STUDENTS in Year 12 have launched the Schools’ first talk-radio station and secured an interview with award-winning BBC Radio 1 presenter Vick Hope.
The school station ‘DAS-DAB Radio’ featured Vick on a recent broadcast when the 32-year-old Allanian returned to Dame Allan’s to open its wellbeing centre, The Snug.
Principal Will Scott, geography teacher and champion para-triathlete Mike Salisbury, recently retired games teacher Bill Hudson and Year 7 rising rugby star Charlie are among others to have been interviewed for the radio show.
DAS-DAB was set up following Year 12’s annual assignment ‘The Project’, where students propose ways in which to improve the school and present them to a panel of judges.
It was the winning concept of Form 12VT, and students have worked together to create content, write scripts, interview guests, edit the shows and market the radio station throughout the Schools.
Reza Orand, who is studying Biology, Chemistry and Maths at A Level, with plans to study medicine, has been instrumental in setting up the station.
The 17-year-old, who presents the shows alongside Eleanor, said: “I chose to lead the project as a way of improving my communication skills and to help me get out of my comfort zone. It’s just a hobby, but we have had lots of positive feedback from both staff and students.”
Each podcast-style radio show features interviews, school news, announcements and occasional competitions, and they’re made available online to all staff and pupils throughout the Schools.
Lucy Marsden, 17, who is studying Maths, Further Maths, Biology and Physics at A Level, records and edits the shows. She said: “The suggestion of a school radio station was so popular that about 80% of our form are involved. It is certainly an interesting and fun hobby to do alongside our studies and we hope it can grow as we put more energy and effort into its development.”
The radio team intend to recruit some current Year 11 pupils to become actively involved in the station, so they can take over when form 12VT enter their final A Level year in September.
Tutor Vanessa Turnbull, teacher of business, said: “My form has bonded really well over this project – from the initial concept stage, to developing the station and planning the content for each show.
“The stars have definitely been Reza and Eleanor, who do most of the presenting, and Lucy, who handles all the IT work. They’ve put a lot of effort into making it a success and we hope DAS-DAB continues for many years to come.”