Teaching with a difference

By Mathias Huckert 25 June 2016, 12:00AM

Movies do not always have to be limited to the purpose of entertainment only. 

They can be fun and educating at the same time. With this appeal in mind, the Australian High Commission invited more than 200 students out of the area to visit Apollo Cinemas yesterday.

The movie was an adaptation of Colin Thiele’s famous Australian children’s book “Storm Boy” from 1976. The film’s plot involves an abandoned young Australian boy nicknamed Storm Boy, who is living along the southern coastline of the continent with his freewheeling father. 

At the behest of an aging aborigine, Storm Boy takes care of an uncared-for nest of pelicans and is therefore able to form two very special friendships.

The motion picture has won several international prizes, including the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Film in 1977.

Before the screening took place at Apollo Cinemas, where the students already had been waiting to finally watch the movie, Australia’s High Commissioner Sue Langford explained to them what they were about to see on this special excursion that turned out to be welcome change of their everyday school routine.

“It is a beautiful film which stresses on the importance of friendship in life,” she said. 

“But it also delivers a message about certain values such as looking after the environment and also the importance of education itself. We’re very pleased to be able to show it to the 200 students here today.”

According to the High Commissioner, this was not the first time “Storm Boy” was watched by Samoan students. 

“The film has also been shown in several schools around Savai’i and Upolu, with an overall number of 2000 students who have been able to watch this beautiful film in courtesy of the Australian high commission,” Ms. Langford explained to the Weekend Observer.

As she stated, the films value for Samoan students is also composed of the fact that they “have the chance to see things they would normally not have the opportunity to witness”, such as Southern parts of Australia or the aboriginal culture.

One of the schools that had the chance to watch “Storm Boy” was Loto Taumafai for people with Disabilities. 

The school that had surprised three different senior classes with a visit at Apollo Cinemas was greatly pleased of the opportunity provided by both, the High Commission as well as the theatre.

 “Our students are really excited to see the film here and we really want to express our gratitude for that,” said Kinasina Wilson, one of their teachers, before the start of the screening.

By Mathias Huckert 25 June 2016, 12:00AM

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