Tanilba Bay Primary School has taken out the Newcastle heat of the Wakakirri Story-Dance Challenge, Australia's biggest performing arts event for primary and secondary schools.
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The school performed 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar', a fantasy based on the Eric Carle story, which features a family magically transported from its home to the land of the caterpillar through a picture frame in their bedroom.
Tanilba Bay also won the Best Adapted Story award.
"What unfolds is a story of magic, dancing and life cycles," said school principal Abigail Sawyer, who praised the work of students and item coordinators Jodie Carlson, Cath Stone and Alycia Baker.
More than 280 schools and 20,000 students across the country are performing in Wakakirri this year, with nine schools taking the stage at the Newcastle Civic Theatre on August 5.
Tanilba Bay Public, which has participated in Wakakirri since 2013, emerged winners of the primary category, and Maitland High won the secondary category.
This is the first year Tanilba Bay has nominated for the top award.
As Newcastle region's primary winner, Tanilba Bay is now in the running for Wakakirri's top national award, 'Story of the Year'.
Established in 1992, Wakakirri is an opportunity for students to share stories that express their thoughts, ideas and aspirations. This year Wakakirri's national panel of industry experts included Emma Watkins (the yellow Wiggle), Andrew McFarlane, Justine Clarke, Alex Papps, and Caroline Kaspar.
Wakakirri's Story of the Year award will be announced October 17 on Waka TV.
Schools around the country will watch the announcement live by tuning in online.