
Students studying Primary Education at Sydney University
Pupperoos has been busy running training workshops for teachers and childcare workers in Sydney. One highlight has been running a session for ESL teachers at the ‘ESL:The Way Forward!’ Conference in South Western Sydney. It has been great to see there is a growing interest in educators using puppets in their classrooms.
Puppets are an engaging resource, which when used effectively, can improve students’ learning outcomes. During this workshop participants were introduced to a range of puppets and how to effectively use them in their classroom teaching practice.
The workshops also catered to different interests, such as developing language learning in the early years, assisting ESL (English as a Second Language) learners, creating a dynamic literacy classroom and tips for behaviour management.

Kay Yasugi from Pupperoos during her "Puppetry for the ESL Classroom" workshop at the 'ESL:The Way Forward!' Conference in South Western Sydney
Here is what some of the participants had to say:
“Fantastic workshop- felt that I learnt so many activities and great ideas that I can now take into the classroom” - Olivia Gordon, Sydney University
“I can’t wait to implement what I’ve learned back at my [childcare] centre and share information with our other staff!” – Tracey Bartley (participated in a workshop at Blacktown Road Childcare Centre)
For more information about teacher training workshops, contact Kay at info@pupperoos.com
War Horse Puppetry Workshops in Sydney
War Horse-inspired cane puppets of a horse head and duck on wheels (puppets made by Kay Yasugi)
Kay Yasugi from Pupperoos recently ran a workshop on ‘Creating Puppets For Plays‘ as part of the War Horse Australia Learning Programme at the Sydney Lyric Theatre. The participants were mainly young adults from the National Youth Theatre Company. The workshop was a practical and hands-on session of designing and making a puppet for use in the theatre. It was based on techniques employed by Handspring Puppet Company (the genius behind the puppetry in War Horse) including working with cane and paper. Over 2 hours, the group produced a variety of wonderfully inventive puppets including a snake, emu, walking boots and even the Grim Reaper! Kay is very much looking forward to running more workshops and seeing what other puppet characters emerge!
The workshop was part of a two day professional development masterclass, which also included a ‘Writing for the Stage‘ workshop (learning specific techniques required when creating an imaginative piece of writing for theatre) and ‘National Theatre Puppetry‘ workshop (exploring puppetry performance techniques used in the show and devising their own improvised scenes). The sessions were inspired by a specially commissioned monologue written by celebrated children’s author Morris Gleitzman called ‘Loyal Creatures’, which gives unique insight into how Australian soldiers and horses were involved in World War One.
War Horse is currently showing in Sydney until 30th June 2013. For more information about the show, ticket bookings and to download educational resources, please visit http://warhorseonstage.com/
If your school is interested in booking an education workshop for the War Horse Australia Learning Programme, please contact Holly Limpkin at Global Creatures at holly.limpkin@global-creatures.com