SHOW RESPECT!

...WHY?

SHOW RESPECT... WHY?

In developing this show, time was spent with the senior students asking them what they considered were the hot topics around respect. Not surprisingly they had an extensive list given the events of the past few years. More than we could fit in one show. The final performances were based on the issues the children felt passionate about, and ones we were able to shape into musical performances suitable for children between the ages of 5 &12.

Now schools strive to be apolitical, however, events of the past few years have led to some confronting and challenging conversations in the classroom as children openly questioned the things they saw on TV, and experienced firsthand during this period;

• Political upheaval: Ukraine war, Black lives matter movement, climate wars, gender issues & gay marriage, lockdown wars and vaccine wars, political extremism in the US and elsewhere.
• Climate change: the floods after the fires, plastic islands in the Pacific... and why these things are happening now.
• Pandemic: life under lockdown. And why toilet rolls were a thing...?! The children were very aware of what adults would say about them if they were caught fighting and pulling hair in a supermarket over some trivial item...

Our children watched the adult world respond to these issues - often in very polarised and divisive ways. During this time they arguably saw us at our best, and our worst. The lesson they derived from these experiences? A little respect for others can go a long way, particularly in challenging times.

TEACHERS FASHION PARADE (...WHOOPS!)

We realized after the show on Monday we had omitted the teacher's fashion parade from the program, and the verbal introduction to the parade explaining what that part of the show was all about. Here is Desiree's intro that we should have announced before the teacher's parade...

'In Respect for the Environment, our fashion parade illustrates how wonderfully glamorous and stylish one can look for just a few dollars. See the staff strut their stuff in pre-loved outfits found in wardrobes, or purchased from Op shops. These treasures have been loved and worn for generations, so you can help care for our environment when you reduce, reuse and recycle - let the fashion parade begin!'

AND LASTLY...

• Did you know several of the musical items performed on the Marimbas were composed by the children themselves?
• In the coming weeks, we will have a DVD of the 2022 concert ready for sale.
• We hope you enjoyed the show and thank you to the many, many parents who contributed their support in ways big and small.

RUNNING SHEET FOR SHOW RESPECT 2022

We'll be ready to do it all again in 2024!