Project drums up a lot of interest in primary schools

The senior facilitator said the 10-week social development program aimed at build resilience through rhythm using hand drumming.

‘The students love the program and the school communities love the performances,’ she said.

‘It covers key learning areas such as identity, community, relationships, emotions, harmony and teamwork. The course culminates in a celebration performance.’

As a support chaplain in eight schools, Mrs Pyrc is running six drumbeat groups weekly in five different primary schools. She said the drumbeat program, developed by the Holyoake Institute’s Simon Faulkner in 2003, was a nominee at the 2013 Constable Care Child Safety Awards to be announced next month.

It is up for the WA Child Safety Education and Care Award.

In 2010 Drumbeat won the Community Services Excellence Award (for medium organisations).

‘The accredited program is fast becoming globally recognised,’ she said.

She said it was initially devised for disengaged youth living in WA’s Wheatbelt.

‘It became apparent that people of all ages, from all walks of life enjoyed and could benefit from the program,’ she said.

‘It is run in service organisations, community groups and schools in 500 locations throughout Australia.’