Students in years 3 and 4 at Westport Public School have put their dancing shoes on getting a masterclass from Indigenous hip hop dancer and choreographer Ngioka Bunda-Heath.
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Ms Bunda-Heath presented a series of dance classes at the school this week, teaching the extra-curricular dance group, made up of 20 girls aged between 7 and ten.
The group are in the early stages of preparing dance routines which will be performed later in the year.
“I was asked to come and teach the girls some hip hop and we have been having a great time,” Ms Bunda-Heath said.
“During the classes we have been learning about Indigenous culture and I have been trying to create an awareness of Aboriginal culture.
“They have been coming at recess and lunch to learn and everyone has been having fun.”
Dance teacher, Julia Slade, said the dance group is gearing up for Dance Fest in Term 2 and Splendour in Term 3.
“The dance group is something we have been doing for a few years but we really wanted to put a cultural focus on some of the dances,” Ms Slade said.
“We are a very inclusive school and with over 30 percent of the student cohort identifying as Aboriginal we thought it was important to bring elements of Indigenous culture into our dance.
“In the group a number of the girls identify as Aboriginal and having Ngioka here as been great.”
Students Alice Souter, Olivia Brownbill and Sierra Briggs said they have enjoyed learning from Ms Bunda-Heath.
“I have really enjoyed learning and being with Ngioka because she has taught us lots of different moves,” Alice said.
“I think the best thing I have learnt over the last week was that it is important to help our friends and to show respect,” Olivia said.
“Especially when they forget the moves, we should all work together so that everyone knows what is going on.”
“This is the first time I have learnt hip hop and it was really fun and I am glad I got to do it,” Sierra said.
Mavis Heath, Aboriginal education officer at Westport Public said the addition of bringing Ngioka to the school has been great for her as well as the students.
“Ngioka has Biripai heritage on her father’s side, so bringing her back to her country as well as being able to share her passion for dance has been wonderful,” Ms Heath said.
“She brings a different perspective for the students and being able to include some Indigenous culture in the dances the students are doing reflects our inclusive school motto.
“We are all one family and bringing the cultural element into our dance class is great."
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