Hello everyone,
Each year, the Grade 7 class goes to the Vancouver Art Gallery as the launch of our Artist Inquiry (more on that at a later date). However, we were unable to attend in person this year due to Covid restrictions. So, we did the next best thing: a virtual tour with guides from the Vancouver Art Gallery. The theme of this exhibit is called “The Stories that Animate Us” highlights a rich selection of works on paper and animations, drawing from a diverse range of oral histories, narratives, knowledge systems and cosmologies.
Whether evoking the spirit world, delving into the depths of their imagination or endeavouring to make meaning from historical and current events, the featured artists reflect on such existential themes as culture, community, memory, morality and identity in order to speak to the stories of the past, present and future.
The artists we explored closely were Cindy Mochizuki, specifically her piece, Amabie, and Sun Xun’s Mythological Time.
In preparation for our “visit” the students engaged in landscape sketches in the field (outside) inspired by Sun Xun’s often painting his pieces outside. These were just brief sketches of various school landscapes both up close and distanced perspectives.
In the coming weeks, the students will be choosing an artist to explore in a similar way – stay tuned!
Anti-Bullying Day
Last week, the students wore pink shirts as part of anti-bullying day. I posted a link to the history of why we wear a pink shirt in Google Classroom. In class, we engaged in discussion and a simple activity that showed the lasting damage bullying another person can have. Each student came up and tore a piece off our paper figure – this represented the mean, hurtful things that are said and done. Then, once each member of the class had a piece, we tried to put it back together – the photo below shows how close we got. The purpose of this was to show that bullying leaves behind emotional scars that are incredibly difficult to repair.
As one student remarked, “It looks like he/she is missing their heart.”
We are all made in the image and likeness of God and we are called as Christians to do as Jesus instructed: “Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13: 34)
Ash Wednesday – A Day of Fasting and No Meat
This week marks the beginning of Lent. We will have a school Mass this Wednesday March 2nd at 9:00am (There will be no Thursday Mass). This means students should abstain from eating meat today.
Also, as Pope Francis has also assigned this as a day of prayer and fasting for peace in Ukraine and the safety of its people, the students are encouraged to only bring a simple lunch that day, no snacks. We will continue to pray for peace and an end to this invasion.
Spirit Day – Saturday March 5th
Lastly, just a friendly reminder that for those attending Spirit Day virtually at the school, it is this Saturday March 5th from 1pm – 5pm.
I will send out an email about drop off and pickup location this week.
Have a wonderful week!
-Mr. Kirkham