News location:

Canberra Today 24°/28° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Arts / Wakakirri Challenge brings out the best stories

Duffy Primary School. Photo by WinkiPoP Media
EVER seen the crowds of children gathered outside the Canberra Theatre for the “Wakakirri” showcase, and wondered what it was all about?

Well, this week there’s a chance to find out, when the ACT Region Wakakirri Primary School Challenge takes place on stage.

A “Wakakirri” Story Dance (the word from the Aboriginal Wangaaypuwan people means, “to dance a story”) is a 3-7 minute performance devised by a group of students who theatrically tell a story using a combination of dancing, creative movement and acting. Schools use any combination of dance, acting, music, sets, props and costumes.

This week will see the local award-winning shows battle it out to go onto the 25th Anniversary National finals, which will be announced in late October. Over 20,000 primary and secondary students in 240 schools across the country are involved.

Wanniassa School (Junior Campus), in ‘Samoan folk tale’. Photo by WinkiPoP Media
The division one ACT winners are Torrens Primary School for “Best Raising Awareness Story Award”, Rosary Primary School for “Best Adapted Story Award” and St Gregory’s Primary School for “Best Environmental Story Award”.

In division two the winners are Wanniassa School (Junior Campus) for “Best Cultural Celebration Story Award”, Mother Teresa Primary School for “Best Raising Awareness Story Award”, and Duffy Primary School for “Best Entertainment Story Award”.

From this list, one school will compete in the “National Story Of The Year 2017” finals, the results of which will be announced on the Wakakirri TV series “The Search”.

The aim of “Wakakirri” is to teach students across the board, from the private, independent and public sectors, about themselves and others through the creating and sharing of stories.

Popular themes over the years have included Australian history, literature, anti-bullying, environmental protection and safety online. This year Wanniassa School told a “Samoan folk tale” passed on by a Wanniassa Junior School family and Mother Teresa Primary School took a compassionate look at the plight of the homelessness.

“Wakakirri” Awards Night, Canberra Theatre, 7.15pm, Wednesday, September 6. Bookings to canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.

 

Who can be trusted?

In a world of spin and confusion, there’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in Canberra.

If you trust our work online and want to enforce the power of independent voices, I invite you to make a small contribution.

Every dollar of support is invested back into our journalism to help keep citynews.com.au strong and free.

Become a supporter

Thank you,

Ian Meikle, editor

Helen Musa

Helen Musa

Share this

3 Responses to Arts / Wakakirri Challenge brings out the best stories

Tracey says: 6 September 2017 at 11:12 pm

“This year Torrens Primary School told a “Samoan folk tale”… It was Wannisssa School so performed this story, not Torrens Primary School!

Reply

Leave a Reply

Related Posts

Music

Cunio takes top job at NZ School of Music

Immediate past head of the ANU School of Music, Kim Cunio, is to become head of school at Te Kōki, the NZ School of Music, part of the Victoria University of Wellington, reports HELEN MUSA.

Wine

The local fiano that punches above its weight 

"The Collector fiano was perfect to drink on a hot day: crisp, textural and with an element of preserved lemon. It is not a low-alcohol wine with a nudge above 13 per cent alcohol by volume," writes wine columnist RICHARD CALVER.

Follow us on Instagram @canberracitynews