Falcons School for Girls ended the year on a creative high with five exciting art based challenges.

The pupils were tasked with submitting a choice of photographic, painting, textile, baking or sculpture work to be judged at the annual summer fair.

Each competition was split into two age categories, Pre-Reception to Year 2 and Year 3 to Year 6. The competition was a tough call with so many delightful entries being presented to judges and some excellent prizes were up for grabs.

The challenges focussed on different creative disciplines and were set by various staff members in the Putney based school. Miss Grace Previte, TA, set the girls the photographic challenge. She asked for interesting and unique prints but banned selfies and heavily edited photos.

The winners were Emily Stevenson from Key Stage 1 and Olive Cooke from Key Stage 2. They received vouchers for Bob Books so they could turn their pictures into wall art, photo books or calendars.

Headmistress, Mrs Sophia Ashworth Jones requested a textile based creation from artwork to accessories, clothing and homewares. They were able to choose from any of the following techniques: sewing, embroidery, quilting, knitting, dressmaking, fabric collage, weaving, batik, platting, fabric painting or doll making or even a combination of these skills.

The winners were Alice Pearson from KS1 and Eva Sartin in KS2 and they each received two tickets to Kirstie Allsopp’s Handmade Fair in September as well as textile inspired gifts from Dilli Grey.

A popular competition was Chef Sharon’s ‘The Great Falcons’ Bake Off’. The bakers had to submit three decorated cupcakes.  The ingredients, decoration and flavours were at the girls’ discretion, the only rule was no nuts allowed! Sophia Egan in KS1 and KS2 pupil Josie Ridley-Smith took the prizes which included a selection of delicious baking mixes from Sweetpea Pantry and some baking accessories.

Mr Stephen Ashton, Head of Art and Class Teacher, asked the pupils to think of unusual and creative responses to a sculpture brief. They had to make a transportable and stable sculpture with a variety of materials. Winners Cate Yeo from KS1 and Charlotte Woodnutt in KS2 received two family tickets to The Sculpture Park in Farnham and a children’s book.

Finally, artists were asked to submit any painting of their choosing. A panel judged the finished products on interesting and imaginative subject matters, unusual composition, controlled application of paint and brushwork, use of colour pallet and colour mixing, the difficulty of the painting as well as the overall presentation.

Proud winners Sabrina White and Rebecca Riddell from KS1 and Honor Gravestock-Snee and Lara Precious from KS2 won art classes with Putney-based Lacy Road Gallery and artist, Debra Luker.

Mrs Ashworth Jones commented: “This was such an exceptional end to the year and we were so impressed with all of the work which was submitted.

“We were pleased so many of the girls got involved it made the summer fair extra special and the competition was extremely difficult to judge. We all had such a lovely day.”

The Falcons School for Girls is one of London’s Leading Independent Preparatory Schools and is part of the prestigious Alpha Plus Group. It comprises of four Edwardian houses within the leafy conservation area Woodborough Road, Putney.

The school offers an optimal learning environment and has specialist facilities for Science, Mathematics, Art, Drama and Dance. Leadership can be seen at every level of the school contributing to a cherishing and challenging culture.

Creativity is at the heart of The Falcons School for Girls and teachers are able to adapt the delivery of the curriculum to reflect every girl’s individual learning needs. The school also works closely with the parents during the education process and each girl is prepared for entry into the senior school which best meets their learning needs and future development.

For more information visit www.falconsgirls.co.uk otherwise you can call the school on 0208 992 5189 or email admin@falconsgirls.co.uk

Article supplied by Kirsty-ann Hewson