About Our School
An updated PDF of the 2012 Handbook will be available soon. If you would like hard copy, please email info@fruitflycircus.com.au
When it was first established in 1987, our school was known as the Acrobatic Arts Community School and operated outside the mainstream education sector. It became part of the state school system in the 1990’s.
The Flying Fruit Fly Circus School is a restricted entry Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) school that offers a broad-based curriculum with circus skills training. The School is an annexe of the Wodonga Middle Years College (WMYC) and is situated on the Felltimber Campus.
The circus is a not for profit company funded federally through the Australia Council and Department of Water Heritage and the Arts, by the NSW and Victorian governments, Albury and Wodonga councils, philanthropic agencies and sponsors.
We provide an exclusive opportunity to study and learn through artistic experiences. For the school’s vision and mission, click here.
Our school has an emphasis on providing a foundation in the fundamentals for learning, including literacy, numeracy and teamwork, participation and HOW to learn. Staff foster creativity and individuality in a guided environment with skills training is integrated seamlessly into the daily curriculum.
Instead of taking part in physical education lessons as in mainstream schools, children attend circus-skill related classes. Most sessions are conducted at the training facility with instructors who have decades of performance and training experience on a national or international level.
As children progress in the circus they might participate in touring projects. DEECD, under the auspices of Wodonga Middle Years College and the WSSC, approves and endorses these tours. Most performance companies travel with riggers, musicians, production and stage managers. We must also take teachers, chaperones and trainers to help us responsibly manage our tours.
We attract students from as far away as Darwin, Perth, Sydney and Melbourne.
“We believe children should be able to creatively cope with and adapt to change. They need to become problem solvers and learn how to take responsibility for their own learning, expressing their ideas and resourcefulness in a safe and caring environment. Our focus is helping students to understand how they learn and to apply their learning in many contexts.” Kaye Harris, school coordinator.