Haeata's Dawn FM had a visit to Tahu FM radio station studio

Dawn FM is now broadcasting live from their studio in Haeata Community Campus at dawnfm.co.nz. The radio station is student led, and includes students from year 7- 13, with kaiako (teachers) able to support them in gaining NCEA credits through their radio work.

On Thursday 23rd May Dawn FM was lucky enough to have a visit to the Tahu FM studio and meet breakfast host, Jason Phillips and station manager, Sheree Waitoa. 

"Who's teaching you?" Jase asks, as everyone points to year 12 student, Quintin. The radio station was all student lead, and driven by their passion. After discovering the students passion in the radio "a teacher emailed Quintin to help us with the radio," Benjamin (year 7) explained. Previously Quintin was at another school and moved to Haeata. He now has helped set up both his previous school's radio station and Haeata's. 

Now this group of students are working alongside each other and their teachers to learn more about the radio industry, including the organisation, technical skills and performing skills and everything in between.  "Some people just want to do DJ stuff, some want to announce," says Programme Manager Quintin. Some presenters like to talk about the news, while some are more in to the music side of things. “[After baby Archie was born the presenters were] announcing a whole bunch of stuff about the royal baby. You just go hunting for stuff”.

"I speak on the radio sometimes," says Amber (year 7). "We say the name and what’s coming up next," explains presenter Xavier (year 12), who also produces his own music in the genre of 'Meme Rap' and is known as "Mr. X music" on YouTube. “Some of us have DJ names." says Miles (year 7), whose DJ name is Gingerbread Man.

Year 10 student, Malachi even got on radio and shared his favourite NZ music for NZ music month, Ladi 6 and Scribe, family members of his. Jase gave them advice on how to overcome anxiety to talk on the radio. "It took me ages to learn how to speak on air, because when you listen to people on air they sound really confident.. but once you get the headphones on... and start talking it's just like oh my god... you don't know what to say". He suggested writing down a list of bullet point topics and think about how people listening would react to news items. "Know what you're saying before you say it, you feel like you have do a real voice like John Campbell but its not like that". 

"If its for you, you can't give up, have a tutu, have a play. Radio can open the door for so Many different things".  Jase. 

Listen to Dawn FM at dawnfm.co.nz  

To join the radio club or to find out more email radio@haeata.school.nz. If you are involved in the radio / music industry and would like to provide support to the students please email moniquelee@haeata.school.nz