This time last week I was loading the drums (and the cake) into the The Drum Collective van, ready for a fantastic morning celebrating the students in The Hub, as they would be sharing some of their rhythms, and learnings, with some invited VIP's!
I was met with excitement from the students as they were busily prepping morning tea, arranging furniture and becoming a little nervous, we all were! We had been together for ten (10) weeks and in that time we had grown to know each other quite well. We had some students who were away, and so I shared this is how the rhythm of life flows sometimes.
We had an opportunity to come together in our circle to have one final practice before our VIP's began arriving for 930am. The excitement was electric!
The students had put together the invitation list. We had parents, friends, Tom the Principal and other teachers and teacher's assistants all coming together to learn what the students had been up to, and an opportunity for these VIP's to share in the celebration.
Petrina (epic teacher) welcomed everyone into the space, it was a very special moment. I then jumped in and briefly provided an overview of the last ten weeks, sharing that we had discussed topics such as peer pressure, healthy relationships, teamwork and resilience, to name but a few! I also shared how we had intertwined these important conversations with fun activities on the hand drum. I didn't want to keep the students in the holding position for too long, so it was time to showcase their brilliance!
The students were absolutely AMAZING! We shared some of the games that we had created together, and also a couple of the rhythms they had learnt. For me, seeing the huge smiles on their faces was just so magnificent. Everyone in the space that morning was smiling, and we had ourselves some laughs too. To witness the growth of these students was really quite moving.
I invited Tom (Principal), who made some really wonderful comments around the effectiveness of drum therapy, up to assist in handing the students their certificates. Witnessing the looks on their faces was just so good. They were proud, and they absolutely should be. They faced their fears and provided a wonderful space for people to celebrate them! Both Petrina and I had rather large smiles too as we knew how far the students had come.
Thank you to all the invited guests that took time out of their busy schedules to show up! It meant the world to the students. Meetings parents and them relaying how their young person had really enjoyed Wednesday mornings made my heart sing!
I want to thank Petrina who is The Hub Support School Teacher. I have mentioned this before that Petrina leads with kindness and compassion, this shines through to the students. Petrina and I met quite a few months ago to discuss drum therapy. Petrina loves the hand drum (having her very own) so already had a great understanding of the benefits that this wonderful instrument can bring. Petrina met with Tome (Principal) and Daniel (AP) who, in turn, invited me in to meet them and to discuss my drum therapy programs. Space jump to now ... and I have delivered my very first program. Tom and Daniel, thank you! Thank you for also understanding the power of the drums, and how drum therapy plus reflective conversation has an impact on young people.
I am excited to say that I have been invited by Tom to go back to Reece High School next year. I absolutely cannot wait!
To the students, and also Petrina (again!), thank you for inviting me into your space. You took me on and, together, we created some really special moments where we connect through rhythm. I greatly appreciate you all. Thank you for your feedback on how Wednesday mornings have made a difference to you!
To my surprise I received the most beautiful gifts and card that I will treasure always. A part of the card reads "We'll always remember the rhythm inside us and to tap that beat, both when times feel rough, and in times of joy.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Yours in Harmony
Jodhi Gough
have had the most amazing ten weeks at The Hub Support School at Reece High! I have had many people ask me exactly what we have been doing? Well, please read onwith you all.
You might have read in some of my social posts that always refer to Petrina Hardy as the world's most epic teacher, that is beacuse she absolutely is! Petrina and I met up a few moths ago now and I shared with Petrina my Drum Collective business, and the power of drum therapy. Petrina was already a fan of drum therapy, already understanding the power of the drums!
I met with Petrina, Tom (Principal) and Daniel (AP) where we
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