For Byron Public School kids learning about the world, the environment, koalas and how it all interacts has been lots of fun over the last 12 months.
As part of their school’s sustainability program geographer and artist Amanda Bromfield has been working with the children across the school looking at how to protect natural ecosystems and native species from deforestation and loss of habitat.
‘If I was working with the little kids, I’d dress in my koala suit, and I’d take my books in and my toy koalas and we would play and talk about the environment and what was going on. With the bigger kids I could get into meatier topics and talk about thylacines (Tasmanian tigers), and what’s happened in the world,’ explained Amanda.
‘I love teaching at all different levels and love to make learning interesting and fun.’
Koalas in action
From there they have gone on to make an exhibition of 500 clay koalas with almost every child and teacher at the school making one. It opens this Saturday, 28 March at the Lone Goat Gallery at the Byron Bay Library, 28 Lawson Street, Byron Bay, for five weeks.
‘They’re amazing because the kids have got so much talent. It’s a whole self-expression. We had some Zorro koalas, skateboard koalas – the whole idea was they put themselves into it and make something that is them, and then they get to exhibit it at the gallery, which I think is just so amazing.’
Throughout the exhibition Amanda will be running clay koala workshops for children and young people as well as artists talks. Find out more at www.lonegoatgallery.com.
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