New student studio hits the airwaves

The mics are live at a brand new podcast and radio studio which has been launched at a school in Cork.

Kinsale Community School (KCS) welcomed UCC’s Dr Domnall Fleming to formally launch its new specialised digital media hub, the first purpose-built studio of its kind in Ireland, the school has said.

The studio will host the school’s Voice of KCS podcast and will provide students with an opportunity to get involved in the creation and broadcast of content for podcasts and radio.

The soundproof facility, designed and built by school caretakers Brendan Barry and Eoin Wright, contains state of the art, professional level recording equipment.

Commenting on the launch of the studio, KCS Principal Fergal McCarthy said: “It's the student voice that determines what it is that we put in place. When you journey through our school, the school options are determined by you.

“It is student voice that looked for the best sport facilities that we could have, that determines our subjects, that looks for the inclusion of children with autism in our school and who welcomes children with moderate learning difficulties in our school. This digital media hub is an important piece of infrastructure that allows every student voice to be recorded,” Mr McCarthy added.

Dr Domnall Fleming of UCC said: “The concept of a community school is important, and KCS is an exceptionally good example as it is lived out here. Students are the most important people in a school and therefore should and must have a right to have a say in what happens in their school.”

The first episode of Voice of KCS is currently available on Spotify and features an introduction from the school’s principal as well as music from the students and discussions on a range of topics.