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St. John’s Central College: Art, Craft and Design student handbook 2014/2015

We provide an art, craft and design programme designed around the needs and aspirations of the students. The aims of the course are • to provide our students with a comprehensive visual education. • to teach relevant practical skills. • to provide a course structure that fosters creative, original and personal responses in work. • to highlight and encourage professional standards and professional practice. • to provide guidance on how to present work. • to develop our student’s communication, problem solving and planning skills. • to give learner a good knowledge of art, craft and design appreciation and to be able to put their work and ideas in context. • to facilitate progress to employment or further education

To get the very best from the course requires from the student a high level of motivation, personal organisation, a positive attitude and a commitment to engage in the creative process. This is what is expected of students..

• To attend all classes, • to be on time for class, • to complete and hand up assignments on time, • to treat their classmates and staff with respect and courtesy, • to contribute to a positive working atmosphere.

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The corner stones of the course are

Practical skillsPractical skills

Visual LanguageVisual Language

Design methodologyDesign methodology

ExperimentationExperimentation

Contextual linksContextual links

Art & Design Art & Design appreciationappreciation

CreativityCreativity

Personal engagement Personal engagement and expressionand expression

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Each subject has a subject teacher. On the course all staff teach their own specialisms. All staff are very experienced teachers who put the students and their learning first. They are friendly and approachable and students should call them by their first name. The staff are (in alphabetical order) Chris Jewellery & art metal craft Declan Benett Woodcraft Sinead O’Halloran Graphic design & computer graphics Donal O’Dwyer Photography Lisa Cotter Mixed media / combined materials Niamh Kelly Drawing and painting Ray Lonergan Drawing, painting and art appreciation Ruth Kelleher Communications Veronica Tobin Sculpture /ceramics If you have a difficulty in class or a positive suggestion to make let the subject teacher know. Feedback is always welcome.

About the staff.

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Each class has a class teacher. The class teachers for each class are.. Class AA Niamh Kelly Class AB Veronica Tobin What are class teachers for? The class teacher is the person to go to if you have any concerns/difficulties/ issues, if they can’t help you they may direct you to someone who can. The class teacher also monitors student attendance and commitment so if you are absent you will need to provide a written explanation (with a doctors cert, appointment card etc. if appropriate) to your class teacher. The course coordinator is Ray Lonergan, he welcomes all feedback from students both positive and negative as it helps to make the course more enjoyable and relevant to existing and future students. Contacting staff: The staff e-mail addresses are comprised of their first initial followed by their surname followed by @stjohnscollege.ie for example Niamh Kelly’s e-mail address is nkelly@stjohnscollege.ie

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Components, awards and FETAC.

FETAC stands for the Further Education & Training Awards Council. The Award your are undertaking is a FETAC level 5 award in Art, Craft and Design (code 5M1984) To obtain a Major Award you must get a pass or greater in the following five Components

1. Drawing 2. Sculpture 3. Design 4. Communications 5. Work experience

PLUS three more components from the following list

1. Painting, 2. Appreciation of Art, Craft and Design 3. Digital Photography, 4. Combined materials, 5. Woodcraft or Art metal craft 6. Graphic design

If a student does not pass enough components to achieve a Major award they get a component certificate. A Component Certificate is awarded to a candidate who achieves the required standard in one module.

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Subject’s overview; Drawing: 5N1862 (Ray Lonergan, Niamh Kelly) Drawing is at the core of art and design. In class students work with a large range of drawing techniques and media. Most of the drawing is from observation and the subjects include still life, the human form and the environment. The aims of the subject are to improve drawing skills, to enhance visual awareness and to develop drawing as a means of communication and creativity. For the assessment in drawing ALL types of drawing in your portfolio are looked at, from drawing people, objects and places to sketches for sculpture to drawings for designs. An art appreciation assignment about the historical representation of form and distance will also be part of this subject. Final Assessment is based on the presentation of a selection of your work (100% of the marks) and the final deadline is Friday May 1st 2015. Painting: 5N1302 (Ray Lonergan, Niamh Kelly) The aims of this module are to develop painting skills through using a wide range of techniques and media. You will be asked to interpret a variety of subjects such as the environment, the human form and objects of inspiration through the application and manipulation of these skills. We will learn about the principles of colour, colour mixing and colour representation through experimenting and applying a variety of styles, techniques and media. The projects are designed to develop creativity and self-expression as well as visual awareness. You will develop your observation and recording skills through painting as well as confidence in communicating and generating ideas by employing traditional and experimental techniques and processes. We will look at other artists’ work and the historical context of their work and the use of colour and paint in other areas of art, craft and design. You will be able to make informed critical judgement about your work and use painting as a source of personal enquiry. Your portfolio of work will include notebook, sketchbook and relevant support studies. You will be assessed on your painting skills, creativity, development of work and contextual linking. Final Assessment is based on the presentation of a selection of your work (100% of the marks) and the final deadline is Friday May 1st 2015. Sculpture 5N1918 (Veronica Tobin) The sculpture module level five covers a wide range of three dimensional processes , through additive, subtractive and constructive skills. The learner will explore a wide range of materials, techniques and equipment and express personal ideas and interests in 3D form. Drawings and design are enhanced which translate into finished work, which are an important aspect of the sculpture module. The application of 3D skills can crossover into other related modules on the art, craft and design course. Students develop critical awareness of their own and others work and demonstrate an appreciation of historical and contemporary developments in 3D expression. Notebooks are an integral part of the sculpture and should be worked on right from the

