Visions/school sculpture ideas.

For REACH group we have been learning about what a vision is.
We have been thinking of creating a sculpture idea for the school that represents: differences, strong relationships, preparing for the future, integrity, learning through opportunities, inquiry, and creativity.
Our drafts of the sculpture have to include most of these ideas.
The REACH group thought of some interesting and creative ideas.
We have to think about what the sculpture will be made of, will cost, how strong it will be, have to withstand all types of weathers, etc. We will have to set criteria for these.
The group is determined to create a great sculpture idea and make a model of it, which in the future
may become a piece of art for our school.
It has to be simple, but effective.
Wish us luck in achieving this and creating an amazing sculpture for the whole community to share.

By Laura and Indigo.

Back to the Suter!!

On a rainy Monday morning the REACH Suter Group returned to the Suter Art Gallery for their second lesson.
First we learnt how to do a 'contour drawing' of an animal. A 'contour drawing' is the outline of a picture only.
We practised doing different contour drawings and then we had to choose our favourite animal and complete a
large size contour drawing. Then we put grid lines inside our animal and showed our pencil techniques from last week in
each square. The techniques were: shading, glazing, layering, cross hatching and hatching. They looked really colourful
and bright - we haven't seen that on an animal before!!
We then viewed Don Binney's art again and looked for 'eye paths' and 'layering', these are techniques that artists use
to 'compose' their art. We had to spot the layering and eye paths and find six examples to sketch.
We really enjoyed it and can't wait to go back next week. Look out for our contour animals on display around school.

by Eden and Amelia

Suter Art Programme Term 4

Today at the Suter Art Programme we started by viewing some coloured pencil artworks of Don Binney. We then were given paper and coloured pencils. The first technique we learned about was layering, we used the side of the pencil in one direction and then turned our paper so that we could put the next layer on in the other direction. We learned how to glaze, this when we do a layer in colour and then layer with white for a shiny result. Hatching and Cross Hatching were shading techniques using lines and checks to make the artwork look 3D. We finished off by making a colour wheel using only the primary colours, we used the different techniques we had been learning about to make up the secondary colours.
Next week we will be going to Queens Gardens to use some of our new skills. We can't wait!!!!

by Ashley, Olivia and Mrs C

Ecofest - Funky Fashion - Here we Come!!!!

Saturday morning as you all know was a fine but crisp morning. The Ecofest reach group arrived at the Trafalgar center with all their wonderful costumes ready to strut their stuff up on stage. Tate, Laura, Freya, Jayden, Jordon, Portia and Frayja all went into the changing rooms to get changed. Suddenly we heard ''Enner Glynn it's time to go up on stage,'' this is what we look like. Movie to follow shortl

Blog entry by Brandon

Sculpture Trail

On Tuesday, The REACH group went on a great trip to Nelson city. We were looking at the sculptures that are good for the community. We had some nice parents take us into town and bring us back. We looked at an eel trap, maori patterns, reef knots, peoples faces and rocks. We visited the queens gardens and saw some amazing dog statues and pretty rocks put together into hexagons. We also went to a beautiful river and saw sticks with rocks on the ends. We walked under the bridge and saw a metal eel trap. Everyone started squeezing through. Some kids challenged themselves to go through without touching it. This is an interactive sculpture. We saw the southern cross statue and a piece of argillite and it made a weird noise when you tapped it. Some things we learnt are: how to tie reef knots, The names of some sculptors, and how sculptures have stories behind them and how they give a message to the public. The vessel which is pictured above was made by Gavin Hitching in 2005.It originated from a body of work which the artist had developed.
The pegs refer to the surveying in the past as part of our New Zealand history. The work symbolizes "this place, the land we live in".

By Samantha .

The Suter Art Gallery Trip

The REACH group have been going to The Suter Art Gallery every Tuesday since week one of term 3. We're learning about building communities through art. During the first session we looked at some artwork associated with the word "infill." Ester (our art teacher) showed us all the paintings and sculptures. There was a suitcase with clothing and sunglasses on the outside of it. There was also some white tomato plants that looked like they were mirrored. We guessed what the word "infill" meant. Infill means to fill a space. near the end we got into groups of three and made some stuff with copper. It was really tricky! On the second session we looked at sculptures in the Nelson community. We looked at the big hand next to the stoke library. We talked about what it symbolizes and what we'd change if it were our sculpture. Our task for next week will be to design and create a mini sculptor based on our learning so far.

By Samantha

Funky Fashion In Progress

We've all been inspired by our research into the Wearable Arts, we visited the WOW museum for the real experience and now are busy creating our own garments for the Eco Fest Funky Fashion Show!
On a Tuesday Room 13 has been transformed into a designers workroom with hot glue guns, scissors, needle and thread,and tape along with all kinds of reuseable items. We have set criteria we must keep to, one of these being that our garments must be made out of reuseable or recycled materials!
We have learnt about Claire Prebble and how WOW inspired her from the age of 8, she now works for Weta Workshop on movies such as Avatar.
There are definate future designers working in Room 13 on a Tuesday, we have dresses created out of reciepts, armour made from tin cans, a huge collection of used CD's transformed into never before seen fashion - and that is to name just a few!
The Funky Fashion Show is held during Eco Fest in August - we now just need to finish our designs and have them accepted, so it's all hands on deck!

Through Their Eyes!

Wow, our REACH photography group have been so busy taking great photos we haven't posted anything on our blog!!! Here's a quick update:
We have been learning about the elements of Photography that help us to capture that fantastic shot! Some of these elements we have been learning about are: texture, light/dark, perspective, colour and focus. By keeping these in mind we have managed to capture some great shots! We have had two trips - one to Isel Park and one to
Queens Gardens and the Beach to put all of our learning into practice.
We are now working flat out to edit, print, mount and name our images ready for an exhibition - so watch this space for further details.

New Name For CWSA

Finally a new name for CWSA! After much discussion with the children, we have a new name for our programme - REACH! We felt this sums up what we are trying to achieve, to rise to the challenge and REACH our potential!

Year 4 Photography Group

We are the Year 4 group that will be learning about digital photography. We will learn to use our class cameras for different purposes. Our goal is to work together to share a photography exhibition. For our first session we will start to become familiar with the cameras using the key competencies for inspiration.

Year 4 enrichment group.

2010 enrichment group

This year a new group has been put together of Year 5 and 6 students that in the past has been called C.W.S.A. (children with special abilities) but that name will be changed, so keep an eye out. In our first session we talked about "The Key Competencies" and what they mean to us in school and in life. We also talked about which topic we wanted to do for the next two terms, the choices were "eco fest" and that meant we could learn about the Wearable Art Awards which began in Nelson and then design our own costume for an entry at the Eco Fest. The other choice was Participating and Contributing, this will mean brainstorming ideas for how we can use our skills to help others around us. One idea we would like to put in place is a peer tutoring reading system where seniors will peer tutor juniors.
We will be updating our blog most weeks so watch this space.

By Indigo and Mrs Cranefield