anabolic steroids in the written or spoken word in the form of an essay, poem, video production, flash presentation or poster,” said Pippa Rowe, manager of the Discovery Sharks Schools of Excellence programme.
“The Clifton video crafted a spoken word piece and then set about filming it and putting it into music thus making the whole production Clifton born and bred and deserved the R10,000 prize that we presented to the school,” Rowe added.
With an increase in anabolic steroid use amongst high school pupils the Discovery SharkSmart initiative asked the pupils to express themselves and increase the awareness of the dangers of steroid use.
The competition was open to all 21 schools affiliated to the programme, with the Clifton College entry winning the nod of all the judges.
The schools Discovery SharkSmart Champion Paul McKay realises the importance of tasks like this and how influential it has been in educating the boys as well as helping them influence others about the effects and risks associated with steroid use.
The competition was a hit with the boys at Clifton and McKay understands that something like this should be used as long as parameters are set and the boys know what the ultimate message must be.
“I think the competition is great provided we give them the necessary scope to prepare something that tells a story or sends a strong message.
“Me and the boys look forward to what the programme brings in 2014!” mentioned McKay enthusiastically.
The video can be viewed on YouTube.
