ARTS WEEK 2016
We would like to let you know that D7ETNS will be celebrating Arts week once
again this coming June! Last year we hoped the addition of an Arts week to the
school year would be a great opportunity for all of the children to be exposed to
a broad range of Arts based activities and to unite the whole school with an event
encompassing the values of our Educate Together ethos.
Over the week, the children experienced fabric weaving, clay and print
workshops led by a group of NCAD students and their lecturer Patsy Bodkin. The
children from 4 th , 5 th and 6 th class were engaged with the design process and
making of outdoor classroom benches led by Anthony Cleary. Classes made their
way to Film Base for a children’s book illustration exhibition. We had animators
and designers from Brown Bag give talks on the creative process. Maynooth’s
writer in residence Hugh Travers led the 6 th class in a creative writing and drama
workshop. Simona led the Junior Infants in a beautiful textile-printing lesson
while Mary created an orchestra in the infant classrooms. Emira’s mam led some
senior classes around Dublin on a historical walk that inspired some shield
design in The Hugh Lane Gallery. Natasha MacBhaird facilitated a theatre game
workshop. Peadar screened some of his own animations and Ciara gave rousing
Céilí dancing workshops throughout the week.
Underpinning all of the amazing creative work going on during the week was the
theme of Equality. This theme was taken from the Equality and Justice strand of
our Learn Together Curriculum. The children took an abstract look at the theme
and created some beautiful geometric artwork that was displayed around the
school for the Summer Fete. We have Sally-Anne Bennett to thank for the
inspiration behind this aspect of the week!
The week culminated in a giant sing along with the whole school community. The
school band coordinated by Paul led the way, accompanied by our resident
parent rock stars all singing the chosen songs based on our theme of equality.
“This land is your Land” was given a great rendition!
This year we intend to surpass last year and really cement Arts week as an
integral part of the D7ETNS school year. We have decided to link this year’s Arts
week with the Ethics and Environment strand of the Learn Together Curriculum,
in line with us going for our first Green Flag. We are thinking all things recycled!
We want to once again tap into all of the amazing creative talent that exists in
our school and really give the children and enriching and fun-filled week. Arts
week really gives the school an avenue to actively encourage parental
involvement, one of the core aims of the Educate Together ethos.
If you have any ideas or want to get involved please contact us at
d7artsweek@gmail.com and spread the word!
