By BEN CAMERON
EIGHT talented Beaconsfield students are hoping their short film will provide a big message about water conservation and the environment.
Beaconsfield Upper Primary School students presented a short film at the Melbourne Water Conference last week using the Kids Teaching Kids model.
Targetting a local issue – threats to the platypus population in Cardinia Creek who were released following the Ash Wednesday fires – their film, Percy Saves the Day, detailed investigate reporter Percy and his sidekick Pete who stake out areas around the creek.
“They discover different groups who are not doing the right thing for their little friends,” teacher Rhonda Clifford said.
“Fortunately, the Platypus Protection Police, with Penelope at their head, is available to help educate the perpetrators.”
The students spent three months writing the script, working on costumes and filming.
“There was a lot of learning, a lot of fun and plenty of bloopers,” she said.
Mrs Clifford said students, teachers and the Five Star Sustainable School community were passionate about the environment.
“We have worked hard to achieve our status and continue to work hard to maintain it,” she said.
The workshop also involved the students running small activities and a quiz to find out what the audience learnt.
The school also got involved in the National Tree Day where all of its 280 students got involved in planting more than 150 trees which were donated by local businesses.
