Arts Express - 'The Night Sky'
The Arts Express year launched with rockets, stars and drums Thursday 14 October 2010This year my intention was to have a huge Arts Express day with all the children of the school involved. So this is what happened on Tuesday 5th October 2010. The theme for the day was "The Night Sky", which linked in with our umbrella theme for the year of "To Infinity and Beyond!"
The day started with astronauts, aliens, black holes, mad professors, Buzz Lightyears, Luke Sky Walkers and the odd shooting star flying around the school. Nearly every child from Nursery up to Year 8 had come dressed up for the day and this added to the unique and fun feel of the day. We had 5 consecutive workshops taking place throughout the day giving the children the opportunity to look at the Night Sky from some different perspectives.
A scientific dimension was added by two of our workshops. The Astronomy Roadshow came and brought their visiting Planetarium to the gym which made watching the stars and studying the constellations most engaging. Doctor Ian Hepburn from University College London came and spoke about Rockets and each of the groups made their own 100 foot rocket. Unfortunately these could not be launched on the day due to the bad weather conditions, but they were launched the following week by Doctor Hepburn up on the field for the whole school to see.
Next we had drumming workshops with Jamie Morgan in the Drama Studio and some wonderful Storytelling with Ben Fairlight in the Dance Studio. We were told some ancient stories which had come from Africa, Australia and North America all connected with the stars. Mrs McChrystal worked with the Prep school children in the Art room making some fantastic marble planet mobiles and Mrs Sierra led the Pre-Prep art sessions creating some Night Sky pictures.
Thanks to all the staff who helped the day run so smoothly and to the parents who helped make some wonderful costumes.
MS