A new era in Primary Art has begun this year at the College, with a new art space on the secondary campus and new Art teacher, Nicole Johnston.
“Art is a subject that every child can do,” says Mrs Johnston, who has a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Notre Dame University, and considers teaching art to Primary children her greatest passion. “There is no right or wrong.”
Nicole enjoys bringing the children across to the Studio, a creative space in the secondary campus that was previously used for drama and dance. “They feel so important being up with the big kids!” She says the size of the room works well, and while the mirror wall and disco ball were a distraction at first, the novelty has since worn off and the kids are now happy to get straight into their Art activities.
So far this term the children have looked at various artists such as Picasso, Kandinsky and Van Gogh and created their own inspired art pieces using oil pastel, paint, watercolour and mixed media. Classes were also introduced to charcoal, and given the opportunity to experiment with various shading techniques in order to create a 3D animal.
“Next term we are looking forward to exploring artworks from other cultures and creating their own sculpture using junk or recycled materials.”
Nicole returns to the role of Art Specialist after relief teaching around Dardanup and Bunbury while her three children settled into high school. She has enjoyed getting back into a creative space this year, working with the Arts team, and is looking forward to the annual Art Expo in November.
“The College has a real sense of community and is very well resourced, with professional and dedicated people on staff.”
What she likes best about teaching, though, is the children’s faces. “The children come to you full of smiles and excitement, eagerly anticipating the activity - and the comments they come out with!”
Mrs Johnston moved to West Dardanup seven years ago, previously teaching at St Bernard’s in Kojonup. Her husband, Leith, is General Manager of the Bunbury Farmer’s Market, and she likes to spend her spare time relaxing with her family, including her teenage children Quinn, Karis and Ella, and their toy poodle, Ollie.
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