Island Time

Many of the Island Time teachers arrived at school feeling a little bit anxious on Tuesday of this week. We knew that all the display boards were up and ready and that we had the all clear to take over the school hall for the day. What troubled us was the unusual sensation of not really knowing what we had to display. You see the unit on Cultural Identity was new to Island School. For the first time we had asked students to reflect on the following questions..... ‘What is it that forms my identity?’, ‘How can I express ideas to do with cultural identity through a range of media?’ and ‘What does it mean to be a Third Culture Kid?’

Within the unit we also asked whether there is such a thing as a National Identity. We questioned whether it is ever right to stereotype people and reflected on how historical events and geographical background form who we are.

The students rose to the challenge admirably and produced some incredible work. As usually happens, the unforeseen was the most valuable part of the final exhibition. That is the way in which teachers, students and parents came together to celebrate all the achievements of year 7 in the final exhibition.

Those that were there were treated to drama performances, poetry readings, examples of film making, photographs and some in depth social science research. Not only did the students demonstrate advanced abilities in literacy, confidence using new media technology and creativity in the visual and performing arts, but they also had the chance to develop a range of generic skills. Well done year 7!!!

All our year 7 students had been involved in a new project to do with Cultural Identity in Island Time. They had opted to express their ideas in the medium of either poetry, photography, drama, film, fiction writing or through human science research methods.

Of course we needn’t have worried at all. By the time the first parents arrived at around 10.30am the hall had been transformed and our year 7 students had shown themselves to be the highly motivated, independent and creative learners they are.

If you are a year 7 parent please look out for an e-newsletter that will be exclusively about Island Time and will feature some of the best work from our year 7 students. This will be distributed in the near future. Also we intend to provide a short briefing on the aims and objectives of the course at 4.00pm on the afternoon of the Year 7 parents’ consultation afternoon on 28th February.

Please see some photographs of the exhibition event...here

Gareth Stevens - Vice Principal