New creative arts programme for KwaDukuza schools
Peter Court has been breathing new creative life into the schools, helping to build confidence with teachers and impart life skills into pupils.
Actor, dancer, director, writer, teacher and puppet master Peter Court dreams of more hours in his day as he rehearses for his role in KickstArt’s year-end family panto, Sleeping Beauty, while at the same time overseeing the creative arts programme for five schools in KwaDukuza.
“The creative arts make creative thinkers; it teaches us to think, listen and co-operate.
“It teaches young people to wrestle with problems and develop problem solving skills and the solutions to the challenges they face now and in the future.
“It can be applied to so many other areas of our lives and work,” said Court.
Court is the newly-appointed creative arts implementation partner for the five schools in KwaDukuza under the wing of MRP Foundation: Aldinville Senior Primary School, Kearsney Primary School, Nyakana Combined Primary School, Zilungisele Primary School and St Christopher’s Primary School.
With his years of worldwide theatre experience and invaluable teaching skills he’s been breathing new creative life into the schools, helping to build confidence with teachers and impart life skills into pupils.
Court is also in rehearsal for KickstArt’s much anticipated contribution to the festive season, the traditional sumptuous family pantomime, Sleeping Beauty, which comes to the Elizabeth Sneddon theatre on UKZN campus from December 2 until January 8.
The actor, dancer, director, writer, teacher and puppet master has won many Durban Theatre Awards for various productions, including the prestigious Fleur De Cape Theatre Award.
However, one of his greatest achievements is hearing how much his past pupils enjoyed his drama lessons, something he hopes to see happen in the MRP Foundation Schools.
“My biggest hurdle as a child was my dyslexia.
“I always find it ironic that I continually return to the education sector when as a child, I couldn’t wait to get out of school.
“I vowed that if I ever went back into schools it would be to make learning and education fun and that’s my greatest challenge!”
The theatre master is in charge of overseeing the creative arts branch of the holistic education model to stimulate greater learner and educator development.
Court has been developing and implementing a new school arts curriculum for Grades R-9.
His role will also be vital in transferring his years of expertise to teachers, assisting them to deepen their visual and performing arts skills so that this knowledge can filter down to the students.
“Over the next year we are planning workshops and training sessions for teachers to work with some of the top creative arts people and gain valuable experience, insights and motivation to be more creative.”
His drama initiatives are already shining through in the MRP Foundation annual school plays, where pupils have been performing their hearts out in their original productions.
Written, performed and organised by the children themselves with the help of a few teachers, the plays are a testament to the pupils’ incredible talents and enthusiasm.
And with the added guidance from Court, drama will continue to thrive in the MRP Foundation Schools.
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not a sms) with your name and surname to 061 718 4438.
Please read our WhatsApp broadcast list disclaimer.
Join us on BBM at 59015786
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.
Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.
