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Epidemic of Art

Helix = Syphilis / White hairy squid = Typhoid / White blob with purple bits = Bubonic plague / Red ball with little tentacles = Measles

The Spring term’s Arts and Humanities topic is Medicine and Disease.

Students have learned about how diseases changed the world. How the Black Death, killed tens of millions, brought the Feudal System crashing down and ended the Middle Ages.

How measles and typhoid wiped out 90% of the population of the Americas by the time any Europeans actually thought of living there.

About how an English doctor worked out how to stop the cholera that was killing thousands in 19th Century London, and so ushered in the age of clean water and modern sewage systems we now take for granted.

The Art component of the topic involved students looking at photographs of four of the more picturesque pathogens and attempting to copy the picture in the medium of felt.

This involves layering dyed sheep’s wool that has been spread out into a gauze to form a backing mat. This is soaked in soapy water and placed between sheets of bubble wrap. There follows twenty minutes of massaging with finger tips.

This allows the natural matting properties of the wool to start forming the felt. Next more wool is carefully spread out to create the image of the germ itself. Another half hour or so of rubbing and soapy water follows, hot and cold rinses, then a spot of rolling in a bamboo place mat. A final rinse and the felt is complete. Soft, deadly and beautiful!

A1 Group Perform live for BFET Principals

This week Melland students from the A1 group showcased their developing communication and signing skills for the BFET Executive Team and our BFET Principals in the high tech Melland Multimedia Studio. 

Teaching staff supported the students in creating a spectacular visual treat as the backdrop during their live performance in which they were seen juggling, walking the tight rope, lifting impossible weights at the same time as signing to the song ‘This is Me’ from the Greatest Showman. All the pupils took on characters from the film and gave them their own individual interpretation.

The students and staff have worked incredibly hard and barring a few nerves we think it was a fantastic performance.

Melland are part of the 2 year national pilot developing the ‘Semi-Formal Curriculum with ‘Equals’ which aims to improve pupils communication, health and wellbeing, confidence and independence as well as working on the core domains of functional numeracy, literacy, PSHCE, physical well-being, drama and humanities.  

the full video of this project to be uploaded to the Melland High school YouTube channel

KS4 students ‘Explore’ Arts Award

KS4 Option students have been accessing the Arts Award, ‘Explore’. To take part in the award pupils have been studying the work of LS Lowry and have been keeping individual logs of their experiences so far.

Participating in a range of activities including; research, the exploration of paints, chalk, pencil, pastels and animation, the pupils have managed to make a lot of progress in such a short space of time.

One group have been creating small pieces of art work and reflecting on the experiences. The second group have been animating famous pieces Lowry created using both Photoshop and Final Cut in the Multimedia Studio with Mr Morgan.

The pupils will be visiting the Lowry Theatre very soon to see his works more closely and will begin to combine their work to share their findings with others. So far the pupils have not only learnt about Lowry and different forms of art but have also shown great resilience and passion in order to try new things and explore a variety of areas.

Keep an eye out for the fantastic work produced and follow Twitter for regular updates and progress. #Melland2020 #MellandLowry

KS4 Students create Care Boxes for the Homeless

The Key stage 4 group 4C at Melland High School have been working with the Leonard Cheshire organisation towards a City and Guilds certification in Building Communities.

The Leonard Cheshire coordinator Sandra has been coming into school and leading sessions covering a range of activities, which focus on getting active and healthy; developing confidence and learning new skills.

On Wednesday the 4th December, the group took part in a nationwide project “ Care and Share”. This involved groups of young people across the United Kingdom preparing and delivering care packages to homeless shelters across the country.   

The pupils and Leonard Cheshire teamed up with Manchester United player Marcus Rashford’s “In the Box” project helping the homeless in Manchester. Each pupil prepared a care box with essential items to help combat the winter conditions and wrote messages of good will to include in the parcels.

This project was so exciting that the ITV network sent their reporter Rachel from Granada Reports to cover the event. The 4C group were amazing throughout – following instructions, asking thoughtful and reflective questions and really connecting to the project. As well as developing a real understanding of the community and the importance of helping others, the pupils worked on their key skills of teamwork, communication and gaining confidence whilst having a great time. A fantastic morning and many thanks to all involved. Hope you all caught us on Granada Reports!

The Key stage 4 group 4C at Melland High School have been working with the Leonard Cheshire organisation towards a City and Guilds certification in Building Communities. The Leonard Cheshire coordinator Sandra has been coming into school and leading sessions covering a range of activities, which focus on getting active and healthy; developing confidence and learning new skills. On Wednesday the 4th December, the group took part in a nationwide project “ Care and Share”. This involved groups of young people across the United Kingdom preparing and delivering care packages to homeless shelters across the country.

Proud to part of the Bright Futures Education Trust
Melland High School
Gorton Education Village
50 Wembley Road, Gorton, Manchester, M18 7DT
Ofsted CEOP