Drumming lesson used to ease school transition

Guernsey children have taken part in an African drumming workshop to help them make the transition from primary to secondary school.

Nearly 500 year six pupils from States-maintained schools took part in Guernsey Music Service's (GMS) Music Transition Project on Tuesday, at the Performing Arts Centre.

Children were grouped into their feeder secondary schools and took part in a djembe drum lesson, led by educator and percussionist Andy Gleadhill.

Head of GMS Tim Wright said it was a "great experience" and the project was aimed at building relationships between pupils from different schools and teachers.

The sessions were attended by the heads of year seven and heads of music from various schools.

One year six pupil Liv said: "It was absolutely incredible, I think I'm going to buy a drum now."

Another year six pupil Travis said he was excited about the new things he will learn in secondary school.

He said: "Like rock climbing, the amount of music and just English and Maths in general.

Mr Wright said the djembe drums are already used by children in primary school as part of their music curriculum entitlement through the music service.

"It's been a great opportunity for them to realize that music is a social thing," he said.

"I can think of no better way of bringing people together to make friends ahead of making the transition up to high school.

He added: "It's great that we can put a cultural opportunity together as part of the transition process for children going from primary to secondary schools."

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