Senior Art students have been busy making the final touches on their portfolios, to be ready for marking and moderation. Head of Art Rachel Clark tells us what to expect following this year's Art Show.

This year we had an impressive number of Level 1, 2 & 3 portfolios from our painting, design, printmaking and photography students.

With little access to equipment during lockdown, our senior art students (once again) showed incredible resilience working on what they could complete at home during term two this year. Their determination to complete what they could in time for the big Senior Art Show was admirable and a celebration of student triumph over adversity.

As part of the Art Show, staff and whanau were invited to participate in the People’s Choice Award where they could vote for their favourite Art portfolio. This year there were over 100 votes cast for the show and students awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, with each winner taking home a prize pack of new art materials.

Year 13 student Paige Tonkin won first place by a large margin in the People’s Choice this year. Paige completed three Level 3 portfolios in Painting, Photography and Printmaking and has applied to study Fine Arts at Ilam School of Fine Arts in Christchurch.

In second place for People’s Choice, was Year 11 student Olivia Cairns for her Level 1 Art portfolio. Olivia is one of our most hardworking Art students and is taking on three Level 2 Art subjects in 2021.

In third place was Year 13 student Kaley Donohue who completed two Level 3 Portfolio boards this year. Kaley explored the theme of 'Social / Political Issue' in both folio inquiries with a particular focus on the POTUS and the impact of his leadership on the US and the world over the last four years.

Congratulations to all of our hardworking senior students. We are very proud of you and look forward to seeing the mahi you create in 2021!