Day after day a Wodonga assistant principal challenges his staff and students to step outside their comfort zone.
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So it’s only fair he does the same.
Steven Fouracre is testing himself more than a little as one of 13 novice dancers taking part in this year’s Stars of the Border Dance for Cancer.
Both rehearsals and fundraising are well under way ahead of the fifth annual gala night on May 4.
Mr Fouracre is among a couple of stars who have already collected more than $3000 for the Cancer Council NSW fundraiser.
He’s quick to acknowledge the contribution of everyone at his school, Wodonga Middle Years College, with proceeds from cafes, lunches and cash for cans adding to his total.
“We’ve got a lot of kids bringing in bottles and cans and a couple of staff that go over once a week and feed them through the machine,” he said.
“I’m very grateful for the support I’m getting from the school and then the rest of it’s just come through a wide network of family and friends that want to support a good cause.
“It’s been very humbling.”
On Monday, Mr Fouracre and his Stars of the Border teacher Paula Thompson invited students to a fun dance session to say thanks.
“Paula took them through five or six steps, we had a few practice runs and then put it together with music,” he said.
“Just to lighten the mood, get everybody moving and have a bit of fun,” his dance teacher added.
Possibly the children picked up this routine a little more easily than their assistant principal is coping with his gala night Latin routine.
“Ah, well, I would say that Paula would have to be probably the most patient person I’ve met,” Mr Fouracre said with a smile.
“The complexity of the moves and speed of it have been the most difficult but we’re learning part by part and she’s a great teacher, so I think I’m pretty fortunate.”
His “very understanding and compassionate wife” Lauren and three sons Byron, 6, Lincoln, 4, and Finn, 2, offer moral support as he juggles work, dancing and also his role coaching Federal footballers in the Upper Murray league.
Mr Fouracre said the boys were looking forward to seeing him perform.
“When I’m heading out of the door, they ask me if it’s football or dance training tonight,” he said.
“And I’ve been able to practise a few lifts with them, which is good; Paula said I needed to practise with them first.”
He felt Stars of the Border would help raise awareness of cancer’s reality in the community.
“It’s something that we think’s important, that we think of the issues that are bigger than ourselves,” Mr Fouracre said.
