Gloucester High School students will be delivered an important message about domestic violence through a theatre-in-education program performed by Tantrum Youth Arts.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
According to the latest data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), the Mid North Coast ranked in the top seven regions for recorded incidents of domestic violence across the state.
As Tantrum is committed to reducing these statistics, its extending the reach of its innovative Opening Doors program to high school students across the region, with funding support from Greater Charitable Foundation.
Tantrum will showcase its performance to GHS students on Friday June 22, as part of a tour to 20 schools across NSW over the next four months.
The program aims to educate and empower school students in years none to 12 with increased knowledge and understanding of the causes and impacts of domestic violence, and to acquaint them with the avenues of support available in their local communities.
Opening Doors is written and directed by Tantrum’s Producer, Tamara Gazzard, and has proven success in using the arts to engage and educate young people on this pervasive and concerning social issue.
“Opening Doors is structured in a unique way that consists of both live performance and an interactive discussion forum to engage students and instigate critical dialogue,” said Ms Gazzard.
“The discussion provides a platform for students to ask questions of a range of support services, including police and solicitors, and problem-solve how the fictional events in the performance can be resolved in the real world.”
Greater Charitable Foundation chief executive officer, Anne Long, emphasised the importance of the program in bringing light and understanding to real-life issues and the Foundation’s commitment to ensuring more schools are able to access this crucial learning tool.
“We are proud to support Tantrum Youth Arts and its focus on improving the life outcomes of young people in need, which is something that resonates with the core values of our foundation,” said Ms Long.
“Having previously been performed to more than 2000 students across 30 schools in the Hunter-Central Coast region, we are excited that our support has enabled more schools across a larger catchment area the chance to access the program this year.”
Following a formal application process in 2017, Gloucester High School was selected to join 18 other secondary schools across the state to participate in the program.
For further information on the program please visit www.tantrum.org.au.
