Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Talking on air
Kids thrilled to start their own radio station
Youngsters at an Airdrie primary school were all on the same wavelength at the launch of their new radio station.
And the budding stars at St Andrew’s Primary were eager to don their headphones on the first day of recording at the Laggan Road campus last week.
Radio Clyde DJ Peter Martin cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the Radio St Andrew’s recording studio.
Headteacher Jennifer Flanagan told the Advertiser: “Mr Martin spoke to the children about his career in sports journalism, his Peter & Roughie football show and the kids found him very funny and informative.”
And the veteran radio personality is banking on the new venture helping youngsters get involved in his industry.
He said: “It’s a fantastic initiative and great that the kids will get an early start in broadcasting.
“Hopefully sometime in the future we will see one of these bright youngsters on radio and television.”
The children have already put their studio to good use, interviewing guests including BBC weather presenter Gillian Smart, Tom Bancroft from ABC Music and local firefighter Margaret Martinus.
Mrs Flanagan said: “We decided to launch the station to support the children’s learning and listening skills and increase their knowledge of information technology, as well as promoting their skills for life learning and work.
“The kids will be involved in all aspects of the recording process: recording, cutting and posting their stories online.”
She went on: “During the interviews the kids were excited but also calm and confident, as they had carried out a wee bit of research on their guests beforehand.
“The children loved taking part and the big focus is that they had to listen to the people they were interviewing and be adaptable to what their interviewees said.”
The young presenters will also be recording their school newsletter and interviewing sports coaches and players on the range of activities available in local clubs.
The final recordings will go out as podcasts on the school’s website and will be played around the school.
Mrs Flanagan added: “They are all passionate about taking part and will get the chance to showcase their achievements to their parents.
“The children are looking forward to recording their Monklands challenge.
“We also want to encourage them to record their own music, featuring the school band and our Pitch Perfect choir.”
And the school hope to strike gold by securing an interview with an Olympic medallist.