AUSTRALIAN PRIMARY SCHOOLS DANCE AND DRAMA EISTEDDFOD
Mr McBRIDE (The Entrance) [6.12 p.m.]: I advise the House of the recent success of St Cecilia’s School at Wyong in the Wakakirri 1997 Australian Primary Schools Dance and Drama Eisteddfod. Wakakirri is a fun and educational event especially designed for Australian primary schools. It is an eisteddfod that invites schools to tell a story within seven minutes as imaginatively as possible by incorporating the use of dance, music and drama. A minimum of 20 students must be involved in the presentation. Each school entering Wakakirri presents its item in one of a series of heats. Each heat takes place in front of a panel of judges and an audience of family and friends.
Mr Jeffery: Do your children attend this school?
Mr McBRIDE: If a school is selected in its heat, it qualifies for the grand final. In judging Wakakirri the emphasis is not placed on the students’ technical dancing ability or the extravagance of the sets and costumes. Rather, the emphasis is on teamwork, creativity and resourceful use of materials as the important features of an outstanding Wakakirri item. This particular event is divided into two divisions to allow Australian primary schools more access. The Super League has schools that have reached a grand final within the last five years and the Premier League has schools that are either new to Wakakirri or have not reached a grand final within the last five years.
St Cecilia’s performed in the Newcastle heat on 5 August 1997 in the Premier League held at Newcastle Workers Club. The heat comprised nine items and participating schools came from the Newcastle and central coast regions. St Cecilia’s won the heat and progressed to the next stage, the grand final, which was held on 18 September 1997 at Darling Harbour Convention Centre. The theme performed by St Cecilia’s was the Ned Kelly story. A combined effort of parents, teachers and students provided the opportunity for St Cecilia’s to perform at that grand final. This was the first time St Cecilia’s had taken part and 82 children participated, which represented the largest school group of any participants in the grand final and heats.
The children were responsible also for the production and design of props. Parents helped supervise the students on performance days during the heats and much preparation went into the performance before it reached the stage. The following are some of the many people that helped St Cecilia’s: Robert McRae, principal of the school and very much a supporter of the dance and drama eisteddfod; Francesca Toomey, co-ordinator and major organiser of the dance drama; Emma Douglas, make-up; Louise Rosier, props and backdrops; and Damien Stockwell, lighting.
Numerous parents were involved with supervision, make-up, backstage preparations and costumes. The list is endless but particular attention should be paid to the following parents for their contributions to the performance: Mrs Neems and Mrs Cunningham for backstage; and Mr Foley and Mr Jarrett for making backdrops. Character costume making was undertaken by Mrs Cabarrus and Mrs Colvin for the Ned Kelly gang; Mrs Pearce, Mrs Sharkey and Mrs Janovics for the townswomen; Mrs Neems, Mrs Cunningham and Mrs Dixon for the judge and jury scenes; Mrs Curtis and Mrs Smith for the soldiers; Mrs White for the townsmen; and Mrs Rowlandson for the towns children.
The children of St Cecilia’s showed dedication, enthusiasm, skill and talent in their performance. On grand final night they obtained two certificates, one for the encouragement award and the other for best sets and costumes. In summing up, the students, parents and teachers combined their efforts to
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produce an energetic and thought-provoking story through dance and drama. I personally congratulate the school and all its participants and parents on an outstanding example of school and civil spirit. For the benefit of the honourable member for Oxley, yes, one of my daughters was a member of that team.
Private members’ statements noted.
[Mr Acting-Speaker (Mr Mills) left the chair at 6.17 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m.]