The Archibull Prize

Tallowood School - a photo story

 

Muirfield High School

 

 

 

 
It had seemed that Muirfield High School would miss out in taking part in this year's Archibull Prize. Thanks to funds provided by Carlingford Rotary Club however the Year 9 art class is now very much a participant in the prize. 

I was lucky enough to spend time with the students earlier this week, together wih their teacher, Mr Steven Campbell. The bulls are still a pristine white, although one is sporting a jaunty hat and the other a pair of glasses. They are not due to to be painted until fourth term and in the meantime an enormous effort is being put into planning how the bulls are to be decorated. 

 

 

Similar effort is being put into documenting the process and thinking about agriculture and its place in our lives. The students have been divided into teams with different responsibilities which include photography, videography, blogging and design. There are even two student personal assistants to Mr.Campbell, who ensure the overall smooth running of the project. All the students use laptops and type notes into them as the class continues.

 

 

  

After a group discussion about progress and ideas, we head off to the school's farm. One of the bulls accompanies us for a photo opportunity!   It is fantastic that the art students are able to observe first hand the workings of a small farm, where there are sheep, bees, chickens and ducks, together with a variety of produce being grown. This is truly where art meets agriculture! 

 

I loved seeing the students so cheerfully engaged with this project. They are planning their visit to some of the mentors' properties and leave me in no doubt of their desire to win the prize!

Cranebrook High School

 

     

At Cranebrook High School , Dani Saxon and her colleague Andrew Murray run the Agriculture Technology Department ("Ag").  There are around 80 students studying Ag in Year 9 and 40 or so in Year 10.  The day I visit I am guided around the Ag farm by Dani and a class of Year 9 students.  I am shown sheep, alpacas and chickens, an orchard and a beautifully productive vegetable plot. 

Most of the students across all year groups have been involved in getting the bulls ready, if not in the actual decorating then certainly in the planning and designs.

I cannot give too much away about the students art work - the sneak peek below will have to satisfy you.  The school's two resin bulls have been decorated for the upcoming Penrith Show in late August and the intention is that they will be repainted in time for the Archibull Prize.  Dani has loved incorporating the bulls into the school curriculum and is hopeful that the school can undertake this project again next year.

Good luck at the Show!