Category: Core-Creative/Critical Thinking

I’m excited to share that our students artwork, The Art of Noticing, will be featured in the upcoming Arts Alive exhibit at the Burnaby Art Gallery, running from May 2 to June 1. This exhibit showcases a diverse range of art created by students from schools across our district, and I encourage families to visit and see their creativity on display!

The Art of Noticing is inspired by the idea of truly appreciating the small details in life, a concept explored in the Awesomeology episode of the Ologies podcast. Often, we rush through our busy lives, missing the subtle beauty that surrounds us. Through their artwork, students invite you to pause, take a closer look, and discover the hidden wonders that are right in front of us.

The artwork features an upper layer made of textured, layered media, representing the distractions of everyday life. A hole torn through this layer reveals a collection of photographs and reflective texts, offering a glimpse into the deeper moments that we often overlook. From the veins of a leaf to the beauty of a raindrop on a window, these small details are paired with thought-provoking text, encouraging reflection on their significance.

A magnifying glass allows viewers to engage with the art and invites the viewer to take a deeper look to uncover these hidden gems and notice the richness and beauty beneath the surface. This artwork serves as a reminder that, when we take the time to look closely, we can find meaning and wonder in even the smallest aspects of life.

Hopefully you get an opportunity to visit the Arts Alive exhibit so you can see this unique project and celebrate the creativity of our students and others throughout our district!

What an incredible day in the mountains! Our Grade 6/7 students from Division 1, 2, and 3 had an unforgettable experience at Mount Seymour, taking part in the Winter Survival Challenge. With clear skies and perfect conditions, the students embraced the adventure, working together to build shelters, snowshoeing through the stunning landscape, and, of course, enjoying some fun in the snow!

It was amazing to see their teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills in action as they tackled the survival challenge. Whether constructing sturdy shelters or navigating the trails, they demonstrated resilience and enthusiasm every step of the way.

A huge thank you to our wonderful parent volunteers who helped make this trip possible—we couldn’t have done it without you!

Check out some highlights from our adventure below!

Surrealism is more than an art movement it’s a way of seeing beyond the surface, uncovering deeper truths through dreamlike imagery, unexpected juxtapositions, and symbolic storytelling. This term, students channeled surrealist techniques to explore a variety of themes, creating artwork and narratives that challenge perceptions and spark meaningful conversations.

Art as Metaphor: The Power of the Unconscious

Each piece in our collection weaves together surrealist elements melting landscapes, floating figures, distorted reflections to convey complex ideas and emotions. Through their artist statements, students decoded the meaning behind their work, explaining how visual symbols helped them explore their chosen themes.

Many students incorporated elements of nature, time, and space to express ideas about change, urgency, and the connections between people and the world around them.

Others focused on internal experiences, using dreamlike compositions to represent emotions, transformations, and hidden tensions.

Writing the Unseen: Narrative Reflections

Beyond visual art, students extended their surrealist exploration into storytelling. Their narratives embraced the unexpected characters navigating fragmented realities, dialogues between personified emotions and forces of nature, and plot lines that blurred the boundaries between dream and reality. These surrealist narratives allowed them to voice complex ideas in an imaginative yet impactful way.

The Impact: Seeing the World Differently

Through this project, students not only honed their artistic and literary skills but also deepened their ability to communicate abstract ideas through metaphor and symbolism. By pushing beyond realism, they accessed a space where difficult topics could be explored with nuance and power. Surrealism became their tool for unveiling hidden truths, allowing them and their audience to see the world with fresh eyes.

Their work serves as a reminder that art has the power to make the invisible visible, to challenge perspectives, and to inspire reflection.

This past week, our students took on the challenge of designing more sustainable and inclusive communities. Using their knowledge of sustainability, accessibility, and urban planning, they created prototypes that reflect both environmental responsibility and the values of their user personas.

Through hands-on model-building, students explored solutions for:

Sustainable Housing: Energy-efficient homes using renewable materials and smart design.

Accessible Pathways: Safe, well-connected routes for people of all abilities.

Recreation Facilities: Green spaces that promote health, well-being, and biodiversity and energy efficient swimming pools.

Transit & EV Charging: Infrastructure that supports low-carbon transportation.

Retail & Food Systems: Locally sourced goods, food waste reduction initiatives, and integrated community food bank programs to ensure food security while minimizing environmental impact.

Community Spaces & Stewardship: Multi-use areas that reduce waste and promote circular economies, including makerspaces where residents can repair, repurpose, and sell upcycled products. These spaces also foster community engagement, allowing people to track and celebrate progress toward environmental goals.

Each project was guided by a unique user persona, encouraging students to think deeply about how design choices impact real people’s lives. Their creativity and problem-solving skills were on full display as they built models that prioritize environmental sustainability, inclusivity, and community needs.

Check out the incredible student work below!

Through this process, students gained hands-on experience in sustainable design thinking which is an important step in shaping the cities of tomorrow. What features would you love to see in a more sustainable and inclusive community? Let us know in the comments!

