Proclamation Boards Complete

How exciting has the last week been! Students are very proud of their efforts replicating the Proclamation Boards comissioned by Governor Arthur, and really understand just how confronting these boards are to aboriginal people  and also  the extent of the emotions that these boards can generate. They had a big chat about these boards to Mrs Moore on Friday and she was quite overcome with their understandings and the humility and the sorrow the students  expressed. Each group of students has put their heart and soul into these replicas. It was interesting to note the article which appeared in this weekend's The Mercury on this very topic and also on the wars during this period of invasion. Last Thursday (November 26th) students did a presentation in assembly. One student shared her initial thoughts on the board after seeing the photo stimulus (before any teaching or research), another her research and another girl shared her reflection. All students went through this sequence in class some time ago. The students are very proud of their boards and so they should be!

The finished Proclamation Boards

The Huon Pine Board

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Assembly presenters

Making Replicas of Proclamation Boards

Well, the replication of the Proclamation Boards is off to a great start. Students have a deep understanding of these boards and how they were used in Colonial Tasmania. A great deal of research has been done in term two and is available for viewing in their portfolios. We are making a prototype first using a piece of Huon Pine I dragged  out of the Pieman River when I was eight months pregnant; quite an experience!  I of course had a licence to do so. David, a hard-working colleague teacher on his final prac, provided enough celery top pine for students to make six more of these boards this week and next and provided all the heavy tools we needed to prepare the wood. Students undercoated the boards leaving the natural wood grain for the trees and the divisions between the panels.  The pictures are very detailed and are going to require patience and persistance on behalf of the students. These replicas will be a great addition to the school resources. Thanks to my husband, Alan, for preparing the piece of Huon Pine.  Here are some photos:

A small amount of drying required

Proud parent

Remembrance Day

We remembered our soldiers today with one minutes silence and also enjoyed the book The Red Poppy which was very moving. Mr Hulton, still on loan to us from the uni,  read the book and I directed the poppy making. Students wore their poppies with pride for the day and made a few extras for others as well.