Around the Senior School

Year 9 Masks and Art Express Nomination

While there were lots of wonderful Bodies of Work for the Visual Arts HSC this year, it is always cause for huge excitement when one is nominated for Art Express. Many congratulations to Jess Thompson for the nomination of her work “In the Frame of Mind”. This series of drawings evokes memories and stories of people, pets, and times past, and asks how, or, why, people choose particular photographs for display. The meditative drawings depict her own memories and subject matter dear to her, while tugging at the audiences’ personal experiences. Jess refined her drawing ability through a dedicated approach, and combines areas of intense fidelity with other parts of the drawings that are enigmatically oblique, creating an experience for the viewer that is engaging and rewarding. A remarkable achievement. 

Meanwhile, Year 9 students have been busy creating ceramic masks, fancifully, but respectfully, inspired by various cultures from around the world. The mask is an emotive symbol, and these students embraced it to create individual, refined works that inspire, entertain, and suggest ambiguous meanings. Adorning the ceramics adds another dimension to the works and further allows for individual expression. 

There is so much else going on, but preparation for exams is taking centre stage at the moment. I wish the students good recall and expressive brilliance in the upcoming assessments! 

From Mr Andrew Orme-Smith, Head of Visual Arts

Macquarie Marshes Geography Excursion

The Geography and EES students embarked on an exciting field trip to the Macquarie Marshes, located 110 km northwest of Warren. They were immersed in the unique freshwater riverine wetlands of both the northern and southern marshes, exploring the functioning of this internationally renowned ephemeral ecosystem. A highlight of the trip was guest speaker Mr David Duncan, who provided valuable insights into the human impacts and management of the marshes. The students demonstrated exceptional enthusiasm, curiosity, and a genuine love for outdoor learning throughout the experience.

From Mr Liam Cunningham, Head of Experiential Learning & Round Square