OHS Operate to a New Groove

The day to day of students and teacher alike has become a little brighter as this year Orange High School have updated their school bell system. What was once described as a traditional shreiky bell since time of memoriam, has now changed to upbeat fun music.

Deputy Principal, Kristie Anderson explained, “The previous bell rings were bone rattling if you were sitting under it, it was a big shock and in other parts of the school you couldn’t hear them at all.

The reason we made the change was because we like to control our environment here, so it really supports the kids and tries to keep our culture really positive and happy, and also logistically we needed the kids to hear the bells.

Now we have this amazing system where we play a short burst of music, that music changes each time the ‘bell’ rings, we can select that music ourselves and the students are involved... sometimes, depending on who selects the music it’s probably a bit of a punishment,” Kristie laughed.

“We get a bit of 70s music when the teachers get to choose. Early on when the teachers were in control we had a bit of ABBA coming through and ACDC which some kids were into, though the kids have very quickly taken ownership of this as we know music is really important to teenagers.

“It just created this really extraordinary moment between teachers and students, all of a sudden the music starts and you’ll see teachers busting into moves and kids doing the same, it’s a really nice interaction. It’s just a few seconds that creates this really nice moment, even if it’s just a bit of fun banter.”

School is supposed to be fun whilst you’re at it, not just preparing you for life after it.”

With the Wellbeing Team in charge, students can opt to add requests and - even while the senior kids are enjoying the control - Kristie ensured the teachers still sneak a few bad 70’s songs in there to keep them on their toes.