Three students from Harrisdale Primary School in southeast Perth, WA have launched an innovative podcast focusing on issues that matter most to their fellow classmates.
‘Step Up and Shine’, created by Year 6 students Mariya, Saanvi and Amelie, explores the challenges of growing up in primary school and navigating the transition to high school, providing insights and support for their peers.
Western Australia’s Department of Education said Harrisdale Deputy Principal, Mr Julian Thrupp, mentored the students through the podcasting process and praised the initiative.
“The journey to launch this podcast has taken weeks of planning and creative content meetings. The team has embraced feedback and shown remarkable dedication,” he said.
“As a lead digital technologies school, Harrisdale is proud to see students developing technical skills alongside teamwork, cooperation, and planning.”
Mr Thrupp highlighted the drive of podcast host Mariya, who spearheaded the project.
“Her determination to turn this idea into reality is inspiring. Like the title of their podcast, they have truly stepped up and are shining bright,” he said.
Mariya revealed her personal motivation for starting the podcast, which stemmed from her family’s migration from India. Witnessing her sister struggle with bullying after school, inspired her to create a platform addressing students’ concerns.
“It hurt me to see my sister cry every day. I wanted to help students feel prepared, supported, and less alone in school,” Mariya said.
The trio choose topics for Step Up and Shine by surveying their peers, allowing them to focus on issues that matter most to students.
“I enjoy knowing that I’m doing something to help my classmates and everyone in my cohort,” Mariya said.
“When the podcast was published, instead of judging me, people appreciated and respected what I created.”
Mariya is already looking ahead, aiming to produce episodes on topics such as overcoming fears, motivational stories, and the impact of overused platforms such as social media.
The podcast is a team effort, with Saanvi co-hosting and Amelie taking the lead as the tech guru. Together, the trio plans to continue the podcast into their high school experience.
You can find the first episode of Step Up and Shine here.
