Arts

2026 Head of the Lake Logo Design 

Two talented students have made their mark on school rowing history after contributing to the official Head of the Lake 2026 logo. 

Earlier this year, students were invited to take part in the Head of the Lake 2026 Logo Design Competition, with the challenge of creating a design that would feature on all the event’s promotional materials. The winning logo would also appear on the official T-shirts and hoodies worn by rowers from all BAS schools. 

To meet competition requirements, each design needed to include the acronym HOTL, the year 2026, and either be adaptable to every competing school’s colour scheme or incorporate all school colours into one cohesive design. After careful judging, the top designs were selected and submitted to BAS Head of the Lake for final consideration. 

The response was overwhelmingly positive. BAS Head of the Lake organising committee loved all the entries and would like to thank all the students who submitted their ideas. Two concepts especially appealed to the committee, so they declared two students as winners, and decided to combine elements from each into a brand-new official logo. 

A huge congratulations to Year 11 students Riley Barratt and Jesse Bellchambers, whose creativity and design skills will now be part of Head of the Lake history. 

Year 10 2D Art - Mixed Media 

This term, the Year 10 2D Art class explored mixed media. Their challenge sounded simple but was surprisingly challenging: use as many different art materials as possible to develop a single cohesive artwork. The result has been a vibrant collection of pieces that celebrate artistic play. The experience has also taught the students about the inherent nature of differing arts media. 

One standout example is the work of Year 10 student Archie Gannon, who embraced the task with enthusiasm. Archie combined dry pastels, markers, coloured pencil, graphite, oil pastels and gouache to create a humorous and expressive drawing of a giraffe.  

Year 10 Photography: Mood and Meaning 

This semester, our Year 10 Photography students have been busy producing some truly imaginative work. Under the expert guidance of photography teacher Mark O’Callaghan, students explored the fundamental skills of photography and post-capture editing. They learned key composition techniques, gained a practical understanding of aperture control, ISO settings, and other technical aspects of the camera, and practised the art of post-capture editing to enhance mood and create striking visual effects. 

A highlight of the semester’s work has been the students’ experimentation with lighting and glowing effects, which they used to elevate their images into the realm of the surreal, symbolic and atmospheric. Some of the standout pieces include: 

• Tom Lauden’s dramatic depiction of St Patrick, surrounded by a luminous shamrock that radiates with symbolic energy. 
• Riley Hayes’ unsettling and evocative images of a pianist who appears to be unravelling, both figuratively and perhaps literally, capturing a vivid horror-film aesthetic. 
• Harrison Bennett’s photograph of a halo-wearing golden cow possessing eerie and glowing eyes, blending humour with mystery. 
• Redmond Ward’s edgy self-portrait, featuring a glowing halo that feels anything but angelic, an intriguing play on symbolism and identity. 

These works reflect the students’ growing confidence with technical tools and their willingness to push creative boundaries. Their ability to combine in-camera skill with thoughtful digital editing has resulted in a body of work that is original, imaginative, and atmospheric. 

Year 8 Students Explore the Art of Self-Portraiture 

Year 8 students have been learning to observe closely and draw with intention. Using mirrors as their primary tool, students studied their own reflections, paying careful attention to line, form, and tone. 

This process encouraged them to slow down and trust their eyes. Students were encouraged to take note of the subtle curves, tones, shadows and proportions of our faces, which combined make us appear distinctly different from each other. Students were able to develop a deeper understanding of how artists capture likeness. 

Year 9 Artists Inspired by the Archibald Prize 

This term, our Year 9 Art students immersed themselves in the tradition of portraiture by drawing inspiration from one of Australia’s most iconic art events, the Archibald Prize. Established in 1921, the annual prize has long captured the public’s imagination, celebrating outstanding portrait paintings that reflect the diverse stories and personalities of our nation. Judged by the Trustees of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, it remains a benchmark of artistic excellence. 

In 2025, the Archibald Prize was exhibited exclusively in Victoria at the Geelong Gallery, giving many of our students the valuable opportunity to visit the show and experience the work of Australia’s leading portrait artists firsthand. 

In the classroom, students explored the history of the Prize and studied some of its most memorable entries. 

They then created their own portraits, selecting subjects who inspire them, from parents and mentors to community members and personal heroes. Their artworks reveal a genuine sense of respect and admiration for the people who influence their lives. 

Student Artwork at Clontarf Awards Night

We were delighted to select and set up a showcase of artwork made by our very talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students at the Clontarf Awards night last Friday in the Old Collegians' Pavilion.  Student artwork from Years 8, 9 10 and 11 was displayed alongside bundis and clap sticks made by Clontarf students here at St Patrick's College.  

Students were able to proudly share their work with family and friends during the awards night, and we (as an Arts Faculty) are encouraged to see some amazing emerging creative talent here at the College across many art forms and mediums.

Staff Art Sessions 

Throughout Semester 2, the Arts staff at St Patrick’s College generously volunteered their time and talent to lead a series of creative workshops for their colleagues. Held fortnightly, these sessions invited staff from all areas of the College to step into the world of art, learn new skills, and enjoy the wellbeing benefits that come from making art together. 

Each workshop focused on a different medium or technique, offering participants the chance to try something new - whether they were complete beginners or experienced creatives looking to refine their practice or simply make art. Staff were encouraged to continue their projects between sessions, creating a relaxed environment where staff could enter the state of flow.  

Among the workshops offered were: 

• Charcoal life drawing, where participants developed their observational skills and explored expressive mark-making. 
• Acrylic pour painting, a vibrant and trending technique that allowed staff to create abstract artworks through the liquid movement of paint. 
• Ceramics, where participants hand-built unique pieces such as tea-light holders, bowls, and festive Christmas ornaments. 

These sessions were not only an opportunity to learn artistic techniques but also a wonderful way to connect, collaborate, and unwind during a busy school term. 

We extend our thanks to Wendy Sheridan, Rebecca Warr, and Kristen Rice for their generosity and enthusiasm in presenting at these workshops. Their willingness to share their skills has enriched our staff community and sparked creativity across the College.