Young graduates compose their own farewell song
Schools
Finishing primary school is a big moment in a young person’s life and for that reason students at St Columba’s Memorial School, Yorketown, decided to capture the emotion in a song.
The year 6/7 class worked with local musicians Sarah Johnson, Caleb Raymond and Liam Smith to create a graduation song.
Techniques for song writing included brainstorming phrases and favourite music genres, letter writing to future selves and younger students and making up their own lyrics to ‘Let it go’ from Frozen.
Another way to come up with lyrics was to think of the school motto ‘In All Things Love’ and communicate what it means to them.
“The song starts with the first day of school, being brave and walking through the gate, then we sing about being part of this school community, and finish with our feelings and wishes for the next chapter, said students Gabriella, Ella and Amelia.
“The class wanted to create something that would hold all our memories, a special song we can have forever to keep St Columba’s Memorial Primary School close. We got to learn about song writing, working collaboratively, and the recording process.”
Liam is putting the students’ voices together and adding some finishing touches.
“Writing this song gives me a sense of comfort towards my next schooling years after St Colomba’s,” said Gabriella.
Ella said her favourite bit was “writing it as one big group because we all got a chance to have something to say and add to the song”.
“The experience of creating our own special song was the best experience I had ever encountered, and the best part was doing it with some of my favourite people,” said Amelia.
“The song made me realise what our motto ‘In All Things Love’ really means, playing games and being kind. Oh this school what a find.”
