UTC Portsmouth transformed into a hub of imagination and celebration as we hosted our very own Comic Con Week – a week-long programme packed with activities, competitions and hands-on experiences inspired by all things fandom. Students from across the college signed up to take part in a wide range of events, designed to celebrate creativity, build community and offer something a little different from the everyday timetable.
One of the most anticipated highlights was the return of our legendary Lightsaber Duels. Students from every year group went head-to-head in dramatic pool noodle battles to determine who had what it takes to be crowned Jedi Master. The atmosphere was electric, with heroic moves, plenty of theatrical flair, and some truly Force-sensitive footwork. As always, house points were up for grabs – and of course, galactic bragging rights.
On Thursday, we welcomed local cosplay expert Isobel Loxton into college for a hands-on Cosplay 101 Masterclass. Students learned practical techniques for costume and prop creation, with a strong focus on working creatively within a budget. From repurposed materials to inventive builds, the workshop was packed with inspiration ahead of our big Cosplay Day.
Friday saw our corridors come to life with characters from every corner of fandom as staff and students alike arrived in full costume for Cosplay Comic Con Day, celebrating Star Wars Day in true UTC Portsmouth style. The effort, imagination and craftsmanship on display was nothing short of incredible – and spotting favourite characters became a fun game in itself!
In our computer suites, students took part in the all-day Minecraft Big Build, letting their creativity run wild within Minecraft.edu. From rocket launchers and futuristic buildings to a giant chicken jockey statue, the builds were as imaginative as they were technically impressive – a fitting finale to an unforgettable week.
We also ran two creative competitions throughout the week open to all students of the local area. The Creature Creation Competition invited students to invent a new creature for our own creature manual, while the Fandom Short Story Competition gave students the chance to showcase their writing talent. We’re delighted to announce Mia as the winner of the Creature Competition with her drawing of the Carens Proboscis Bezertisc, and Zite as the winner of the Short Story Competition for her entry titled Smile.
Comic Con Week was a true celebration of student creativity, curiosity and collaboration – and we’re proud to see such enthusiasm from our college community. Until next year – may the Force be with you!