Craft News

This term has seen a dramatic shift in Craft. I now have my very own Craft space in the middle school. Although I am unsure how long the space will be mine (as it was purpose-built as the middle school art room), it is wonderful to have a place to call home, where students enter the space and know exactly what is expected of them. We have created new roles, such as the ‘Craft Assistant’, who helps with jobs throughout the lesson, and I have blackboard space for each class, making instructions and a “help” system simple and effective. I currently have Classes 3–7 coming to the Craft space and will trial Class 2 later in the year when they are ready.

Here’s a little overview of what’s happening in each class at the moment:

Class 1 - We are finishing off our birds and moving on to our recorder cases. I am seeing students become much more independent in their knitting, and new students are picking up the new skills quickly (and with excitement!).

Class 2 - Many Class 2 students finished their dolls at the end of Term 2, just in time for the Alice Springs Show. The Class 2 group entry won first prize, as well as the Judges’ Choice Award, and the students were so proud! Those who have not yet finished are continuing with their dolls, while other students are making mini dolls and accessories. Once they are settled into their new class teacher, we will create their felt-dyed pencil rolls.

Class 3 - Class 3 have been creating geoboards – a woodwork project that encompassed many new skills and required the students to create a design, hammer nails into a wooden board, and then weave wool around the nails to create an artwork. As students finished, they began working on their crochet cushion covers. Students are working from a pattern and have created new steps in their pattern in line with the previous ones, adding one extra single stitch per round (there’s a bit of maths involved!).

Class 4 - We are continuing with our cross-stitch this term, and Class 4 is really enjoying the rhythm of the new room. Some students (there are always a handful!) finished their cross-stitches in a flash and are now working on a collective wall hanging for the Craft room, using a hula hoop as the frame. A group of students will then start the next project, which is likely to be embroidery and linocut.

Class 5 - As the weather keeps cool, our priority has shifted to woodwork in Class 5, with some students continuing to finish their socks in Term 4. This is the project many have been anticipating all year! We are working on developing students’ ability to listen carefully to instructions, follow them the first time, and demonstrate their understanding of the “Craft Expectations” before commencing woodwork. Working with tools requires an extra level of care and focus to ensure everyone can work safely, and it is important that all students are ready to take on this new responsibility.

Class 6 - Class 6 have paused their dolls until the weather gets warmer and are also now onto woodwork. Some students are finishing their bowls from last year, while others are working on wooden spoons. There is some excellent problem-solving going on in this class at the moment, and students are showing their perseverance and maturity as they begin to complete their bowls.

Class 7 - We’ve had several projects on the go in Class 7. Last term, we made wooden frames using a range of woodwork techniques. The cohort of students showed they were ready to commence work with power tools and were taught safe practices with the jigsaw, sander and drill. They finished the frames using a wood burner to create drawings and words.

We are currently finishing up our medieval banners, with some students beginning simple stitching on the sewing machine to finish the project. Alongside this, we are also working on veil painting – a technique developed by Rudolf Steiner himself. It is a meditative watercolor technique developed through anthroposophical ties.

The end of Term 2 saw many entries for the Alice Springs Show and Beanie Festival! It’s always exciting for students to showcase their skills at local events, and the quality of the entries overall was fantastic.

Until next time… have a great term!

Bindi