Page 16 - link magazine

16 swindonlink.com • February 2011
Sculpture represents respect at Shaw Ridge

A six foot high totem pole now stands tall in the garden at Shaw Ridge Primary School featuring a buzzard with out-stretched wings, an owl,
a fox and a great crested newt.
Year 2 children were inspired by
their studies of Native American
culture and the significance of to-
tem poles and were set the task of
designing their own, incorporating
what they had learnt and aspects
of the environment around the
school. The ideas were given to
chainsaw carver Andy Barton who
transformed a trunk of western red
cedar into a piece of sculpture over
the course of a school day.
Teacher Naomi Sly said several
themes had been brought together
during the project. “I’d met Andy
at an exhibition in the summer and
we commissioned him to create our
totem pole after a school visit to the
American History Museum in Bath.
“The children appreciated the
stories of spirits and animals which petition to coincide with our term’s the topic very hands-on with lots cant for Shaw Ridge as it was the
are important to native American theme of ‘respect’ - for each other of art and bead work. During the creature that delayed the start of
culture, so we held a design com- and the environment. We made day every class watched Andy building the new school building
from a distance turning a tree into by six months in 2007.”
School seeks amateur astronomy help something we’ll all remember.” Pupil Jodie Bates was impressed.
Teacher Jill Edwards said includ- “The carver used a big and a small
The Ridgeway School in Wroughton has an after-school astronomy club ing a newt in the finished work was chainsaw to make it, and the fox
attended by eight enthusiastic Year 8 pupils who are hoping to take part a suggestion from the staff room. looks like it’s a real pet.”
in observation sessions using proper telescopes and would welcome “The great crested newt is signifi- www.chainsawcarver.co.uk
contact from keen amateur astronomers in the Swindon area.
Up to now most of their work has been classroom based studying the
skies above but they hope to deepen their knowledge of the universe School idea for office block
by looking into it. To offer help mail Kevin Daws at Ridgeway: dawsk@
ridgeway.swindon.sch.uk Eager artists at Peatmoor Primary School were rewarded for their work
in February when they were presented with £50 worth of art materials.

BALLET - TAP - MODERN - JAZZ
MUSICAL THEATRE
& RAD MAJORS Rachel Hampson with youngsters at Peatmoor Primary

STREET, HIP HOP & ADULT TAP The school was the only one who Alexander House a landmark.”
responded to last minute end of term Peatmoor headteacher Andrew
Classes from two and half years upwards project offered by The Link last July Henstridge said he was surprised
Lessons held at Haydonleigh School, to come up with designs to decorate that his school was to win a prize.
Alexander House in the town centre. “We took part in the decoration proj-
Abbey Meads Community School, Blunsdon Village
Lenta, the owners of the office ect as a fun activity for the children to
and also Stratton Community Centre block, subsequently picked up the do in the last couple of weeks of the
idea and ran a competition to attract summer term last year. It’s lovely to
Official Dance Centre suggestions for brightening up the receive the art supplies as a reward.”
of the ISTD stark white 1970s building and
bringing colour to the town.
offering FDI & CDE Units Alexander House manager
Rachel Hampson said she was
Bring this advert delighted by the children’s ef-
with you and receive the forts. “It was lovely when The
first two lessons free Link delivered about 80 pic-
tures showing how the build-
Contact Sarah Watson ing could be made to stand out
on 01793 524112 in the centre of Swindon.
“We’re now working with
or 07825 543529 Forward Swindon on the tech-
before 8pm nical details of creating an ex-
ternal mural or sculpture. It will
be a bold statement and make

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