St Mary’s School Radio launches during lockdown
23 April 2020
St Mary’s School Radio welcomed its first listeners to the launch of the breakfast show from Assistant Director of the Senior School, Mr Roque Vieito on Wednesday 22 April. As the Summer term began, the school’s community of students, parents, staff and former pupils tuned in to hear Mr Vieito sharing St Mary’s news, playing a selection of upbeat songs whilst announcing dedications and shout-outs sent in by listeners.
This new project, funded by St Mary’s PTA who purchased the radio equipment, has been some time in the planning, with training and student-led practice broadcasts taking place within the Senior School prior to the pandemic and subsequent temporary closure of the school. The St Mary’s School Radio presenters visited BBC HQ, in London last academic year and rubbed shoulders with staff from BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1Xtra, picking up some tips and learning about careers within radio. Until students are back in school, Mr Vieito is holding the fort, broadcasting the new radio show from his home.
The new radio station is streaming live Monday to Friday, between 8am and 8.50am, prior to the girls checking in with their teachers online for Registration. The streaming link is available on the St Mary’s Senior School or Lower School Facebook pages so that anyone can listen and submit shout-outs, dedications and song requests via post comments or by email to smsradio@stmaryscolchester.org.uk
To listen to St Mary’s School Radio, tune in between 8am and 8.50am, Monday to Friday via this link: