GORDON Education Centre has been awarded $5000 for its highly-valued music program through the State Government’s Music Innovation Fund.
The school adopted its music program only a few years ago and has since become an integral part of the curriculum.
Music teacher Carolyn Carruthers welcomed the news and said she was excited to see the new changes in her classroom.
“Music is an integral part of our curriculum,” she said.
“I incorporate counting and spelling into songs as well, so it is not just about the music, it brings other things in.
“I even teach the kids some sign language to go along with the songs which helps them communicate with the non-verbal students.”
School principal Lisa Thomas said the program’s inception had changed the school for the better.
“You can tell how much the students enjoy it,” she said.
“I think it gets a lot of them out of their shell and participating in class when they would not normally.
“Carolyn has done such an amazing job with the program and I am so glad we get to give her the scope to build it further.”
The funds will go towards music equipment for the less able-bodied students at the school.
“This will mean students in wheelchairs will be more involved in class,” Ms Carruthers said.
“It might be instruments that are activated by a switch or by moving their heads.
“We are looking into what is available to us.”
In the future, the school hopes to continue to expand its music program.
“We would love nothing more than fore Carolyn to outgrow her classroom,” Ms Thomas said.
“We will keep looking for whatever grants we can to keep that in sight.”
