With links to Wollongong’s Conservatorium of Music and the Yamaha Music Foundation, relieving principal David McAndrew attributes the school’s success to its extensive musical curriculum and tutoring program.

“Students at the school have a choice of more than 15 instruments to choose from ranging from the humble fife to more complex woodwind, brass and string instruments,” he said.

“The instruments are all taught by specialised music tutors.”

The school’s string music teacher Daniel Butler comes from the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music every Tuesday.

He teaches the finer points of the violin, viola and cello to his eager string students.

A member of the prestigious SBS Youth Orchestra, Mr Butler had more than 14 years experience as a string player under his belt and has performed at both the Sydney Opera House and City Recital Hall.

“Even though the school’s music program is totally elective, a high number of students enrol each year to learn a musical instrument with many progressing to the school’s orchestra,” Mr McAndrew said.

“We believe the popularity and consequent success of this program is due to our smaller personalised music classes taught by these specialised tutors,” he said.

Another example of the depth in teaching staff offered by the school is the resident clarinet and keyboard teacher, Cheryl Ricketts.

A former Wollongong Symphony Orchestra member and Australian organ champion, Ms Ricketts was invited to study at Japan’s prestigious Yamaha Music Foundation.

A key figure in the school band, Ms Ricketts now brings this experience to her classroom.

Mr McAndrew said for almost 10 years now students from Robertson Public School again attended the annual Festival of Instrumental Music at the Sydney Opera House and came back with priceless experience and memories.

“And in October two of our students were accepted into the South Coast Junior Music Camp, which selects the finest music students from the Illawarra, Highlands and South Coast regions to attend,” he said.