This is the first year class, pictured with the wonderful Ted Cook, centre at the Arboretum in Broadford.
The week started off with a false sense of relaxedness. Come Tuesday we were all reminded of various overdue projects and I, for one, got the heebie jeebies. My folder was a mess, I have none of those plastic thingys to hold A4 sheets. I began to feel a small sense of panic, had I spent too much time in class drawing cute pictures of leaves and weeds?
Weeds. Turns out we are meant to do a project on weeds. Pick a number of common or garden pests and get to know them. Cosy up to the weeds as it were, find out about them, take their photos and write about them. I had a page of drawings done and nothing else. Time for amends.
I got some subject dividers and souped up my notes. So projects to be in soon for first years currently are: Weeds for Jim and a report on our recent work placement weeks for Sinead. Work placement projects are to be a broad outline on the place you chose to go for your placement, reasons for going there, a daily diary, photos, sketches and a map of the space. The first year class is a high standard so it’s not ok to just hand up some rubbish assignment. Pity that.
We have also begun sustainable development projects with Catherine. I am working on a water filtration system with Cian, Fiona and Elaine. It’s being planned to be be in situ beside the wood oven outside, all very exciting and lots of research and work to do.
On another note, talks have started to have a Christmas Market in the college on December 6th. We plan to have an open day combined with stalls selling students crafts and food, baked goods, jams, chutneys and cordials as well as veggies from the college of course. We may also have books and bric a brac and would love to also welcome other small producers from the area to trade on the day. Watch this space for info and ideas. We will be talking about this in more detail at Monday’s morning meeting.
Have a great weekend