Specialist News 

VISUAL ARTS

As we reach the end of the school year, students across all levels are proudly finishing their final artworks and reflecting on the skills they’ve developed. It’s been a wonderful year of creativity, exploration and growth in the Visual Arts room. 

Foundation students have been learning the art of paper weaving. They decorated their sheets using paint slicks, then cut and wove their papers together to create bright, colourful artworks.

Our Grade 1/2 clay pieces are finally dry and heading into the kiln. Students have also been exploring the work of Eric Carle, creating their own scratch-back paper and drawing animal designs inspired by his illustrations.

Grade 3/4 students have finished their pixel artworks, which have now ‘invaded’ the school corridors. They are spending their final lessons learning about still-life drawing.

With some sunshine at last, Grade 5/6 students were able to record the shadows of their foil action figures, completing their sculpture project. They’ll end the year with a favourite activity—designing handmade stickers using contact paper.

PERFORMING ARTS 

In this final term, students have had opportunities to explore ukulele, hand drums, or both. 

In Foundation, we have practiced a variety of instruments, all with the focus on performing in an ensemble, which requires good rhythm and listening skills. We have recently explored how to make different sounds on a hand drum using ‘bass’ and ‘slap’ for low and high pitches.

In Years 1/2, we also continued our hand drum skills with some games and learning traditional folk songs. Many students are also singing and keeping time with the drums all at once! Learning the hand drum is also teaching good self control and listening skills to work as a team.

In Years 3/4, we have been experimenting with different instruments and rhythms, but more recently we have been practicing the ukulele. We have been learning how to change notes with strings and frets so we can play melodies, and by strumming all strings at once to play chords.

In Years 5/6, students have been given some freedom to explore drumming sequences and songwriting tools both digitally and unplugged. We have been exploring some songwriting, drumming and ukulele skills.

Warm regards,

James