ON Wednesday 24 August 2016, 35 Students from Medowie Public School participated in Wakakirri at Riverside Theatre Sydney.

Each year, hundreds of schools across Australia create Story-Dances for Wakakirri that reflect student’s thoughts, ideas and aspirations.

These stories are performed in professional theatres in front of the official ‘Wakakirri Panel’ who are searching for ‘Story of the Year’.

Medowie Public School students had been rehearsing for 12 weeks with choreographer and dance teacher, Kiah Muddle from iDance Performance Co, to create a unique and inspiring story.

Kiah worked with the students to develop the story and choreography so that they played a vital role in telling the story.

Together they decided on a story-dance titled “Through their eyes”.

This story-dance takes you on a journey through time and conveys to you the student’s perception and beliefs of how social media has influenced society’s view of Aboriginal people.

The students express to you their thoughts and ideas inspired by their own personal beliefs as 21st century learners.

The students of MPS presented this story with pride and had the audience captivated.

The Judge Christopher Horsey said, “Medowie Public School have inspired me to get Aboriginal Dance into all schools…. you should be very proud of your story.”

On the performance night the Medowie Public School competed against 4 other schools.

After the performance 3 students were selected from each school to answer a question related to the performance. The students selected to do this from MPS were Lilly Gorham, Lilly Skinner and Amelia Chochrane.

Medowie Public School were fortunate and very honoured to take home the ‘Spirit of Wakkirri’ Award – one of only six awards for the evening across all schools.

Medowie PS will find out at the end of August which schools have been chosen for state production and show awards.

National awards are announced on Waka TV during September.

Medowie Public School would like to thank the students for their hard work, dedication and commitment, and make special mention of our amazing parent helpers Nuraan Connolly, Lynda Skinner and Jemima Cochrane who helped with hair and makeup on the performance night.

Mrs Vicki Winters, Medowie Public School Teacher and Wakakirri Co-ordinator, told News Of The Area, “I am extremely proud of our students and admire their enthusiasm and dedication to their performance and rehearsals.”

 

By Rachael VAUGHAN