A large display of student art work showcased at least one piece from every student from Prep to Year 6.
Last Thursday night saw the launch of our inaugural ‘Arts Show’ with a welcome to the school community from our Principal, Mrs Wood. This was followed by an animated response from our local Member of Parliament, Mr Neil Angus. The Choir sang, students and parents alike engaged in the ‘Art in Action’ activities, Art Films showcased year five and six films created in Mr Castiglione’s film making classes, he was helped on the night by Peter, while Jayden and Oscar sold popcorn; sausages sizzled and Mrs Whitfield’s Monet and Miro inspired cake stall was nothing short of spectacular. It was fantastic to be part of such an enthusiastic crowd and the warm and engaging atmosphere on the night. The evening was attended by many parents, students and the wider school community despite threatening clouds and wintry weather.
A large display of student art work showcased at least one piece from every student from Prep to Year 6. To see the skill development from a student’s first tentative marks in prep, to art works that show confidence and flair in later years was so important for students to see. For our students, the Visual Arts is a positive way to express their creativity, thoughts and feelings. It enables students to imagine and arrive at their own unique solutions to set tasks and experience the joy and discovery of creativity.
Special thanks is deserving to the Bank of Melbourne for its sponsorship, together with the Burwood East Manager, Mr Steven Mills who, together with four of his staff, cooked sausages and manned the stall during the evening. Thank you also to Mrs Whitfield for her enthusiasm and wonderfully creative cake stall and her student helpers; to Mr Castiglione for his input, Art Films and helping with the assembling and deconstructing of display boards. Thank you to all staff and students who helped out on the night, Mrs Whiteoak’s organisation of the choir, Ms Aspinall for taking photos and those teachers who gave up APT time to enable set up of the exhibition. My gratitude also to Mrs Wood who encouraged and supported the event from the beginning; and lastly thanks to Mrs Robyn Bell for saying, ‘yes we can’ and following through on all the detail.
Thoughts, ideas and planning are already underway for a follow up Arts Show next year. I am looking forward to seeing our school community come together again in an atmosphere of goodwill and engagement.
Jacqui Carslake (Art Teacher)
