Polyglot was selected to take part in the Catholic Education Office’s Wellbeing Program, working with staff and students from Sacred Heart Primary School in Preston and Resurrection School in Keysborough, Victoria.  Our projects have been coordinated by our Artlink Manager Mandy Field and led by our artists Sarah Kriegler and Mischa Long.

Working throughout terms two and three, our artists have worked with students in visual design and puppetry techniques, forming the base of a performance outcome for parents and the local community.

Sacred Heart School, Preston

Sacred Heart were interested in exploring themes around the urban and the natural, drawing on parallels and differences to expand on students' understanding of both their environments.  The focus became the idea of a concrete jungle.

Polyglot's artist Sarah Kriegler first began working with years three to six, exploring shadow puppetry, story building and developing performance concepts.  The younger students then developed the animals that might live in a concrete jungle...

‘Colourful, messy, noisy, super busy and fun best describes the residency at Sacred Heart Primary.  Kids from prep to year six are exploring various different types of puppets from traditional shadow puppets to large animal puppets and even wearable puppets (Preps dressed as enormous flowers, can you get more fabulous?!).  As the school doesn't have an art teacher, the kids have really enjoyed the making process, especially when it comes to using paint.  A lot has gone on the floor, some over our clothes but mostly onto puppet creations.’ Artist/ Director Sarah Kriegler

A community showing will take place 10 September 2009 at Sacred Heart Primary School. 

Resurrection School, Keysborough
 

Staff at Resurrection School were very excited about engaging the senior students in a project that would support the transition from primary to secondary school.  ‘The Me That I Will Become’ was a theme being explored in curriculum. 

Mischa Long developed puppetry workshops using recycled materials and explored ideas around the theme.  Discussions expanded to changes in technology and solving the world's problems, with the students coming up with some really optimistic ideas.

The children interviewed their parents over the holidays, about their childhood dreams and experiences.  Polyglot's artist Jacob Williams then spent two weeks working with their ideas, taking the students through generative writing techniques to begin laying down the narrative structure for the final outcome.

Students designed and constructed their objects that are going to be presented in a ‘trade show’, as part of a year three to  six showcase for parents.  Some really innovative inventions have been built to combat problems such as world hunger, climate change and global ecological issues.

A school performance will take place on 17 September at Resurrection School.