2009 Awards
Teacher Award
Mr Shain Kurelja
Music Teacher
Aspendale Gardens Primary School, Aspendale Gardens, VIC
Shain Kurelja has developed an engaging, performance-based music program that gives learning and performance opportunities to all students at Aspendale Gardens Primary School. He assists teachers to integrate music into their classroom programs, and he communicates effectively with classroom teachers and students to ensure projects are successful. Shain runs an inclusive school band, where students of various levels of ability rehearse and perform songs at school events. He encourages students with special needs or behavioural issues to become a part of this group.
In addition to ukulele, keyboard and recorder, Shain has introduced drumkit to the classroom music program to boost student engagement, musical understandings and co-ordination, with all students being able to play a drum pattern by the time they leave the school.
In the junior levels (Prep - 2), students begin composing their own music using software such as Groovy Shapes and Groovy Jungle. In the middle primary years, students continue to compose with Groovy City, Band in a Box and Sony Acid. Shain has demonstrated that ICT and music can be used together, effectively and meaningfully, in order to maximise engagement and learning.