Last Friday I was privileged to witness this year's Twilight Tree Dressing event in Telemann Square. A couple of things struck me about this that I think have relevance for this blog.
Firstly, it was a brilliant example of collaboration between schools (including Tallis), practitioners, local agencies (the Greenwich Food Co-op and New Horizons) and the community we all serve. I'm convinced that the more learning experiences we devise where several different groups collaborate on the creation of mutually beneficial products, the more engaged learners will become. There's another brilliant example of this currently involving the Year 13 Art & Design students who have been commissioned by Rosa Goncalves to design the interior, stationary, furniture and graphic identity of her new community enterprise Guarida Cafe venture. A real client, a real audience, a real brief, a real budget and a very real timeline.
Secondly, the event was a feast for the senses. A twilight lantern parade with adults and children from the whole community, to the accompaniment of members of the Bollywood Brass band, was followed by a beautiful firework display, vegetable soup and fruit in the community hall, dancing and conversation. I left feeling utterly replete, emotionally, psychologically, culturally and aesthetically. Creative learning rooted in the community. That's what I'd like to see more of at Tallis.
1 comment:
Looks like a great event! I had a sneak preview of some of the footage shot at the event at a conference yesterday - the band sounded fantastic and it was great to see that the event so well attended.
It looks like a really good example of how the school can contribute to and create effective networks that benefit everybody - school, students, community, business ... It also gives learning a real relevance and immediacy.
Mr Hawes
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