8 September 2023

With the Arts Celebration on its way very soon now, I reflected on the work of Sir Ken Robinson who was such a 'go to' for many of us educators for so long. He sadly passed away in 2020 but I'm sure his words will remain strong for many years. He was a prolific writer and speaker - from 'finding your element' to allowing for strengths and passions to shine to his infamous 'Do Schools Kill Creativity?' TED TALK back in 2006 with over 65 million views. Check it out if you can find a few minutes.


We know it's not just The Arts that allows for creativity to shine. Maths, Writing, Science ++ ....opportunities abound all day but, sadly, when things become pressured, The Arts, and I'm mainly talking Visual Arts today, can so easily drop off the timetable.


Visual Arts has been included in New Zealand teaching and learning since the mid 19th Century. In fact, drawing has been a subject as early as 1840! It was cited as a 'core subject' in the first National Curriculum in 1878 (information supplied from New Zealand Council of Educational Research). Then, when we had the introduction of the 'new' National Curriculum in 2007, although still compulsory in Years 1-8, it lost its status for Years 9-10 and beyond as being a 'core'. We are going through a National 'Curriculum Refresh' at present, so I am keen to see the form The Arts will take.


In the meantime, we have relied heavily on the will and talent of our 'generalist classroom teachers' to keep Visual Art alive. In my early years of teaching, we had these fabulous Arts Advisors who you would telephone (landline, naturally!) and within a couple of weeks they would be demonstrating in your classroom. Of course, things can't remain constant and 'the good old days' weren't all totally good! I just am grateful that our staff, artistically confident or not, will just give things a go and take some risks in their practice. Grit and Growth Mindset a-plenty!


Otherwise, that budding Picasso may never get to see the light of day, or the child who excels in the Visual Arts may never get an opportunity to spend time at school exploring and sharing a realised strength. So, yay!


Thank you to our teachers and Learning Assistants - together you can provide something special.


Come to the Arts Celebration: