12 June 2011
Now was the time
12/Jun/11 17:15 Filed in: Quest
Now was the time I thought to bring both groups Quest 1 and 2 together, and so, in the previous session, they all looked at each other suspiciously across a large table in Heather's art room. How about sharing what you have been doing? OK, they admitted, they were curious. So, each watched the slideshows of the journeys undertaken, then had to give feedback as to "what was the story"???? A heated quick art critical review took place and things got more focused. Then all sixteen were let loose on technology. OMG I thought I was seeing double. Voice being recorded on my Zoom 4, a fleet of iMacs, IPads, drawings, cartoons, mapping of ideas. Blimey, I thought, is this what it is like to be a REAL teacher. I should have had an armful of lesson plans. Suddenly, in the flash of double vision, some of the lads were teaching others had to use the techno kit, others were sharing ideas, whilst stories were being Worded up, prof standard slideshows edited and fantastic cartoons penned. I calmed down. How the heck am I going to bring this together I thought, then next day, when muttering to dear friend and writer and fellow creative collaborator Hilds, she said get on Blogger, go local, regional, national and international. What if other schools did a Quest too? What would their mascot be? Suddenly, the vision was swimming again, but this time, quite pleasantly. And so it was one day of gluing myself to my own iMac, WestburyQuest was born and the art of blogging it awaits its launch. I can't wait to let the lads loose on its pages and allow its shiny virtual digital platform to bring together this amazing adventure and all the genius let loose into the wilds of Westbury.
Is it insane?
12/Jun/11 16:37 Filed in: Quest
The SCAT Innovation Manager comes to visit us with Quest 2 lads, it is lunchtime, directly after us being out and about all morning with Quest 1. The lads are ready and keen to tell their stories. On the table in our small room is a plate of sandwiches to feed our visitor, and for some reason a large carving knife. Heather, Bev, Madeleine appear to be happy to keep an eye on the sandwiches, whilst all I can see is the glint of the knife and the lads bursting with enthusiasm. I am still wondering about the sense of it all, but I bravely recount how it all came into being and what we have been up to....The original idea was that both groups would meet and chat, but I am glad it wasn't the whole collection, as I was wondering at this point about the original suggestion that I could work with 8, max 10 lads. So, I wanted to bring them together when there more time and A Plan. The journeys were discussed, and the nice gentleman's eyes start to roll, I gabble a bit more, the boys confidently share their experiences. "How about you jot in your journals ten things you have learnt/experienced?" How to be a sheep and not laugh was at the top of each list. OMG. Is it madness? I ask of the visitor- realising that Heather's quirky idea about how to succeed with world domination and get the thousand pounds was very trusting, as this was the first time she had heard of our adventures. "is it insane...?" I enquire. "I am wondering about how to bring it full circle, share with others, make it more sensible". "Oh, I wouldn't do that" was that reply. "It would kill it". Apparently it was thought to be brilliant, and conferences were planned, a series of books, video and crikes knows what else. I am feeling hot again. The lads don their sheepguise and the visitor poses with theatre binoculers, whilst I pass the sandwiches with the knife balanced precariously and Madeleine kindly takes a pic. I still don't know how I am going to pull it off, but somehow the rabbit, clown and sheep need to meet.
The Plan
12/Jun/11 13:14 Filed in: Quest
Meeting for the first time on a Thursday, Quest 1, after discussion agreed Gregory the rabbit & Charlie the clown needed to get cracking with their journey. On a lovely sunny morning Bev kindly dropped us off in the mini-bus at the station, together with visiting photographer's assistant Madeleine. A bus stop, phone booth and Westbury station became environs rich with possibility. Passerby travellers stopped in their tracks when asked to sit with a stuffed rabbit and a clown. National Rail staff in joined in with playing too. Ken got Rabbit & Clown their very own train, decided Gregory needed to be in the driving seat and clown in the luggage rack. He ran off to get them tickets, and then agreed that they were like royalty with their very own train. Possible destinations were discussed. The lift between floors of the stations became a little journey in itself, then on the ground floor another conductor joined in by declaring in a very loud voice "Well I never, its not often you see a giant rabbit travelling on a train". He agreed to pose and do a voiceover for the Flip video camera shots of action, then muttered happily about when he was at school creating a play called 'Slack Adder' and just about getting away with it. A stop at the ticket office and a timetable, the lads then decided to head off over to the lake. Frankly the health and safety, risk assessment side of things had gone out of the window, although Ken had earlier said "mind the gap". At the lake Gregory takes in the air on his very own desert island and a lady passes her with two rockveilers who are excited to find a rabbit so close to the water, she screams at them to get out of the water using an interesting form of request with which the lads are very impressed "Did we get that on camera they all excitedly enquire". We decide to move on inspired by discussions of an idea of going to Ali's house. "Are you sure it is ok" I enquire...."Yes, he smiles confidently. On the way back through the path and undergrowth of the lakeside we see a fisherman's tent, the fisherman, the said lady (his wife) and the two dogs. The man kindly agrees to let Gregory fish a while, whilst the two rockveilers dig up the ground as though searching for a missing person. The lady gives the lads ideas of what else they could do, with the rabbit using a lorry driver, postcards and some threats. As we depart hurriedly we discover a family of mum and dad and baby geese and a REAL rabbit. Past the re-cycle bin...and back to civilization, we set off to find Ali's house where we pile in to find another dog, in the form of half a doberman and a cat. After a fridge scene with chocolate yoghurts (inspired by Kieran's dad's love of yoghurt), we all file upstairs admiring the lovely portraits Ali's nan has painted...and pile into his bedroom. I announce we have about ten minutes what do they want to do. Gregory climbs into bed with a book (H. Potter) and Charlie takes up a stool at the drums. Suddenly the room becomes alive with the lads revealing the musical gifts with things being tweaked and twanged all at the same time, whilst real Charlie is videoing, or was it someone else. I try to take control, lads I say, my eyes are starting to bulge, we have 5 minutes left, what do you want to do....In a flash, there is a recording of drumming, keyboards and various rattling of instruments and kit from around the room. I feel very hot, knowing it is nearly their dinner time and the Innovation Fund manager is coming to find out what sense we are making of it all and what we have been up to and what is The Plan! We crocodile back and the lads spend a few minutes reviewing, scribbling ideas for next stage in their journals. I ask them about how we come bring things to a close, to be able to share the creative process with others....Hmm, says the lads "How about going to Longleat next" they ask...the pets corner. I feel hotter by the minute. "I think the other group are you favourites" says George, suddenly I feel the ground about to swallow me up. "Mmmm, I say, why is that?" ..."Because they are having more fun, and they are sheep". "Lunchtime" I announce in a small voice, whilst my head spins with how to bring things together...."I know"...they cry ..."as the exit...."can we make a music video"?