The Centenary Art Auction

On Friday 5 May, Medbury held an Art Auction to raise money for the Medbury Centennial Fund. It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase our talented artists, both young and old, in our Medbury Community.

Every boy created a masterpiece to be sold. There was a range of artwork from paintings, sculptures, clay creations and even drawings. A number of professional and emerging artists donated their work, and we are grateful for their contributions. Svetlana Orinko, Claire Elizabeth Turner, Lucy Mackie, Henry Hargreaves and Peter Mardon were some of our gifted donors.

The evening was well supported by parents and friends. It gave our community an opportunity to meet

Developing the whole child through art

Our art programme is designed to provide our students with a well-rounded education in the visual arts. We offer classes in drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, digital art, ceramics, construction and more. Our classes are designed to be both challenging and engaging, and we encourage the boys to take creative risks and experiment with new techniques.

Art education at Medbury School goes beyond just making art. In addition to hands-on creative work, it also includes the study of famous artists and art movements, colour theory and design. By learning about different artists and styles of art, our students develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world around them. They learn how to analyse and interpret artwork and they gain an appreciation for the diverse perspectives and cultures that art represents.

Art education is not just about developing artistic skills, it is about developing the whole child. Studies have shown that art education can improve academic performance, as it fosters creativity, concentration and problem-solving skills that can be applied across all subject areas. Additionally, art education can promote self-confidence, selfexpression and empathy, which are important social- and mingle whilst admiring the boys’ talents. Most of the artwork was sold and numerous bids were made on the donated pieces of art, raising over $19,000. Thank you to Head of Art, Mrs Sandra Johnson, for all her hard work preparing the boys’ artwork, and to Victoria Tait for organising the event. All in all, the evening was a wonderful success, and we look forward to more occasions in the future.

Will Blakely, 8B Head of Art

emotional skills. By offering a comprehensive art education programme, we are helping our students develop the skills they need to become successful and well-rounded individuals.

To conclude, art education is a critical part of our students’ education. It provides them with important skills, a deeper understanding of the world around them, a creative outlet for self-expression and time away from screens. Engaging in practical art activities, such as painting or drawing, can be a form of stress relief and can help boys relax and unwind. At Medbury School, we are proud to offer a comprehensive art education programme that provides our students with a range of experiences and opportunities to develop their creativity and skills.

Sandra Johnson Head of Art and Specialist Teachers Team Leader

Challenges and opportunities in Sport

Sport at Medbury is not about always being the best, it’s about being your best and bringing the best out in your teammates.

This saying has defined my time on the sports field at Medbury.

We are lucky to be at a school that offers so many sporting opportunities and where boys are encouraged to try something new even when it is out of their comfort zone.

Medbury offers a wide variety of summer and winter sports. From your traditional Kiwi classics like rugby and cricket, to your less traditional school sports like polo, fencing and karate. I have also enjoyed the academies the school has offered, and this has been a great chance to hone my skills with coaches from outside the School.

Learning and trying new sports is not only good for your physical and mental health but for your team-building and communication and social skills. Sport at Medbury has been a great way to meet other teachers and form many lasting friendships with other boys. Not only has this happened at school but with children from across the country when competing at zones, during exchanges, and in representative sports outside of school such as Athletics and CJCA (Christchurch Junior Cricket Association).

It has always been great to see the boys supporting each other on Athletics Day, Swimming Sports, and during sports exchanges. Whether it be their housemates, classmates, or teammates there is always a strong level of support for each other.

I started at Medbury in Year 4 and ever since then have always enjoyed going out to watch the sporting exchanges, hoping that one day I too could be out there representing my school. Now in Year 8, I’m finally playing in front of my school and loving the opportunities and challenges that come with it. Medbury boys always play sports with pride, humility, and perseverance.

Sport has played a massive part in my life at Medbury and I’m very thankful to all my coaches from over the years and to the Medbury sporting community for supporting me and my teammates and teaching us to always Play the Game!