By Russell Bennett
The students involved in the John Henry Primary School aerobics team are not only prodigiously talented in their craft, they also have nerves of steel.
They’re used to performing in front of large crowds – including their peers – and panels of judges, but in August they’ll take that to a whole new level as ‘The Flames’ (made up largely of Grade 3 students) head to the Gold Coast to perform at the nationals.
The Pakenham-based primary school had two teams make it through to the state championships, where they finished second and third in their section. The first and second placed teams were invited through to the Australian championships in Queensland, meaning The Flames had booked their spot.
John Henry Primary School principal Tanya Roberts is an integral part of its aerobics program, along with Alice Robjant and Charli Andrew. They can’t wait for their students to again get the chance to show what they can do on the big stage.
“We just asked who wanted to try out for John Henry Aerobics,” Tanya said of the team’s beginnings.
“Anyone could try out across those year levels (Grade 3 and 4). We only started with two teams. Being a new school, we knew Alice and I had time in it so we knew at that point the two of us could commit the time.”
Tanya explained that Charli had done a power of work in setting the group up initially, being a dance teacher and being involved in the performing arts.
“I suspect next year when we put it out, there could be more (students involved) so it’ll be us trying to talk some of the other staff into coming on board too,” she said.
“The great thing is, this gives the students so many levels of fitness.
“Although the routine goes for two minutes and 10 seconds, it’s full-on.”
Tanya estimated that when the students competed in the state championships, it could have been in front of more than 1000 people.
“It was at the arena in Geelong where the Supercats play, so it was big,” she said.
“You’re just there on a stage, and it’s on the basketball court with the stage built in it so you’re not hidden behind curtains.
“When you come out you can see people watching you, and you can see the panel of 15 judges sitting in front of you. It takes a fair bit of courage.”
Tanya said that with John Henry Primary now having 680 students, when the aerobics teams performs in front of their school mates, that’s a big crowd in itself.
“It’s all about teamwork,” she said.
“It’s the teamwork of understanding this isn’t an individual game and when I jump I have to jump in time with everyone else.
“The improvement from when we competed in the prelims to qualify for the state titles, compared to the state titles – you wouldn’t even think they were the same group of kids.
“These guys have practiced really hard. Before the state championships they practiced every day for an hour – they were here at 8am before school.”
But the journey to Queensland to compete later this year is an expensive one, and the students involved have undertaken some of their own fundraising activities to help cover the cost.
Incredibly, a range of local organisations have also donated to their cause because they know just what a great opportunity this is for them.
One of the participants, Arwen, said it perfectly when she said she loves being part of such a special group, one that she can enjoy sharing this experience with.
