What began as an idea in a classroom became something much bigger on Wednesday 12 August, when our Year 4 students took to the stage at the Frankston Performing Arts Centre for this year’s Wakakirri Performing Arts Festival.
Wakakirri is a national performing arts festival that invites students to tell original stories through a unique blend of dance, drama, music and movement. More than a performance, it gives young people the opportunity to bring their ideas to life and share them with an audience.
After months of planning, creating, refining and rehearsing, our students proudly shared an original work that was entirely their own. From the story and choreography to the projections and costumes, every aspect of the production was shaped by Year 4 students’ ideas, creativity and collaboration.
Their performance followed two young seals separated during a fierce storm. Lost and alone, they were guided back to one another by a caring sea community of fish, octopuses and stingrays. Beneath the colourful costumes and movement was a powerful message: our communities can be our guardians, supporting us when we need help most.
For students, the performance represented far more than a few minutes on stage. It was the result of months of hard work, perseverance and teamwork. There was a genuine sense of pride as students watched their creation come to life under the theatre lights, knowing every scene, movement and visual element reflected their own ideas and contributions.
Adding to the celebrations, The Knox School received the Best Public Speaking Award, marking the second consecutive year our students have received this honour at Wakakirri – an outstanding accomplishment!
In the days following the performance, students have been reflecting on their experience. Again and again, they have spoken about the effort required to bring the production together, the challenges they overcame along the way, and the satisfaction of seeing their hard work rewarded on performance night.
Perhaps one of the most powerful outcomes has been the growth of students who initially approached the project with some hesitation. For several students who were not naturally drawn to dancing or performing, Wakakirri opened the door to a new appreciation of the Performing Arts, helping them discover confidence and enjoyment in unexpected places.
A special thank you to our Artist in Residence, Courtenay Ludbrook, whose expertise, encouragement and commitment to student voice helped guide the creative process from the very beginning. Through Courtenay’s support, students were empowered to take ownership of their ideas and see them transformed into a performance they could truly call their own.
We are incredibly proud of our Year 4 students. Their willingness to take creative risks, support one another, and commit to a shared vision resulted in a performance that was not only memorable, but deeply meaningful. Congratulations to every student involved on an outstanding achievement and another remarkable Wakakirri experience.
