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The SongRoom - News and Events

The Mandurah Primary School workshop program began with an introduction to drama and music complemented by a 10 week Drumming Program called “Drumbeat” run by Holyoake. Drumbeat – Discovering Relationships Using Music, Beliefs, Emotions, Attitudes and  Thoughts – is an early intervention program using musical expression to explore a range of social learning outcomes, including emotional control, improved relationships and increased self esteem. It has proven very successful amongst boys in particular.

Coodanup Community College, one of the schools in the region most affected by drugs, violence and behavioural issues, also commenced its workshop program with the Drumbeat Program and a continuing percussion and basic circus skills workshop program. Both drumming and circus have had results with anecdotal evidence of increased participation rates, especially from boys.

Riverside and Dudley Park Primary Schools have had music and drama workshop programs. The drama programs are being used as an engagement tool to build trust and teamwork, and use creativity to promote confidence and leadership within the schools. At Dudley Park the drama program has a focus on boys with behavioural issues through reinforcing the school’s “boys in education” and “boys business” programs. In addition, a basic circus skills workshop has just got underway at Riverside Primary School.

“Your Teaching Artist is fantastic, a great source of ideas and inspiration. We have special drama groups, drumming groups and an indigenous guitar group.  The Song Room has really helped the school to set up a positive environment through the performing arts. It has also given me renewed enthusiasm for my job. Thanks for ordering the drums!”

Cristy Ockelford, Teacher, Dudley Park Primary School

The Song Room also arranged a school holiday program for students at Coodanup College that included a range of drama and circus skills programs, delivered by 5 facilitators for a week. The feedback from the College has been overwhelming positive:

“My feedback regarding the holiday program is very, very positive. I was able to have a look at the program mid-week and it was obvious that all the adolescents involved were fully engaged and having a really good time. To my surprise, some of the school’s most difficult and disruptive students were involved in the program which was good for two reasons. Firstly they engaged in doing something that was positive as opposed to creating trouble in the community and secondly, they have come back to school with a much better attitude and focus. These kids have difficult lives but they are much more settled at school and I can only put it down to the holiday program providing them with a safe and enjoyable place to go. The teacher in charge of Physical Education has reported that the students’ skills within our circus course have shown an enormous improvement. In conclusion, I would say the program was very successful and of great benefit to the students involved and this community. It was of great credit to all involved."

Digby Mercer, Principal, Coodanup Community College
 

The students from Coodanup Community College practice their balancing skills during the school holiday program’s circus workshop.
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