Storyteller Dan Yashinsky

Over the last 2 weeks storyteller Dan Yashinsky visited with all of our students and staff, as well as meeting with some parents.
Dan introduced us to the wonderful tradition of the talking stick. Many cultures use items such as a stick or a feather as part of their storytelling traditions.Dan's own talking stick is decorated with many interesting artefacts collected as he has travelled and told stories. Many of our classes will be making their own talking sticks by adding small items each student has contributed, and will use them during their own storytelling.


Dan told engaging stories from his own family history and well as folk tales and riddles which he encouraged students to solve. Everyone clearly enjoyed every moment of his presentations judging by the buzz around the school which is still going round this week!

Sharing Stories
Some of our staff and students also shared stories about their own families.
Here are some thoughts shared by staff and students following Dan’s visit.

Mr. Carrigan told a beautiful story about his Grandmother,” I thought it was a wonderful experience from my point of view… that story was something that effected me throughout all my life, how my grandmother came up with the money to help my Mother to buy me something I really wanted. I always remember my Grandmother for that as she had so little money herself so it was a very emotional experience to talk about it and it felt wonderful to share it with the children.
”Pia from grade one both told a story and said afterwards, “it was kind of fun, I liked telling the story”.
Jackie in Senior Kindergarten was asked what she liked about storytelling,
”We have the ability to share and write it down. I like to write stories.”

We are now well on the way with our Telling Bee and we are all looking forward to sharing many family stories over the next few weeks!