MORE than 400 students from eight public schools in Sunraysia performed dances and choir pieces as part of two captivating showcases at Mildura Arts Centre last night.
Participating in Pulse Sunraysia, students from kindergarten through to Year 12 have been busy all week perfecting the music and dance displays, led by a Sydney-based team from the NSW Department of Education Arts Unit.
Student access and engagement adviser Simon Kermode said it was important their tutors headed out into regions and delivered some eye-opening workshops.
“We’ve received some anecdotal information that it has improved student attendance, student wellbeing,” he said.
“We’ve got thousands of surveys from across the two programs that we ran last year that students have just had life-changing opportunities.”
“They have gone from not realising that there are opportunities to be on stage, to being able to experience that, see it, and now knowing that it’s something that’s a possibility for them.”
The Art Unit’s outreach to Sunraysia is relatively new as they first hosted a Pulse event locally, in 2023.
This year, students from Buronga Public School, Coomealla High School, Gol Gol High School, Palinyewah Public School, Wentworth Public School, Dareton Public School, Euston Public School and Pomona Public School participated in two days of dance, music and drama workshops.
Students from Year 3 to Year 12 came together to perform at the arts centre.
“They don’t have to hop on a bus for 12 hours to go do something that should be on their doorstep,” Mr Kermode said.
“We’ve been told by the local schools that one of the most valuable parts of this is the social interaction for the schools, that this is an opportunity where a huge number of their students are able to come together and work with students from other local schools.”
Dareton Public School executive principal Michael Coleman said last year’s event was a big hit, and there was plenty of excitement about it returning.
“Seeing the kids achieve, trust, grow and just have an equal opportunity was incredible,” Mr Coleman said.
