Arden's Digital Leaders Blog

The main blog has been set up and will be regularly updated with information about software and new technology being trialled by our Digital Leaders.

Have a look here:
http://digitalleadersarden.blogspot.co.uk/

Digital Leaders

November 2012 sees a new era for Creative Arts and Technology...

10 Year9 students have been appointed as Digital Leaders and will be working with Mrs Allton to test and trial new technology, apps and software that could be used in school to enhance teaching and learning. The Digital Leaders will support other students in lessons and help train staff.

Meetings will be in Room 104 in the Smart Centre on Thursday lunchtimes.

We will be looking at: iPads and their apps, prezi, blogs, twitter, 3D printing with D&T, 3D modelling with Sketch Up and Solidworks, Graphics with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop and any other relevant software or technology that comes our way...

Well done to the 10 students involved!

Keep checking back to the Digital Leaders page for more information on what they have achieved.

Creative Arts and Technology Week - Tuesday/Wednesday

Tuesday 20th November 2012
Year 10 Students studying GCSE Art & Design visited Tate Modern in London

and students also enjoyed some time in Covent Garden.

Santosh Bhurra was in cooking wonderful Asian cuisine with KS4 Home Economic students.

Wednesday 21st November

50 Students from Year 10 working in the School Hall all day on a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) challenge with a facilitator from the Small Peice Trust http://www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk/ and Mr Eades, Mr Crawley and sixth form Product Design students.

We are also excited that 5 Year 10 students can have a residential STEM work experience through the Small Peice Trust. We look forward to receiving applications for this...

Santosh Bhurra worked with A level Home Economics students in the afternoon looking at different Asian breads, including Gluten Free recipes.

Mr Lyons of Lyons Butcher's, Knowle also came in to work with and demonstrate to Year 10 GCSE Catering students.

Digital Leaders - recruitment...

I am looking for 5 Year 9 students to become Digital Leaders.

Starting by looking at how new technology and online software can be used in D&T, the Digital Leaders will trial and teach each other, before supporting other students and staff with a range of ICT based software/hardware.

Digital Leaders will then look at expanding their skills and support to all areas of the curriculum at Arden.

What a fantastic start to Creative Arts & Technology week 2012

Thank you to all the hardworking students, staff and visitors to the department today...
The Year 9 'Community' Theme Day was a huge success and everyone worked really hard to make creative and interesting products in all areas of CA&T. We were also joined by a chef from Turners Restaurant, Nick Steyn a previous student at Arden worked with Year 10 Home Economics students.

Year 9 Community Theme Day

Hairdressing students working on their designs today - they interpreted 'community' by looking at the communicating with an online community. The best Hairdressing blog will be appearing on this CA&T department blog very soon.

Food students created a variety of savoury and sweet dishes that had been passed down in their community - many from families, grandmas and great grandmas...

Graphics students were working on designing a logo and branding for the Knowle Fun Run - next year is the 30th anniversary and we had a visit from a member of the Knowle and Dorridge Lions (who organise the event) judging. We were really pleased to hear that he took two of the designs with him to show the group and consider using next year.

Art students visited Knowle to get inspiration from the local community for their clay work

Product Design students visited Meridan's community area for inspiration. Students designed plans and built models of proposed community areas. These again were judged by a member of Knowle Society who works in planning/architecture.

Year 9 Product Design students working on designs for a local community area for Knowle/Dorridge.



Year 9 students working in Textiles created festival wind sock decorations. Ideas were inspired by the community by being linked to Arden or the local area in their designs.



We had a range of experts, plus Mr Murphy Principal of Arden and The Mayor of Solihull helping with the judging at the end of the day. Students involved also got chance to see the work that the other areas had been creating before voting for a winning overall team.
Prizes for individual successes will be awarded in an assembly soon.

Chef demonstration

Nick Steyn - demonstration for Year 10 students

We also were very lucky to have another visiting expert in to work with Year 10 Home Economic students. Nick Steyn, a previous Arden student demonstrated a range of dishes to inspired students. Nick works at Michelin Starred Turners Restaurant, Harborne, Birmingham. http://www.turnersrestaurantbirmingham.co.uk 

Creative Arts and Technology Week has started...

It is Monday 19th November.. which means that this years CA&T week has started.

Today we have 80 Year 9 students involved with a community theme day.. Students are working in Food, Art, Product Design, Hairdressing, Textiles and Graphics.
More photos and stories to follow later!

Year 9 Students in Food Technology - recipes passed down from the community

Creative Arts & Technology Week 19th-23rd Nov 2012

Only a few weeks until the third annual Creative Arts and Technology Week...

There will be visits, visitors, competitions, special lessons, a STEM challenge day and lots more...

More details and a programme of events will be posted here over the next fortnight.

Keep checking back for details of how you can get involved.