Wakakirri Prize

The Wakakirri Prize

The Wakakirri Prize for Positive Impact is the ultimate award for a school to receive.

The prize is to acknowledge the efforts of the school to have created the most positive impact on the world around us. Schools are judged on how they have used their entry to spread awareness within their local and global communities. We also look at how students have put their message into practice within their school. You can be entering any Wakakirri competition/s to be eligible for the Wakakirri Prize.

The 2011 Winner: Saint Matthews Primary School Page (ACT)

Inspired by the Soweto Gospel Choir, Saint Matthews PS have learn about Nkosi’s Haven, a charity founded by a 12 year old boy living in Africa whose family life has been affected by HIV/AIDS. The school have embarked on many fundraising projects for this organisation. Their story is about the life of Nelson Mandela, a man opposed to unjustness in this world, and they hope to get the story to him. Click here to view more about the school’s efforts.

Wakakirri Prize 2011 shortlisted schools

Armadale Primary School (WA)
Belmore South Public School (NSW)
Clovelly Park Primary School (SA)
Glenview State School (QLD)
Holy Family School, Indooroopilly (QLD)
St Joseph’s Primary School, Finley (NSW)
Saint Matthews Primary School, Page (ACT)
St Patrick’s Catholic School, Bundaberg (QLD)
Sunshine Heights Primary School (VIC)
Wanniassa School Junior Campus (ACT)

Click on the links above to view the online profiles of the shortlisted schools (those without links have not yet uploaded their online profiles).

Wakakirri Prize Result History

2010 Winner – Lysterfield Primary School

Through Story-Arts works, Lysterfield Primary School embraced some important world issues, most notably the effects of palm oil farming on the environment. To educate everyone about this problem, the students presented their piece at assembly, made up posters to display around school, and wrote articles for their school newsletters. As a result, students began checking the labels on all the products in their lunchbox and in the kitchen to identify which products they should avoid. Lysterfield PS identified a specific problem and worked at practical solutions as to how everyone could help make a difference.

‘It’s just amazing how passionate the students have become with each of their issues and how important they are to them. it is something that is hard to transcribe and place into words…their passion just energises you and places a smile on your face when you hear them speak about their topic”

2009 Joint Winner – St Brigid’s Primary School, Gwynneville

St Brigid’s produced a Story-Dance focusing on the issue of homelessness in young people and the agencies available to help kids at risk. As part of their process, the students raised money for various local charities and hit local newspaper and radio stations to get their message out loud and clear. Children rescued by Youth Off the Streets were invited to attend a dress rehearsal which left many of them in tears. St Brigid’s were aided by strong community support and driven by a desire to affect positive change. St Brigid’s would like every young Australian to know that they are never alone.

2009 Joint Winner – Blackall State School

A student from Blackall State School had never heard of local war hero, Edgar Thomas Towner. This led to Blackall erecting a statue in tribute to the man on ANZAC day of this year. To coincide with the unveiling of the statue, Blackall State School presented the story of Mr Towner to the wider community through Story-Dance, Story-Telling and Story-Writing formats. Coordinator Alison Marks noted how involvement in these Wakakirri items really helped the students understand the story they were portraying: “You could see a change in them – they understood that this man went to the same school as them, sat in the same classroom and played on the same oval.” Teachers wanted the students to understand the nature of heroism and sacrifice. One thing is for sure, they now all know who Edgar Thomas Towner was.