Aboriginal Angmering

Aboriginal elder, author, dancer, storyteller and artist Francis Firebrace visited St Wilfrid's's School, and according to head of creative learning Miriam Dighe "the whole school fell in love with him".

He spent time with all classes in the morning, teaching traditional dance, and in the afternoon the school's foundation, year one and two classes created art, using Francis' oil paintings as inspiration.

"We were on our hands and knees painting," said Miriam, "using fingers, cotton buds and sticks as brushes. Francis said that would be how an art class would be conducted in Australia."

The idea was to get children thinking about other cultures, and different ways of doing things,

Miriam said: "Apart from being a great artist and story teller, he is really passionate about difference and tolerance. He is an amazing humanitarian, and loves getting children thinking about how we should treat each other.

"The message to the school community was that there is no such thing as superiority, and that every one is different."

She added that the children had wholeheartedly engaged with his philosophy.

"He has such an attractive personality, and I think everyone, children and staff alike, went home feeling better about themselves and more positive than when they had arrived."

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