Music making and art fun were the order of the day when pupils at Stratherrick Primary got to enjoy a peak at Rokzkool Academy's new venue in the Eastgate Shopping Centre.

Rokzkool will be celebrating the launch of its new Studio 58 base in the Inverness shopping centre on Saturday from midday to 4pm, when popular band Scooty and the Skyhooks will be popping along to perform their set for around an hour. There will also be other fun attractions like face painting.

And before the big day, Rokzkool threw their doors open to the youngsters of Stratherrick Primary – the "school where it all started" for the music charity.

• Related: Inverness charity Rokzkool aims to create sense of community at Studio 58 in Eastgate Shopping Centre

• Related: Sound of music set to fill Eastgate Shopping Centre in Inverness as Rokzkool takes up residence

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The grassroots charity, which was set up by Rod Shannon and Kay Ewen several years ago, runs music workshops for young people of all ages and backgrounds and works alongside schools and communities to boost skills and help "build confidence, self esteem, resilience and social skills as well as independence and respect". Its work also sees youngsters work towards recognised awards, such as Hi5, Saltire, Youth Awards and Duke of Edinburgh.

And it aims to use its new Eastgate base, which is located in the site formerly occupied by women’s clothes shop Phase Eight, to create a community-based learning centre that includes the likes of volunteer-run music lessons for all ages and abilities, as well as art and craft workshops and podcasting sessions. It also hopes its offerings will help young people to gain employability skills.

Pupils at Stratherrick Primary got a wee peak of the musical fun the centre will offer when they headed down on Tuesday for an early glimpse.

And headteacher, Alan Graham, was delighted to see the pupils invited along – adding that the youngsters had a "great day".

He said: "Stratherrick Primary School has been privileged to have known Rokzkool for a number of years (over 10) and absolutely value the contributions they have made to enhancing our curriculum.

"We were invited to come along to a day of music making and art. The children developed their skills in playing various instruments and worked collaboratively to create music and play together in a band.

"Rod and Kay are so inspiring, energetic and fun and this helps to motivate the pupils to do their best. We all had a great day!"

Rokzkool trustee and founder Kay Ewen said: "We had another amazing time with the Stratherrick Primary School. The headteacher believes in what we do and has been very supportive of our charity."

For more information about Rokzkool, visit https://rokzkoolacademy.org/.

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