Australian popstar pays visit to Leopold Primary School

LEOPOLD Primary School won the opportunity of a lifetime after receiving a visit from Australian singing sensation Jessica Mauboy.

The pop icon visited the students on Monday December 1, 2020 over video link in recognition of their fundraising efforts for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.

Grade 2 teacher and book swap coordinator, Robyn Garnham has supported the foundation for over 14 years bringing the program to her last two schools.

“A friend teaching in remote Northern Territory was telling me there was no resources for the kids, so I looked into the foundation and got involved,” she said.

Since 2011, Leopold Primary School have raised $6525 for the Foundation through initiatives like book swap, dress up days and face painting with permission of traditional landowners.

Ms Garnham learnt a week prior to the visit that the success of the schools’ recent book swap won them the opportunity to meet Ms Mauboy.

The 2020 Great Book Swap marks the tenth anniversary of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation’s initiative, which aims to raise funds and literacy levels across remote communities.

The idea of swapping a book in exchange for a gold coin donation is an “exciting” way to get kids reading, while helping the Foundation reach its goal of donating 35,000 new books to children in need.

Complying with COVID safety measures, Leopold Primary students were split into hubs where they could engage with Ms Mauboy as she answered questions, sang and read to the children.

Ms Mauboy read to the students in a combination of Tiwi, Mangarryai and English before performing the Barramundi song.

“She was great with the kids, very engaging and got them all involved,” Ms Garnham said.

“Even the older kids were incredibly excited.”

The primary school’s 21 “Koori Kids” were given the opportunity to ask the brand ambassador questions while Indigenous student Shelby Jacupek performed a traditional dance.

“It was a little treat for the kids after the year we have had,” Ms Garnham said.