Music continues to be an important part of the MPF funded work in education. Music classes support the development of oral language and literacy skills, as well as building listening skills, confidence and collaboration.
With class music happening in primary and secondary schools in the Western Port region for over 500 students per week, this initiative also supports children in their transition to secondary school.
Our Impact and Evaluation Manager, Anna McLaurin, spent time in classrooms recently with music teacher Adrien Allen and his students.
As Mr Allen tested the students through a range of activities involving pitch, rhythm and harmony, Anna recorded their responses. They will repeat this process at the end of the year to see how progress is going across this multi school program.
Tracking outcomes is integral to all MPF funded work and we find innovative ways to do this. We love the stories too, like when Anna observed Mr Allen's ability to engage the children with the sound a single note bringing silence and focus to the excited group.
Music in Schools is made possible through the generous support of Life Fitness Australia. We cannot thank Barbara and Robert McClure enough for the life changing opportunities they have brought to children in the Western Port primary schools for the last six years.