The Cre8ive process

NICOLE ROACHE, MARKETING MANAGER

Ad Astra spoke to four students about their projects, where their ideas came from, who helped them and what the experience taught them, and as you will see they certainly created something rather special.

During Term 3, Year 8 students undertake a self-directed passion project outside of school time, designed to help them identify and follow their passions, and to learn about project planning and time management. They also learn about trying and failing, and how this develops better ideas, as well as resilience. When the projects come to school for an exhibition there is everything from olive oil to dog houses, pool tables and souped-up lawnmowers, showing the creativity and confidence of our young people.

Lucy Borrack built a sculptural installation

Lucy Borrack decided that she wanted to explore art, inspired by the works of Banksy, she wanted her piece to say something important to adolescents.

“My piece ‘Toilet Talk’ is a life-sized restroom, inspired by the ‘pop-up’ nature of amenities seen by the

world due to the COVID pandemic. The cubicle door is alive with messages for all to talk about and consider. I wanted to construct a sculpture that would inspire a conversation about society’s values and beliefs.

The toilet block is a metaphor to highlight social issues, particularly gender and equality.

Toilet Talk’ intends to create a discussion on all the current topics that are confusing for teenagers.

Chloe Bowyer obtained her Marine License

Chloe Bowyer took her passion for all things water and asked her Poppa to help her obtain her Marine License, achieving this and using her knowledge to educate and test others on being safe around the water.

“My Poppa was my mentor, he has been boating and competition sailing all of his life and owns two powerboats that we often go out on; they enabled me to do this project. He was very happy to help me and teach me how to drive.”

While spending time with someone she loves was an added bonus, Chloe selected her Poppa for his wealth of experience.

To get the license Chloe studied a guidebook of regulations and laws, completed practice tests, and attended an all-day training course. Before sitting and passing the assessment.

“I learnt about water safety skills and, how to negotiate waterways as well as gaining experience in the process of obtaining a Victorian license and I am very excited to now have a qualification that I can use forever. It was also great fun to create a video of my experience and the rules of boating. Even more enjoyable was testing parents, students, and teachers with my onthe-spot mini marine license quiz.”

I learnt that the best mentors have a wealth of experience but teach best by guiding and educating and allowing you to learn from your mistakes rather than didactic instruction.

Lachlan Olsen made his own Australian Rules Football.

Alongside Syd Sherrin, the greatgrandnephew of the Australian Rules Football inventor, T.W. (Thomas William) Sherrin, Lachlan Olsen made his own Australian Rules Football. Initially, Lachlan thought he would be able to make a footy himself with a little guidance, but early on he figured out that it was going to be very difficult to do it without the right equipment and experience.

“Initially I went to meet Syd Sherrin to seek advice, particularly about the type of thread to use. At the meeting Syd and I got along well, he went to Scotch College, is fun to be around, and was telling me about his family’s history with Collingwood.

This initial connection led to Syd providing advice, guidance, materials, and supervision to complete a hand-made football. As Syd guided me through the steps,

I started to gain speed with the stitching catching on to his tricks to make you go faster and to make it easier. As we worked together, Syd told me that he has been creating footballs by hand since he was 14 in his dad’s factory. Syd is an amazing person to get to know, and I am so grateful for his help.”

Lachlan’s explanation of his experience of the process, I think, sums up the power of this type of learning.

“Initially, I found it frustrating that I couldn’t create the football by myself, but I have realised the benefits of having the right mentor. The challenges along the way led me to meet Syd and find more out about our local suppliers. This made me realise that problems can be overcome, and might actually be opportunities.”

Holding the finished football in my hands made me feel proud because I know the journey that a football makes to come out as the finished product.

Hugh Murphy learned to bake sourdough

Hugh Murphy’s plan was inspired by his love of breakfast, particularly eggs or smashed avo on sourdough, so the Lazy Loaf was born.

“I went through many ideas before deciding on sourdough, like creating my own football brand or boots. I settled on sourdough because I kept wondering about the process of actually making it, and I’m a boarder, and I wanted to be able to do something that would be able to be done in the bordo.”

He was fortunate that a family friend Tom Beaufoy (OGC 2022) lives nearby and is studying to be a chef, so was on hand to help.

“Tom taught me many things like how to correctly cure the sourdough for it to rise well enough, how to maintain and bake the bread, and how to keep my starter alive and maintain it correctly until it is ready to bake.”

Selling out of his product very early in the exhibition, Hugh was pleased with the result.

“It was really great to see many teachers, students, and adults showing interest in the Lazy Loaf, after all the hard work my mentor put in to help it be the best it could be.”