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beginning, it should contain the following research, design development, and sampling of various materials. It should also show work from other artists that can inspire students. Assessment will be based on collection of work (sculptures produced and notebooks) with a final deadline of Friday May 1st 2015. Combined Materials 5N0764 (Lisa Cotter) In this module students will learn how to explore and manipulate a wide range of materials. Students will also to develop design concepts into completed projects and combine a variety of materials and media to communicate ideas. Module Content:

• Research • Making • Development of Work

The Portfolio is collectively assessed as a 100% Collection of Work, the final deadline is Friday May 1st 2015. Digital Photography: 5N1270 The module covers the fundamental skills of digital photographic production. Using digital cameras and computer applications, it will enable creative, original, experimental and personal responses in art practice. The course will develop an awareness of photography as a contemporary medium of communication, as well as documentation of arts practice. Classes will incorporate presentations on various aspects of art practice relating to photography as well as providing visual/conceptual references for assignments. Continuous review and tutorial process is essential in the development of the portfolio structured work Assessment Project 30% Learners Record 30% Collection of Work 40% Final deadline for portfolio submission will be Friday May 1st 2015. Other deadlines may be given by the subject teacher during the year. Design skills 5N0784  (All staff) Design is a key element of most of the course subjects. It involves project research and the development of design ideas and final design/s for 2D (two-dimensional) and 3D (three-dimensional) work. Presentation of the project work and the evaluation of the project is also part of the design process It will be assessed when for example a project is researched, when sketches are made for 3D work, when paintings are composed. An important part of design module will be a project involving the design of a specific piece of art and this project will take place after Christmas, this will account for 40% of the module marks. The remaining 60% will be assessed on the quality of design work shown in your portfolio particularly in your notebooks where there is research, design development and finished pieces. Final Assessment is based on the presentation of your work and the final deadline is Friday May 1st 2015.

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Appreciation of Art/Craft/Design. 5N0755   (Ray Lonergan) This subject explores what is art, craft and design, It’s historical and contemporary contexts. It’s development, purpose and nature. Classes will be presented through slides shows and class participation in discussion is essential. For Assessment there will be two assignments to be handed up during the year worth 25% each. One will be based on the exploration of some aspect of Art, Craft or Design history also be used as a communications assignment . The other will involve researching a historical art, craft or design movement the creating a piece inspired by the movement. Students are required to work on a notebook/sketchbook referencing the work of between 15 to 25 artists, craftspeople and/or designers – this is worth 50% of the marks. The final deadline is Friday May 1st 2015. Art Woodwork 5N1559 (Declan Bennett) In the Art Woodwork module, students explore their artistic possibilities in wood. Areas covered will include relief carving, 3D carving and woodturning. Prior experience in woodcraft is not necessary assessment is based of a collection of work produced throughout the year. The final deadline is Friday Friday May 1st 2015. Art metal craft 5N1649 In this module students will learn how to design and manufacture jewellery and larger metal artefacts by hand, using a number of metals such as bronze, copper, brass and also some silver. Student’s are required to keep a notebook of research and sketches related to jewellery and art metalcraft design and making. Assessment is based on a collection of course work done throughout the year and handed in for assessment by the final deadline of Friday May 1st 2015. Graphic Design skills (and Computer graphics) 5N1978 (Sinead O Halloran) This module introduces students to the Graphic design process of visual communication, using text and images to present information. The Graphic design practice embraces a range of skills including typography, visual arts,

