Fakataukei kihe Tohitapu & Faka'uhinga

 Saturday 6th March

First day of the course was somewhat challenging because my Tongan isn't so great.  So this is one of those challenges that is exciting but a learning journey that will not only help me with my language but other range of concepts within identity that enhance myself and contribute to my teaching as inquiry spiritually.  It is a course delivered in the Tongan language delivered around critically analysing the bible.

Introduction today was delivery within what is the bible?  It's foundations/origins etc.

For myself, it is the opportunity to enhance my understanding of the bible therefore critically understand it from a variety of perspectives etc.

Teaching as Inquiry Goal: 

Making Sense of Students' and Learning

My goal is aligned with the COL Goal 1: 

To raise Māori student achievement through the development of cultural visibility and responsive
practices across the pathway as measured against National Standards and agreed targets for reading
Years 1-10 and NCEA years 11-13. and School Goal 2.

One major thought is the external folio boards. So I created a form to try and gain feedback from students on the learning and what I can offer to make their learning achievable.  The external boards examination worth 12 credits for Level 1 and 2.  !4 credits for Level 3.  A substantial amount of credits, which always seems to be somewhat difficult for students to achieve.

Some thoughts.....

Thursday 4th April

Auckland Art Gallery Trip & AUT

Thursday 4th April, 23 students took a day out to the Auckland Art Gallery & AUT to view artworks.  The trip is designed to facilitate students with the required skills for the Literacy Standards worth 4 credits for each year level.  Critical analysis was studied by students to examine the reasons why artworks are created?, the purpose/intentions of the artist etc.

AUT provided a deeper scope for students to make connections with the Pathway Careers.
It also enabled students realise that Visual Arts not only provides the mainstreamed subjects of Painting, Printmaking etc but also enables other avenues into Digital Technology with the famous Weta which produce Lord Of The Rings etc.

It was really rewarding for the students with the positive feedback gained from this worthy experience they gained.  Hopefully it will give students some basis on which they can move forward and make meaningful connections with their artworks.  

Introduction to Photoshop

On the 19th and 20th of February, myself and Cheryl took about 18 students to Yoobee School of Design for a 2 day course which enable students to gain insight into the digital technology.  The skills from Photoshop will provide students with the skills required for Digital Photography.  The two days were valuable and from 9am till 3pm, students enjoyed the course.  It was an intense two days but thoroughly enjoyed by students.  They created amazing artworks.

Artist Talk: David Siliga Toga

Our visiting Guest Artist. David Siliga Toga encouraged Art students to innovatively use the scissors and paper to create patterns using paper.
Overall intention was to inspire students to think beyond drawing on paper.  To infuse 3 dimensional creativity amongst the students

Asked to keep their designs simple and not too detailed.  Basic shapes that relate to their culture.

ASATA Visual Arts Day

Auckland Secondary Art Teachers Association 2018

Lalava lashing techniques:  workshop by NZ Artist Filipe Tohi.

End of 2018 and some exciting workshops took place at Dilworth School hosted by HOD Art Laura Sunderland.  
The main objective of the Professional Development was to fuse ideas into collaborative planning for 2019 using Sculpture and Printmaking as the two art forms that are categorised as declining somewhat in the teaching programme.
Workshops ranged from Lavalava - sinnet binding: Filipe Tohi, Lisa Crowley:  Tertiary perspective and others.  I took a keen interest to Printmaking for Textile Design as a Tertiary Pathway with Astrid Visser from Massey Albany.  Ideas are leaning towards the focus of Printmaking for Level 2 boards.  Change of folio production presumably for Level 2 2019.  
Generally, my overall intention is to create a programme that will motivate students to take Art.  Printmaking may just be the art form that will enhance enough interest to come through into Art.

"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working." - Pablo Picasso

Quote from the famous artist - Pablo Picasso.

Thoughts on the quote.  So inspired by the art forms that exist that my quest to work on a larger scale mural with students of Tamaki College has aroused my willingness to aim to achieve this.  Certain visual images come to mind particularly around the theme of Personal Identity and the elements of the  Glen Innes area.  A beautiful Mural!