From the Woods to the Heart – Reflections on Module One of The Creative Express 2025

marco4073
Aug 5
3 min read

By Marco A Calleja

As we journey through The Creative Express 2025 – All the World is a Stage, one thing has become beautifully clear: the magic of learning through the arts is not just powerful — it’s transformative.

With the launch of our summer programme just a few weeks behind us, we are now halfway through Module 2, which means it’s the perfect moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate the incredible teaching and learning that took place during Module 1: Forests & Woodlands.

🌳 A Forest Full of Stories, Sound & Soul

Our first module immersed students in the mystery, texture, and growth of forest life — not only as a natural environment, but as a place for metaphorical exploration.

We explored the forest as:

A sanctuary for transformation in William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, where chaos, magic, and identity unfold beneath the trees;
A symbol of justice and rebellion through The Legend of Robin Hood, giving rise to ensemble storytelling and physical theatre;
A canvas for emotional growth, mirrored in songs like No One is Alone from Into the Woods, Brother Bear, and Bambi — all connecting themes of loss, connection, and resilience to the heart of childhood.

🎶 Music, Movement, and Meaning

Musically, students discovered animal sounds and characters through:

Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf
Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals

These orchestral gems opened up new ways to explore voice, rhythm, and characterisation — while introducing key concepts from music theory and natural science.

And as always, the songs we chose — from musical theatre and beyond — were rooted in emotional literacy and storytelling. From lullabies of comfort to soaring anthems of courage, each tune became a thread in the creative tapestry.

🌿 The Forest in Our Bodies – Yoga with Be Your Love

A highlight of this module was our mindfulness and yoga sessions led by James Saliba from Be Your Love. Inspired by the forest itself, James built a practice that mirrored trees: grounded, breathing, and flexible. These sessions taught even our youngest students how to:

Be present in their bodies
Reflect on their emotions
Move with intention and care

🎨 Art, Science, Story – A Holistic Education

In line with our ethos of engage, explore, express, this module wasn't just about performance. It was about education through the arts — integrating geography, science, literacy, and wellbeing into every moment.

In Arts & Crafts, students designed forest murals, leaf prints, and textured collages to enhance their sensory understanding.

In Science, they explored ecosystems, interdependence, and deforestation through role play and creative movement.

And through it all, they built not only artistic skill, but:

Collaboration
Critical thinking
Observation
Personal reflection

These are not just performance skills — they are life skills, and we’re proud to nurture them from the age of 3 and beyond.

🎭 A Thank You to Our Team

None of this would be possible without the remarkable dedication and vision of our educators. Their careful planning, passion, and artistry have created an environment where children feel seen, inspired, and empowered.

To each one of you: thank you. Your contributions are what turn our curriculum into a living, breathing journey for every student.

🌍 Halfway Through – So Much More to Come

With Module 2: The Polar Regions now in full swing, and exciting outings like our Buskett Woodland exploration and upcoming trip to the Malta National Aquarium, we continue to move forward — with open minds, creative hearts, and a commitment to joyful, cross-curricular learning.

Thank you to our families for trusting us with your children’s summer.

Here’s to more moments of growth, imagination, and discovery — where performing arts are both the tool and the destination.

📣 Bookings Now Open for 2025/26!

Does our creative, cross-curricular approach to education through the performing arts inspire you? 🌟 If you’re not yet part of our community, now’s the perfect time to join! Enrolment for our award-winning, internationally recognised Performing Arts Training for the 2025/26 scholastic year is officially open. From first-time performers to passionate young artists, we welcome all students aged 3 and up to ENGAGE | EXPLORE | EXPRESS with us at Hoi Polloi Academy. Read more - https://www.hoipolloimalta.com/hpa-academy