PIN students practice pottery skills

By Lindsey Turnbull

Adding a new string to their bows last week, students who attend the Positive Intervention Now or PIN programme got to grips with the potter’s wheel and made some impressive pots as a result.

The students, who are mostly in year six at George Town Primary School, attend the PIN afterschool programme on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and get the chance to learn new skills such as baking and gardening, as well as brush up on their maths and literacy skills.

PIN Coordinator Ms Marlene Ricketts said this was the first time the students had been able to use a potter’s wheel.

“Our potter, Mr Danswell Davidson, has been working with the students for a number of years helping to create pots freeform out of clay. This is the first year that he has brought his potter’s wheel to the PIN class room and as a result, the students were able to learn a new skill and create something wonderful to take home at the same time,” she explained.

Under the careful eye of Mr Danswell, the students will eventually glaze their pottery once the pots have completely dried out. He will then fire the pots in a kiln and the students will be able to take their creations home at the end of the school year.

Students’ art, craft, gardening efforts and research work is displayed at the end of the school year at a special closing ceremony, so family and friends can appreciate the students’ hard work throughout the year.

Ms Marlene said she was grateful to Mr Danswell for his patience and willingness to share his skills with the students.

“We have great volunteers who assist with the PIN programme, each of whom help our young students to hone their skills, which in turn increases confidence, helping to guide them onto a positive path into adulthood, which is what PIN is all about. We are truly grateful to all our volunteers who take the time to work with our students,” she said. “They really make a difference.”

The PIN programme was established by the Education and Youth Committee of St George Anglican Church and runs from 3pm to 6pm Tuesday to Thursday during school term time. Students are given guidance to help them grow spiritually, intellectually and emotionally through a number of different projects, as well as visits to cultural sites around the island.