May 14, 2024 07:30am
Pupils at Furzeham Primary and Nursery School embraced the opportunity to unleash their creativity and explore new artistic avenues during Design and Technology week.
This week provides pupils with the opportunity to design and construct structures and create complex artwork, ensuring that every child can immerse themselves in the exciting world of design and technology.
Throughout Design and Technology Week, organised by Mrs Hewitt (curriculum and art lead), pupils embarked on a journey of self-expression, guided by dedicated teachers and enthusiastic community mentors. Their collaborative effort reflected the school's focus on community and communication.
Nursery pupils painted minibeasts on pebbles, copying what they saw. This activity strengthened their artistic abilities and made them curious about nature.
Reception (Miss Armstrong’s class) left their mark on Design and Technology week by creating vibrant rainbow fish and a willow frame decorated with leaves, bamboo, and raffia.
Year 1 pupils constructed teepee shelters and painted scallop shells. Working together, they used a variety of materials to build the shelters, learning valuable teamwork and construction skills along the way.
Laurel in year 1 said: “I enjoyed threading all the wood and seeing it build up”.
Year 2 (Miss Shears' class) braved the rain, as they ventured into a local woodland area to forage for materials for their Bug Hotel. Armed with sticks, twigs, pinecones, and leaves, the children embraced the challenge with enthusiasm, demonstrating the school's commitment to fostering a love for nature and the environment.
Meanwhile, Year 3 and 4 (Miss Carwithen's and Mrs Hewitt’s classes) embarked on a journey of creativity by crafting driftwood mobiles with Jackie from ‘All About Pebble Art’.
Pupils crafted shell mobiles under the expert guidance of Eve from ‘Devon Drift.’ Eve's expertise in utilising ethically sourced shells to create natural pictures added a unique dimension to the pupils' designs.
Additionally, the collaborative effort continued as Chris and Duncan from The Cove and Discovery Project joined in, providing their expertise to design and paint shells for the mobiles.
Year 4 and 5 (Mr. Ward's class) explored the art of crafting windchimes and decorating scallop shells.
Additionally, Year 5 pupils (Miss Thompson’s class) took on the challenge of building beach huts, guided by Scott Banks, Design and Technology Lead at The Victory Academy, which is also part of the Thinking Schools Academy Trust based in Kent.
With saws, drills, screws, and acrylic paint at their disposal, the children demonstrated teamwork and talent, culminating in beach huts that will add a charming atmosphere to the Station Sanctuary.
Scott Banks said: "Our Year 5 Design and Technology Day was a triumph of teamwork and talent. The students were fully engaged, each highlighting their remarkable skills, and with the fantastic support of our staff, they successfully completed their beach huts, where they will find their new home in the newly curated garden space. It's a testament to what we can achieve when we work together."
Billy in Year 5 said: “I liked using the saw, I've never done it before, so it was good to have a change.”
Furthermore, parents and guardians joined in the festivities one evening designing and painting coastal-themed tree discs.
Furzeham Primary and Nursery School's key themes of coastal living, community spirit, effective communication, and boundless creativity were brought to life through the collective efforts of pupils, staff, and parents alike.
From teachers collaborating on innovative teaching methods to sharing best practices across different school contexts, we demonstrate the notion that we are indeed stronger together. Together, we strive to cultivate an environment where every child can thrive and achieve their full potential.
As these art creations find their place in the school Station Sanctuary Garden, they stand as a testament to what can be achieved when we come together in pursuit of a common goal. The results were spectacular, promising to decorate Station Sanctuary with a touch of coastal charm.
Claire Thompson, Deputy head teacher commented: "At Furzeham Primary, projects like these do more than just create; they connect. We are building networks, promoting the arts in our community, and partnering with local organisations like The Cove and The Discovery Project. Through these collaborations, we are not only enhancing our pupils' learning experiences but also training our staff to excel in teaching Design and Technology."
