The Active Schools team, after consultation with the girls identified, provided a varied programme including:
- body combat
- mountain biking
- club golf
- dance
- outdoor education / orienteering
- volleyball
- hockey
- bowling
- curling
- netball
- badminton.
Throughout the project the girls were encouraged to take photographs of the activities (each girl was supplied with a throwaway camera) as well as to keep diaries. The purpose of this was to create a piece of artwork at the end of the programme as evidence.
An artist from Dundee University was approached to help with the montage and the girls learned about photography, painting and sculpture. The outcome of this was a piece of artwork which was inspired by the programme of activities.
The feedback in terms of the girls’ participation was that not all girls wanted to be involved with the artwork (some did not like art) and that not all girls came to every session, sometimes because they had other commitments.
The artwork which was developed using photography, oil painting, ceramics and montage techniques shows how the girls benefited from the initiative. It is now on display in the canteen area of Craigie High School, which is a source of pride for a number of the girls.
As the Dundee City Council Education Convener says, ‘This magnificent artwork is a tremendous credit to the girls who were involved and the Active Schools team and artist who helped them in the project.
‘The transition from P7 to secondary school can be quite daunting for some pupils and it is through imaginative projects like these that we can help young people to make the best possible start to their time in secondary education.’
