At Albion Primary School, Melbourne, the Australian Children’s Music Foundation (ACMF) program is proving that music education is more than just learning notes. It’s about building a sense of pride and belonging for children from diverse backgrounds. 61% of children at Albion have a language background other than English at home.
For ACMF Teaching Musician Amaya Laucirica, this work is a deeply personal mission. “Music education should be for all to access, no matter your demographic or diversity,” she explains. “It’s really important for children to feel connected and to feel confident expressing themselves. Music can give a voice to children, it’s a form of communication that is immediate and rewarding.”
The Power of the Weekly Lesson
In the classroom, Amaya sees the direct, cumulative benefits of consistent instruction. Music lessons teach valuable skills that enhance learning in other areas, but the most rewarding outcome is the boost in confidence.
“When they have learnt a song, the sense of achievement and accomplishment that comes with that is a wonderful sense of pride and belonging,” Amaya notes.
One student’s journey perfectly illustrates this transformative power. A boy who seemed initially disengaged for two terms suddenly transformed in the third. He “just came out of his shell,” becoming one of the most excited kids to walk through the door, eager to sit right at the front and participate.
This change is what keeps Amaya motivated: “It’s a beautiful thing when that happens.”
Celebrity Visits and Community Bonds
The positive atmosphere at Albion was recently amplified by a visit from ACMF Ambassador Rob Mills. His presence was a highlight for the students and reinforced the program’s value.
Rob’s visit provided a chance for the children to interact with an established performer and understand the broader mission of the ACMF. Amaya found him to be fantastic at interacting with the students, conversing with them, and participating in the songs and games.
This communal learning environment, whether supported by a teacher, a peer, or a celebrity visitor, continually reinforces the core value of the program: connection. By seeing the children get better each week, the program is teaching them to communicate, connect, and thrive.
