Art
In art sessions students experience drawing outside from nature, working with a range of media and scale. Exploration with pastels, watercolour and collage are introduced and the study of artists' work with occasional cultural visits are included in the art curriculum.
A Steiner Waldorf approach to painting is used in some art sessions. This method uses watercolour paint on wet paper. In these sessions students experience colour and its moods, with only a gradual introduction to form.
Painting sessions are an experience of immersion into colour, in all its aspects. The four areas of balance, mood, ‘conversation’ and the quality of judgement are explored. Balance in the body is enhanced through rhythmical brushstrokes, harmonising complementary colours in their application and working with contrasts.
Mood is influenced and worked on through the character of colour: lightness, heaviness, restlessness and calm‘Conversation’ exists between colours, allowing for movement, boundaries and form.
Areas such as expansion, harmony, flow and conflict are explored. Judgement is explored through colour- how little, how much, how light, how dark?
Form Drawing
Form drawing is the freehand drawing of lines, patterns and
structures. Out of an inner awareness forms are put to paper.
All forms work on the sense of balance and the sense of life
through the sense of movement.
Through form drawing spatial orientation and awareness of
body geography is practiced, sensory experience and inner picturing abilities
enhanced. Eye-hand coordination is integrated with spatial awareness. Motor
activity is stimulated - fine and large – spatial direction and crossing in
space is experienced through larger (walking) and finer (on paper) movement.
Speech and Drama
Special attention
is paid to the articulation and shaping of language. In recitation of poetry,
we pay attention to the inner beauty of poetic language. Students with speech
difficulties are led through speech exercises and the verbal expression of
their own thoughts is encouraged. They practise by giving short talks, speeches
or reciting poetry which gives artistic expression to their feelings.
Social games are
fun and engaging, an enjoyable milieu which encourages positive relating to
others, increases self- awareness, empathy, co-operation and gives the
confidence to trust.
Movement and
gesture encompass an awareness of space, as practised in eurythmy and Bothmer
gymnastics; these support the movement and flow of speech.
Drama is a valuable
social tool, promoting healthy group dynamics, calling on the individual’s
imagination, creativity and self-control. Drama nurtures the soul, maturing the
whole human being in the process, and it is not unusual that new unexpected
abilities are unlocked.
Performance in its
various forms and contexts plays an important part in students’ development and
ability to work for common goals
