KOORINGAL High School’s IO class have been placed as finalists through the creation of their short film documentary ‘We can do it’.
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In its 10th year, the Focus on Ability 2018 short film awards are designed to encourage filmmakers to focus on the abilities of people with a disability.
Kooringal’s IO Class supports students from year’s 7-12 with an intellectual disability and were involved in all aspects of the film making process to showcase their involvement in school life.
The IO Class teacher, Angela Baker said this is an international competition that focuses on students’ ability and not their disability.
“When we started the process it was just about creating a film that we could be proud of and learning different film techniques, editing and going through the process,” she said.
“Now it’s turned into getting the community involved and seeing the process through, so that we can promote the film.”
Ms Baker said this was the first time the school have entered this competition and estimated the class have spent a total of three to four weeks from the beginning to the end to create their short film.
The Aboriginal learning support officer at Kooringal High School, Wes Boney, helped the class with the editing of the film and said he enjoyed working closely with the students to create their “masterpiece”.
“I think for me, definitely working with the students and seeing for myself that these guys can do it and their proving to me and the world that they can do anything,” Mr Boney said.
Year 12 student, Ben McGill said he enjoyed making the film along with his peers.
“It’s taught me that no matter what my disability is, I can do anything that I can set my mind to,” he said.
Kooringal High School’s principal, Norman Meader, said this competition recgonises the “achievement” of these students.
“I think it’s an opportunity for the students to exercise their creativity and definitely to have their own personal messages put across to the school community and also the broader community,” Mr Meader said.
Close to 300 entries from 26 countries world wide have entered into this year’s Focus on Ability competition.
The creator of Focus on Ability, Martin Wren, said this competition changes attitudes about people with a disability.
“FOA gives us a fantastic insight into how society’s attitudes are changing towards people with a disability,” he said.
“This is important because it’s the first step towards an inclusive society.”
Kooringal high school is encouraging the Wagga community to get behind their film by voting, which concludes next Tuesday 3, July.
