Artes Mundi Workshop

Earlier this week, we were pleased to welcome visitors from Artes Mundi to Pencoed Comprehensive, to deliver a workshop to our Yr10 GCSE Art pupils.

Aside from the internationally renowned Artes Mundi Prize, the organisation also collaborates with multiple venues to deliver a wide range of exhibitions, and provides talks, projects and workshops to communities and schools.

Our Yr10 artists were introduced to the work of 3 artists, whose work has recently been exhibited in Cardiff: Prabhaker Pachpute, Firelei Baez, and Carrie Mae Weems. The overarching theme of the work studied, and produced by the pupils, was ‘hope’.

Over the course of 2 lessons, pupils experimented with a number of art forms and interpretations of works, including attempting to physically re-create some of the artworks they were examining!

Rather than focusing on precision and perfection, pupils were encouraged to work more freely, and focus on creativity and collaboration. Their final pieces came together as a collage of their individual sketches and text based art.

It’s safe to say the pupils really enjoyed the workshop, and Head of Art, Mrs Davies, was impressed by their contributions and responses to the questions posed, and tasks set.

Gothic Story Winners!

Just before half-term, the English department hosted their annual ‘Gothic Party’, inviting entrants from the recent story competition to celebrate their work – and find out the winners!

The English teachers were really impressed with the level of participation from pupils, and had a tough job judging – so much so that three pupils tied for first place in the Key Stage 3 competition! There were also a number of honourable mentions for those who had sparked the teacher’s imaginations.

Mrs Smith, Mrs Williams, Miss Mullen-Jones, and Miss Burke all praised not only the pupil’s creativity, but their application of skills learned in the classroom – using impressive vocabulary and different structures to create suspense and atmosphere.

Key Stage 4 Winners

1st: Kyle Matthew-Peers, for ‘The Woman in the Phone’
2nd: Freya Jones, for ‘Hut of the Haunted’
3rd: Alicia Williams, for ‘Run’

Key Stage 3 Winners

1st: Edward Adams, for ‘Psychological Thriller’
1st: Sophia Hughson, for ‘The Haunted Cottage’
1st: Ellie-Mae Norris, for ‘Old Mill Manor’
2nd: Leila Howells, for ‘The Spooky Lighthouse’

Best Effort

Brennan Curry, for ‘The Haunted House’

Honourable Mentions

Harry Mansfield, for ‘Uncanny Twilight Pumpkin Picking’
Sophia Gao, for ‘Late Sunday Night’
Caitin Brisley, for ‘A Grave Error’
Florence Byrne, for ‘The Witch’s Daughter’
Dixie Williams, for ‘The Dreaded Day’
Frankie Armitt, for ‘Halloween’

Well done to all those who entered, and special congratulations to our winners! Keep an eye on our website and social media, as we will be sharing some chilling extracts from these stories….if you dare to read them!