Sydney Catholic Schools’ exciting new comprehensive music education program is well underway and St John Vianney Catholic Primary School Greenacre principal, Justin Coupland, can’t say enough good things about it.
“I can’t wait to see the untapped potential in the 140 Year 3 to 6 students who will participate this year,” Mr Coupland said.
Sydney Catholic Schools’ Amadeus Music Education Program has been delivered in 13 SCS primary and secondary schools in the Auburn-Lakemba area in 2021, helping students learn numeracy, literacy and emotional skills while experiencing the special joy of music.
As part of this program, students in Year 3 to Year 8 at the 13 schools participate in small group and ensemble music lessons delivered by specialist teachers. Students also receive an instrument, starting with a string instrument in Year 3.
“My most recent observations would have to acknowledge the wonder and awe expressions on the students’ faces when they played that very first note,” Mr Coupland said.
“The benefits of playing a musical instrument are well documented; from increasing confidence, enhancing memory by exercising both sides of the brain, increasing discipline and time management skills, creativity, stress relief, a sense of achievement. The list goes on.”
