Ardeer Primary School pupils could be forming their own rock band before year’s end.
Ardeer is among 43 Victorian schools set to receive up to $5000 each to buy new musical instruments.
The funding comes from the state government’s $2 million Music in Schools program, which also provides training for teachers to help them build music into their courses.
Ardeer principal Graham Miller said the school had applied for almost $5000 to purchase all the instruments needed to start a band.
“We’re going to set up a rock band so we’ll buy an electric guitar, a drum kit and electric keyboard,” he said.
“This [funding] will make a huge difference. For a small school like us these sorts of things are difficult to fund.”
Education Minister James Merlino said research showed children who learnt a musical instrument achieved better academic results, which was why the government was providing instrument funding.
“We are also bringing music lessons to every Victorian school so no child misses out,” he said.
St Albans East Primary School was also named among the 43 schools to receive a grant under round one of the program.
