Dance, Drama & Circus are seen here as forms of physical expression that offer alternatives to competitive sport. Sport is great but we all know that competitive activities don't suit all pupils and in any case the physical expression of knowing, of exploration, of celebration is much more than that encompassed by sport. The physical is needed on a daily basis and represents for some pupils the primary form of expression - dance your mathematics, dramatise your geography, mime your poetry.  Dance and Drama offer the opportunities for re-creating, re-presenting and exploring content learned in all other lessons.

Circus work can teach high levels of skills and self-discipline but in a context when the individual competes against himself or herself.

The range of work upon which we can draw for holistic educational purposes goes from the breath-taking Circle du Soleil to the 'barefoot' circus genius of Dr Reg Bolton who sadly, I only just discovered, passed away just a few months ago. SEE http://www.circusshop.net/

Reg worked at the grassroots but also had a great critical understanding of what he was doing, and of the value of circus and what it could do for children. This he explored in his PhD which he generously shared with me.

We had twice postponed serious conversation, first because he was busy with more practical things, secondly because I was busy................

 
Photo: Nic Ellis West Australian Newspapers

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