Kaurna Plains School
Kaurna Plains School (KPS) is an Aboriginal R–12 school located 30kms North of the CBD. KPS has a 95% Aboriginal enrolment with 90% of students from a NESB (the majority having Aboriginal English as their first language), 96% of students are School Card holders and the school has an Index of Disadvantage Rating of 1. The school has an approximate enrolment of 120 students evenly spread over the junior primary, primary and secondary years. This AIS project was aimed at students in Years 8–12.
PROJECT COORDINATOR: Leila Haq
ARTIST: James (Jimmy) Dodd
PROJECT: Stencil Art Mural Panels – a visual arts project
Aims:
- To expose students to the artistic process;
- To learn about the artist’s role in the community;
- Provide opportunity for students to develop their existing skills/ develop new skills;
- Promote students’ sense of identity and community ownership;
- Develop student collaborative and team work skills;
- Promote students’ confidence and self esteem;
- Promote the value of the arts as a career option;
- Utilise the arts to aid understanding of the SOSE curriculum;
- Meet SACSA and SSABSA requirements (to achieve a Stage 1 unit);
- To support the use of cross curriculum teaching strategies – a secondary school priority;
- Enrich and expand on the current school curriculum;
- Engage a parent as a HPI in the process; and
- Engage a parent/mentor in the process.
These were the aims as stated in the grant application. All aims were met, however, some in different ways to those anticipated. The involvement of mature age students from another school (Para West Adult Campus or PWAC) as part of their studies of Stage 2 Aboriginal Studies – allowing them to complete one of their assessment tasks – was not initially planned. This also necessitated the broadening of the aims of the project to meet assessment criteria; looking at ideal futures, and the connections of Aboriginal people both in a contemporary and traditional setting to land, community, the arts and language. Similarly, the timetabling of a Kaurna language class at the same time as the Integrated Studies class worked on the other panel allowing for far greater input in the Kaurna language component of the murals than was planned. The involvement of PWAC meant the involvement of another Indigenous elder – in addition to the elder from KPS.
The Artist:
From 2003–2007 Jimmy has held a number of solo exhibitions in Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Hobart. He has worked with numerous organisations and schools running stencil graffitti workshops for young people.
The Process:
- Introduction of artist and his work.
- Introductory activity – cutting and painting students names.
- Trail painting of stencils.
- Exploration of themes for mural and the choosing of complementary images.
- Cutting stencils of words, images and photographed images.
- Trail painting of stencils.
- Introduction of two colour stencil.
- Further cutting of stencils to allow for 2 colours.
- Trail painting of stencils.
- Painting of final mural panel begins.
- Review of themes and messages to ensure meeting of set criteria.
- Further cutting of words, images and photographed images.
- Painting of mural panel completed.
- Organisation of launch to be held in Reconciliation Week.
- Launch held 21 May 2008, involving students, parents and community.
Outcomes:
The aims of the project have been met through a collaborative adaptable approach- involving a number of classes, staff and community members. We were very flexible about how we met the project aims – making some significant changes to our original plan.
More unexpected outcomes included:
- Cross curriculum / team teaching units have continued this term.
- Students haven’t yet exhausted stencil art as an art form and are keen to work with Jimmy again (which may happen later in the year – subject to funding).
- The fulfilling of outcomes for subjects not previously expected, such as the Kaurna language class that helped with translation of the Dreaming story of Kondolli the Whale – as represented in one of the panels.
- Jimmy’s instant rapport with students.
- The engagement of all students – without exception.
Highlights:
The launch, as part of Reconciliation Week, including a Kaurna welcome, speeches by students and attended by students from two schools, parents, elders and community members.
‘Jimmy was awesome. We learnt a lot from him – It was fun, I learnt a lot… how to use spray cans properly – He was alright – a deadly fella – We all looked forward to Jimmy coming and every week we got to do something cool, even if it was just a practice paint – It was better than having to do written work for our assignment’ Students
‘Jimmy managed the project in such a way that all student contributions were valued and incorporated. The final product was pleasing… it is undeniably the student’s work and the response from the students and the wider community has been overwhelmingly positive.’ Coordinator
‘The students seemed to really enjoy the sessions and were eager to continue their input. Via the creative side of the project they were able to conceptualise and resolve other curriculum requirements.’ Artist
‘It has been an invaluable opportunity to gain an insight in to the arts practice of an approachable and talented contemporary artist. Thank you Jimmy and Carclew!’ Coordinator
50 students participated in this project
