Dear Teachers,

Welcome. Here is the basic information re my schools work – shows, workshops and author/writer talks.

For those who don’t know me, I’m a storyteller/author/script-writer/radio broadcaster and musician. My career goes back to 1971 when I was a foundation member of the now famous Bushwackers Band. And I’ve done lots more since. (See bio and some of my past school work.)

My specialty is inspiring your students with great Australian history stories, literature and music. After forty years I’m still passionate about it, and learning all the time. I also come with many excellent recommendations.

To book, or discuss the possibilities, please email,  or phone  (0417 332 065/ 03 5470 6629).

Curriculum

  • My shows, talks and workshops are for History, English & Music in both Primary and Secondary schools. Where one show/workshop is available for both Primary and Secondary, the pitch and content varies accordingly.
  • There’s a Curriculum Overview  for current curriculums in the ACT, NSW, Victoria, and the National Curriculum.
  • If you want a presentation that combines one or more of these shows/workshops/talks, or some other theme or format, let me know, and I’ll see if I can rise to the challenge.

Shows, Talks & Workshops

  • There’s a list of shows, workshops and talks below.
  • For a full description of each, with recommendations, curriculum details, costs and notes re practical arrangements, please select the links on the right sidebar or the links below

Briefly:

  • The shows are story/music/theatre shows.
  • They last 50-60 minutes, plus questions/discussion, with a 60 minute set-up.
  • There’s lots of participation - from simple singing and playing instruments to students joining me with scripts that I send in advance. (Rehearsal before the show).
  • Workshop formats vary.
  • Author/writer talks are 50-60 minutes.

Prices

  • Theatre/music shows are $4.50/student with a minimum of $450/show.
  • Author talks begin at a standard rate of $300.
  • Workshop prices vary according to the time involved.

To book, or discuss the possibilities, please email,  or phone  (0417 332 065/ 03 5470 6629).

Thanks, and hope to hear from you!

Jan ‘Yarn’ Wositzky

 

PRIMARY

Primary History Shows

Home (is where you like to be)

In this show/workshop students write a song about their family and home.

 The Storyteller’s Guide to Australia

Songs & stories about many aspects of Australia, with various optional themes, tailored to meet your study focus.

Gold in the Heart

Music/story theatre about the 1850′s gold rush, the people who were there, and its impact on Australian society.

Buckley: The Go-between

An epic tale of the Indigenous world and colonial times, following the story of escaped convict William Buckley (1780-1856) – as in ‘You’ve got Buckley’s’.

Phar Lap, Tommy & Me  

The story of champion racehorse, Phar Lap, and his devoted strapper, Tommy Woodcock. In this piece Jan uses tapes he made with Tommy in 1984.

Lest We Forget – Hic Unutmaya Cagiz

The only show in the world which tells the Gallipoli story using Australian and Turkish literature and song.

Primary History Workshops

Wominjika: The Thank You Workshop

A black and white history workshop where students learn about early relationships between Indigenous people and British settlers, and learn a song to sing at Welcome to Country ceremonies and other school events.

Singing Australia Workshop

A workshop where groups of students learn to sing various Australian songs, as a basis for history lessons and/or for performance. 

Primary English Workshops

Jan’s Story Workshop

Jan tells and talks about our oldest and best form of communication – stories – from ancient mythology, Aboriginal tales, yarns and tall tales, poetry and much more.

Little Books, Big Songs

In this workshop Jan teams up with popular children’s author, Lee Fox (Ella Kazoo etc) for an all ’round hands-on literature tonic.

Primary Music Shows/Workshops

The Music of Australia

Folk/roots music and song from all around Australia, various styles and languages, with jan on banjo, bones, mouth organ, spoons and bodhran.

Singing Australia Workshop

A workshop where groups of students learn to sing various Australian songs, as a basis for history lessons and/or for performance. 

And…
Jan’s Family Show

All the trick in one entertaining show: world’s best violin player, traditional stick puppets, mini-plays, music, stories, mirth and fun.

SECONDARY

Secondary History Shows

The Storyteller’s Guide to Australia  

Songs & stories about many aspects of Australia, with various optional themes, tailored to meet your study focus.

Gold in the Heart

Music/story theatre about the 1850′s gold rush, the people who were there, and its impact on Australian society.

Lest We Forget - Hic Unutmaya Cagiz

The only show in the world which tells the Gallipoli story using Australian and Turkish literature and song.

Buckley: The Go-between

An epic tale of the Indigenous world and colonial times, following the story of escaped convict William Buckley (1780-1856) – as in ‘You’ve got Buckley’s’.

Phar Lap, Tommy & Me  

The story of champion racehorse, Phar Lap, and his devoted strapper, Tommy Woodcock. In this piece Jan uses tapes he made with Tommy in 1984.

Wominjika: The Thank You Workshop

A black and white history workshop where students learn about early relationships between Indigenous people and British settlers, and learn a song to sing at Welcome to Country ceremonies and other school events.

Secondary English Shows/Workshops

Jan’s Story Workshop

Jan tells and talks about our oldest and best form of communication – stories – from ancient mythology, Aboriginal tales, yarns and tall tales, poetry and much more.

Colloquial Lostralis

Performance of folk/roots Australian literature.

Jan’s Author/Writer Session                                                                                                                                                                     Inspiring and entertaining presentation based on Jan’s best-selling books, award-winning television documentaries, radio features and stage plays. 

Secondary Music Shows/Workshops

The Music of Australia

Folk/roots music and song from all around Australia, various styles and languages, with jan on banjo, bones, mouth organ, spoons and bodhran.

Links: Primary Schools Shows & Workshops

Links: Secondary Schools Shows & Workshops

Links: History Shows & Workshops

Links: English Shows & Workshops

Links: Music Shows & Workshops

And…