Federal Minister of Education, the Hon. Jason Clare MP joins Camp Quality Puppets at Merrylands Public School for a Cancer Education Program show
Camp Quality’s new puppets revealed!
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Meet the new Camp Quality Puppets!
Camp Quality revealed the exciting expansion of our much-loved Puppet Programs to an audience of school groups, Camp Quality families and supporters, at Federation Square.
Three new, brightly coloured puppets, created by leading puppetry designers, A Blanck Canvas Pty Ltd will join the Camp Quality team. Not only did A Blanck Canvas develop the characters to be more contemporary and engaging, but they are also easily-santisable for safer contact with immune-compromised children. The relaunch includes new characters Ariel, Tom and Coach Grimble. It also includes refreshed versions of the original Camp Quality puppets, Kylie, Dean and Mel.
The redeveloped Cancer Education Program focuses on inclusivity and telling the broader cancer story, including how to support someone who is facing their own cancer diagnosis, or that of a parent, carer or loved one.
Check out all the fun at the launch!
Camp Quality mum Simone Clements took to the stage to share how much the Cancer Education Program has helped her son Hayden on his own cancer journey. Simone says,
“The children within the school community would often ask what was wrong with Hayden, why he wore a beanie, why he looked so sick, what happened to his body, why he was in a wheelchair, they were curious and concerned.
One of the roles of the puppets is to educate the community on what cancer is and debunk some preconceived ideas about cancer. The puppets do this in a relatable and comedic, age-appropriate way so the children and staff all understand more about the cancer journey. The puppets greatly assist the family by answering tricky questions, so the family doesn’t have to. Our family is forever grateful to Camp Quality and the highly skilled puppeteers.”
The Clements family with the new Puppets, Camp Quality staff, board members and Alexandra White from the Gandel Foundation
Camp Quality CEO, Deborah Thomas, says the redevelopment is a major milestone for the charity.
“Our Cancer Education Program has helped thousands of children facing cancer over many years and is proven to reduce bullying, days absent from school and the need for mental health support services for kids and families impacted by cancer.
“Cancer doesn’t discriminate so we wanted to ensure our new puppets were inclusive and that children everywhere could relate to them.”
About the Cancer Education Program
Camp Quality’s free Cancer Education Program has been visiting primary and preschools around Australia since 1989, delivering cancer education that dispels myths to over 5 million children. Independent assessment by KPMG shows that performances by the Camp Quality Puppets decrease bullying, absenteeism, and mental health issues and provide a social return on investment of $5 for every dollar spent on the program. (KPMG 2020).
The new live performances have been developed in consultation with subject matter experts. Newly developed Teacher Resource Packs are aligned to curriculums and provide further learning on the social and emotional impacts of cancer.
