Craft News

As 2025 draws to a close, we are wrapping up our craft projects, and there are some very proud students who have completed lengthy and rewarding projects. Over the past couple of months, we've had some exciting additions to the craft calendar. During the ‘Diwali’ festival, Class 1 and 2 worked with Adarsh’s family to create beautiful ceramic lanterns. Additionally, the Yarrenyty Arltere Artists from Larapinta Town Camp visited Classes 4, 5, and 6 to help the students make sculptural birds. In 2026, I hope to create even more opportunities for the school to connect with the community and to local creatives. 

Here are a few highlights from each class as we end the year:

Class 1

We have only a few students left to finish their recorder cases, just in time for the summer festival! It’s been a great year of learning in Class 1, and this project has helped bring all those skills together. For the students who have finished their cases, we’ve started working on Christmas decorations using dolphin stitch, bubble stitch, finger knitting, and button stitching. It’s a wonderful way to wrap up the year. I can’t wait to challenge this craft-hungry group with new skills in Class 2!

Class 2

The doll project in Class 2 has really tested the endurance of some students. It was wonderful to see their motivation peak as their knitted dolls took shape and began to have a personality of their own. We’re currently adding the finishing touches to their dolls such as hair and accessories. On Thursday afternoon, we’ll have a doll picnic where the students can share their finished piece and what they are most proud of.

Class 3

Our crochet cushion covers are looking fantastic! Many students finished early and have since taken on other creative projects, including ceramics, weaving, and crochet granny squares. Despite all the changes the class has navigated this year, we’ve really found our rhythm in craft. It has been wonderful to see students strengthen their will and perseverance, sustaining focus for longer periods and taking real pride in their work.

Class 4

Almost all students have completed their cross-stitched fountain-pen holders, complete with felt backing and button closures. Each design reflects the individuality of its maker, which made this project especially meaningful. As an extension task, the group explored lino cutting, drawing inspiration from flora and fauna they found around the school grounds. I’m looking forward to printing their designs onto T-shirts in the coming days as we close out the term.

Class 5

The embroidery skills learnt last year made Class 5’s sculptural birds truly shine! The students thrived during the workshop led by the Yarrenyty Arltere Artists and should feel very proud of their achievements. This term we also began woodwork, carving wooden bowls. The physical nature of this project has been a refreshing change, and many students enjoyed sanding while chatting and sharing time together. As the weather heated up, we alternated between indoor and outdoor sessions, completing soft-craft projects and creating needle-felted Christmas decorations inside.

Class 6

Class 6 has taken on a very special project this term - a creative gift to the school. Students have designed and mosaicked a ‘Welcome / Werte’ sign using large pavers, which will soon be laid at the school entrance after the pedestrian crossing. Their work is outstanding: vibrant, thoughtful, and beautifully executed. We can’t wait to share the final installation with you!

Class 8 & 9

In true teenage fashion, many of the wooden stools from Classes 8 and 9 were completed just in the nick of time! Through this project, students learned a wide range of new skills - from safely using power tools, to understanding the importance of precision in woodwork, to exploring finishing techniques that give a project a truly polished look. I wish this cohort all the very best in their next endeavours.

I wish everyone a wonderful summer break and look forward to a fresh new year full of learning and creativity!

Bindi