Summary

Students identified several positive changes they saw in themselves. At the beginning of the sessions with the creative practitioner, the level of commitment required was challenging. This included time out of other classrooms. However, students learnt how to plan, organise their time better, and balance production and school responsibilities. As described by the students, possibly one of the project’s greatest successes was the sense of belonging and self-value they created.

Conclusions

The “Student-led choreography” project has supported students to grow in confidence, become critical thinkers, develop a sense of belonging and build a friend group in their junior years at Papamoa College. Learning and discovery were the fundamental principles that supported outcomes for students, the creative, the school and the parents.