Our Artsmark Journey Blog
In January 2024, we began our Artsmark journey at St Pius X Catholic Primary School. We have identified areas of focus tailored to our school development, which have been outlined in the Statement of Commitment, which can be found below. Find out more about the Artsmark at https://www.artsmark.org.uk/.
We are really excited to share our Artsmark journey with you!
Our Amazing Workshop with the AMASING TEAM - July 2024
Thank you so much to Amasing for delivering a fun-filled, interactive workshop to our whole school on our Move Up Day this year. It was such an exciting start to a wonderful day. We had fun singing and dancing with the Britain's Got Talent finalist group.
Our First Sky Arts Week! - June 2024
This week, the whole school took part in Sky Arts Week. Each afternoon, we focused on an area of the Arts, including 'Marks', 'Sounds', 'Images', 'Words' and 'Moves'.
Meet Our New Arts Ambassadors! - April 2024
May Procession - May 2024
We held our May Procession on Wednesday afternoon, when we crowned our statue of Our Lady and presented her with flowers.
Each class used different techniques to create flowers. There were examples of collage, 3D sculptures and paint. Our school choir had also been rehearsing for this special event during hymn practice and choir club. They sang beautifully and supported the rest of the school in doing so, too.
All the children took part and from our Littlest Lambs to our oldest Year 6, they helped to make it a joyful occasion. It was the most beautiful afternoon for it and we were delighted we could hold it on the first day of May, the month dedicated to Our Lady.
The School’s 50th Birthday Artwork - April 2024
In the autumn term, the whole school worked with artist and illustrator, Sophie Martin, to produce a piece of artwork each, showing our Gospel Values through illustration. The children made fantastic designs, which are now up on display in our school to celebrate the school’s 50th Birthday. The Bishop was very impressed!
PrintFest Ulverston - April 2024
In spring term, Year 5 worked with artist, Garry Gifford, to develop their printing skills and techniques. They produced some amazing artwork which will be displayed around The Coro at Printfest Ulverston for the public to see from Friday 3rd May - Sunday 5th May.
In addition to the event at The Coro, there is also Printfest Fringe celebrating the arts and culture of Ulverston over the Printfest weekend. Fringe maps can be downloaded from the Printfest website or collected from the Coro.
Apply to be an Arts Ambassador - March 2024
We are delighted to announce that a new and exciting role of ‘Arts Ambassadors’ has become available in
our school for pupils in Y2-Y6. We are looking for creative and enthusiastic pupils to become an integral
part of the development of the arts within our school (including art, music, performances and dance).
Roles of an Arts Ambassador:
• Ability to plan, create and make (posters/advertisements/announcements/displays)
• Having a voice to share your exciting ideas and plans for the arts with staff and peers
• Being the pupil voice for your peers (including gathering ideas from your class)
• Helping to plan whole school art days and experiences
• Attend regular half-termly arts ambassador meetings.
Writing and Performing Raps - March 2024
Year 5 enjoyed writing and performing rap music in their curriculum this term.
Year 6 Attended The Lowry - March 2024
Year 6 had a great time at ‘The Boy at the Back of the Class’ in Manchester.
The children were really engaged with the theatre production of the story that they’d read last year. It was lovely to hear that some of them enjoyed the book the most!
Festival of Colours - March 2024
Year 3 have been taking part in the Festival of Colours with Barrow Full.
On Thursday, they worked with Woo Jin, a textile artist from Korea, using pattern and symmetry to create a paper cut to celebrate the new lunar year of the dragon.
On Friday, they went to The Forum where they were able to admire their amazing artwork which will be on display for everyone during the festival weekend. They also took part in more workshops to decorate a luck sign and make a Bulgarian friendship bracelet.
Finally, they headed to the stage for their moment of dance magnificence.
Well done everyone!
Initial Parent / Child Artsmark Questionnaire - January 2024
What is Art? - January 2024
Mr McGoldrick led a whole school Prayer and Liturgy assembly based on art and artists. The children were shown images and asked to decide whether they thought it was 'art' or not. As the pictures were discussed, he encouraged us to think about the natural beauty on our earth and to think about who the artist was who created these beautiful things, including US!
We now understand that God is also an artist, who created each and every one of us and he wants us to be artists, just like him.
Statement of Commitment - January 2024