Following the success of last year’s participation, we are thrilled to share that our Year 4 Students will once again take to the stage in 2026 as part of the national Wakakirri Performing Arts Festival. Building on the excitement and achievements of their debut year, this much-loved opportunity continues to inspire creativity, confidence, and collaboration among our young performers.
What is Wakakirri?
Wakakirri is a nationwide festival that invites Australian schools to tell powerful stories through a unique art form known as Story-Dance. This dynamic performance style blends dance, drama, music, and creative movement into a 4 to 7-minute piece. It offers students a professional and supportive platform to express their ideas, perspectives, and aspirations in imaginative ways as they bring their narratives to life on stage.
A Creative Journey for Every Student
Throughout Term 2, all Year 4 students will work collaboratively during weekly rehearsals with a Artist in Residence, Courtenay Ludbrrook, to create an original story dance. This hands-on process encourages every child to contribute their voice while developing key skills in teamwork, communication, and performance.
The Wakakirri experience extends well beyond the stage. The chosen theme will be explored across multiple curriculum areas, including Inquiry and Literacy, allowing students to engage deeply with their storytelling. With student voice at the heart of the experience, each child will have the opportunity to showcase their strengths in drama, dance, script writing, and visual arts, just to name a few.
Artist in Residence: Courtenay Ludbrook
We are delighted to welcome this year’s Artist in Residence, Courtenay Ludbrook. Originally from New Zealand, Courtenay trained at the Victorian College of the Arts and has built an impressive career in Melbourne’s dance community. Her experience includes performing with Melbourne Dance Theatre (now the Victorian State Ballet) and creating works for both the NZ Fringe Festival and the Australian Choreographic Competition.
Courtenay brings a wealth of experience and a passion for working with young people, and we are excited for our students to learn from her creativity and expertise throughout the program.
Looking Ahead to the Big Night
The culmination of this exciting journey will be a live performance in a professional theatre during the first week of Term 3, where our students will share the stage with other schools as part of a festival evening. Families and friends are warmly invited to attend and celebrate the incredible creativity, energy, and talent of our Year 4 cohort.
This experience is more than just a performance; it’s an opportunity for students to grow as confident, expressive individuals. We can’t wait to see what this year’s group will create.
