Students in Residence

Students in Residence (SIR) is an innovative new programme coordinated by our Arts Development Officer. It begun last year when a selection of year 10 Art students each spent a day at Pashley Down Infants School as “Artists in Residence” during pashley’s 3D Art week. The programme has really grown and we are sending more and more students out to community groups and partnership schools to learn new techniques and share their skills. Participating students have the opportunity to use this experience to contribute to their GCSE course work, gain CoPE accreditation and pursue an Arts Award. Our latest projects have been a fantastic success with some students even considering a career in teaching as a result.

Students in Residence at Tollgate.
Year 9 Dance students Lauren Wilder, Annalise Harris and Jessica Horwood worked with groups of 8 yr 4 Tollgate children. The girls were exceptional, choreographing age appropriate Bollywood style dance pieces in the most encouraging and supportive way. Yr 9 & 10 Art students Phoebe Cunningham, Max Guy, Vicky Burton, Sam Stean, Alicia Pareja, Natilie Hearn, Caragh Hutchinson and Monica Nobrega worked within the classrooms assisting Local Community Artist Karen Taylor. They helped the children create umbrellas, skirts, Large Motifs and sari scarfs. All the hard work culminated on the Friday with a Bollywood style fashion show for parents to raise funds for The Sollomon Andal Trust.

Sollomon, a year 4 pupil at Tollgate was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer) just over a year ago and has been receiving treatment ever since. The Trust is a not for profit organisation set up to raise money to send Sollomon to America for treatment in the event of a relapse. Should Sollomon not require further treatment by 2014. Any monies raised thus far will be used to purchase mobile homes and pine lodges, providing other families with a child suffering from cancer with a much needed free holiday.

£125 was raised and feedback from teachers and parents about our students was immensely positive. Many congratulations to Lauren, Annalise, Jessica, Pheobe and Max who have each received community points and an outstanding achievement award for their exceptional work on the project.

To find out about The Sollomon Andal Trust please see their website www.sollomonandaltrust.co.uk.

Students in Residence at Ocklynge
Years 9, 10 and 11 students Katie Wickham, Suzie Seccombe, Sam Stean, Monica Nobrega, Lian Baker, Adrienne Martindale, Nicole Allen, Nook Kaewmala, Mariela Lacheva, Emily Quanstrom, Chris Wilson, Anna Judson and Natalie Hearn worked with Years 5 and 6 at Ocklynge. They spent their time between two workshops (screen printing and batique) assisting Local Community Artists Claire Gregory and Jo Linney, as well as helping the children with their art work.

In screen printing the children were experimenting with different styles of printing using a variety of materials, whilst in batique the children were creating images using a flour and water paste with colourful painting. Our students helped the children experiment and explore different art forms, method and techniques. They also created their own pieces demonstrating their own skills in Art. All of the art work will be exhibited at Ocklynge School on April 30th and May 1st with 2 viewings 3.30pm & 6.30pm all Ratton Students Friends and family are most welcome to attend.

Feedback from the staff and artists about our students was enthusiastic and positive, and many commented on how impressed they were with their hard work. Many congratulations to Katie, Suzie, Sam, Emily, Natalie and Anna who will each receive community points and an achievement award for their enthusiasm and facilitation skills on this project.

Our many thanks go out to Ruby Murphy (PGCE Placement) and Gracie Barrow (Volunteer Community Arts Assistant), without whom this project would not have been possible.

Get InvolvedThe next SIR opportunity is during the Easter holidays. Local charity Compass Community Arts will be setting up a Living Art Installation at the Redoubt Fortress and Military Museum in preparation for the Eastbourne Festival. From 10.30 onwards you can help create a contemporary Art work using a living medium in the form of flora grown by a variety of local schools and community groups as part of the flower bonanza project. Ideally we are looking for six students who would like to arrange, fix (with gaffer tape!) and decorate the pots to form this living exhibition. Any student wishing to participate is urged to contact our Arts Development Officer Miz Wells on 01323 514322 / m.wells@ratton.e-sussex.sch.uk as soon as possible.

Compass Community Arts is a registered charity based in Eastbourne working predominantly with marginalized, disadvantaged and at risk groups, individuals and artists who need a voice in society. Through creative projects Compass Community Arts supports participants both artistically and personally. To find out more visit www.compasscommunityarts.org.

Future Opportunities
We are in the process of organising another SIR project at Ocklynge as part of our transition work due to take part in term 6. This time we will be involving Year 7 and 8 students who will help Year 6 at Ocklynge design and build mechanical vehicles, watch this space for more details.

For more information about Students in Residence, or if you know of a group or project who could benefit from the programme, please contact Miz (Maria) Wells, Arts Development Officer at Ratton School on 01323 514322 / m.wells@ratton.e-sussex.sch.uk

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