DURING the month of March, the staff of Mount Lourdes Grammar School were not only delivering live online lessons as part of remote learning to their students, but also practicing for the Jerusalema Dance Challenge, which has taken social media by storm.

Inspired by other local groups who have completed the challenge, the staff of Mount Lourdes were tutored by Mary Wray, who works as a Classroom Assistant in the school.

Teaching and Support staff alike all got involved, and had weekly socially-distanced dance lessons in small groups with Mrs. Wray.

Staff were keen to get involved in the challenge, which they planned would be released as part of the school's recent St. Patrick’s Day message to students.

Rita Doran, who is a member of the Support staff in Mount Lourdes, was integral in getting staff involved and arranging rehearsals.

Speaking about the event, she said: "During these times of Covid-19, the Jerusalema Dance Challenge was an opportunity for the school staff to do something positive to share with the students at home, and hopefully raise spirits."

The dance challenge was recorded and produced by IT Technician Kevin Colgan, with drone footage taken by Joe Gunn, Technology and Design Technician in the school.

Since the dance challenge was released on the school's Facebook page, there have been more than 7,000 views, from as far afield as Australia, America, Canada and Germany.

Former students, including many of those who are today key Covid-19 workers, have contacted the school to convey their appreciation to the staff involved and say that it brought back fond memories of their time in Mount Lourdes.

Asked if Mount Lourdes had any thoughts on future plans to dust off the dancing shoes, Rita Doran responded: "You never know! A lot of ideas emerge around the coffee table at breaktime in the Mount Lourdes staffroom – you will have to wait and see."