Trinity College’s Imperium XIX dance group has taken major honours in the WA round of the prestigious Wakakirri, Australia’s biggest performing arts event for schools. 

The group won WA Regional Story of the Year in the secondary school challenge for its piece on Gallipoli, along with the Best Minimalist Story Award, and is now in the running for the national title. 

The judging panel said the dance was dynamic, showing both sensitivity and drama.  

“[The dance] was a moving, poignant and creative story enhanced by the use of spoken word, well–chosen soundtrack and visuals,” the panel said. 

In the primary school contest, Thornlie’s Sacred Heart Primary School was honoured with the Best World History Story Award in the division for new or less experienced schools. 

Mercy College won the Best Social/Current Affair Story Award. 

Each year, hundreds of students throughout Australia create story-dances for Wakakirri reflecting thoughts, ideas and aspirations. 

Each is a three to seven-minute performance by a group of students who theatrically tell a story using a combination of dancing, creative movement and acting to pre-recorded music. 

Students can tell any story by combining dance, acting, music, sets, props and costumes of their choice. 

Wakakirri is designed to teach students and others about themselves through a process used to develop students’ educational outcomes, lifestyle choices and community awareness, and is intended to be accessible and affordable for any school across Australia – every performance is also filmed for Wakakirri TV. 

State winners are in the running for National Story of the Year which will be announced on 17 October.  Voting for the People’s Choice Awards will open 10am Wednesday 4 September and closes at 2pm Wednesday 25 September with the results announced on the Wakakirri Website on 17 October. 

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