Around the Senior School

Visual Arts at the Year 7 Camp at Lake Burrendong

Lake Burrendong is a truly beautiful place for a school camp. The well-equipped facility is surrounded by native woodlands with the Burrendong Botanic Arboretum on one side, and the huge lake to the other. 

Year 7 spent 2 nights there with days and evenings filled with a range of activities and projects that built new skills, developed confidence and, hopefully, fostered friendships. One evening a small group did a landscape artmaking activity. We started with a walk along the lakeshore, taking in the view but also being aware of the sounds, smells, textures and temperature of the place. We discussed how the landscape might have changed over time, with the flooding of the valley for the dam, and the introduction of new species of animals. Each student then worked on a continuous line drawing of the landscape, looking at distant shapes of hills as well as the contours of individual leaves. 

Once the drawing was complete they used watercolours over the top to help communicate their understanding of the landscape. A brief exhibition followed back at camp. I am sure you will agree that these students have created some lively, evocative works. I hope they take fond memories with them from their experiences on Year 7 Camp.