Wakakirri success

St Mary Mackillop Primary School students after their Wakakirri performance. (Supplied)

St Mary MacKillop Primary School has received a state award and is being considered for a national award for its Wakakirri performance, ‘The very lonely butterfly’.

Wakakirri is Australia’s largest performing arts event for schools with more than 200 taking part this year.

Participating schools are inspired by the Wakakirri ethos ‘great stories inspire change’ to create and perform story-dances that reflect students’ thoughts, ideas and aspirations.

Wakakirri festival director Adam Loxley said the Keilor Downs school was outstanding in its performance.

“The standard of performance and the stories being told by schools this year was exceptional and St Mary MacKillop Primary school should be very proud of their award,” he said.

St Mary MacKillop Primary School’s story is the sequel to the very hungry caterpillar. This is the story of the lonely butterfly as she leaves her cocoon and embarks on a journey of self discovery and belonging.

St Mary MacKillop Primary School’s performance was described by Wakakirri ambassador Christopher Politis as “a fun and creative sequel to a classic tale!”.

St Mary MacKillop Primary School’s performance co-ordinator and performing arts teacher Laura Kantzidis said, “the students had the most wonderful experience rehearsing and performing their story dance. I am so proud of them”.

The Wakakirri Story-Dance Festival is a national program that helps schools develop student engagement and wellbeing through participation in the performing arts.

Schools participate by creating story-dances which they perform in live theatres in capital cities and selected regional areas around Australia.

Gerald Lynch