Throughout term two, students from year one and the three/four classes have been undertaking outreach singing excursions to the local care facility, Fred Ward Gardens. During these visits the students do not ‘perform’ but instead reach out to the residents through song with the intention of encouraging the residents to sing with them. By singing together, our young people are able to connect with the residents through shared music making.

Prior to these excursions students explore the idea of outreach with a particular focus on the concepts of connection and responsibility. Students look at how music connects people in our community, the types of songs that are best for outreach singing and how our song choice will impact on our ability to make connections with the residents at Fred Ward Gardens.

Students also explore the concept of responsibility and look at why visiting residents in care facilities within our community is important.

They are encouraged to reflect on how their visit will impact on the lives of the people they are singing with.

• They might feel lonely
• They might be bored
• We can sing with them to make them feel better
• If they miss their families or are sad, we can cheer them up
• So they can remember when they were kids
• So we can bring them happy music
• We are a big group of kids and they don’t have kids live there
• So they know they are not forgotten
• To make them happy and feel better
• We can make them feel welcome
• To sing songs they used to sing
• So they get happy

Reflections from Year One on why visiting residents at Fred Ward is important       

Outreach singing visits are an authentic and powerful means of students taking action and making change in their community.  The response of the residents provides students with immediate feedback. The students can clearly see the effect of their visit and their singing on the residents. Being part of an activity which brings such joy to others is an empowering experience.