Yo-yo storytelling guru brings positive messages to St Monica’s

Students at St Monica’s Primary, North Parramatta received a visit from the NED Show and Gary Garland, a storytelling yo-yo guru, on Monday 26 July.

Even though the star of the show, NED the puppet, went missing on a flight from the USA to Australia, the students from Kindergarten to Year 6 were treated to an entertaining performance by his sidekick, Gary, in NED’s absence.

NED stands for ‘Never give up, Encourage others and Do your best’ and these messages were reinforced through Gary’s engaging story-telling and clever yo-yo tricks.

‘If you want to be champions and choose to learn, these things will help you through the rest of your life,’ Gary told the students.

The aim of the program is to promote academic achievement through character education. Principal Michael Hopley said the staff brought the NED show to St Monica’s as part of their values program.

‘We see the basis of learning begins with personal confidence,’ said Michael. ‘We find kids often give up when they don’t succeed at first and this program helps to install the notion of resilience.’

As Gary performed his yo-yo tricks he had several students from the audience to help him with his program. One of the students received a hat that Gary made from balloons as well as a yo-yo with a yo-yo belt holster. After the show the students were given the opportunity to purchase their own yo-yo with a tricks sheet.

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