Puppet Programs for Primary Schools
Wellbeing-Focused | Curriculum-Aligned | Queensland
Puppets with Purpose – School Incursion Program
Puppets with Purpose is a school incursion program delivered by Starlet Creative Industries, in partnership with Artbook. The program is designed to support student wellbeing and health through storytelling and puppetry. It also meets outcomes within the Australian Curriculum: The Arts (Version 9).
Programs are tailored to individual school needs. They consider year levels and curriculum priorities. These programs are delivered on site in Queensland primary schools.
Program Overview
Each Puppets with Purpose incursion follows a clear, engaging learning sequence that supports both Health and Wellbeing and Arts learning.
1. Themed Puppet Show
Each program begins with a live puppet performance, with the theme developed in consultation with the school. Stories are intentionally designed to support Health and Wellbeing curriculum priorities, using age-appropriate, engaging and safe storytelling.
Common wellbeing themes include:
- Emotions and self-regulation
- Empathy, kindness and relationships
- Resilience and problem-solving
- Social situations and communication
Puppetry provides a powerful and accessible way for students to explore wellbeing concepts through story.
Puppetry & Drama Workshop
Following the performance, students take part in a hands-on puppetry workshop, where they learn how to become puppeteers.
Students:
- Explore role, character, relationships and situation
- Develop skills in movement, voice, focus and collaboration
- Create and share their own puppet characters and stories
This learning directly aligns with Drama Content Descriptors. It addresses Achievement Standards within The Australian Curriculum: The Arts. This supports both Making and Responding in Drama.
Multimodal Learning Experiences
All Puppets with Purpose programs are multimodal and designed to engage diverse learners through:
Tailored stories and audience interaction
Interactive technology and ICTs
Hands-on puppets and props
Songs, movement and voice
What Educators Are Saying
“Thank you so much for your program! It ties in beautifully with what we’ve been learning about emotions and relationships. I’ll be able to follow this up in the classroom!”
“Your work addresses areas of the Health Curriculum—like Friendship and Relationships—that I’ve struggled to cover on my own. This is exactly what we needed!”
“Your Incursions are so accessible. The price is very affordable. I love that every time you come back, your shows are completely different!”
Curriculum Connections
Health and Wellbeing
Puppets with Purpose supports Health and Wellbeing learning through themed storytelling. This storytelling explores emotional literacy, relationships, and social understanding. These aspects are presented in ways that are engaging and developmentally appropriate.
Drama (Primary Focus)
Puppetry is used as a creative tool for Drama learning. Students plan, rehearse, and perform. They consider their work, developing skills in characterisation, narrative, and collaboration in line with the Australian Curriculum: Drama (Version 9).
Visual Arts (Optional Extension)
Schools may choose to include a sock puppet making workshop, linking to Visual Arts learning. Students explore:
- Materials, techniques and processes
- Visual design and character features
- Making and responding to artworks
Puppets with Purpose is delivered by Marianne Buchanan. She is an art educator, puppeteer, and drama practitioner. She is also the founder of Starlet Creative Industries. Programs are inclusive, engaging and intentionally designed to support student wellbeing while meeting curriculum outcomes.
Flexible Pricing for Schools and Organisations
- All-day packages start at $500 plus $2.00 per student (additional costs may incur due to travel and GST). This includes hour-long sessions tailored for each class level.
- Half day packages start at $300 plus $2.00 per student.
Organisations:
- Hourly sessions for $350.
Whether your school is well-funded or faces financial challenges, we strive to make our programs accessible through donations and sponsorships. Our mission is to make every child feel valued, understood, and confident.
Thank you for your response. ✨
TO BOOK AN INCURSION FOR YOUR SCHOOL CONTACT: director@starletcreativeindustries.org
Starlet Creative Industries 