STUDENTS from three schools have been “captivated” in a week-long dance program.
The dance project aimed to increase the social and emotional wellbeing of about 330 children, while teaching them new skills in a fun and interactive way.
Cohuna Consolidated School, Koondrook Primary School and Kerang Primary School students combined for the program, funded by CluBarham.
Consolidated school teacher Michelle Howard lauded the initiative by Kira and Lizzie from Stomp Dance Company, an “innovative, fun and energetic” dance and performing arts programs for schools.
“Kira and Lizzie had the students absolutely captivated from the first moment they met them and their energy radiated through the entire school,” Ms Howard said.
“Even students who can sometimes be quite disengaged were fully engaged in the program.
“Our attendance was up considerably for the entire week, including one class who had 100 per cent attendance for the whole week – which they have not had for even a day for the entire term – which is amazing.”
Ms Howard said the students all learnt four dances throughout the week before they chose their favourite one to perform to the community at the showcase performance.
Koondrook and Kerang joined Cohuna on the Friday.
“It was a lot of work trying to co-ordinate the three schools as we had to fit in dance practice for each group as well as activities in the classrooms, but it created an amazing feel throughout the entire school,” Ms Howard said.
“It was a fantastic way to allow all of our students to socialise together, something they haven’t been able to do for quite a while.
“It also brought the community back together again too.
“Having teachers, parents and carers and all of the students from three different schools all up dancing together was just so much fun.
“The energy actually felt quite electric”
Ms Howard thanked CluBarham for fully funding the project, which cost more than $9000.
“Particularly to the chief executive Jason Wallace who believed in my vision from the very beginning and allowed it to come to life,” she said.
Ms Howard said the process of creating a dance presentation for parents and caregivers was a “fantastic” way of rebuilding relationships within the school community and provided them the opportunity to be involved in student learning through an exciting and unique program that they would not normally have access to.
“The hip hop dance programs that Stomp Dance Company deliver are designed to develop students’ fundamental movement and co-ordination skills, as well as instilling students with respect, social skills, teamwork and self-expression.
“Participants will perform basic to complex motor skills and movement patterns, and become creative and confident all while having a great time and involving the community; elements that have mostly been missing across our schools and in the community in the last two years.”
