back!

Back from the summer school - a fantastic experience. The children were marvellous and hopefully got a lot out of it.
The artists did the galleries (Courtauld, Tate Modern, National) and a workshop with Sue Deighton whilst the dramatists did several workshops at The Globe Theatre, as well as the whole group taking in a couple of shows (War Horse & The Railway Children) - both superbly imaginative renditions.
A whistle-stop, cultural visit to the capital that will, I think, stay with them for a very long time.

Off now for a break to deepest, darkest France to recharge ready for the start of another school year!

hols!

After what seems like a very long, hard year, the school hols have finally arrived! I'm sure the children need a break as much as the teachers- they've worked really hard and deserve a rest.
Saying that, some of us are off to London to round the year off. Tomorrow a group of Gifted and Talented (in art and drama) youngsters hit the city to 'do' the galleries, the Globe and take in a couple of shows - Warhorse and The Railway Children. We'll be having workshops with experienced practitioners and taking in some of the more cultural sights.
Off to pack!

kinetic art

Tried to interest the children in making some kinetic art pieces today - with mixed success. In my mock-up the ballerina's legs move when the card is jiggled. Am thinking that this could be good for birthday cards etc. They just didn't seem to appreciate that the pieces needed to be relatively chunky for it to work - oh well, I tried. Suppose they'd rather do lots and lots of writing instead!

'Aboriginal' designs

This afternoon we used cotton buds to paint 'Aboriginal' patterns and designs onto stones. The central white 'stripe' is supposed to link them together into a collaborative, 'walkabout' piece.

We got carried away and decorated our sketchbooks.

And a large sheet of 'rock-like' paper.

kangaroos and boomerangs

Australian theme - card kangaroos & boomerangs.

And a 'coloured in' exotic bird!

watch the birdy!

It's Big Arts Week and the whole school is being creative! We've loosely based it around the different countries of the world cup.In y3 tomorrow I plan to do some 'Amazonian birds' (totally fictitious, but then again not all species may have yet been discovered!) 'cos they are 'doing' Brazil. This is a pic of my prototype. We'll build them from card and add suitable paper feathers etc.