NEWS

The Year 8 Visual Arts students at Marymede Catholic College have learnt about skateboarding culture and a range of historical design movements that have shaped the way we see design today. Their task was to research a design movement that they could connect with and create a design inspired by this movement for a skateboard deck. The students studied Art Deco, Bauhaus, Constructivism and Memphis, and used acrylic paints for their final artwork. If you have ever walked past the Manchester Unity Building, you would have seen Art Deco architecture in the heart of Melbourne. And if you have been paying attention to Season 3 of ‘Stranger Things’ and Eleven’s colourful and trendy outfits, then you would have seen examples of Memphis-style fashion that was born in the ‘80s. 4 artists from the Year 8 cohort reflect on their creative process…

"My name is Demi and I chose Art Deco because I really liked the colours and patterns used for this design movement. The colours this style used was mostly gold and black and I really liked it because the colour gave off a rich and bold vibe.

Something that inspired me was what we were able to do, as in it wasn’t just any old painting that we were doing; we were designing a skateboard, which was much more interesting. 

When I first found out we were designing skateboards in Art I thought it was going to be easy but it turned out not to be as easy as I thought. There were many steps we had to go through ‘til we got our final product."

"My name is Sanjit and the design movement I chose was Art Deco. The reason I chose this style was that it involves bold colours and geometric shapes that are alluring and it was fun to play around with the colours. I think what inspires me as an artist is the world and experimenting with different colours and shapes. When making the skateboard, I did different sketches to get an idea of what I liked. Once my final sketch was complete I started to create the skateboard deck."

"My name is Leo and I chose the Bauhaus design movement because I thought that it would look really good on a skateboard, and I like the colours that it includes.

As an artist I am inspired because I want to create cool artworks and also inspire other people.

The creative process that I used was, first I drew a design of what I was going to paint, and then I drew that design on my board. Then I masked it with tape and started to paint it."

"My name is Brianna and I chose Art Deco as the colours and their contrasts with each other were interesting and fascinating. Experimenting with the style of Art Deco was a challenge but I was proud of the overall ending of it.

As an artist, I think what inspires me the most is having colours that are working together to create a remarkable piece. Even if you aren’t good at drawing or really aren’t that talented at art, like me, a masterpiece is still within reach and extraordinary pieces of art are still easy and achievable.

When making the skateboard deck, I had to sketch designs and needed lots of sources of inspiration to get a style I was 100% set on. Once I had that design that I liked, I took time in getting the right colours and exact lines so that I didn’t end up creating a different design movement rather than Art Deco."

A selection of skateboard designs are currently on display in the SC Building gallery. In addition to this, a number of students in the cohort are exhibiting their work at the City of Whittlesea’s Baseline at Westfield Plenty Valley. We encourage you to visit the displays and see their amazing designs up-close.
 

Our 2019 Junior Production of Disney's The Lion King Jr. took place across July 18-20 at the Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre with performances drawing sellout crownds and earning rave reviews.

Congratulations to all members of Cast and Crew for their commitment to rehearsals and preparations in the lead up to the show.

Amazing performances all round - some seriously talented students here at Marymede Catholic College. Re-live some of the action below:

Photos: Ben Fon Photography

The foundation of Luis Fragale’s (Year 3) journey at St. Mary’s College for the Deaf and the Marymede Community all began with a regular visit to Australian Hearing in Moonee Ponds, where Luis’ Audiologist would inform his parents of the School and their partnership with Marymede Catholic College.

St. Mary’s College for the Deaf welcomes Prep to Year 12 students with significant hearing loss into a vibrant, exceptional learning community in partnership with Marymede Catholic College at its South Morang Campus. Their educational program for deaf and hard of hearing students operates within five local partner primary and secondary schools across Melbourne. Students integrate within the partner school wearing the same uniform and attending classes and other school events as members of those school communities. 

Luis’ Mother, Jacqueline recalls learning of St. Mary’s existence as a great sense of relief. “Not only would Luis be able to attend a Catholic school that is very close to where we live but he was also going to be supported with his hearing loss. We arranged at interview and tour with St Mary’s at Marymede, we knew then it was the best place for Luis’ education.”

Although they would spend a significant amount of time in their mainstream class, students enrolled into St. Mary’s College for the Deaf have the option of enriching their educational program by accessing teaching, interventions or adjustments as needed from the St. Mary’s College staff.

“Both St Mary’s and Marymede work together to support Luis’ education.” Says Jacquline. “Luis is supported by a Teacher of the deaf in the mainstream class but is also withdrawn throughout the week to work on his own individual goals in the St Mary’s College specialist classroom. St Mary’s also provide a Speech Therapist that works on Campus in which Luis attends twice a week. We receive feedback from all his teachers on a regular basis too, which is so important to us. At times the language barrier can be difficult for Luis to explain things, so this feedback and open communication is vital.”

Luis working with a team member from St. Mary's.

The real benefit of the St. Mary’s College partnership with Marymede would not be fully experienced for the Fragale family until several years later however, with Luis younger sister Monique joining Prep in 2018, and the youngest member of the family Seth, joining the new Marymede Early Learning Centre in 2019.

The advantage of one, all inclusive Campus is where Marymede finds its real strength. “To have all three of our children at the one school, that meets all their needs is a blessing. We live only a short distance away, which is great for travel! There is a continuity in their education, they learn the same values and they are all part of the same community. They are each supported by dedicated and professional teachers who take the time to learn about our children and help them to be the very best they can be.” 

That continuity of learning will be on display even further in just a few years’ time as Luis transitions into Year 7 and the Secondary years where he will continue to be supported by St. Mary’s College for the Deaf. 

For now though, the focus remains firmly on 2019 with all three kids loving the opportunity to get into their uniform and arrive at School/Kindergarten together, as a family. “Our children are very happy. They feel a great sense of belonging and as parents that’s important to us and them.”

Luis (Centre), with his younger Sister Monique (Left) and Brother Seth (Right)

St. Mary’s College for the Deaf offers a Prep to Year 12 learning experience operating within five local Primary Schools. For more information please contact principal@smdeaf.vic.edu.au or visit http://smdeaf.vic.edu.au

Marymede Early Learning Centre offers 3 and 4 Year Old Kindergarten programs in partnership with Marymede Catholic College. For more information please contact kindergarten@marymede.vic.edu.au