Bullying explored through storytelling

Centre is Tabatha (Ringmaster), around her from left to right, Quin (Press), Sarah (Sad Clown), Cass (Happy Clown), Mary (Lion), Charlie (Lion Tamer), Tynesha (Bearded Lady) and Cai Qehry (Hunchback). 142427_01 Pictures: ROB CAREW

By PETER DOUGLAS

MOUNT Dandenong Primary School students are exploring the theme of bullying through their upcoming Wakakirri performance, ‘Cirque Du Brute’.
For this year’s Wakakirri, a national story-sharing festival for primary schools, 80 students from Grades 1 to 5 will sharpen their performance skills.
Wakakirri co-ordinator, Cheryl Sinclair, from the school, said it was an enjoyable event for the students, but there were some vital lessons to be learned.
“The theme for our story is ‘life is a circus’,” she said.
“We are all different and we all live together, but there are some among us who are cowardly and cruel.
“They are the bullies of the world, the clowns who ridicule others.”
The Wakakirri festival was started in the belief a great story can change the way people think about the world.
Each year, hundreds of school across Australia create story-dances for the popular event.