Students at Neerigen Brook Primary School have been left with a smile on their face and a song in their hearts after some very big news.
Earlier this year, members of the school choir collaborated with their conductor and music specialist teacher Kirsty Mees to produce a song to enter into the Australian Children’s Music Foundation’s National Songwriting Competition.
What they co-created was two-and-a-half minutes of pure joy, titled ‘Always Be kind’.
“Everything is better, when we’re together. Friends make the world shine, so let’s always be kind,” the students sing in unison to delightfully strummed backing chords.
The tune – with its student-devised lyrics – is an absolute earworm.
And the judging panel of industry experts thought so too.
They recently met at Universal Music Australia’s head office in Sydney to review over 80 songs shortlisted from 800 entries this year, and decided that the best primary school song in the whole country was from Neerigen Brook Primary School.
“We didn’t know we’d won until we walked into choir and there were people there with cameras ready to film us,” Year 4 student Kyan said.
“I was really excited, because it’s for the whole of Australia – that’s so good,” Year 3 student Kallisto said.
“This has never happened to me. I’ve been singing since I was two or three – it’s half of my personality. But to be singing for the whole of Australia, and then to win, it feels like an early birthday present for me.”
Kyan explained that each choir member brainstormed words to include in the song.
“They were all picking really good words,” he said.
But Kyan was so engaged in the process that he stayed behind at lunch to help Ms Mees finish the song lyrics.
“I love music, it makes me feel joyful,” he said.
“If I’m mad at something I listen to music and it makes me calm and happy.
“I wanted other people to feel that too. And I wanted to inspire them with the words.
“But mostly, I wanted people to be proud of the choir.”
His choir mates are thankful for his efforts in bringing their ideas to life.
“I’m proud of him,” Kallisto said. “He was the one who put it all together – he wrote the best song in Australia.”
School principal Lesley Barrett said having Kirsty Mees at the school had been a godsend, with specialist music teachers often in short supply around the state during this extended staffing crisis.
She arrived at Neerigen Brook in Term 4 last year after the school was successful in its bid for one of 14 Musica Viva residencies offered to Australian schools in 2024.
The immersive three-year Music Education Residency Program focuses on schools in areas of socio-economic disadvantage and provides them with a professional teaching artist, live music performances, tailored learning resources and instruments.
The goal is to ensure that music education becomes an integral part of the school’s culture, meaning generations of children receive the educational and intrinsic benefits of a quality music education.
On top of shepherding the children to nation-wide fame, Kirsty was instrumental in reviving the school choir this year. And the students were thrilled to participate in this year’s Junior Dale Fest.
Kyan said that being a part of the choir had made a real difference in his life.
“I love singing, and it’s so good to sing beside others who like to do the same thing as you,” he said.
In fact, the school choir has made a huge impact on a number of children.
“Singing makes me feel scared, but singing with others makes me happy and proud,” Year 2 student Luna said.
“I like music that much I want to do it for a job when I’m older,” Year 2 student Violet said.
Lesley Barrett said hearing that was music to her ears.
“Having a chance to engage in music like this is really opening up avenues for them – to be talking about music as a career option is just amazing,” she said.
“My goal was for the children to realise just how clever they really are.
“They’re all successful songwriters now. Who knows what they’ll achieve next?”
To hear the song for yourself click on the track below.
