Meeting Schools Where They’re at: How Wakakirri’s Beginners Program is Helping Time Poor Teachers

When the team behind Wakakirri, Australia’s national Story-Dance festival, began consulting with schools in recent years, one message came through clearly: teachers love Wakakirri, but time and resources are limited.

In response, Wakakirri developed the Free Beginners Program, a structured 12-week introduction to creating a story-dance designed to make Wakakirri achievable for every school. The goal was to remove barriers - not add to them - and help teachers bring arts-based learning into their classrooms without extra workload or cost.

Designed for Busy Teachers
The Beginners Program includes everything a school needs including story scripts, music, choreography videos all aligned with curriculum outcomes. It’s flexible enough to be adapted to different year levels, student numbers and experience levels, allowing schools to participate in Wakakirri even if they don’t have a performing arts specialist.

Wakakirri’s Festival Director Adam Loxley says the program was built in response to what schools said they needed most. “Teachers told us they wanted a creative program that was simple, structured, and achievable within their timetable. The Beginners Program came directly from that feedback.”

Teachers have since praised the program’s clear structure and accessibility, noting that it helps re-engage students, strengthen teamwork, and build confidence. Optional supports such as the Artist in Residence (AIR) mentoring program and online workshops are also available for schools seeking extra guidance.

A New Theme for 2026: Guardians of Us
Each year, Wakakirri selects a theme to inspire schools’ storytelling.  For 2026, the theme ‘Guardians of Us’ celebrates those who protect, uplift, and stand up for others - the everyday heroes who help create fair, caring, and connected communities.

The theme invites students to explore empathy, equity, and the power of kindness through story and movement. To support this, the Beginners Program will feature two new stories based on ‘Guardians of Us,’ offering teachers ready-made material to explore these ideas in age-appropriate, creative ways.

Positive Impacts on Engagement and Wellbeing
Teacher feedback continues to drive Wakakirri’s positive impact on student engagement and wellbeing. Schools report that the collaborative, performance-based learning approach builds social connection, focus, and resilience.

One participating teacher noted, "The transferable skills that students gain from being a part of this event are immense. We have seen very shy students unsure about being on stage, build confidence and self-assurance to the point that they have relished the opportunity to perform under lights! Wakakirri definitely fosters teamwork, creativity, student engagement and a strong sense of community.”

By designing a model that listens to teachers and fits within real classroom constraints, Wakakirri is demonstrating how arts education can be both achievable and deeply impactful.

Registrations for Wakakirri 2026 are now open.

Contact Us
For inquiries, call Wakakirri at 02 9669 3777 or visit www.wakakirri.com.