Passionate educator back in limelight

Scott Maxwell one of two Limestone Coast finalists in 2023 SA Public Education Awards

“I get to ride the wave as long as I want now. It doesn’t have an expiry date. The media stuff will calm down and go away but I’ll always have that next to my name.” That was then Grant High School music teacher Scott Maxwell’s assessment of his thrilling ARIA win in 2018 – taking out the Music Teacher of the Year. And while he enjoyed the hype and the chance to rub shoulders with artists and industry heavyweights, what he was most excited about was winning the ARIA has given him a platform to preach his gospel – the importance of music education. And the passionate advocate is in line for another teaching award, named as one of two Limestone Coast based teachers to be shortlisted as a finalist in the 2023 South Australian Public Education Awards.

Scott has been shortlisted in the Excellence in Collaborative Partnerships Award category for his work through The Song Room program, while Mount Gambier High School’s Rebecca Johnson (featured in last week’s Lifestyle1) an art and Japanese teacher, who is in her third year of teaching and second year at Mount High, was shortlisted in the ‘Cultivating Excellence and Equity’ category with the winners set to be announced at a November 3 gala event.

Scott has been working with The Song Room for four years now, being a devotee of its founding principles including transformational learning through creativity and inspiring students and empowering educators through music.

Scott has at the heart of setting up the Limestone Coast program, which started as a three year project, working in five schools, and it was so successful it has been expanded and Scott splits his times between schools in Kingston, Millicent, Robe, Glencoe, Penola, Beachport and Mount Gambier, working with students from preschool to Year 6.

Known for his work in high school music programs, especially his collaborations with Mike Bakker on creating original school musicals, Scott had long held a belief that more had to be done to build skills in the early years.

The Song Room is tackling that, arming teachers and educators with the knowledge and skills to incorporate music into the curriculum.

“It’s all about ensuring a quality music education for kids,” Scott said. “And a music education that is fun and engaging – in my eye music is really fun and that by itself is really engaging. Music brings energy to a classroom.”

He admits arming teachers with the confidence required to incorporate music into their classrooms is challenging but the results are worth it.

“It is always a challenge to get adults feeling confident about just giving it a show, giving it a go,” Scott said. “There is not a huge pool of experts in this region and yet everyone loves music and engage with music everyday of their lives. Understanding music is a different story and that’s where I come in.”

Scott’s background in secondary music education alerted him to the lack of foundation skills being built in the early years of school.

“A lot of kids are entering high school with really limited knowledge of music – many were literally starting at around Year 2 level,” he said. “Developing their music knowledge does make a difference to kids academic achievement.”

The Song Room’s networked practice has been instrumental in driving innovation. Educators have honed their music education skills and recognised the profound impact that music has on extending learners’ concentration and enhancing their phonological skills.

It has contributed to enhanced social and emotional wellbeing, fostered executive functioning and self-regulation skills in children and young people.

Seeing the program and his role as the sole deliverer of the program to students and staff acknowledged at the 20203 Public Education Awards not only humbles Scott but also makes hi proud the program is see as worthwhile.

“It recognises that music is part of what makes us, us – it is great to know the program is valued and valued in our region in particular,” Scott said.

Scott is now a key member of The Song Room team – connecting Scott to his 2018 Music Teacher of the Year ARIA, where Then Song Room was the sponsor of the award and helped through the media maze that was the 2018 ARIA awards ceremony.

“… in my eye music is really fun and that by itself is really engaging…music brings energy to a classroom…” Scott Maxwell

There were up to 60 broadcast journalists capturing on camera interviews and then there was a sponsor walls where basically hundreds of photos were taken and Scott was as in demand as any other ARIA nominee.

“Everyone there was famous” Scott said. “I didn’t know where to look. I think I got better each time I was interviewed. Some were serious and some were more fun.” With the red carpet nailed, it was on to the Chairman’s Cocktail Party – a function with wall to wall artists and high ranking officials from the recording companies – and that was where Scott has officially presented his ARIA and made his speech.

“That was my chance to have a say and say it in front of all those professionals – it was amazing,” Scott said. “I felt like I had the complete support of the entire room and that my message was resonating with them.”

Highlighting Mount Gambier, his school and the support of the wider community were key pillars of Scott’s time in the limelight – as well as, arguably most importantly, his family.

“I spoke about the importance of music education in developing a vibrant, creative future for our kids,” he said.

And while the November 3 SA Public Education Awards ceremony will not have the same glitz, glamour and star power or the ARIAs (picture left & above), Scott’s message is the same – the critical role music can play in the lives of young people.