Feeling Creative

This week, the temperatures plummeted, and we even had a brief flurry of snowflakes during a downpour. November seems keen to make way for December and the term is skipping along. The sound of Christmas carols being practised drifts through the air, whether that is our 3 year olds preparing for their first nativity, or the carefully crafted singing of the Prep Chapel Choir, which means we are gearing up for the festive season. We are strong believers that it is possible to be outside in almost any weather, but when -1 degrees does finally drive you in, there are plenty of ways to be creative indoors.

Year 2 Inquiry – someone else’s trash can be our treasure

Last half-term, the transdisciplinary theme in Year 2 was ‘Sharing the Planet’ and the children were encouraged to explore sustainability through hands-on inquiry. Prior to starting, they, guided by the teachers, researched the work by Jane Perkins and collaborative work by Jason Klimoski and Lesley Chang, founders of architecture and design firm STUDIOKCA.  The children then experimented with discarded materials to create collages, sorting them by colour and texture as these artists have done.

This led to a collaborative piece of artwork using objects that were heading to the bin that the children had collected over several weeks. This process encouraged them to think critically about reusing materials, reducing waste and working together to create a meaningful piece. The result is really quite beautiful and will most certainly be displayed in the Prep for everyone to enjoy. Understandably, the children are proud of what they produced and we are delighted at how well they worked together and with such enthusiasm.

Year 4 Lowry fundraising

Keeping with the theme of art making, you may recall our Year 4s Lowry-inspired exhibition in April. The children created their own industrial landscape paintings, which were framed and displayed. Click here to view our Lowry slideshow.

The £700 raised from the sale of their paintings was donated to Get StARTed, a charity that supplies art materials and support to disadvantaged children, vulnerable adults and people with learning needs in Essex. We recognise the healing powers of creating art and the opportunities art gives to communicate and express ourselves and being able to help others through art is deeply rewarding.

Year 5 Explorers

Year 5 this half-term has been studying explorers and how learning about other people and places has led to advancements in understanding. This week, they headed into London to visit the British Museum, with great excitement about taking the underground. They studied artefacts and formulated questions. A key part of this study is considering what art and artefacts can show us about the people who made it, what can it reveal about the inner workings of a culture and what does it leave us wondering.

Next stop on this learning journey is a deep dive into the realities of Columbus’ famous voyage and the “Columbian Exchange”.

The nativity plays start next week and I will try to capture for you the joys of the angels, shepherds, and singing sheep. Till then, enjoy the falling of the last autumn leaves and wrap up warm.

Best wishes,

Alice Goodfellow