Page 12 - 2024 The Song Room Year in Review

ARTS LEARNING | Program Highlights
Arts Learning | Supporting every child to succeed
In 2024, The Song Room helped tackle educational inequity, reaching disadvantaged communities across New South Wales, the Northern Territory, South Australia, Victoria, and Western Australia. Our inclusive, localised and strengths-based approach empowered students, regardless of their background, to participate learn, and grow in confidence and connection. 67% of the schools operated with an ICSEA below 1000.
Students with diverse needs, including those with disabilities, thrived under The Song Room’s trauma-informed educational practice. Programs in Non-English Language Schools increased from 10 programs in 2023 to 24 programs in 2024, while those in remote and regional areas grew from 66 to 122 programs.
In the Northern Territory, school leaders noted that First Nations-led music education strengthened ties between home, school, and community, improved attendance, and built valuable skills and attitudes that positively influenced student learning.
Our Community Engagement projects created a strong sense of belonging in 59 school communities, engaging 6,940 students and their families. These projects highlighted the transformative power of arts learning, building inclusive school cultures and advancing arts education nationwide.
Arts Learning | Supporting a strong and sustainable workforce
This year, The Song Room worked in close partnership with school leadership and primary school teachers in 136 schools. Teaching Artists provided in-classroom support, helping teachers plan, deliver and strengthen high-quality, evidence- based arts education. Through targeted mentoring, teachers progressed from observation to co-teaching, and ultimately to independent instruction—building their confidence and expertise along the way.
Beyond in-class mentoring, The Song Room delivered 8 in-person and 12 online professional learning sessions in 2024. These sessions focused on the Arts and Music curriculums, as well as culturally responsive and trauma-informed teaching practices.
Now in its eighth year in partnership with the Victorian Department of Education, the Music in Schools Teacher Mentor Program supported 120 teachers across 77 schools to strengthen their music education skills. Notably, 62% of these programs were delivered in regional areas. In regional South Australia, we partnered with the South Australian Government to help embed music education into everyday classroom practice for teachers in 11 schools and kindergartens.
Importantly, The Song Room also supported 67 Teaching Artists in 2024 with secure contracts and professional development.
The Big Day of Learning in South Australia brought together 11 regional schools to celebrate learning and community. Students from different year levels participated in group music lessons and activities, creating a collaborative, all-school experience. This rare opportunity allowed schools which are separated by up to 150 km, to connect, fostering a supportive learning community.
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The Song Room | 2024 Year in Review