A SMALL school in Kaleen is dreaming big at the moment, with plans for everything from the flying trapeze to creating a farm so large it will encircle the school.
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Intriguingly, it is getting close on both fronts and making inroads on a host of other projects, such as helping students learn to build model trains.
The school, tucked quietly away on Baldwin Drive, was previously known as Kaleen High School but is now called UC High School.
Principal Denis Dickinson said the school had introduced circus classes as part of its year 7-8 drama program and as an elective subject for years 9-10. The classes are run with the expertise of trainers from Warehouse Circus, which also runs after-hours programs from the school gym.
''We know that involvement in performing arts results in improved academic results - we can see that in a lot of research findings,'' Mr Dickinson said.
''We also know that if you are involved in the arts your well-being increases dramatically, so we want all our students to be involved in the performing arts in some way.
''It is proving very popular - we are getting inquiries from parents wanting to move their children here to do the program.''
Warehouse Circus artistic director Daniel Gunthorpe said the program gave students a new set of skills.
''This is our third year in the school,'' he said. ''There are a lot of positives for students including that it is a non-competitive form of physical activity.''
Mr Dickinson said the school had 210 students and was working hard to give each one the right opportunity to find their niche.
''We run a permaculture program at the farm,'' he said. ''We have goats, geese, chickens, an orchard and more.''
He said the farm also gave students a good place to unwind.
Students Angela Lanspeary, in year 9, and Zoe Kershaw, year 8, went to the Canberra Show last year to learn sheep judging.
''Being outside with the animals is relaxing, if you have a lot of assignments on you can get out and talk to the goats and relax,'' Angela said. ''The goats are very friendly, they won't bite or kick or jump on you.''
Mr Dickinson said he wanted the farm to surround the school.
''We will soon have a new greenhouse and potting sheds due to federal funding. We also have a partnership with the Canberra Organic Growers Society.
''It is growing. Having the farm all around the school is blue-sky thinking, but that's the aim. It's what we want to do.''
