Many children dream of running away with the circus at one time or another, but a group of Wyndham students has been given the opportunity of turning the dream into a waking reality.
Students at Truganina South Primary School were treated to a performance by performers from the Westside Circus last Wednesday.
The performance was the beginning of what will be an extended residency program for circus performers at the school during terms two and three.
Victorian Minister for Arts, Heidi Victoria, launched the program, congratulating both the school and the circus for taking on the ambitious initiative.
“When young people become involved in the arts, powerful things can happen,” Ms Victoria said.
“The arts can foster new ways of learning and support young people in their critical thinking, in making social connections and in their personal development.
“Importantly, with extended schools residency projects, it’s not only the students who benefit. These projects provide new skills for teachers and the school community.”
The project will be known as ‘Belonging’ and will culminate in a circus performance by 225 students from years 4 to 6.
Truganina principal Mandy O’Mara said the school was gearing up to be a part of the innovative program.
“We’re excited about embarking on a multi-disciplinary project that examines our identity as Australians and the different groups we belong to.”
