Live from St James' Primary School, Yamba

For the past 12 years, each week, at 11 am, three Stage 3 students from St James’ Primary School, Yamba, have shared their learning with their whole community through a 1-hour scripted radio program at the iconic Yamba replica lighthouse on Pilot Hill. (23 June 2023)

It was 11 am at Yamba community radio station TLC FM 93.5FM as Year 6 students Marlie, Henry and Eamon opened the St James Primary, Yamba, 1-hour radio program. 

Today the phone buzzed with excitement as parents, staff, ex-staff, relatives, and community members eagerly waited to ring in and request a song. Guided by experienced radio presenter Anne-Marie Wardrop the students answered the phone and made changes to the script based on the requests and amount of time they had to work with. Displaying calm and flexibility that you would expect from older students.

‘I really like writing the scripts. It is fun to go to each of the classes and ask what they have been doing. The students are always keen to share what they have been learning and request songs,’ said Marlie.

For the past 12 years, each week, three Stage 3 students have taken the lead in researching, scripting and delivering the radio program from the iconic replica lighthouse on Pilot Hill.

During the week, the students develop their script, and this week they shared with the listeners that Kinder students have been learning about weight, Stage 1 have been learning about how life looked in the past, Stage 2 have been busy writing speeches, and Stage 3 have been working on an integrated English and Science task. They also are required to check the lyrics of the requested songs before sharing their final script with Assistant Principal - Mission Renee Howland.

Back at school, it is a lunch break, and the students listen to the program while they eat and play. There is laughing and dancing as students actively listen to the song choices and the announcements, such as the birthdays for the month, sporting success and how the school choir won the Lower Clarence Eisteddfod.

Pride in their school and community spirit is evident throughout not only the delivery of the radio program but how they captured all of the events that occurred during the week.

‘It is a wonderful opportunity for our students to express themselves in a different forum. The students absolutely love going to the radio station, and with each experience, you can see their confidence grow’, said AP Mission Renee Howland.

You can turn in every Friday at 11 am to the students at St James through the TLC FM 93.5FM Apple app, Google Play or listen through your device.