Original Article Newcastle Herald https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/6634948/richard-gill-school-at-muswellbrook-puts-music-at-heart-of-education/
FEBRUARY 18 2020
Helen Gregory
Opportunity: Principal Chris English with board member Councillor Jason Foy. The board also includes Kim Williams AM, Philip Pogson and Gerry Bobsien.
THE HUNTER will become home to an Australian-first school next year, when a dream of the country's most revered music educator becomes a reality. Conductor and music education advocate Richard Gill AO was heavily involved before his October 2018 death in the shaping of the Richard Gill School, which will open in the soon-to-be-vacated Muswellbrook Shire Council administration centre.
Conductor and music education advocate Richard Gill AO was heavily involved before his October 2018 death in the shaping of the Richard Gill School, which will open in the soon-to-be-vacated Muswellbrook Shire Council administration centre.
Principal Chris English said expressions of interest were now open for enrolment and he expected at least 15 students in the first cohort, a composite class of kindergarten to year two.Teacher recruitment will start next term.
"Richard's vision was all about using music as a tool to create the best possible opportunities for young people to reach their potential," he said.
"There's a wealth of information that confirms that academically gifted or successful students more often than not have a really strong music education throughout their schooling life.
"Music has an incredible impact on the brain and on how we learn and draw connections to other things."
The school's motto, Mr English said, is Musica Motuque Floreamus, or 'through music and movement let us flourish'.
Mr English said Mr Gill wrote documents "outlining his vision, priorities and principles" to guide the school.
"This was not something he wanted to wrap up quickly before he passed away - it was going to be his next big project."
Mr Gill's friend, former student and the school board's chairman, Kim Williams AM, said Muswellbrook was chosen as the school site after Mr Gill met mayor Martin Rush.
"To have it happening in the Upper Hunter is very exciting because it's not what people would expect," Mr Williams said.
"The school will serve as a demonstration school for others in its approach. It's not intended to be isolated... but will serve as a pilot to be embraced across the public and private sectors."
Mr Williams said Mr Gill was aware there were "pockets of disadvantage" in the area.
"This school is very much based on equity and fairness," he said.
"It's intended to be genuinely affordably priced with a range of bursaries.
"I feel pretty confident we'll be able to ensure that those who are economically disadvantaged will not in any way be denied participation to the school."
Mr English said council staff would vacate the building in June.
The first of five stages to refit the building includes creating an administration area, three classrooms, a library, small multi purpose centre, grassed field and basketball court.
He said the school would eventually construct a separate building and sports field for the high school.
"This school would not be getting started without investment from council," he said. "They've been incredibly supportive."
Councillor Rush said the school would provide "enormous benefits to children across the Upper Hunter and a wonderful opportunity for Muswellbrook".
"Critical thinking, human creativity and STEM is where it is at for long term education of children today and the best defence against automation," Cr Rush said.
"Council has unanimously voted to support the school and also a STEM initiative across all schools in the Upper Hunter as part of its long term economic planning."
Cr Rush said the council's future fund had provided around $150,000 in fit out assistance to the school.
"Our forward budget proposes a further $350,000 in fit out assistance," he said.
"Our budget also includes a one-off contribution to start-up of $100,000."
He said the council would also allocate $250,000 over five years for a STEM coordinator in the Upper Hunter working two days a week, who will have teaching responsibilities at the school three days each week.
Cr Rush said the council also owned the TAFE town campus, the conservatorium building, and a residential student college "as part of our continued efforts to invest in our most important resource of all - our kids".
Cr Rush said the council would eventually sell the centre to the school.
Mr English said the school was finalising its registration with the NSW Educational Standards Authority.
He said it would teach the same six key learning areas (KLAs) as other primary schools, "but we will have a heavy focus on music and take every opportunity to deliver additional musical pedagogy".
"Each day will start with the whole school singing and some form of physical activity, whether that's something like dance or exercise, to start the brain and the creative process," he said.
"As they get older they will get access to instrumental tuition and the opportunity to participate in ensembles.
"As teaching staff we'll be finding ways for music to permeate through the other KLAs. Every day will have music in it... we're looking at an hour a day."
Mr English said he expected the school to grow over the next decade to one class per grade from kindergarten to year 12, with capacity for around 400 students.
He said students who join the school from year three will audition.
"I hope we will produce outstanding musicians, future music educators, but in saying that, the guiding philosophy of the school is to develop successful young people with a thirst for knowledge, desire to learn and who we'll develop to their full potential," he said.
"The goal is for every student to leave here as a more complete individual than if they had attended school elsewhere, brimming with self confidence, intelligent, with a good understanding of the world and highly literate in terms of music and all KLAs."