IN OUR SCHOOLS BUDDING ARTISTS
KIRWAN State High School students are working towards developing their ceramics skills this term.
The Year 12 Certificate II in Visual Arts students have been tasked with designing an artisan bowl that represents the culture and lifestyle of North Queensland.
Students have been rolling clay slabs and moulding their own ceramic bowl.
They then carve their designs into their bowls before they are fired and painted later in the term.
Head of department Lindsay Nobile said the Year 12 students were developing their hand-building skills in order to construct their artisan ceramic bowls.
“They have engaged in a lot of experimental work prior to working towards producing their own artisan ceramic bowl,” she said.
“It is not a difficult skill to master, however does take a lot of patience, time and attention to detail in order to produce creative outcomes.”
Ms Nobile said students had brainstormed a variety of concepts when it came to representing the culture and lifestyle of North Queensland.
“Students with indigenous heritage have drawn upon this factor to create representations of their totems or cultural symbols,” she said.
WE are lucky to live in North Queensland with the Great Barrier Reef on our doorstep and the warmth of the sun on our skin, however, the humidity and sunlight we receive makes sun safety in schools of the utmost importance.
Relevant and updated information being the key to education, St Margaret Mary’s College has installed the Sun Smart Sun Safety Widget, a Cancer Council initiative providing current weather forecasts and protection tips on the student and staff intranet pages to keep the community informed regarding our unique climate.
Sunscreen dispensers are placed through the college for
“Students have also looked to the Great Barrier Reef and its marine life or the Daintree Rainforest as inspiration for their ceramic.
“Some of the designs that students have come up with feature sea animals, such as manta rays or dolphins, or elements inspired by native flora, such as gum leaves and bottle brush patterns.”
She said visual arts was important in schools as it gave students and young people the opportunity to express themselves as well as acting as a creative outlet.
“Visual art develops students’ ability to have an open mindset and work in a creative way,” she said. easy access and regular application.
Navy blue shade sails and our trademark wide-brim hats ensure that UV rays are kept at bay and students are kept cool and under shade when moving between classes.
Health and wellbeing leaders in Years 9 and 12 organise sun safety awareness programs such as Violets and Lace Day and Melanoma Month.
Teaching our staff and students now that their actions have consequences is the key to long-term health benefits.
Thus it is our responsibility as a community living in paradise to promote sun safety and sun awareness in schools to protect and educate future generations.
“Students will develop both their thinking and motor skills to be able to make, adapt, modify and think creatively, whilst also having the opportunity to engage in mindful practices.”
She said Kirwan High had a thriving visual arts program that encouraged students to be artists and innovators.
“This involves classes from Year 7 through to Year 12 as well as an extra-curricular visual arts collective that meets weekly providing another space for students to express themselves through their art and work with our passionate and dedicated team of teachers, teacher aides and artist in residence Rhonda Payne.”