newy.com.au – Edgeworth Heights Public School students have won a state award at the NSW Wakakirri finals in Sydney for a performance honouring the emergency crews who responded to the 1989 Newcastle earthquake.
The seven-minute production, Fault Lines and Front Lines, involved 76 students from Years 2 to 6 and told the story of fire crews, paramedics and police during the disaster.
Teacher and organiser Vanessa Armstrong said the students’ work extended well beyond performing. They drove the project from its original idea through to choreography, music selection and the design and creation of costumes and props.
“The whole production was very much initiated and created by the students,” she said.
The group performed locally before taking the production, costumes and props to NIDA in Sydney for the state finals. Wakakirri is a national dance event in which schools tell stories through movement, dance, music and narrative, with performances at regional, state and national levels.
Ms Armstrong said the project taught students skills in writing, presenting, teamwork and performing, all of which contributed to the result.
“The school is very proud of the work the 76 students put in – it’s a hugely positive experience that will stay with them for a long time.”
