CQUniversity partners with the Daniel Morcombe Foundation to bring this award-winning show annually to Year 2 classes in primary schools. Created as a collaboration between staff and students of the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) at CQUniversity and the Mackay Crime Prevention Unit of the Queensland Police Service, the Safety Circus is an upbeat children's musical that addresses
important safety messages for young children. Written by Hannah Barn with music by Dr Judith Brown, the Safety Circus gives children strategies on how to deal with bullying and bystander behavior, riding safely on non motorised vehicles (bicycles, scooters and skateboards) and protective behaviors (that is knowing your safety network, and listening to your bodies early warning signs). The performance is aimed at grade three's and tours annually to primary schools throughout the Mackay region in North Queensland. The Safety Circus won the 2013 CQUniversity Opal Award for Engaged Learning and Teaching and is sponsored in 2014 by the Mackay Regional Council Active Towns Project. An integral part of the Safety Circus is the work undertaken by the Mackay Crime prevention Unit of the Queensland Police Service, supported by volunteers in policing, PCYC, and the members of the Safety Circus advisory committee. The cast and crew volunteer their time to make sure the production can be delivered, free of charge, to as many schools as they can reach. SYNOPSIS:
The show follows the protagonist Jessie, a curious eight year old as she becomes part of her book 'at the circus'. In the excitement of the Circus she looses her mum and thus the story takes flight. She meets Buddy, a nine year old clown struggling with how to deal with his bullies Buster and Bozo. Sam the Ringmaster helps Jessie to sing a song about helmet safety and how to ride your bike safely on the roads (Be like a car). Sam the Ringmaster and Monty the Magician introduce a local Police officer (played by DCPC Sergeant Nigel Dalton) who let's them know all about their Safety networks. Of course Sam knows a song, and thus the children help Buddy and Jessie to remember all of the trusted adults that can help them. The pair then travel to see Lola the acrobat who lets us know that listening to our bodies is very important. She also let's us know about bullying and bystander behavior-that is, you can try to distract those people that are picking on your friends, that way the focus is taken away from the person they are teasing. Buddy then (with some help from Jessie) stands up to Buster and Bozo, and the two hooligans learn that wearing your helmet is definitely the right thing to do. Left to find Ringmaster Sam on her own, Jessie runs into Monty the Magician who has a new magic trick he wants to show her. Jessie remembers Lola's advice, and listens to the butterflies in her tummy which remind her that she should stick to her plan and go straight to Ringmaster Sam. She tells Monty no and turns the page to find Sam. Ringmaster Sam and Jessie remember all of the important messages learnt while at the Safety Circus, and soon it is time for Jessie to turn the last page of her book and go home to her mum. Of course, the team have to come together for one last song, before Jessie says goodbye to all her new friends and makes it home to tell her mum all about her adventure.
