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What are the aims or outcomes of the shows?
“Awareness Shows” are curriculum linked educational rock shows toured to High Schools. Using the unique power of music, our program casts a school wide net with the primary aim of catching students ‘experiencing’, 'at risk' or 'on the brink' of, abuse, addiction or personally & socially destructive behaviour. It also aims to shift attitudes towards the topics at a broader whole school level.
What topics are covered & are they curriculum linked?
“Yes. Topics are drawn from the national student social and emotional wellbeing guidelines along with direct links from PDH/PE and include, Social & emotional wellbeing, drink driving, drug & alcohol issues, self esteem, depression, bullying, (including cyber bullying) violence, abuse, loss & bereavement, social & environmental consciousness, positive thinking & decision making
Have the shows demonstrated proven results in meeting these outcomes?
Yes. At nearly every show we have seen students reach out about these issues some who are in critical need of help and have just gone under the radar, like so many we see on the news each day. We believe if we can save or help just one young person it is worth it. We also see lots of feedback from students in the broader school community about just a general shifting of attitudes and they stay in touch with the band online, where we maintain positive role modelling
Why would we book a show when we do other programs that deal with these topics?
Three main reasons. Firstly there can never be enough of this type of education, one look at the news or a quick glance at youth mental health drug addiction, drink drive and suicide deaths simply says we are not doing enough to catch these under the radar students and get them help. Secondly music is an incredibly powerful communication technique able to get through to youth like no other medium. Thirdly the whole school nature cast a wide net to catch those students, most other programs are limited to year levels, this is about school wide learning
What are the minimum attendances or minimum fees?
To be able to bring the Shows to your school we do require minimum numbers or fees, if your school is small we can help contact with other schools in your area to see if joining together would be a good alternative. Schools do not need to meet minimum numbers just as long as the minimum fees are meet. The minimum fee for the Rich Latimer Solo Awareness Show is 200 students or a minimum fee of $1000, for the Drink Drive Awareness Show plus video 400 students or $200 and the Full Band Very Unique Existence Rock Show is 600 students or $3000
What if our school has no budget for a show?
Schools with no PDH/PE, Welfare or Entertainment budgets may choose to send a note home to parents asking for students to bring in $5 or approach local youth organisations or church groups to supply funding for the shows. We have a 400% higher attendance rate than any other program of its kind. Students “want” to attend these concerts!
How are monies collected and wristbands issued?
Your school administration will collect the $5 student fee, a record of names to be taken and a wristband issued either on the day of the show or beforehand whichever suits the schools preferred method
What happens when a student looses a wrist band?
If the student has paid then a register of his/her name should be recorded, do not issue another wrist band as these numbers are crossed checked against the total number of wristbands sent and the school will be charged for wristband discrepancies. The student should be given a receipt note to enter the show
What if our school wants to pay outright for a show?
Schools paying outright for the total number of students they are sending to the show, minimum fees apply. It is suggested that wristbands still be issued as it creates atmosphere of a live concert or artist performance
What if our school doesn’t want a whole school show?
Whilst the shows are designed as a unique school wide net, schools may send any number they wish to the shows as long as the minimum fees for each show are meet
Do Awareness Show Staff have Insurances and Working with Children Checks?
Yes, copies of this type of documentation documentation can be obtained from Lesley Noakes
What is the Minimum Deposit?
The minimum deposit is 50% of the minimum amount required for each individual show, to be paid at the time of booking
How long does the Show go for?
For the Full Rock show allow aprox 80 minutes for the other two Awareness Shows running time is approximately 60 minutes. There will be time after the show (usually during recess & lunch) for students to buy CDs & talk with the artists
What is the best time to put the Show on?
We have found it best to start the show at the end of recess and allow for it to run until the start of lunch, so students can stay and talk with the band or Rich, during lunch. It is best that at the recess bell students return to class or to a common area & those with wristbands (in the event the school is not covering whole school attendance) are then directed to the venue
What type of venue is required?
For the Full Rock Show preferably a large hall or auditorium stabding only free from all chairs. The shows are designed as whole School events so the venue should be big enough to cater for the school population. A smaller area for the Solo Show, such as a classroom would be sufficient
What if our school doesn’t have a venue that will fit the whole school?
For the rock band show the event is standing room only which means a surprisingly large number of students can fit into the venue. If the whole school is going and will not fit into the venue the show can be conducted outside (weather permitting) or in two groups one during the 2 periods between recess and lunch followed by the 2 periods after lunch, or over two consecutive days (minimum attendances apply). At times schools have chose to use a public location, like a performance hall or PCYC and combine with other schools
What else does the venue need?
A raised stage area is preferred and also a rasied area for the drums, drama blocks or study table will sufice. If there is no raised stage then a barrier is required (balance beams will suffice). An area of sounds and lights, a projector and equipment is a necessity. Ideally 3 phase power and the venue needs to be completely student free for the setup and pack down of the show
What other requirements are there for the Awareness Show Staff?
So we can keep the shows cost very low at just $5 per student we need schools help to reduce costs. We ask that the school supplies water/drinks/tea/coffee and breakfast or light snacks on arrival and lunch 20 minutes before sound check time or after student discussion/CD signing time, depending on staff request for 2 to 6 staff (dependant on show option booked). We also ask where possible that staff be accommodated near the venue, preferably with self contained facilities. Two student helpers to be available during the day and the facilities manger be on call to deal with venue issues, with projectors, power, staging, lighting
What time does the venue need to be free?
For the Full Rock show which has an approximate 4 hr set up and pack down time we require access to the venue from around 7.30am in the morning until 4.30 in the afternoon. The DVD Show is approx 2 hrs for set up and pack down and the Solo Show 1 hr for set up and pack down again the venue needs to be free from students during all times except for the performance time
When do schools who are not paying for students to attend start promoting the show?
For schools asking students to pay it is best to start promoting the show 6 weeks in advance. Posters will be sent along with wristbands for sale and a permison note should go home asking students to bring in money 2 weeks prior, 1 week prior and the day before. The shos should be promoted in roll call, asemblies and in PDH/PE class and via every other means available
How long has Awareness Shows been performing?
The band Very unique Existence has been performing for 5 years, with commercial success, the decision to create the Awareness Shows was made in late 2009. Since then the Shows have been to the top end of Australian servicing the Aboriginal community of Mornington Island, in Regional NSW and Queensland and also touring the USA in 2010
What do other schools, parents and students think of the Awareness Shows?
We have been very blessed to have such wonderful support and encouragement from schools, teachers, parents and of course the students themselves. Please read our testimonial page
Do Rich Latimer and Very Unique Existence band members talk to students after the show?
Yes. As part of this learning experience members of the band and support party will engage students in discussions which will provide the opportunity for critical thinking, analysis and response and reflection
Do we practice Mandatory Reporting?
If health and safety issues are raised or any incident requiring mandatory reporting occurs there are strategies and policies in place to deal with these circumstances
Do we practice Confidentiality?
Yes. We will not share school information with others
Is all your material and music free from copyright and intellectual property restrictions?
No there can be no use or replication of any copyrighted material (music, lyrics, video, documents) without the express permission of Rich Latimer and Awareness Shows
Is the material suitable for religious schools?
Even though we are not affiliated with any particular religion, our content is more than suitable for religious schools
How can I find out more?
We are always ready and available to talk about and discuss any of your queries and questions, please contact us by email or phone, details of which are on our website
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