As we continue on our Creative Schools journey many exciting things have been
happening. We now have a Creative Schools Committee who were introduced to the
whole school at an Assembly in November. They also took part in a photography
workshop with Brian Cregan our Creative Associate. They learned how to use the
camera on an iPad and to change the lighting for photographs using torches. They
produced great photographs of still life arrangements.
In October the class of St Gertrude visited the Civic Theatre in Tallaght and were
amazed by aerial performers and dancers in a production entitled “When the Moon
Spun Round”.
The classes of St Brendan and St Patrick got the opportunity to meet the Irish author
Alan Nolan in Draiocht and produced some great drawings which were signed by the
author.
In December the classes of St Mark, St Luke and St Therese visited Draiocht and
took part in a “Print a Claus” workshop where they learned the skill of printing with the
artist Sarah Ward. They produced wonderful printed Christmas cards and are looking
forward to using this new skill again.
In November as part of our Creative Schools programme school staff experienced a
felting workshop facilitated by Gabi Mc Grath a Creative Associate with Creative
Schools and the Arts Council. Wonderful abstract and themed pictures were created
by staff.
This enjoyable, therapeutic and creative opportunity was then offered to all classes in
the school in the month of December through a Christmas felting workshop. All classes
visited St Francis classroom which had been transformed into Santas workshop by the
pupils of St Francis. The skill of creating felt pictures from wool, soap and water was
then taught to all pupils in the school carefully guided by Art teacher Ms Collins, Home
Economics teacher Ms Mullen and elves Joan, Jane, Jackie and Ger.
We look forward to experiencing more aspects of creativity and developing new skills
as we progress on our Creative Schools journey in 2024.
Deirdre Farnan
(Creative Schools Coordinator)