PEARCEDALE Primary School knows how to tell a story.
More than 100 Pearcedale students won gold at the Palais Theatre, when their story on the effects of palm oil won over judges at this year’s Wakakirri Dance Impression competition.
The national story-sharing arts festival will conclude for the Pearcedale students when they perform on behalf of Victoria at the state finals in October.
A very proud principal Simon Anderson said the state win was a “great team success”.
“We were voted best story in Victoria, altogether there were 10 items on the night,” Mr Anderson said.
“Grades 5 and 6 students dressed as orangutans, trees, developers and wildlife advocates to tell their story.
“It went for seven minutes, it’s very impressive and tells how the devastating use of palm oil – because of its cheap price – is impacting animals by the destruction of trees,” Mr Anderson said.
The storytelling event run by not-for-profit Wakakirri Story-Dance Association Incorporated prides itself on using the “oldest form of learning” – storytelling – to help develop students’ educational outcomes, lifestyle choices and community awareness.
The story dance festival also helps to promote participation in Wakakirri programs by Indigenous Australian students.
Pearcedale primary students will perform their story once more judges on Thursday 20 October.
