School celebrated in new Manx film

School celebrated in new Manx film

Wed, 14 May 2025

A primary school in the south of the Island is celebrated in a new series of short films from Culture Vannin.

The four films visit Arbory School as they prepare their entries of Manx music, song and dance for a major part of the school calendar in the Isle of Man, the Manx Folk Awards.

A relaxed week of competitions held each Spring term, the Manx Folk Awards offer an accessible way for all school-age children to discover Manx culture and make it their own. 29 different schools took place this year, but one of the schools which has consistently embraced this fully from the start has been Arbory School.

The primary school in Ballabeg throws itself into the event organised by DESC and Culture Vannin each year, ensuring success in the competitions but, more importantly, an enormous sense of enrichment for the school community and children.

Jonathan Ayres, Head teacher of Arbory School says:

“Arbory School has always been at the centre of the local community with which it has strong links in terms of culture and heritage. The Manx Folk Awards gives pupils an opportunity to work on new projects as well as to showcase their skills and talents, specifically linked to Manx culture, outside the local area. The Manx Folk Awards enables children to participate alongside other students from around the Island where they make connections and benefit from feeling part of a larger cultural community. Teachers and children come together to share and celebrate ‘Manxness’ in a competitive but relaxed atmosphere. This helps to promote our unique culture whilst enabling children to build their confidence, to perform in front of an audience and to have fun.”

This has been explored in a series of four short films, now available on the Culture Vannin website and YouTube channel. ‘Preparing for the Manx Folk Awards’ puts a spotlight on rehearsals with the school choir, folk music group and dance teams, and features interviews with both staff and pupils.

There are also two films which highlight the long-standing tradition of Manx dancing at Arbory.

The school has had a brilliant record with Manx dance for decades. As well as performing at the Manx Folk Awards, the school enjoys its annual Laa Columb Killey performances every 27th June and the children regularly compete at the Guild. Over the years, they have built up an inspiringly positive and open environment for Manx dance, resulting in a very high standard of performance.

At the centre of the school’s dance practice is Triana Collister. After many years as a well-respected and much-loved teacher, this is her final term at the school before retirement, so the filming also offered the opportunity to discover the secret to her success!

Dr Chloë Woolley, Manx Music Development Officer at Culture Vannin, says:

“We wanted to make these films with Arbory partly to recognise the great work they are doing, partly to record their long relationship with Manx culture, but also to give a living example of how much schools or organisations can gain by engaging with traditional music, song, dance and language. Doing so offers so much to young people today, giving them important values as they go forward with their lives.”

One of the stand-out interviews in the film was with a young girl who gives an observation beyond her years:

“When you’re preforming, it’s stuff from all around the world, but at the Manx Folk Awards, it’s only Manx stuff, and it makes you feel like you’re part of a proud and great nation.”

James Franklin, Online & Educational Resources Officer at Culture Vannin, says:

“It was a privilege to be a part of the filming in the school, watching the positivity and enjoyment which the children and staff got from their coming together to practise Manx music, song and dance. It was clear how enriching and positive the experiences were, which is exactly why we made the films – to show how exciting it all is!”

The films are all available on the Culture Vannin website and on our YouTube channel. For the films, or more information about the Manx Folk Awards or Culture Vannin and its work, visit www.culturevannin.im or find more resources and opportunities on www.manxmusic.com