What Principals Are Saying

‘The feedback from the students was “This was awesome and so much fun!” I was impressed at how actively involved all the students were, and how each and every one of them had a part to play involving all parts of drama. Some of out quieter students were out there exercising their new-found talents. Come again, Greg. You worked magic!’   
Joy Baker, Principal/Runanga School

‘It was great to see the creativity, enthusiasm and confidence with which the students responded to Greg’s quietly encouraging modelling. In just two days the students went from relative strangers to confidently providing an entertaining performance that had the littlies rolling round the floor.’
Dave Waugh, Schools Co-ordinator/WestREAP

More of What Principals Are Saying

‘Thank you Greg, from the students of Westmount School Kaiata for the opportunity to participate in your poetry reading and presentation. It was great fun and a fabulous inspiration for both our own reading of poetry and for writing our own poems.’
Trish Gilbert, Principal/Westmount School

‘Greg O’Connell took four Performance poetry sessions with our Junior Syndicate children from Years 0-2. Greg was enthusiasm-plus and gave animated renditions of his own works, much to the children’s delight. We were fortunate enough to have a poem about the ‘Three Billy Goats Gruff’ written for us, which was especially exciting for the children.’
Amanda O’Sullivan, Principal/Grey Main School

What Students Are Saying

‘I learnt a lot of new and fantastic games and to “let kids lead” as Greg said. I liked the games and Greg just let us have our own room to breathe. You were prepared. You had a great sense of humour. Nothing more, nothing less.’

‘I learnt many interesting ways to perform a poem. Fantastic. I liked that you were prepared. Fun activities. Good poems. Your poems. Games. Perfect!’

‘I learnt that you must GIVE to the audience. I liked EVERYTHING. I loved every second of it. Especially the show.’

More of What Students Are Saying

‘I liked looking at different poems, choosing one and starting to come up with a performance. I enjoyed everything. I have had a lovely day. And I would like to say, Thank you very much, Greg.’

‘I learnt how to tell what I’m talented at and the process to success. I liked doing the writing and performing it. I enjoyed today very much. Thank you, Greg.’

‘I learnt that a poem doesn’t have to have rhyming words or have to have more than one line. I liked your creativity in your poetry.’

‘Greg, your poems are funny and awesome. It was great fun. Thank you.’

‘I learnt to be confident and be comfortable with being ‘gifted’. I liked acting out the poems. Thanks for showing us your skills. I really enjoyed it.’

‘I learnt about various ways of performing a poem and better self-confidence. I liked showing the ‘Mikey Crikey’ poem to the class. Very well prepared.’

‘I learnt how to present a poem really well, to a high standard. To GIVE a performance. I liked the games we played. Practising our poems with the props. Everything.’

‘I learnt that with co-operation we can achieve anything. I liked the attitude and co-operation.’

‘I learnt to speak loud and slow when performing. I liked the games and performing. Do it again. It was extremely fun. Thanks sooo much. I had loads of fun and enjoyed myself a lot.’

‘I learnt how to play Giants and Dwarfs. I liked acting out the poems. Playing the games. Other people’s acts. Everything. I have really enjoyed today.’

‘I learnt about GIVING in drama. There are two important things: 1) is to GIVE the audience excitement and 2) is to GIVE others a chance while performing or speaking. I liked the games, the performing, and watching others perform. I would like to do another poetry course like this.’

‘I learnt we don’t always need perfect structure. Don’t go into something half-hearted. I liked all the games we played. The time we had to practise. I liked that somebody made their own poem. People turned your poems into their own.’

‘I learnt to connect with the audience. I can tell it will come in handy. I liked the games and performing. It was a great experience. Another fabulous day. Thanks Greg and High Five!’

‘I learnt to improvise efficiently and quickly. I liked the games and practising our play.’

‘I gave it ten out of ten because I like acting the scenes and the games. I would like to put a poem that I wrote when I was little on your website.’

‘Ten out of ten. Thank you for teaching us about poetry. It has been an amazing experience and I hope to get chosen to go next year. It was fun and I am going to use some of the skills you taught us in this year’s drama production.’

‘Ten out of ten. I enjoyed doing drama and games and the fun time acting out poems. And I enjoyed having time and a chance to act with people from other schools. Now my confidence levels are sky high. I like the thought of having a website for children to send poems that they write and having a chance to do some art to put online. Many people that come to this workshop go home believing in themselves.’

‘Ten out of ten. The games were really fun. I liked to do the acting and learning about poetry. I liked it when you told us about how your poems got into the School Journals.’

‘Ten out of ten. I enjoyed learning new games and having performing in front of others, even though I go in ballet and violin competitions.’

‘Ten out of ten. I enjoyed it because I love acting and drama and it was fun doing it with the poems. Thanks for teaching us some new things. I look forward to next time and doing more fun stuff.’

‘Ten out of ten. Because it let’s you express yourself even more.’

‘Ten out of ten. I enjoyed performing the poems and playing the games. Thank you for teaching us about poetry and teaching us stuff we didn’t know.’

‘Thanks for your time. It was lots of fun and I hope you stay longer.’

‘I would turn the clock back and do it all again!’