Our classroom was abuzz with excitement as children arrived and organised their props or put last minute touches to their costumes.
Emma and Michael were our hosts and they were the only members of our class on stage for the opening.
The rest of the crew were 'in the wings' awaiting their cue, which was the rollicking "Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate's Life For Me".
Then the crew streamed on and did what pirates do - checked out their booty, played cards and dice, did some necessary running repairs and generally relaxed and enjoyed themselves.
The captain arrived and the crew stood to recite his story, "Pirate Don Durk of Dowdee".
He happily answered some of the children's questions, like if he has a wife and children, how many are in his crew, what a squizzamaroo is and why the mermaids are frightened of him. For the full story, check out his web page on: http://www.dampier.wa.edu.au/Room13/dondurk2.htm
Michael called on the other captain, Captain Smith, to come forward. Alex and Lily were our first Merit Award winners for the year and the rafting crew of "Rogue Trader" received special awards too.
Mrs Mitchell then announced the names of our Student Councillors for 2007 and they received their badges of office. Our members are Macie and Thomas.
We weren't sure if the audience could understand our special pirate language so we interpreted some of our favourite sayings for them, things like "Ahoy there, me hearties!" and "Shiver me timbers!" It was a bit embarrassing when one of the crew said, "I want my mummy!" Fortunately it was Don Durk's young nephew.
At the end of a hard day’s plundering, there’s nothing we pirates like better than kicking our heels up to a “Sailor’s Hornpipe”, especially our captain!
Chief Mate Nicholson then led the school with the first community song, that old stirring classic, "We Will, We Will Rock You!".
After the big photo shoot, parents joined us upstairs for some refreshment and a look at our work.
There was plenty of punch left over and we toasted ourselves on our fine performance. Well done, me hearties!
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