Storyfest

On Friday the children in Year 5 presented their stories with messages about moral values to classes in the school. In the afternoon some children presented their stories as part of the Soryfest Ritual with Christine Carlton and the children from Years 3-6. This day was a wonderful culmination to the Religious Education unit the children have been studying, "The Parables of Jesus."

In preparation for the Storyfest the Year 5 children and their teachers had met with Christine Carlton last term and learnt some of the effective ways of telling story. This included use of parables, fables, folktales and modern picture books. They were encouraged to read a selection of stories before choosing the one they wanted to deliver, then make a story map then a short sequence of writing to help them learn it. Today children do not often learn things "off by heart" and it is very difficult to retell a story that is not your own especially in front of an audience. The children did a marvellous job and were able to acquit themselves very well, surprising many, including themselves. They also engaged the other children not only in story but in values education by telling them the message of each story.

To support the Year 5 children the other children in the school came dressed as book characters. Congratulations to Year 5, their teachers and parents, the other children in the school and Christine Carlton and the CEO for making us part of this endeavour.