2011 Awards
Teacher Award
Mrs Donna Marwick–O'Brien
Music Teacher
Bambara Primary School, Padbury, WA
Before becoming a teacher over twenty years ago, Donna Marwick-O’Brien was already a talented singer/musician and songwriter, who uncovered and developed a particular gift for communicating with children through music. Donna’s music program at Bambara Primary School provides a strong grounding in classroom music, characterised by innovative, engaging and rewarding lessons, including video and computer games. Her own developmental music program called “Workstations in the Music Room” encourages creative group work and is adaptable for any instrument. Donna’s students reap the benefits of Donna’s boundless enthusiasm and love of music. Donna’s songwriting and recording program have resulted in students presenting compositions in the Australian Children’s Music Foundation National Song Writing competition.
Donna is the author of ten music resources including books and CD’s used by music teachers all over Australia. Donna has written a resource pack for Musica Viva and continues to present workshops for participants. Donna is a foundation committee member of the WA Orff Schulwerk Association and for the last eleven years is one of three committee members organising the Westcoast Songfest which connects music in school to music in the wider community.