St Mungos High School

SM-FM is the student radio station of St Mungo’s High School in Falkirk. It was established to address issues such as promoting citizenship, raising attainment, ‘equality and inclusion’ and ‘learning for life and work.’ The station was officially opened in October 2005 by radio and television presenter Brian Burnett.

The state-of-the-art studio was installed with funding from Falkirk Council and local employer BP/Innovene. 

The school’s achievements were acknowledged when it was presented with a Forth Valley Partnership Award from Careers Scotland in March 2006 for ‘Developing Enterprising Attitudes and Skills’ in conjunction with Clyde Broadcast.  The award recognises the incredibly positive impact of St. Mungo’s School radio on students and staff.
   
“SYNERGY is fantastic.  The sophistication of kit that is available for a school is incredible.  The kids realise that this is real and they really get involved in the whole programme making process.”
John Collins, BBC Scotland Producer and former student of St Mungo’s

"Youngsters have an uncanny knack for identifying the real thing and Synergy certainly falls into that category.  The experience can help prepare kids for the world outside by boosting their confidence and encouraging critical thinking. It also acts a credible forum for the pupil voice"
George Marcinkiewicz, former Deputy Head at the school had the idea for a school radio station and came to see SYNERGY.
       
SYNERGY has also opened up new curricular opportunities for both St. Mungo’s and other schools in the area with pupils now having access to radio/media studies as a subject choice.
This includes producing programmes to broadcast during the day and in which SQA Certification at Intermediate 2 Media Studies is attainable.

An Enterprise group was set up to determine and operate a management structure to run SM-FM.  Whilst running the business side of SM-FM they are also responsible for thinking up new and innovative ideas to raise funds such as producing talking books for the blind.

SYNERGY has also developed existing curricular subjects including the completion of core skills in Working with Others, ICT and Citizenship and Community Involvement.

St. Mungo’s High School also offers extra-curricular activities as a result of their SYNERGY facility.  This includes journalistic training, technical expertise and experience in sound engineering.  It broadens pupil horizons by providing a learning environment that stimulates and motivates pupils, increasing personal responsibility for independent thinking and active involvement in learning both on a curricular and extra-curricular basis.

In September 2006 St. Mungo’s High School pupils were chosen to perform a ‘live’ broadcast at the Scottish Exhibition of Technology and Training (SETT).
The broadcast was part of a presentation given in the Learning and Teaching Education Village.