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Byron Shire
March 28, 2024

Ocean Shores kids in arts festival win

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[author]Story & photos Eve Jeffery[/author]

A DVD entry entitled Mother Earth has won Ocean Shores Public School third place in a national story-dance competition.

Fifty-eight students from years three to six were part of the production that was entered into Wakakirri, a story-sharing arts festival that challenges schools to make a positive impact on the world. Established in 1992, Wakakirri is Australia’s largest arts festival for schools, involving over 30,000 students across the country.

The Ocean Shores piece focused on looking after the planet, in particular the oceans and beaches. It conveyed the idea that Mother Earth had entrusted her inhabitants with her care but the result of pollution, rubbish and construction might make her angry to the point of retaliation.

One of the criteria for the entry is that students use as many reusable and recyclable items as possible and costumes and props were sourced from the school community. The actual cost of the production was very little

The school came first at the state level a few months ago and was recently told of their third place at the national level.

‘The production of Mother Earth was not about making an elaborate story,’ says assistant principal Melinda Lengyel.

‘We wanted to raise awareness about how and why we need to look after the Earth. We chose to focus on caring for the ocean; is it extremely important to those who live in Ocean Shores. Our lifestyles revolve around sun, surf, and sand.’

Image: Ocean Shores Public Schools Courtney, Ruby, Jemma, Lachlan, Edan and Ellie we among the 58 students who placed third in the national Wakakirri competition.


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