Don't touch that dial!
Coming at you from Elmgrove School this week is another radio broadcast featuring news, views and interviews of anything and everything that takes the fancy of the pupils.
Unlike most commercial radio stations, Elmgrove School's SPICE FM (107.5FM) does not really have catchy disc jockey chat.
But what it does have is enthusiasm to burn.
Teacher in charge of ICT Grant Peacock said pupils at the school recorded a one-hour show each week and it was broadcast 24/7 on a low-watt frequency that could be picked up only by radios in the Mosgiel residential area.
The programme contained news items, advertisements for school activities and upcoming events, and interviews with other children. Written work was read out and songs performed by the pupils were played along with popular music they enjoyed listening to.
It was basically the school newsletter in a more colourful medium, he said.
Despite the content of the show, Mr Peacock said its primary purpose was not to get school information out into the community.
Rather, it was to allow the pupils to have ''a very practical experience'' of the school's key competencies.
''SPICED FM is actually an acronym for the school's key competencies.
''Socially co-operative, Personal management, Information literate, Capable communicator, Effective thinker, and Daily physically active.''
Mr Peacock said the show was recorded on Thursday and Friday each week and put to air on Sunday morning.
He said the school got the idea of creating its own radio station from Lyall Bay School, in Wellington, which has had one for several years.
Elmgrove School had had help from radio industry experts, and the show was broadcast using open-source software.
''It's surprisingly easy to do, '' he said.
Who knows what is right around the corner?Elmgrove SPICED TV?
