Creative Arts Newsletter
The Creative Arts Department at Abercorn School offers a rich and diverse educational experience across three main disciplines: Art, Drama, and Music.
In the Art department, students are guided by passionate instructors to explore various artistic mediums, fostering a supportive environment for creative expression. The Drama department provides a comprehensive curriculum covering both theoretical and practical aspects of the performing arts, with students participating in regular performances and collaborative projects. The Music department celebrates the universal language of music, exposing students to a wide range of genres and styles, and supporting their development in playing instruments, composition, and music theory.
Beyond individual disciplines, the department encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and aims to instil a lifelong appreciation for the arts across the school community. Through dedicated staff and diverse programs, the Creative Arts Department at Abercorn School stands as a cornerstone of the school's commitment to holistic education.
Music - Rock Band
The Music departments, Mr. Desbruslais, and Year 4 have started their very own rock band! Students have named themselves ""The Toucans."" They will be rehearsing every Tuesday, preparing for their first performance at the Arts Open Evening in May.
Art – Celebrated Work
This term, Year 3 have produced some fantastic work while looking at Ancient Greek Art, particularly Greek pottery. Students have designed pottery, which they will recreate using clay and paint. Year 3 will expand their knowledge of Greek art by examining Greek pillars seen on famous monuments around Greece. They will then begin drawing them using charcoal.
Year 5 have just finished its project on abstract and surrealism art. Students were inspired by Salvador Dali's artwork 'The Persistence of Memory,' and they created their own melting clock using cardboard and paint. This term, we are focusing on portraiture, where students will learn to draw facial features and then create self-portraits in the style of Julian Opie. They have started by learning how to draw facial features.
Year 8 have started to explore digital art, particularly portraits. Using portraits of their house’s namesake, they have created digital portraits in the style of Shepard Fairey.
Drama
Year 5 to 6 - Oliver! Pupils in Years 5 and 6 are enjoying getting back into the swing of things in their rehearsals for Oliver! Characters are really starting to shine through, and the cockney accents are entertaining us all greatly!
Year 7 to 9 - The Wardrobe - They have been hard at work rehearsing for their upcoming production entitled ‘The Wardrobe.’ ‘The Wardrobe’ is a captivating journey through British history that reveals how our country was shaped and underscores our deep connection with the past. Spanning various centuries, small groups of children find refuge in the same sturdy, old wardrobe. It is the safest place they know, but is it safe enough? This will take place in the senior school theatre on Thursday 8th February at 7 pm.
Arts Awards
Students from Year 4, 5, and 8 have all been helping out with creating props for both ‘The Wardrobe’ and the Year 5 and 6’s production of ‘Oliver!’ Students have been creating old letters, newspapers, and a street lamp. The Arts department is looking forward to showing you the productions.
World Mental Health Display
Conceptualised by Onoria and supported by Mrs Wrottesley and Mr Haverley, pupils in both buildings will be creating another wellbeing wall display, this time depicting a megaphone mural. Each pupil can decorate a heart or a peace symbol to represent how their voice can spread kindness. They could include detailed patterns and/or writing with words of kindness to others. The hearts and peace symbols will then be displayed on the ‘Megaphone Mural’.
LAMDA
Several pupils took LAMDA exams on Thursday 1st February to mark the progress and achievements they are making in their weekly lessons. They were fortunate enough to have a LAMDA examiner visit the school and watch them individually perform before quizzing them on their theory and knowledge of their chosen performance pieces. The pupils presented a variety of verse, prose and acting selections and all felt very proud of their efforts. LAMDA exams are registered by Ofqual and each of the pupils will receive their results and certificates in a few weeks' time. Well done to them for their hard work and courage!
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