Specialist News

Visual Arts in Term 3

Happy Week 4, everyone!

Firstly, Term 3 is the term for the long awaited Art Show! We have set the dates - it will be on Thursday, September 10 and Friday, September 11. Please note that we will be holding two workshops on Thursday, September 10 and an art show walkthrough only on Friday, September 11. Places for workshops are limited; Compass bookings will be available closer to the date. We look forward to showcasing the hardwork, effort and creativity of all students!

At the beginning of Term 3, grade 3, 4, 5 and 6 students explored the Principles of Art. Principles of Art are the ‘rules’ that help artists create strong and visually appealing artwork. Using samples of artwork they created so far this year, grade 3, 4, 5 and 6 examined how they demonstrated concepts such as balance, contrast, emphasis, rhythm and movement, proportion and unity through thoughtful creative choices, confidence in their expressive ideas and problem-solving skills. 

Prep students were introduced to Australian artist and author, Ida Rentoul Outhwaite, who was well-known for her fairy theme artworks. They looked at the way fairies, Australian animals and flora are depicted in her artworks. Prep students learnt how to do paper mache to create toadstools. Next, they will explore the artworks of May Gibbs and look for similarities and differences in the way fairies, Australian animals and flora are depicted in both artists’ artworks. They will also collaboratively design a fairy garden consisting of fairies and magical creatures out of kurrajong pods and Magiclay.

Grade 1 and 2 students were introduced to Yayoi Kusama, a Japanese artist known as ‘Queen of Polka Dots’. They worked in small groups to create paper mache pumpkins that they will decorate with polka dots in similar style to that of Yayoi Kusama. Next, Grade 1 and 2 students will explore the art element ‘Space’ when learning about bird’s eye view perspectives. They also will learn about proportion and scale when creating bird’s eye view snowpersons.

Grade 3 and 4 students were introduced to Alexander Calder, an American artist, who was known for his wire sculptures. They learnt to form fish using wire that they wrapped with yarn and put together into fish mobiles. Taking inspirations from Calder’s stabiles, which are large, stationary outdoor sculptures, Grade 3 and 4 students will also create abstract paper sculptures with colour cardboards. 

Grade 5 and 6 students studied Claude Monet, a French impressionist artist, his artworks, art styles and life experience. They explored Monet’s water lilies paintings, which he produced during the last 31 years of his life. Grade 5 and 6 students collaborated in small groups to create paper mache koi fish and water lilies to portray Monet’s pond in Giverny. They will be introduced to Monet’s other paintings of flowers, in particular that of wild poppies. Grade 5 and 6 students will paint paper plates and formed warping lines for their poppy plate weaving.

I look forward to seeing you at the Art Show!

Denise Diamantopoulos (Visual Arts Specialist)

Music and Performing Arts

This this is all about the Talent Show. Auditions started this Tuesday and Wednesday lunchtimes and will continue next week Tuesday and Wednesday lunchtimes. The finalists will perform on September 10th in front of the school community, same night as the spectacular Art Show.

All the classes this term are working on the keyboards. We are super lucky to have invested in 8 new portable keyboards, which now provides our program with a 1:1 keyboard set. This means every student in the school will be able to learn on a keyboard at the same time with headphones. Very exciting. 

Preps are finding the white/natural notes on the keyboard. We are first finding the patterns on the keyboard of 2 black notes and 3 black notes. We are using the phrase "Dog ears D" to find the letter D in the middle. Alternatives also taught are "Double D", Spanish "Dos D", French "Deux D" and Duo D. They are then using the musical Alphabet ABCDEFG to fill in the blanks.

They are using composition to reinforce their learning using C,D and E and performing short songs like Mary Had a Little Lamb. Advanced students are using the correct finger numbers in C Position, using thumb for C, index for D and middle finger for E.

Grade 1/2s are finding the notes of the treble clef . We are first identifying 1 of 4 attributes:

Step 1: Line, Space, Middle C or Dangling D?

Option 1: If it has a line through it, it's Every Good Burger Doesn't Fall Apart 

(Alternatively: Every Good Bird Doesn't Fly Away)

Option 2: If it is in the space it's the letters FACE in the space 

(OR if the spelling is tricky: Fish And Chips Everyday)

Option 3: If it is the circle by itself with a line through it, it's Joel's favourite: Cheeseburger C as he searches for the best cheeseburger in Melbourne 

(currently Higher Ground and Builder's Arms)

Option 4: Dangling D, as it dangles off the bottom line.

They are then working on 3 versions of Ode to Joy of varying difficulty. 

1st version is right hand melody.

2nd version is right hand melody + left hand bass note

3rd version is right hand melody + left hand chords

4th (if needed) will be right hand melody + left hand chord inversions + 7th chords

Version 1

Version 2

Version 3

Grade 3-6 are working on the same + bass clef notes. Students who are able to are working on 7 Years Old  with different levels of difficulty. If finished, they will consult with Joel on picking their own song to work on with guided instruction provided.

Version 1

Version 2

Version 3