A Caroline Springs school had a different take on education week last week, calling in the circus.
Performers from Circus Oz held classes with grade 3 pupils at Springside College as part of a performing arts program that is showing benefits.
Last year the school began teaching circus skills to its grade 2 pupils, and when the opportunity to have Circus Oz visit the school this year arose, performing arts teacher Rebecca Ford jumped at the chance.
“Education week is normally literacy and numeracy-focused, but this year we decided to focus on the arts,” Ms Ford said.
“We didn’t think the Circus Oz guys would come out this way, but when we told them we had done circus skills last year they were excited.
“So we’ve got the kids from last year doing workshops with the real circus guys, and then those kids will be like little mentors for the next group of grade 2s that do the circus unit.”
Ms Ford said the benefits of performing and expressing yourself could already be seen.
“It’s particularly motivating for the students who might be a bit shy, or a bit unsure about some of the activities,” she said.
“It’s really motivating for them in their confidence. The kids in our classes will perform every week for their class and get feedback, so it’s a really reciprocal approach.
“It’s a really non-scary way of approaching performing. The number one fear for so many people is public speaking, so it’s good to try and challenge that early.”