In our latest showcase of student artwork, students skillfully incorporated the elements of art to express their unique perspectives. Through lines, some artists used flowing curves to evoke calmness, while others employed jagged lines to generate excitement. Shapes and forms took center stage in collages that combined geometric and organic elements for a harmonious balance, while 3D sculptures invited touch and interaction.

Color played a vital role, with vibrant palettes radiating energy, while cooler tones created soothing atmospheres. Texture was explored through mixed materials that invited sensory engagement, and rugged surfaces were created through varied techniques. Lastly, students mastered the use of space to create depth, utilizing overlapping elements to depict bustling scenes and minimalist designs to highlight simplicity. Each piece of artwork showcases student’s ability to weave these elements together, resulting in truly unique creations.

In our latest buddy session Rachel, Sasha, Cyrus, and Joe read-aloud, the inspiring book “I Have a Right to Save My Planet.” This engaging story empowered everyone to recognize their role in protecting the environment and highlighted the importance of sustainability, conservation, and community action.

Following the read-aloud, we transitioned into a fun Scrabble word play activity, where students formed words related to the themes of the book, such as “earth,” “reuse,” “green,” and “future.” This not only reinforced the vocabulary but also sparked lively discussions about environmental responsibility and how we can all contribute to a healthier planet.

This read-aloud and word play encouraged students to think critically about their impact on the world and inspired them to take action. Together, we are planting the seeds for a more sustainable future, one word and one action at a time!

Our Commitments to Truth and Reconciliation

To honor the memory of the children lost to the residential school system, students at Aubrey created an Origami Reconciliation Project inspired by the Japanese tradition of folding paper cranes. This artwork will serve as a symbol of our shared hopes for healing and reconciliation.

The mural’s background features black hearts, representing the profound truths and emotions we hold in remembrance of this painful history. At the center, a heart formed by orange ravens symbolizes hope and our commitment to building a better future. Each raven carries messages of healing and reconciliation, contributed by students from various divisions.

This mural stands as a powerful reminder of our dedication to truth, understanding, and justice. It calls upon our community to engage in meaningful dialogue and take action to support of ongoing reconciliation and healing.

We would also like to recognize the following students for their leadership efforts in assembling the final display: Rachel Mullin, Kaitlynn Leung, Sasha Sun, and Anna Wu.

Dear Parents,

We are thrilled to introduce an engaging cross-curricular project where our students will design and construct haunted houses in collaboration with our buddy class. This initiative will incorporate elements of writing, math, and art, allowing students to explore their creativity while enhancing their academic skills.

Materials Needed:
To participate, each student should bring a cube-style tissue box (Link to sample: https://www.staples.ca/products/971001-en-kleenex-professional-facial-tissue-cube-for-business-90-sheets) to school by Monday, October 21st. These boxes will be the base for their haunted houses. While students do not need to bring the tissues, they are welcome to contribute them if they wish!

Additionally, students are encouraged to bring in Halloween-themed decorations to embellish their houses. This is a wonderful chance for them to let their imaginations run wild!

Learning Outcomes:
– Writing: Students will adopt the role of “realtors” and craft persuasive paragraphs aimed at convincing potential buyers to invest in their haunted houses. Our focus will be on enriching their descriptions with advanced vocabulary, including triple scoop words, similes, and personification.
– Math: Students will engage in practical math skills by estimating the number of popsicle sticks required for their designs and calculating the area and perimeter of their house structures.
– Art: This project will also allow students to express their artistic flair through creative decoration choices and color schemes.

We are excited to see the creativity and effort that our students will put into this project! Thank you for your support in helping them gather the necessary materials.

Sincerely,

Crystal Smith
Classroom Teacher

Check out these unique pieces of art students created that reflect the artistic style of Piet Mondrian, a pioneer of abstract art known for his  use of geometric shapes and primary colours. To complete this artwork students were required to use:

Geometric Shapes:Students incorporated squares and rectangles to create dynamic compositions, mimicking Mondrian’s signature style.

Primary Colours: Bold reds, yellows, and blues were chosen alongside black and white to convey emotion and simplicity.

Grid Structure: By organizing their compositions into grids, students embraced Mondrian’s approach, exploring balance and harmony in their designs.

Contrast and Unity: The interplay of colour and space highlights contrasts, while the consistent use of lines and shapes creates a unified look.

Creative Expression: Each piece showcases personal interpretations, allowing students to express their individuality through abstraction.

• Students recently created stunning artwork inspired by the vibrant landscapes of renowned Canadian artist Ted Harrison! Through their imaginative interpretations, they’ve explored unique artistic techniques to bring their acrylic paintings to life. Some of the artistic techniques they used included:

Bold Colour Palette: Students used vibrant, contrasting colours to evoke emotion and energy, mirroring Harrison’s distinctive style.

Layering: By applying multiple layers of paint, students achieved depth and texture, enhancing the visual impact of their landscape.

Geometric Shapes: Inspired by Harrison’s use of simplified forms, students incorporated bold geometric shapes to represent mountains, skies, and fields.

Dynamic Composition: Emphasizing movement and flow, students arranged elements to draw the viewers eye through the painting, creating an engaging experience.

Textural Techniques: Techniques such as dry brushing and sponge painting added unique textures, reflecting the natural landscapes Harrison loved.