COMMONWEAL students blew away the pre-exam blues at an event which, rarely for a students' night out, included their parents.

The pre-prom bash was held on Monday night.

From 7pm, visitors to the school hall could enjoy a range of entertainments along with a fully-licensed bar and browse the stalls promoting services for the upcoming prom, in Lydiard Park.

But the real highlight of the show was the catwalk show put together by a group of Year 11 students.

"They were such a scream," said Paula Nunnery from the Commonweal Parent Teacher Association, which organised the occasion.

"The girls wore dresses from Trousseaux and the boys wore suits from Stress 3 Suit Hire.

"They looked brilliant and the girls looked beautiful, they had their hair and make up done before hand by one of the parents.

"When they came along as couples at the end it was just brilliant. One of them came in wearing sunglasses and he looked like someone from Reservoir Dogs, and he opened up his suit and it was covered with photocopies of £50 notes which he then threw out to the audience.

"His friend also came along and drew out a water pistol and sprayed the audience."

The evening was as much an opportunity for parents to get together to discuss the logistic of the prom as well as to celebrate the achievements of the children.

As well as the stalls and the catwalk, there was also a guest Elvis impersonator.

Paula said: "He was just brilliant, it was such a hoot.

"He was really interactive with the audience."