Students wrote rhymes and explored issues affecting their generation at a three-day workshop at Griffith High School.
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About 10 students from Years 8, 9 and 10 were given a crash-course in the music industry from indigenous hip-hoppers The Last Kinection.
Denise Marr from Griffith High School said it was a really good way to teach some important lessons.
“The main aim of the workshop was to talk about sexual health,” Ms Marr said.
“They gave the students the tools to turn what they’d learned into songs which they then performed in front of the school and the community.
“It was a really confidence boost for some of them who are normally pretty shy.”
Joel Wenitong from The Last Kinection said he had been using music as a teaching tool for more than 10 years.
“I used to be a primary school teacher,” Mr Wenitong said.
“We hope these students can learn something useful and then they write and record their own song.
“It builds a confidence into them that hopefully will travel with them through life.”
Kerrileee Philp from Griffith High School helped organise the workshop and said it was a unique way of exploring awkward topics.
“We need to teach them about sexual health because a lot of kids around this age group are experimenting,” Ms Philp said.
“We hope we can make them more aware so they can make better choices of their own.”
A sexual health nurse was brought in as part of the workshop, giving the students an opportunity to ask questions from an adult who wasn’t a parent or teacher.
“They asked a lot of questions and really engaged,” Ms Marr said. “There were lots of hands up during that session so I hope they’ve gotten the message.”
Jessica Cottom, a 14-year-old from Year 9 said the workshop helped build confidence.
“With our song we want to tell people to think before they act,” Jessica said.
“Unsafe sex has dangers and and I think it’s an important message to people in our years.
“The workshop was a positive thing and I think more people should do it.”
Gary Longford, a 16-year-old from Year 10 both said the workshop was really fun and used a style of music “everyone listens to”.
“It was nerve-wracking at the start,” Gary said.
“We wrote about alcohol and what can happen if you drink too much.
“I think it’s something some students need to hear.”
