Safety Circus delivers life-saving lessons with a smile

Hundreds of excited Year 2 students across the Isaac, Mackay and Whitsundays Regions have laughed, learned and leapt into action thanks to CQUniversity’s award-winning Safety Circus program.

Blending theatre, song and storytelling, performed by CQU Bachelor of Theatre students, the Safety Circus delivers important lessons about road safety, personal safety and bullying prevention in a fun and memorable way.

CQUniversity Acting Dean of the School of Education and the Arts Professor Judith Brown said the program had been running for more than a decade, and continued to have an enormous impact across regional Queensland communities.

“Each year, our team looks forward to bringing this show to primary school classes and helping children build confidence and awareness through interactive storytelling,” Prof Brown said.

“By making safety relatable and engaging, we ensure these lessons stay with children long after the curtain closes.”

Developed in partnership with the Queensland Police Service and supported by the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, the Safety Circus encourages children to recognise, react and report unsafe situations – the core principles of the Foundation’s child safety initiative.

“We’re proud to partner with these fantastic organisations to deliver a program that doesn’t just entertain but equips children with practical safety skills they’ll use for life,” Prof Brown said.

“From learning bike path rules and standing up to bullies, to understanding why they shouldn’t talk to strangers, we love bringing these roadshows to schools and seeing the positive impact on students.”

A session in Mackay even drew special attention, with local MP Nigel Dalton attending one of the performances. The program was also mentioned in Queensland Parliament during discussions on the passage of new child safety legislation, Daniel’s Law.

“It’s a powerful reminder that the work we’re doing in schools today contributes to a safer, happier future for children right across Queensland,” Prof Brown said.

The Safety Circus tour concluded on 14 November. To find out more about the program visit the Safety Circus Facebook page.