The Sebastian Foundation is thrilled to announce our support to help Australian Children’s Music Foundation (ACMF) to deliver long-term music education and mental health support to children in the remote Tiwi Islands.
Children of the Tiwi Islands often have limited access to arts and music education with local schools facing both geographical and staffing challenges. Funding from The Sebastian Foundation will allow ACMF (Australian Children’s Music Foundation’s) to continue their existing music program at Pularumpi School on Melville Island and enable its expansion into neighbouring Milikapiti School through ACMF’s Fly-In-Fly-Out (FIFO) remote teaching model.
Beyond music education, the partnership takes a holistic approach to student wellbeing by introducing the Open Parachute in-school mental health program to these schools. Together, the two initiatives aim to improve emotional resilience, wellbeing, school attendance, and learning outcomes across the island.
Guy Sebastian says "The Sebastian Foundation is proud to support ACMF’s Top End FIFO Hub. Without this program, children in the Tiwi Islands would miss out on a school music curriculum simply because they live in a remote community. And it’s not just about the music, but the enormous wellbeing benefits music brings. We want to help these children explore their creativity, find their voices and experience the joy of making music together. The Sebastian Foundation will also support these schools through Open Parachute, teaching students important mental coping skills. Together, these two programs will fill a real gap in access to learning for remote communities - and we are so excited to help make that possible."
ACMF teaching musician Adam Scriven currently teaches the ACMF program at Pularumpi School and has seen firsthand how music transforms the classroom.
“The kids are always excited to get involved, and it’s great to see how quickly music can bring them together, encourage participation and create a sense of enjoyment and achievement. The workshops provide a fun and engaging focus within the school environment, giving the students an opportunity to learn, create and express themselves through music.”
Pularumpi School Principal, Kane Griffin, welcomed the continuation and expansion of the initiative. “Our partnership with the Australian Children’s Music Foundation has enabled us to provide high-quality music education in a remote setting where such opportunities would otherwise be beyond our reach. We are thrilled that, through the generous support of The Sebastian Foundation, our students will continue to benefit from the expertise and dedication of Adam, our outstanding ACMF teacher, whose guidance plays such an important role in their learning, growth, and wellbeing.”
For further information about ACMF’s music programs visit www.acmf.com.au