Aesthetics

Aesthetics Department

The Aesthetics Department champions the development of students’ talents to promote lifelong passion in the arts. The Arts is taught based on the principle of mastering important life-skills that are relevant at any time and age. A kaleidoscope of programmes; the visual arts, music, and dance enrichment lessons - carried out during CnME periods for lower secondary students, provided numerous opportunities for students to be exposed to global cultures and gain a deeper mastery of the arts. Secondary Three students explored real-life issues in the culinary and art scene in Singapore in the CnME module, Foodlife: A Documentary. During one of the Assembly programmes this year, a percussion band delighted the students with a rousing medley of songs; while a dancing duo showcased some exciting ballroom dance moves. Exposure to various art forms heightens students’ cultural awareness, while informing them of the opportunities available in the music and art scene. 

The Lower Secondary Music curriculum utilises well-founded pedagogical methods like self-directed learning and collaborative learning, to motivate students to achieve instrumental mastery and performance competency. Secondary One students were equipped with knowledge of musical theory through online platforms and innovative music lessons such as Creative Ensembles that cultivate students’ creativity and confidence. Secondary 2 students developed their musical abilities in an Arrangement Module, making use of the mobile app Garage Band on the iPad. Opportunities are abound for deserving students to perform at school platforms; during post-exam activities and lunchtime performances.

Lessons in Art & Design (A&D), Design & Technology (D&T) and Food & Consumer Education (FCE) are varied and compelling, with a focus on teaching disciplinary skill sets. The core of A&D is creative creation with different mediums using inquiry-based learning; while D&T exposes students to design thinking and problem solving. Through the D&T lessons, students acquire designerly dispositions to embrace uncertainties and complexities; as well as to develop skills in doodling, sketching and 3D manipulations as a means to develop design solutions.

Student at work in a D&T lesson	Student completing the Practical Exam

Food & Consumer Education lessons place much emphasis on authentic learning experiences through exploration of nutrition and health; diet-related diseases, and their impact on our lives. Students are engaged in robust discussion on food resource and money-management topics; as well as consumer issues that they face on a personal level. Discourse through Dialogic Talk and Mind Mapping; enhanced by the use of various ICT tools and platforms; helps them develop greater literacy in the subject.

Lower Secondary students studying Art benefit from the Revised Lower Secondary Art Syllabus by first brainstorming Big Ideas and seeing how Art relates to them and their surroundings. Not only do students start to perceive, they also find ways to communicate and appreciate Art in general. Students explore the skills of appreciation and critique, learn the Elements of Art and Principles of Design extensively. Secondary One students get to enjoy both Fine Arts as well as Digital Art through the year. They learn how to relate Art to their own life by exploring its role in their student’s life, society and culture. Secondary Two students experienced Inquiry-Based Learning by studying and understanding visual qualities within their personal and school life context through artistic processes such as planning of colored layouts and animation. 

Higher Art programme for Secondary Three students develop their skills more deeply through a series of modules. They experimented with 2D and 3D mediums, engaging in activities such as drawing architectural structures with charcoal, graphite and relief sculptures using recycled cardboard. The students were encouraged to develop both their technical and conceptual skills at the same time by working simultaneously with 2D and 3D mediums. Visits to higher institutes of education for art were also organised for students to have a glimpse of what their future could be and how Art impacts the individual, community and society. Artworks by our Higher Art students, the crème de la crème, are also present in our art studios for appreciation.

The Annual Arts Appreciation programmes provide opportunities for students to further extend their learning of the Arts, Music, D& T and FCE, through learning modules that are conducted in October. Learning Journeys to the National Gallery Singapore and National Museum of Singapore exposed students to a wider set of perspectives of how the Arts have shaped our society. For the ArtsFest, students used recycled materials to build a float based on the theme given, as they prepare their exhibits for the ArtsFest showcase. Weeks of learning culminated in a showcase of the year’s works.

Albert Einstein once said, “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” The Arts lends depth to students’ imagination. Imagination develops creativity; an increasingly crucial skill set in an uncertain and changing world. At Nan Hua, we strive to give students a strong foundation in the Arts to maximise their potential and talents.