Creativity blooms at arts afternoon

STUDENTS, families and teachers from Newington Primary School have gathered to celebrate creativity at an inaugural family arts afternoon.

Held at the school last Wednesday, the event included art activities, a photo booth, karaoke, painting, an art exhibition, open stage performances and more.

The event was organised by music teacher Lyndell Allen and visual arts teacher Karla Devlin.

Mrs Allen said the event was about celebrating the arts, including subjects which may be outside the curriculum such as dance.

“When Karla was in the art room this year, I said wouldn’t it be awesome to have a festival of the arts where we’re not just celebrating the things we get the opportunity to learn every week in the classroom,” Mrs Allen said.

“We can include all performers across the performing arts and provide an opportunity for all visual artists to express themselves.”

Year five student Parker said she enjoyed drum conversations, an activity where students use drums to communicate rather than talking.

“You get to learn new things about how to use these instruments,” she said.

Mrs Allen said music is an important way for children to express ideas and exercise their brains.

“We know that the arts are about the ability to express a thought or a feeling or an idea in a range of different ways,” Mrs Allen said.

“In music we know that music is the only activity for learning that is a whole brain activity.

“You use part of your brain for maths and part for literacy, but when you do music your whole brain lights up.”