The Underlibrary of Unofficial Histories Interactive Experience

NORPA in partnership with the Catholic Schools Office are providing primary students with an immersive and interactive research project called 'The Underlibrary of Unofficial Histories'. This Good News Story focuses on St James' Primary, Yamba and St Joseph's Primary, Maclean.

An atmosphere of mystery hung over St James’, Yamba and St Joseph’s, Maclean as postcards and artifacts arrived at the schools addressed to Zelda from her brother Albus.

The Catholic Schools Office and Northern Rivers Performing Arts (NORPA) are collaborating to offer Stage 2 students the opportunity to engage in a part immersive theatre, part game and part interactive research project.

The new innovative project provides a theatrical lens that enables teachers and students to engage deeply within the Stage 2 History syllabus.

Unexpectedly Zelda arrives at the schools and asks students to help her solve a number of puzzles to gather clues that will help her rescue her brother and restart history.

Each activity is designed to ignite the imagination and develop group problem-solving skills, inviting students to reflect on the nature of history, exploring causality and perspective, as well as asking who decides which stories are told and which voices go silent.

St James’ Primary School, Yamba teacher Martin Dougherty, stated that 'It has been a mind-blowing experience for the kids. They’ve been amazed by everything that’s been happening.'

Deborah Mullins, Leader of Learning St Joseph’s Primary, Maclean described the event as, 'an experience of a lifetime for the students'. Students were left wanting to know more about the adventures of Zelda and Albus.

The Underlibrary of Unofficial Histories will be touring the primary schools in the Diocese in the future.

You can watch the NORPA visit to St Joseph’s Primary and St James’ here.