The Patch Primary School students (back from left) Chris, Alanna, Tonaya, Luke, (front) Hamish and Keade help put together a musical education kit on water conservation.THE Patch Primary School has teamed up with the Dandenong Ranges Music Council (DRMC) to help produce a musical education kit on water conservation.
The two groups have been working together on the music kits after receiving a Smart Water grant.
DRMC project officer Jane Scott said water conservation was the major theme of the music council’s next major project The Water Cycle and was something The Patch Primary School knew a lot about.
The school’s environmental groups Gang Green and Scrub Club, along with many parents and teachers, have spent the past five years revegetating a wetland at the school.
Environmental Education teacher Michelle Rayner says treating storm water at the school has been a major part of the project.
“The diverse and healthy wetland ecosystem now acts as a filter for run-off water from the school and the surrounding valley and is, of course, a valuable classroom,” she said.
Not only will The Patch school produce a case study of its wetland project, but students and parents will write music about it in two song-writing workshops with community music composer John Shortis.
The songs, sheet music and lyrics will be recorded on a CD where they can be learnt over and over, carrying the important messages of water conservation to other communities.
