MARY MacKillop Memorial School joined thousands of schools around the nation to perform a song last Thursday as part of the Music Count Us In event.
Students gathered at Penola’s IGA supermarket at 11am to perform “We Are” as part of the world’s largest school music participation program.
This year’s song was written by student songwriters and then distributed to participating schools.
The song encourages students to educate themselves and others on their individuality.
Mary MacKillop Memorial School performing arts teacher Kathy O’Connell said the event encouraged a love for music and music education.
“This year’s theme talks about how each and every one of us are individual and how we all have our talents and positive attributes,” she said.
“It also talks about how we can all flourish and achieve our dreams and goals.”
Students practiced the performance for about six weeks.
Music Count Us In was established in 2007 and has reached 500,000 students and 2100 schools nationwide.
“It is at the same time on the same date each year,” Ms O’Connell said.
“It recognises the differences between children with disabilities.
“We have learnt how students with hearing impairments can learn and we have developed an appreciation and empathy for those students.
“We have also realised that music is for everyone and not just those without disabilities and we can all share music together.”
