2009 Awards
School Leader Award
Mrs Christine Ritchie (Co-Awardee)
Deputy Principal
Mr Neil Spence (Co-Awardee)
Principal
East Victoria Park Primary School, East Victoria Park, WA
Mrs Christine Ritchie (Co-Awardee)
As Deputy Principal of East Victoria Park Primary School, Christine Ritchie has provided critical support for the growth of the school's music program. In particular, Christine supported the need for a developmental and sequential class music program, by timetabling two 40 minute music sessions per week for every student in year 1-7. This has increased the duration and frequency of music sessions thus allowing for a fully developmental approach to be implemented.
Christine has also supported the expansion and enhancement of choral activities by timetabling rehearsals in school time and negotiating additional staff. In addition, Christine met with the Principal of the School of Instrumental Music (SIM) after advice from the school's Music Specialist teacher, in order to investigate the possibility of expanding the current instrumental tuition program to include year 5 students. The outcome was positive and East Victoria Park Primary School now offers instrumental tuition for students in Years 5-7, effectively doubling the number involved in the instrumental and band programme.
Mr Neil Spence (Co-Awardee)
As Principal of East Victoria Park Primary School, Neil Spence has supported the rejuvenation of the music programme through increased funding to replace aging resources and purchase essential equipment. East Victoria Park Primary School now utilises an extensive range of classroom percussion instruments, teaching resources, new instruments and a quality stereo system.
Neil has further supported and promoted music endeavours within the school by making music (and The Arts as a whole) a focus area for 2009-2010. This process has included developing the Music Operational Plan for 2009 in conjunction with the music specialist teacher at the school. Neil has actively acknowledged the importance of continuity of staff within the music program by gaining special permission to re-employ the new Music Specialist teacher for 2009.