“There is such power in working with colleagues in other countries. It inspires us, helps us appreciate our fortune, but also makes us think of what we could do differently. If you can, connect!” Jeremy Barnes, headteacher, All Saints Catholic Primary School, Liverpool
Nothing brings people together like sharing music. It is a means to explore our different cultures and open up friendships.
Inspired by Eurovision 2023, this resource supports schools to work together in partnership, connecting and collaborating through music.
United by Music: Don't judge a book
The activities in this classroom resource are designed to help primary and secondary teachers bring an intercultural dimension to learning and to strengthen their students’ cultural understanding, well-being and international perspectives through creativity.
Central to the resource is a song composed by pupils from All Saints Catholic Primary School, in Liverpool, in collaboration with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. The song, Don’t judge a book, focuses on the importance of friendship, inclusion, diversity and community – all values at the heart the Eurovision Song Contest. By learning the song and exploring these themes in partnership, pupils develop a deeper understanding of the rich language, geography and culture of their partner school.
School's Euroconcert
On 12 May 2023, 180 school children from Liverpool and more than 70,000 worldwide performed in a concert to celebrate Eurovision 2023, demonstrating the values of coming together in music. The event, hosted by Resonate, and led by Live Music Now musicians, Fernleaf, was a mixture of UK and European modern and folk songs and tunes.
The concert ended with a very special performance of ‘Don’t judge a book’, bringing together four schools in Liverpool with their partner schools in Ukraine to sing in celebration of Eurovision 2023.
“You can't imagine how timely this project is for our learners. They are excited and full of ideas. Even when we are in the shelter, they are talking over their ideas. Thank you for this opportunity to shift their attention from current situation to music and communication.” Anzhelika Buravenko, English teacher, Kyiv School No 219, Ukraine
Find out more about the song ‘Don’t judge a book’, the children who wrote it and the schools that sang it on the video below.
