Learning Life’s Lessons through Art at Naval Base Secondary School
02 Dec 2013
Students at Naval Base Secondary School are immersed in an environment and culture of visual art.
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” – Pablo Picasso
Developing and retaining that innate sense of curiosity and creativity is a focus at Naval Base Secondary School. With the school’s niche in visual art, students are immersed in an environment that is visually rich and inspiring. They are also offered many opportunities to cultivate soft skills through art, such as resilience, creativity and confidence, which would stand them in good stead for the future, regardless of what each student chooses to pursue.
Certainly, not everyone can be like Picasso, but the school nurtures a culture of openness and inclusiveness that motivates students to take a shot and see how far they can go.
Developing a School Culture of Art
The art programme at Naval Base Secondary School has come a long way since it first decided to work towards making it a niche, some ten years ago. Now, they offer a comprehensive curriculum for both lower and upper secondary levels, in-house exhibitions, inter-class competitions, local learning journeys, overseas art study trips and more, supported by a team of art teachers and local artists.
Students are encouraged to try their hand at various types of art, such as ceramics. Photo Credit: Naval Base Secondary School
“We learnt new techniques that we never tried before,” said Jasmine Jeffie, 15, one of the students who participated in an overseas learning trip to Italy.
During the trip, students visited famous places of art, such as the Sistine Chapel, known for Michelangelo’s works, and a Salvador Dali Museum. Inspired by what they learnt, saw and experienced, students painted and drew in their art journal throughout the trip. With constant feedback from teachers, students learnt much.
Being in the Art Club also allows students to try their hand at ceramics, drawing and painting, and even floral art arrangements. The club has about 100 members today.
Photography is an art form that both students and teachers have begun to explore further in recent years.
Students with an aptitude in art can also join the school through the Direct School Admission Secondary (DSA-SEC) exercise, and benefit from unique opportunities. For example, they will participate in attachments to local art museums or post-secondary institutions of art learning and be given customised small-group guidance.
The culture of art is not limited to students. Teachers and school staff have also caught the spirit, and are given opportunities to explore and discover the world of art through workshops, bite-sized information on art history, learning journeys and hands-on art activities. Understanding a bit more about art also helps the teachers to communicate better with students.
Moulding the Character of Students
A “can-do attitude” is what teachers have been observing in their students. The confidence boost from a small achievement in art changes the way they approach other subjects. It motivates them to work harder and believe in themselves.
Their character and behaviour in school are considered when being selected for programmes, such as for overseas art study trips. Such study trips are known to be rigorous, and teachers would usually select students who are hardworking, resilient and disciplined.
Students are given opportunities to participate in yearly overseas art study trips. Photo Credit: Naval Base Secondary School/p>
However, taking a chance may sometimes pay off. A student, who usually was disruptive in school, wanted very much to participate in such a trip, and wrote a two-page essay to convince his teachers and the principal. They decided to give him an opportunity.
Since returning from the study trip to Europe, his behaviour has improved and he also began taking more responsibility for his studies.
“It is not an instantaneous change, but reminding them of what they can achieve and their experiences at the trip is a motivation and confidence booster,” said Mdm Faridah Abdul Hamid, one of the teachers who accompanied the students on the study trip.
Not everyone will be an artist. But the experiences of a holistic education teach students important life lessons, such as passion, creativity, discovery, resilience and confidence. These will equip students to succeed in the 21st century.
Students exhibit their works of art in an in-house exhibition room in school, for all to appreciate.
Students worked together to combine their watercolour paintings into a stunning installation.
Under the guidance of art teachers and local artists, students of Naval Base Secondary School express their creativity through the art form of ceramics.
Spaces in the school, such as gardens and walls, are beautified by art done by students and staff.
