Northern Ireland

Coleraine school kids hit right note to celebrate local community

Two Coleraine schools have teamed up with a songwriter to create a song that celebrates their local community
Two Coleraine schools have teamed up with a songwriter to create a song that celebrates their local community Two Coleraine schools have teamed up with a songwriter to create a song that celebrates their local community

TWO Coleraine schools have teamed up with a songwriter to create a song that celebrates their local community.

Children from St John's and Killowen primary schools have written and recorded the single, These Are Our Streets, which appeals to the public to respect their community.

The pupils worked with local composer and musician Ian Hannah to create the song following their participation in good relations programmes from Radius Housing, which focused on mental well-being and developing personal capacity.

The Relaxed and Resilient programme, which ran in both schools, helped tackle anti-social behaviour in the Heights area through music and well-being training.

Lisa Mooney from Radius Housing said: "When we started working with the schools, we quickly saw that they recognised that anti-social behaviour was an issue impacting in the local area, and this is something that everyone wanted to deal with.

"It was fantastic that the pupils and their parents were proactive, embracing the workshops and taking the time to understand their own role in their community.

"Teaching children about respect, resilience and mental health at a young age is really encouraging and gives them the skills and knowledge to care for their own well-being and be a better neighbour.

"This will help reduce anti-social behaviour and create a stronger more cohesive community."

Arlene Moon, principal of Killowen PS, said they want the local community to "be the best that it can be and for the children to have the highest of aspirations."

"The programme plays an integral part in fostering these deep seated connections that can cross all divides," she said.

"The words the children have composed in their new song say it all.

"Their voices need to be heard and we can support them to make good choices for this thriving community where our hearts all lie."

Helen McDonnell, principal of St John’s PS added: "We as adults know only too well the stresses and strains that everyday life can have on us.

"By training our children now to deal with stress at an early age, we are providing them with a lifelong skill in a fun and informative way."