ART & MUSIC
OUR ART PROGRAMME
Art At Green School NZ
At GSNZ Art is all about discovering our learners inner creativity. Individual learners are taught how to develop their art skills and techniques using a range of media. We often venture out in nature for inspiration and resources. Our work in Art links to GSNZ values: Integrity, Sustainability and Community. During their dedicated art time learners practice the following GSNZ skills: Think Creativity, Communicate and to Solve Problems.
Whaea Sarah, Art Teacher
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In the Middle School, learners attend Art classes weekly, each unit is 10 weeks long. They are able to experiment and develop skills in a range of 2D and 3D media including: painting, printmaking, digital photography, ceramics, textiles, sculpture and mixed media.
Learners are also given opportunities to visit and meet artists in their studios and to explore local galleries during class time. It enables learners to gain a real life understanding of the processes and challenges different artists encounter by seeing art making in action. Excursions around Taranaki are also used to gather inspiration for artmaking. Nature can be used as a catalyst for art making. Art making can sometimes be collaborative, as learners come together to work on large scale projects for our community.
In the High School, learners have the choice of taking Art as a subject, these classes run every week. Art making at Green School can be used to share personal messages for positive change in our world. Learners are encouraged to use art as a vehicle for personal expression and to make work that has a personal connection. The learners work through a creative cycle using sketchbooks, to develop and design artworks. They are exposed to a range of art styles in both historic and contemporary practices, this helps students to develop new ideas and take inspiration from a range of visual artists. Similar to Art in Middle School, students have opportunities to meet artists, visit local galleries and learn new art making skills from experts in the field. During art lessons the class is also given the opportunity to travel to different locations around Taranaki to utilise our natural surroundings for art making. At the end of the school year, students are given the opportunity to showcase their work in a group art exhibition.
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Art is evaluated at GSNZ through evidence of learning records, these provide learning outcomes each unit covers, students have the opportunity to reflect on their learning and add evidence to show how they have met the learning expectations and outcomes for each unit. Teachers provide feedback, encouragement and next steps for learners throughout the year. Evidence of Learning records are available for parents to access throughout the year.
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Whaea Sarah shares her outlook on Art and Design at GSNZ in 2023 here.
“Art at Green School is about process, discovery and exploration. It is learning from a community of experts, by going off site for inspiration. It can be collaborative. Our learners consider new and sustainable approaches to art making. It is finding the joy in creating, sharing and making impactful statements in visual forms.”
- WHAEA SARAH, ART TEACHER
OUR MUSIC PROGRAMME
Music At Green School NZ
During our dedicated Music sessions, the learners use ukelele, guitar, percussion and vocals to develop a fundamental understanding of the fine motor skills needed to be able to make chord shapes, play and sing basic scales and finally how to string these together to create a song. The Primary Learners participate in a Taranaki wide "Big Sing" festival at the end of Term 3 every year, so during music lessons, they also learn waiata (Traditional Māori songs), ukulele and songs from local and international musicians.
Matua Mark, Music Teacher
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In middle school the programme centres around guitar and vocal sessions. Middle Schoolers use their weekly sessions to discover the magic of music and song and co-construct learning with their own suggestions of songs and artists they wish to study. These are practical sessions that encourage participation and are designed to develop confidence in this context. We have an opportunity at the culmination of each term where the learners evidence their learning on stage in front of our appreciative community. These events are a highlight of the calendar with names such as "Stars in their Eyes" talent show, "GreenStock" music and Peace festival and "LEAD" Youth leadership conference.
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Learners can sign up to register for private piano, guitar, ukelele, trumpet, trombone and vocal lessons by outsourced local experienced musicians and itinerant music teachers. There are a number of GSNZ student bands who have played NZ Smokefree Rock Quests, local community concerts and fundraisers. With names such as "The Backyard",”Crazy Cashews" and "Cosmic Penguin" these student projects are a rich part of the creative community "activating" at Green School New Zealand.
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There are parent opportunities to participate in our community of learners. The GSNZ Dads choir meet weekly to celebrate the power of music, song and community and welcome all parents (Mums included) to these profound circles of song. Music is valued as a core learning modality at GSNZ and is seen as an opportunity to not only develop new pathways of thinking for individuals but also new pathways for our community. "Drop the Mic" A.Teasedale 2023 (GSNZ Song writer)
“Learning through music and the arts at GSNZ is all about discovering the another way to develop creative thinking and the imagination. Learners discover that through melody, rhythm and harmony we can begin to communicate and express in a different more creative way. "
- MATUA MARK, MUSIC TEACHER
