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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2019-12-04 Daily Xml
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Music Education Strategy

The Hon. G.G. BROCK (Frome) (14:54): My question is to the Minister for Education. Can the minister update the house on any successful schools in the electorate of Frome that may have been able to achieve funding through the government's music strategy and, if there are any schools, what benefit will those students get?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (14:54): I am pleased to be able to talk about the government's music strategy. It is a significant announcement. I know that all members of the house are interested in it. I know that the member for Frome has spoken to me on a number of occasions both about his schools and about the need for music. I see the member for Florey sitting very close to the member for Frome.

She has raised this issue in the house on a number of occasions and cares deeply. All members care, but I think the member for Florey has very special care. Every time she sees a school performance, she raises it with me. The member for Frome knows that in the electorate of Frome and around regional South Australia there is a particular benefit that is achieved through the work that is undertaken as part of the new music strategy.

Of course, we have some excellent strategies in some of our schools. We have some good programs in some of our schools, but there are too many students in South Australia who need to have more music education throughout their schooling because in some areas there isn't that specialist level of knowledge, that specialist level of expertise, and that's particularly in rural and regional South Australia.

The music strategy talks about enhancing those existing systems and building capacity in general classes. It talks about upskilling non-specialist teachers and educators, which is particularly valuable in all regional electorates where there are many schools where there aren't those specialist teachers and, indeed, about providing curriculum and pedagogical resources, which will enhance music teaching in every school in the state.

Today, we are really pleased that the second round of one of the aspects of the music innovation strategy, the Music Innovation Fund, is being announced. This is a half a million dollar fund to look at particular programs where there are innovative and promising practices, partnerships and programs across the state. I am pleased to let the member for Frome know that one of the programs in particular will benefit some of his residents in Port Pirie.

I believe that one of the successful schools we are announcing today is the Port Pirie West Primary School, which is receiving $12,000 towards the purchase of musical instruments so that they can have a new music education program that will support students from reception right through to year 6. Sometimes, these cash grants provide that immediate injection that enables a school to do so much more.

So, as we provide those extra resources to support teachers, even if they don't have that music background, with professional development so that they can use these instruments, this cash grant will enable that school to offer a much better program for their students. It doesn't just help those students who are interested in music. Students who engage in music programs benefit throughout the rest of their academic development as well. It helps students to look forward to school more.

Some of the other announcements today benefiting students in Frome and around the state are very exciting. The Australian Youth Orchestra is getting $28,000 for their National Music Teacher Mentoring Program. The Song Room is a non-government organisation. We are actually going into partnership with them, their philanthropic fundraising, and the federal government to support their transformational learning through creativity program in Mount Gambier.

Also in the country, the Nuriootpa Primary School is getting $10,000 for their instrumental program. Loxton High School is getting $16,000 for digital technologies in music. In the city, Flinders Park Primary School is getting $9,900 for their junior primary music program. I encourage all members of parliament to speak to their local schools about the great work they are doing and encourage them to apply for round 3.

Other round 2 successful recipients include Alberton Primary School, Aldinga Beach B-7, the Australian Society for Music Education, Bains Road Preschool, Christies North Kindergarten, Craigburn Primary, Elizabeth Park Primary, Enfield Primary, Flaxmill Preschool, Frances Primary, Gordon Education Centre, the Hackham West Children's Centre, the Hospital School, Kadina Memorial School, Kimba Area School, Le Fevre High, Magill Kindergarten, Mannum Community College, McLaren Vale Primary, Moana Kindergarten, O'Halloran Hill Kindergarten, and Peterborough Community Preschool, primary and high school. They also include Port Pirie West Primary School, Roxby Downs Area School, Seaford K-7, State Opera SA, Wandana Primary School and West Beach Primary School.

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