Southern Metropolitan Region
Bentleigh West Primary School
With its new state-of-the-art facility to broadcast its very own radio station, Bentleigh West Primary may be one of the most tech-savvy schools in the state.
The school’s new BER music room, complete with recording studio, has provided a space for students to broadcast a continuous stream of live and pre-recorded content within a one-kilometre radius of the school. Principal Jennifer Small said it was great to have the new space which offers endless opportunities to the students. “The kids love the new space. The radio station has been operating for three years now, but the new building has provided a dedicated and much bigger area for the program.”
The new set up also allows the school’s rock and classical bands to record and broadcast their music – a feature that is being thoroughly enjoyed by the band members. “They’re always on the lookout for an opportunity to perform,” Ms Small said.
The flexible new facility has operable walls that open onto an outside area, making it the perfect place to hold concerts or perform for the community. According to Ms Small, the radio program has been extremely beneficial to all the students, as any subject can be incorporated into the broadcast content and the students learn real-life skills when they are creating work to be aired.
“The radio program really engages them. It’s authentic learning,” Ms Small said. “The kids compile questions to interview people around the school. It’s great for their communication skills.”
Leading teacher David Tapp said the students loved the new music area which is large enough to offer every student in the school a chance to broadcast their work. “The students produce all the content themselves and the size of the new space allows all the kids to be involved,” he said. “It’s amazing what opportunities the students have now.”
April, 2011
