S2 Fair Trade “Snack Attack” – Design Challenge 2013

All S2 pupils took part in this year’s ‘Traidcraft Snack Attack Challenge’. They divided into enterprise groups and went on to create a healthy, fair trade snack in Health & Food Technology before designing appropriate packaging and marketing campaigns in Art & Design. There were some very interesting inventions but the winners of the CCHS competition were Samantha Ovenstone, Eilidh MacFarlane and Ciara Simms. Their “Cubix” product (fruity, crispy cubes) was chosen to represent the school and was delivered to Traidcraft headquarters in London. The product, although commended, did not beat the stiff competition to become a national winner. Well done to all of S2 for their creativity and hard work on this year’s A&D and HFT fair trade challenge!

Advanced Higher Art & Design – Contemporary Art Installations

During the February break, three of our talented artists Ragda Elhag, Becca Tarrant and Sarah Broadhurst took a day out of their holiday and study time to create some site specific installation art at Old St. Paul’s Church in the City Centre. The workshop was led by contemporary artist, Juliana Capes and organised by the Fruitmarket Gallery. The students spent time in the gallery viewing the exhibition before making their own large scale installations using ‘unexpected media’, paper and found objects in and around the church. This was an interesting ‘Space Exploration’ experience helped develop confidence and creativity and was particularly useful for those intending to study Art & Design at university level.

Friends of the Royal Scottish Academy Art Award 2013

Hannah Nugent has won one of the top 3 National Awards in the Friends of the Royal Scottish Academy Art Award 2012/13. Her work will be exhibited at the RSA on Princes Street from 22/3/13 – 16/4/13. The final prize giving ceremony will be on 27/3/13 so we will hear which particular prize she has been awarded after that but this is an exceptional achievement regardless.

S1 Christmas Card Design 2012

All S1 pupils created a Christmas Card in Art & Design before three finalists were chosen from each class. This excellent selection was then passed to the Senior Leadership Team who chose three winners.

This year’s lucky winners were Murray Fisher, Craig Haggart and Asha Mullen. Over 100 of the winners’ cards were sent by Mrs MacKinnon all over Edinburgh and beyond. All finalists’ designs will be on display in the foyer over the festive period. “Happy Christmas!” from Art & Design and all of our talented S1 artists!

S1 Art & Design and Music Elective - 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'

For the past nine weeks, a group of S1s have been learning the “Joseph” song 'Any Dream Will Do' in Music, while in Art & Design another group have been creating performance costume brooches. The theme in Art & Design was Ancient Egypt; we considered hieroglyphics, mummies, pyramids and wall paintings as research imagery and we worked with interesting materials such as foil and papyrus whilst trialling techniques such as marbling and chalk resist. A&D learners studied the Bible story, the historical context and the design process. Music pupils also demonstrated research skills with their wall displays and developed singing and performing skills. On the last day of the Elective the musicians displayed their excellent performing skills and wore the eye-catching brooches on stage. The designers, who formed the audience, looked on proudly at their designs. After the show, both groups peer-assessed each others' work. The performance was very well-received and the designs looked very effective on stage; a very successful Expressive Arts event! Well done, S1s!