Year 10
IB MYP Year 10 Visual Art
When artists appropriate, the end result is a strangely familiar, yet an altogether new creation. (Soapfactory.org, 2007)
In Term 1, Year 10 Visual Arts IB MYP students have been exploring the inquiry statement, “Communicating in innovative ways may engage audiences to question their actions regarding global issues.”
Students have been introduced to a range of technical approaches to drawing toys, the subject matter for this unit. Through demonstrations by Loreto’s Artist in Residence Jane Disher, discussions on her approach to the chosen subject matter and disciplined practice, students have learnt skills which have prepared them to develop and produce a Major Work in Term 2. The student’s artistic intention for their Major work is evolving from their personal engagement in global issues, knowledge of artists’ practice and the documentation of their creative thinking.
In supporting students to respond to the Statement of Inquiry, students have referred to the text of Alasdair Macintyre’s 2004 speech, in which he analysed the connections between his practice and that of German surrealist artist Max Ernst’s idea: that an artist has one eye open, and one eye closed. The open eye is attentive to the immediate environment and world events, while the inner eye is focused on the internal mechanisms of the heart.
Making connection with self and others in order to reflect upon and respond to a contemporary world aims for students to independently explore the Global, Key and Related concepts, yet be scaffolded as they interrogate the artwork and writing of the three Australian artists Monika Behrens, Penny Byrne, and Alasdair Macintyre.
Toy imagery as subject matter is being used to address contemporary personal and global issues. Students are taking the often innocent appearance of toys and through subtle adjustment, challenging the viewer’s childhood connections with toys while engaging them in issues of personal and global significance.
The completed artworks will be exhibited early in Term 3 in the Middle Years Exhibition.
Ms Jacky Hamilton
Art Teacher
IB MYP Year 10 Science: Police Constable Craig Charles and Police Dog Ruger
As part of their study of Genetics, our Year 10 students recently heard from Constable Craig Charles about the importance of genetics in producing a good police dog.
This importance is based on the premise that "time is money": a poor dog, with poor genetics, will inevitably cost money. If a dog is physically incapable, or is too timid for police work, years of training are wasted. Hence, a strict breeding program is followed in the production of police dogs.
Police dogs are bred in New Zealand. Their Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) is based on a score out of 10 that is calculated based on the dog’s boldness, aggression, confirmation and intelligence. The closer to an EBV of 10, the more likely the dog is to be involved in the breeding program.
They were highly commended by Craig for their attentiveness and engagement, and for asking many thoughtful questions.
Much to the delight of the students, Police Dog Ruger had the opportunity to showcase his fine genetics by apprehending a local villain masquerading as a Science teacher.
Mr Leo Baker
Year 10 Science Teacher
