Festive fun followed Forth Valley College students to Carronshore Primary School recently as they helped the pupils create Christmas crafts.
In partnership with Forth Environment Link (FEL) – who helped with material preparation and workshop delivery - FVC students and staff delivered the Christmas craft workshops to p4-p7 pupils and brought some festive cheer to more than 150 children on Tuesday 3 December.
The school initially approached FVC’s Learning Resource Assistant David Gentles, who had previously been involved with the school. With the backing of college management and lecturers from the Creative Industries Department, the decision was made to get the HND Art and Design students involved, as this would provide valuable experience for them and linked in with their course work. The project also offered a great opportunity to promote the College and showcase the importance of crafts from a health and wellbeing prospective for children and adults.
The materials used were mostly recycled and were donated by the local community for the project. Other craft materials and equipment were funded through the SLIC project fund within the LRC.
The students involved were: David Scott, Sheila Dow, Renata Hurna, Susan Aitken, Lauren Clemenson, Lauren McFarlane , Shara Graham, Skye McNeil, Emily Sheppard, Sam Love, Holly MacDonald and Joanna Sierzputowska
Staff involved included: Forth Valley College’s Learning Resource Assistant David Gentles and Creative Industry Lecturers Dorothy Balmer, Isabella Walker, Julie Borland and Jane Paterson. FEL Material World Volunteers were Shona Martin and Sheena Urquhart, herself a former FVC BA Art and Design student.
Activities delivered on the day included:
- Santa sack decorating – using pre-made sacks form recycled materials and colouring in sheets that allowed the children to trace the design onto fabric and then colour in using fabric crayons
- Wooden bauble designing – using pens and pencils the pupils designed their own wooden bauble
- Paper decorations – making accordion style decorations, paper chains and snowflakes
- Christmas Wreaths - using fabric scraps they made Christmas wreaths by tying the fabric around circular templates
- Christmas crosswords
Linda Gibson, Principal Teacher at Carronshore Primary School, said: “David and all his willing students from Forth Valley College did a fantastic job of engaging with the children. Student feedback mentioned these practical sessions as great experience of how to use art/design in the real world and be inclusive for all learners.
“The children were completely absorbed in every activity and the sessions seemed to pass so quickly. Having worked with David and some of the team previously, the children looked forward in great anticipation to this event. They were excited to find out what activities the team had in store for them. Pupils are already asking if they can do it again next year – they like the idea of recycled gifts to take home. It also fits in well with our Eco work on recycling and sustainability.”
David Gentles, FVC’s Learning Resources Assistant, said: “Our day at Carronshore Primary was amazing, seeing the students work with the children was inspiring and the small teams worked well together, taking it in turns to deliver the demonstrations to different groups. Everything ran smoothly and the pupils had an amazing time, as well as the staff and students. We also had the support of the FEL volunteers who have supported the projects throughout, assisting with the making of 200 Santa sacks prior to the visit.”
FVC Creative industries Lecturer, Isabella Walker, said: “This event was an invaluable opportunity for our HND Art and Design students to support and guide young primary school pupils through a series of exciting, creative and fun Christmas craft making workshops. During the first year of their studies the students are required to undertake work in a community setting and this event offered them their first opportunity to do this as a team.
“They showed excellent team working abilities through the dividing up of tasks and identifying what had to be done to keep activities running smoothly. The workshops also gave them the opportunity to apply creative skills they have developed during their HND studies. Their individual performances throughout the delivery of the workshops were impressive, managing to keep the fun going till the end of the day.”
To find out more about Creative Industries courses at Forth Valley College visit www.forthvalley.ac.uk
