The regional town of Capella, near our Oaky Creek Coal Complex, is now home to a community of budding radio announcers. Students at Capella State High School are making waves – literally.
Capella State High School has its very own radio station, StarFM, that resonates across the airwaves.
The unique school project was championed by teachers and students and supported by Glencore via a Parents and Citizens (P&C) grant worth $15,000. The benefits of the project are priceless.
Principal Gerowyn Lacaze is proudly showing off StarFM.
Empowering students on and off air
StarFM is empowering students to find their voice and connect with community, both on and off air, according to Capella teacher Mr Ruby Foster.
“StarFM is one of those unique engagement opportunities that empowers students to find their voice,” Mr Foster said.
“The station also ensures our rural students have the same opportunities as their coastal and city peers.”
Mr Foster said that even students at risk of disengagement have found a renewed sense of purpose through their involvement.
Ruby Foster and Gerowyn Lacaze.
From dark room to broadcast studio
Glencore’s grant supported the conversion of what was previously the school’s dark room into a dedicated broadcast studio.
This repurposed space now has proper sound-dampening wall panels to enhance the acoustic environment and encourage creative broadcasting.
A student in the StarFM studio.
The grant also helped to equip the studio with top-notch tools, including high-quality condenser microphones, an electronic up-down desk, a cutting-edge podcasting machine and automation software.
P&C grants
Each year Glencore invests $350,000 to support Parents and Friends (P&F) or P&C associations in our operational areas.
The program aims to support selected P&C associations with projects that make a positive contribution and address long term needs of their school.
Over the years we have supported a range of projects that aim to improve the educational outcomes and welfare of children, provide training for school volunteers, assist in upgrading facilities, and equipment and support the school’s community engagement.