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page layout, computer graphics and image manipulation to communicate ideas. Assessment is based on a Portfolio/Collection of Work 60% and Project 40% to be completed by the final deadline of Friday May 1st 2015. Communications 5N0690 (Ruth Kelleher) This module aims to teach students to communicate in a variety of ways – orally, visually, via information technology, through research and assessment, face to face, in group situations, and presenting. The module is tailored for Art, Craft and Design students in order to make it relevant to the challenges they face. There are three sections in the module. Section 1 Interpersonal Skills Listening, Speaking, and Non-Verbal Communication Section 2 Reading and Writing Section 3 Communications Technology At the end of the year students should be competent and confident in using the full range of communication skills. The module is100% assessment/task-based and work will be delivered using a variety of media. Ruth will provide a schedule outlining the various submission date/deadlines. Work experience 5N1356 This module has two aspects. Firstly there is a written research aspect that deals with

A. planning and preparation for work experience. B. An assignment that deals with whatever specific vocational area that you are interested in. C.A review/account of your work experience.

60% of the marks are allocated here. Secondly the remaining 40% of the marks are based on a report that your work experience supervisor will complete. The minimum requirement for work experience is 10 days (30 hours). Work experience will take place from January 5th to January 16th . There will be two options open to students. 1. Going out on work experience to a relevant work place (relevant to your future career plans) 2. Working on a specific project in the college. (This will help build the portfolio for application to 3rd level) There will be submission deadlines for parts of the portfolio during the year. Final portfolio deadline is Friday May 1st 2015.

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Day to day stuff: If you are absent you should Let you class teacher know in advance if possible e.g., an appointment, a wedding. Provide a written explanation to your class teacher when you return with a doctor’s certificate if due to illness if appropriate. Frequent absences seriously damage a student progress, it also may result in loss of grant payment, referral to the college attendance committee and possible loss of place in the college. If you are late for class please show courtesy to your teacher by apologising and offering an explanation and try not to be late again. You should tell your teacher if you need to leave the room during class time. Assignments, particularly in Art appreciation and communications should be handed up by the deadline. Only in exceptional circumstances will work be accepted after the deadline in accordance with the college’s deadline policy. IMPORTANT NOTE: Failure to hand up even one of these assignments may result in it being impossible to receive a full FETAC award! For health and safety reasons students are requested to

• Put litter in bins (paper and card in clear bags, other rubbish in black bags)

• Keep walk ways clear • Keep their workspace tidy • Notify the teacher of spillages or other potential slip or trip hazards • Not to use machinery without permission • Not to use machinery without protective clothing etc. • No smoking in doors • Not use aerosols in doors • Notify staff about any medical conditions which have health and

safety implications • Eating is not permitted in classrooms and workshops.

Please note when using the sink: ACRYLIC PAINT, PVA GLUE and PLASTER can cause serious drainage blockages. Please clean excess Acrylic paint from palettes with a cloth before washing. Do not wash plaster covered items or hands in this sink. Discard excess PVA in a bin. Do not put white spirits down the sink. Generally in the art rooms/workshops please

• Tidy your workspace after use, somebody else will be working there when you are not.

• Put your work securely away with your name clearly marked on it. • Do your bit on the clean up rota. • Put materials and equipment away after use.

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Keeping in touch.. Timetables, calendars and other information are posted on the art room door and notice boards. There is also access to project briefs, course notes and course information on the information resource centre/ library computers. The Library /IRC (information resource centre) The library has an extensive range of books, videos and DVDs , check out the search engine on the library portal on the computers, it is located on level 3. Portfolio preparation: Before the midterm break Ray will start to meet all students individually to discuss portfolios for application to further education. Please let him know as soon as possible if you intend to apply to colleges outside the Republic of Ireland or the National college of Art and Design. A Schedule of meetings will be posted on the art room door. Further individual portfolio meetings are held throughout the year. Progression to CIT: In 2011-12 the CCPS (Cork Colleges Progression Scheme) was totally revitalised and now St. John’s has negotiated huge opportunities for its students on both Level 5 & 6 programmes to be able to access Level 7 and Level 8 (Year 1 and 2) Degree Programmes in CIT. Full details are available from the Careers Guidance & Counselling Service (Level 3; Room 306) and on the college website www.stjohnscollege.ie Please take care to attend information sessions normally held after Christmas by the various Departments in CIT (Cork Institute of Technology). Full details of application are available on our website. Students must meet all criteria as laid down according to the negotiated link. Storing your work: • Please never leave work on your desk. • Wet work should be put in the drying rack and put in you folder when dry. • all work must have your name and date on it. • all 2D work should be stored in an A1 folder , which can be kept in a shared plan chest drawer. This should be locked. Personal sketchbooks: The process of visually recording sights, experiences, ideas, feelings, materials by drawing and collecting is a very important discipline for artists, craft-workers and designers. So to encourage this practice it is recommended that you keep an A5 sketchbook on you and do at least 15 minutes work per day and ‘fill’ at least seven pages per week. During his teaching time Ray might ask to see your sketchbook to check on your progress. What goes in it? Drawings, collected images, materials, possibly writing (but keep it visual) about anything, which interest YOU. Above all record honestly and try to make the pages visually interesting. What Medium? Attach a pencil or pen if possible for sketching. Any medium you think is appropriate. What if I don’t see anything interesting? Draw something, which is not interesting, just do some work in it each day.

