Just Make a Mark and See Where it Takes You

Starting with a blank canvas, the Primary Creative Arts committee had permission to just come up with an idea and see where it would go as they began planning the 2024 creative experience for our students. The ideas quickly flowed – workshops, electives, House competitions, incursions, creative classrooms….before they knew it, the ideas and possibilities were endless and providing such rich initiatives for our students to engage in an immersive experience of creativity. From here, DOT week was born, a week inspired by the children’s story book, The Dot by Peter H Reynolds.

The story begins with a student, Vashti in an art room staring at a blank piece of white paper. Vashti doesn’t believe that she can draw, and she is reluctant to begin the task. Her teacher encourages her to “Just make a mark and see where it takes you.” 

Vashti picks up the marker and gives the paper a good jab. To her surprise, the next time Vashti enters the art room, her ‘dot’ is framed and hanging on display for all to see. From here, Vashti’s creative endeavours grow – with the confidence to keep on trying and getting better with each attempt, resulting in colourful displays of dotty creativity.

This week, DOT week, has begun like a blank canvas or piece of paper. The students and staff have entered into new spaces, engaged with new ideas and learning alongside new people. As each student engages in the various DOT week activities and experiences, they are encouraged to Develop Our Talents, by trying new creative pursuits, developing their passions and doing hard things that challenge and grow their resilience and growth mindset along the way! 

We look forward to parents and friends joining the DOT week celebrations at our Showcase on Friday afternoon, where I am sure you will be entertained and amazed by just how far the creative talents have developed. With lots of inspiration, creativity and encouragement along the way, our amazing teaching team have helped the students embrace the wellbeing theme, We Do Hard Things, to ensure that DOT week could come to life, resulting in colourful displays of dotty creativity at DCC!