INSET ART WEEK AT LENA GARDENS PRIMARY SCHOOL

Collective painting exercise around the theme of IDENTITY. What makes me special? What is my super-power? How can I be more myself and not worry about trying to be someone else?

During an assembly I shared an African mythological story of the Baobab Tree, which is the story of a tree that wasn’t quite comfortable in his own skin. We broke up into small groups and discussed what it means to have an identity and what it feels like when we sense that we've somehow lost part/all of that identity. We then finger painted a large collective painting—nursery and reception children painted the leaves and each year group had a tree. The text on the painting was inspired by the children.

The lines that spiral round my hallowed soul

my imprint, a gift to share with the world.

I am the story of the mighty BAOBAB 

among the first to appear on the land.

Held tight between roots and branches,

I am whole --

undeterred by the Fig tree or the Palm.

And so it is with each year passing

beautiful blossoms I sprout.

Growing braver  in my Being

and in my Becoming.

I shall forever bend

            and forever reach, towards the sky.