A new TV studio at Croydon Public School in New South Wales to help inspire the young content creators of tomorrow was built using Blackmagic Design products. The school’s new initiative is centered around fostering student engagement and involvement in their learning by harnessing the power of advanced video production technology.
Established in the heart of Croydon, the public school has transformed old classrooms into a cutting edge video production hub. The setup includes a control room and a studio, equipped with Blackmagic Design’s ATEM SDI Extreme ISO live production switchers, Mini Converter HDMI to SDI converters and an SDI Distribution converter, amongst other tools, including equipment donated from local TV studios. These facilities are part of the school’s ambitious broadcasting program, aimed at producing broadcast quality, multi camera content created entirely by students, for students.
The program’s vision is to enable live productions, potentially broadcasted through platforms like YouTube or Zoom, thus providing a real-world experience of TV production. The initiative goes beyond teaching filmmaking. It is about fostering school and student agency, encouraging students to integrate skills from subjects like English and mathematics into their creative projects.
Andrew Irwin, a Media Specialist Teacher at Croydon Public School and a former technical director at Channel Ten, said: “Blackmagic Design has always been a hallmark of professionalism in the TV industry, and I wanted the studio we built to reflect what is seen in the real world.”
“Their Australian roots and local partner support were crucial in our decision making. We’re thrilled to use equipment that meets professional standards and is accessible for our young creators,” said Irwin.
The program is designed for students from Year 3 to Year 6. It operates on a volunteer/self nomination basis, ensuring inclusivity and catering to students’ creative interests.
Irwin concluded: “We wanted to offer something beyond traditional academic and sports programs. Through the broadcast program, we are giving kids who may not excel in either of these fields the opportunity to get involved in TV production and nurture their creativity.”
“This approach aligns with academic research emphasizing the importance of developing students’ sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness to enhance students’ engagement and motivation. In time, as the program develops, we will see a broader range of kids feel like they have an active role in their education, and that enthusiasm will spill over into achievement in other fields too. This creative platform is a big commitment to nurturing a diverse range of talents and interests among our students and something of which we’re incredibly proud,” Irwin finished.