Around the Senior School

Visual Arts

From Mr Andrew Orme-Smith, Head of Visual Arts

2024 has started with a bang following excellent HSC results in 2023. (Congratulations to all those students and Toni Bilton!) 

The Elective Visual Arts have strong numbers with two classes in both Year 9 and Year 11 and it is great to see a good number of boys in Year 9 as that is not always the case. Year 9 have started a unit on Surrealism, an important 20th Century art movement of visual arts, performance and literature that emerged in Paris in 1924. Tapping into dreams and the subconscious for inspiration, it unleashed imaginative works that were sometimes playful but could equally reflect society with cutting effect. One “game” played by the Surrealists to allow for unexpected outcomes was called “Exquisite Cadaver”, where each person draws a head, folds over the paper and passes it on to the next person, and everyone draws a torso and so on. 

Pictured below is James Berryman’s creation (although it is a team effort) and a group shot with Charlotte Mulcahy, Eve Napier, Phoebe Paynter and Millie Mackay. Surrealism is an excellent way of learning to create art in widely creative ways, while also developing an understanding around how the world of the artist can shape their works. These enthusiastic young artists will be full of surprises. 

Public Speaking

From Mrs Claudia McCalman, Senior Students Coordinator

In a stunning display of oratory skills, George Hogg (Year 11 student) won both the Orange Lions Youth of the Year Award and the Best Public Speaker Award at last night’s event at Duntry League. In front of members of the Orange Lions’s Club and alongside participants and their supporters from other schools, George gave two 2-minute impromptu speeches (one responding to ‘A Strong Body leads to a Strong Mind’, and 'What is Your Funniest Childhood Memory') and a 5-minute prepared speech on youth involvement with politics. He was outstanding, balancing ethos, pathos and logos, and giving a masterclass in timing and modulation. George now progresses to the district round which takes place in a fortnight in Griffith. Congratulations and good luck George!

Student of the Week 

From the Learning Enhancement Team

Lachlan Robb has been selected as Student of the Week by the Learning Enhancement Team for his hard work and engagement in English.