Where we are at now

Our first challenge was that we had no idea whether or not this project would in fact work.  We had to seek expertise and professional advice right from the start.

• This was achieved by using The Mulcher (a company that sets up FM radio stations). They were able to provide the equipment required, set it up and give training to the students and Teacher in Charge (Clint Chalmers). This company was extremely professional.
• Our radio coverage has exceeded our expectations!!  MaranuiFM can be received throughout most of the Eastern Suburbs of Wellington.
• The station has also proved extremely reliable.

We had to select the right children.  If we didn’t choose right – we knew that the credibility of the project would have been in jeopardy from the outset.

Children were chosen by the teachers. Each child had to pass “auditions”. They had to

• Write why they wanted to be involved in the station
• Speak over the radio station (ad-libbing)
• Be children that the teachers felt could (or show the potential to) work as a member of a team.

We had to get buy-in from everyone

• Teachers – this was achieved during syndicate meetings where we outlined the plan, and offered teachers a part in running the station. Each teacher was willing to take one (or more) area of the station management and be responsible for that. The children involved needed to prove to the teacher that they had completed their tasks.

 

• Students – this was not difficult! A simple trip to The Breeze was enough to get them excited and raring to go! This enthusiasm has spread over to other children not directly involved. The children not directly involved in the running of the station have been encouraged to read their stories etc on air. This time has not been limited to senior children. Even the new entrants have shared work on MaranuiFM.

 

• Parents- by using newsletters to inform the parents of what we were doing, they were able to see how this fitted into enterprising programmes. Many parents have mentioned to the teachers that they listen to the station (especially when their child is on air – either as an announcer/news reader or sharing some of their own work).
• The board – two board meetings had input and discussion sessions about the radio station, and how this fitted into the curriculum. The BOT have been very positive towards this initiative and support it wholeheartedly.

 

• The community – this has been slightly more difficult, but we have been successful in promoting the station through publicity (via posters, pens, flyer drops etc). All the business we have approached for advertising have been positive and willing to purchase time on air. The community have been most supportive of the students and their endeavours. Many of them have commented on the high quality of the radio station operation.