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Calendar 2014-2015 (subject to changes)

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Codes of Conduct

The College aims to encourage students to pursue their studies in an atmosphere that encourages partnership in learning. The focus within the college community is, therefore, on personal responsibility to each other. The College is dedicated to the promotion of equality of opportunity, to the avoidance of unfair practice and to respect for and courtesy towards each other regardless of race, religious beliefs, social class, gender or sexual orientation.

You can expect:

�That we will provide you with accurate information and guidance on opportunities

�To have a named person as Class Teacher to be available as support

�That we will monitor your work and advise you of your progress

�Confidentiality in your dealing with us

�Access to advice and counselling on any educational or personal matter

�Representation on the Student Council & College Board of Management

�To be treated with respect & dignity by all members of staff in a caring & supportive atmosphere

�That we will deal sympathetically with medical or other problems you may have

�Classes to start and end on time, and to be notified of any unavoidable changes

�The guaranteed delivery of your programme

�That we will respond quickly to any problem you tell us about

�To be kept informed about developments within the college that may affect you

If you experience any difficulty with the above, you should inform your Class Teacher in the first instance so that the matter may be dealt with.

We expect you to:

�Be proud of the good name of the college and do nothing to take form that good name

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�Adopt a responsible attitude in helping to create a supportive community in which everybody can flourish

�Respect the rights of all others within the college community. Treat everybody with respect, regardless of differences in culture, ability, race, gender, age, sexual orientation or social class

�Take responsibility for your learning by attending regularly and punctually, working hard at your studies and completing all your assignments on time

�Attend all timetabled classes, unless in exceptional circumstances where an alternative arrangement has been negotiated with the College Authorities

�Provide an explanation to your Class Teacher in the case of an occasional absence, and a Medical Cert in the case of a longer absence through illness

�Co-operate with teachers and all other college staff

�Seek help if you need it and let us know quickly if you have any difficulties

�Help to make the college a safe place for all

�Take care of college buildings and furnishings, and respect the property of others

�Respect the privacy of every individual, both student and staff that no recording, digital image should be taken without their prior agreement.

Students should make themselves aware of policies and procedures that are current within the college; these are posted in the student zone of the college website.

The normal rules that apply in any community apply in the college. Any behavior which adversely affects the rights of any other member of the college community or which disrupts the orderly conduct of college activity will be considered a breach of discipline.

Possession or distribution of illegal substances is a serious offence and will be immediately reported to the civil authorities.

SMOKING is only allowed in the designated area adjoining the Student Canteen. Alcohol is strictly forbidden on campus.

Attendance & Punctuality

One of our most important considerations at this college is to see you complete your course, with Full Certification and to see you enter the Workplace with marketable skills, having experienced the best of work practices. From our many years of experience we know that this is just not possible unless you commit yourself to full participation in your chosen course of study.

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Full Participation Involves:

�Punctuality at all times

�Attendance at all of your timetabled classes and at Work Experience

�Handing up work/assignments/projects on time

�Co-operating fully with staff in the maintenance of accurate attendance records

Poor Attendance/Punctuality may result in:

�Referral to the College Attendance Committee

�Difficulty in providing a favorable reference to other colleges, training agencies or employers

�Difficulty in recommending you for Full National Certification

�Withdrawal of a place in second year, where a second year programme exists

�Termination of your Course place /Student Grant/VTOS Allowances

In relation to attendance I accept that I must:

�Notify the College immediately if I am absent from class for any reason

�Give a written note to the class teacher to obtain permission for absences that I will be aware of in advance (e.g. dental and medical appointments, representing the college at sporting activities etc.). However, I accept that, where possible, I should make such appointments outside of college time.

�Avoid participation in work or other activities which are not part of my course curriculum, during college hours

�Take responsibility for ensuring that I am marked in on the class register if I arrive after it has been marked.

