From the Principal

The 2023 St George’s Anglican Grammar Schools Art Exhibition has reminded us of the indispensable value of the arts curricular in schools. Now more than ever, sparking creativity and imagination in our students is indisputably crucial. Art encourages us to feed the soul and acknowledge our inner yearnings for self-expression. Creating art requires students to take risks, to be vulnerable and to confront and accept some of their inner most emotions. It can bring discomfort, but it can equally have the power to heal. Our art exhibition, which sadly concluded today, clearly demonstrated some of these intense emotions from our students. 

Art allows for a freedom of expression, giving students the unique ability to develop their own voice and perspective on a wide range of different issues or concerns. Art develops in students the skills of critical thinking, it heightens the ability to understand the opinions of others, fosters creativity and helps us all to consider the hard questions that confront the world around us. Art sharpens our intellectual skills, bolsters teamwork, and perhaps more importantly makes life and school that little bit more fun. And school indeed should be fun!

While being involved in art, students have been found to develop resilience, empathy and the capacity to learn from their mistakes and to have another go. Imperfections in art can often lead to masterpieces being created ~ the journey of creating a piece of art is frequently as important as the final piece of work. 

Embracing the arts, whether they be visual arts or performing arts are therefore essential for a wholesome human experience. 

The 2023 Art Exhibition held at our new venue of 140 St Georges Terrace was one which clearly demonstrated the energy and passion of our artists and the Art & Design Department. The Sounds at Sunset Concert next week will do the same for our music students and the excitement is building within the School as the Drama & Dance Departments begin their countdown to the announcement of our 2024 School Production. What will it be? 

Dr Seuss talks of the importance in our lives to be able to ‘Think and wonder, wonder and think’ – the arts provide us all with so many wonderful opportunities for this to occur. I sincerely thank all students for their contributions to the 2023 Art Exhibition and for having the courage to have their pieces of work on show to all within the City of Perth. I’d also like to sincerely thank all members of the Visual Arts and Performing Arts Departments for their ongoing commitment to ensuring that these areas continue flourish and thrive at St George’s ~ how truly blessed are we. 

Mrs Tina Campbell

Principal