�Follow instructions given by teachers in relation to all aspects of my studies.

Where a student is absent for more than five days without permission or medical certification they will be written to by the Chairman of the Attendance Committee and invited to come before the Committee to offer an explanation within seven days. Students who are absent for more than fifteen days, without permission or medical certification are normally deemed to have left their course. In this case a student may be allowed return having provided the Committee with a satisfactory explanation and adequate guarantees as to their future good attendance.

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Where a student is absent with medical certification for long periods or on a recurring basis, the Attendance Committee may advise in the best educational interests of that student that s/he take time out, and re-apply for a place in college the following year.

Where the Attendance Committee decides that a student’s place should be terminated s/he will be informed of the right to appeal to the College Appeals Committee. The student will be allowed seven days to respond in writing.

Maintenance Grant

Grant payments are made on the basis of satisfactory student attendance at college and absences not exceeding 5 days in the relevant month. Where a student is absent with medical certification for long periods or on a recurring basis, the college may not be in a position to recommend continuation of payments.

Work Experience Student Contract

Work Experience is offered as an integral part of all courses in the College. The importance of Work Experience lies in the fact that:

�It provides an opportunity to experience a real work environment

����It challenges students to experience working conditions and regulations in the real world

�It is mandatory module under QQQI (FETAC)and Department of Education & Skills regulations and must be completed successfully in order to obtain a full QQI (FETAC) award

�It provides a valuable link between the College and world of employment

�Many students are offered employment on foot of their diligent application to work experience

When taking up work experience you are expected to represent the college to the best of your ability. A high standard is expected of each student. Students on work experience remain subject to the College Code of Conduct, and in addition should comply with any guidelines laid down by the employer.

In particular your attention is drawn to the following:

Learning: Work experience is part of the learning process on which you have embarked in Central College. It is very important that you take responsibility for your own learning while on work experience, in order to gain the maximum benefit from the time you spend with your employer.

Attendance: You are expected to be present and punctual at your designated

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work experience place during normal working hours.

Absence: If you are unable to attend at your work experience, you must inform your employer and class teacher immediately. Absence from work experience is permissible only in very exceptional circumstances e.g. illness, and will require a full explanation, Medical Cert etc. Absence from Work Experience will automatically be referred to the Attendance Committee

Appropriate Dress/Hygiene Many employers have a dress and/or hygiene code, whether due to the nature of their business or for Health & Safety reasons. You must comply with this code.

Instructions/Initiative: You are expected to follow all reasonable instructions issued by your employer and to show initiative in your work practice.

Documentation: You are required to keep/collect all relevant work experience documentation as advised by your Class Teacher.

If you have a genuine difficulty during your work experience, you should contact the College immediately. Under no circumstances should you leave or change your work experience without prior permission from the College.

The College staff have worked long and hard over many years in establishing and maintaining the valuable network of employers. Any action by a student that might jeopardize this would be viewed as a serious breach of the College Code of Conduct, and will result in the student being referred through the College Disciplinary structure.

In relation to Work Experience I accept that I must:

Cooperate with the class teacher in securing a suitable work experience placement and inform the class teacher of suitable contact details. ���

�Notify the college and the employer immediately if I am absent from work experience. I understand that such absence will only be tolerated in extreme circumstances.

����Make no appointments, except in the most extreme circumstances, which would require me to be absent from work experience. ���

�Avoid participating in any other work or activities that would require me to absent myself fromwork experience. ���

�Follow the instructions given by my teachers and work supervisors relating to my work experience

. ����Act in a manner in the work situation, which does not endanger my own health and safety or the health and safety of others.

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NOTE: Two modes of work experience are used in this college i.e. work placement and work practice. The more common is work placement with an employer. However, some students take work practice, which involves a work programme modelled on a real work situation. References in this contract which are made, explicitly or by implication, to work placement should be interpreted as applying equally to work practice.

Declaration: I have read the student contracts presented in this document and I agree to abide by the terms of these contracts. I also acknowledge receipt of my Student Diary, which contains my copy of the student contracts.

Signed: ______________________________ Name: ______________________________

Release Consent

I give St. John’s Central College and the City of Cork VEC, its successors and assigns, the right to distribute, advertise, broadcast and make use of the contribution or any parts thereof and use my name, photographs, likeness and voice recordings derived from the contribution in all media produced by the college and will solely be used for college and the City of Cork VEC purposes. This includes material for the college website www.stjohnscollege.ie and the City of Cork VEC iTunes U platform.

Signed: ______________________________ Name: ______________________________ Class: _______________________________ Date:_________________________________