Crafty capers planned at Foyle College this Halloween

Every Monday the school books are cast aside, as the children take over the art rooms to bring their Halloween ideas to life, using new skills and materials to produce some fang-tastic costumes for the big night.

This is the second year the Junior School has joined in the spooky celebrations, and according to their teacher, Susan Thomas, they just couldn’t wait to get creative.

“Last year was the first time we worked with the North West Carnival Initiative, and we had such a good experience that we participated in the St Patrick’s Day workshops as well,” she said. “So we jumped at the chance to get involved again this year, especially on the festival’s 25th anniversary.

“I remember last Halloween when Mark Patterson was calling out all the names as the parade passed, we got such a big cheer, the children were all delighted.”

And she praised the ongoing work being done behind the scenes by Derry City Council to make the event entirely family friendly.

“The event itself has become so much safer and more amenable for children now to be a part of,” she said. “Especially with all the work that’s gone into zoning the city centre and managing the event.

“The council has really made huge efforts to accommodate the schools, and the NW Carnival Initiative do a great job facilitating the workshops. With the amount of work we already have on our plates with our other duties, it’s fantastic to get that kind of support in managing the workshops for us.

“It’s a lovely creative spectacle for them to be part of, it teaches them that school’s not just all about computers and exam results,” she added.

The children have been exploring all aspects of their Fantasy theme, and Halloween revellers will be in for a real treat, according to Mandy Hudson, a local Arts Facilitator, working on behalf of the NW Carnival Initiative. “We do this every year now with the schools and they really seem to enjoy the whole build up to the event,” she explained.

“There’s a great atmosphere while they’re working, and they’re all enjoying working together. We find it gives the children the opportunity to use new materials, such as willow, that they wouldn’t normally have in the classroom. It’s so important for children to express themselves through art and explore their talents, and it’s a great medium for creating calm.”

And chatting to the pupils there was plenty of positive feedback about their experiences. “It’s definitely better than regular schoolwork,” James Dunne asserted, while his friend Kingsley McKeegan highlighted a bit about the workshops. “We’ve learnt how to make 3D lanterns and how to sculpt round them using different materials, just doing things that we wouldn’t normally get to do.”

Surprisingly the girls were delighted to be getting their hands dirty for a change. “We’re loving the messy side of it, actually working with our hands and making things,” said Jordan Finlay.

“It’s great to not just be drawing in art class for a change, but to be coming up with our own ideas and actually making them into things,” added Rosie McGonagle.

“And we’re really looking forward to checking out the competition on the night, to see how the other schools have been getting on,” laughed Louise Adair.

For a full four day programme of ghostly goings on during this year’s 25th anniversary Halloween Carnival check out the Derry City Council website on www.derrycity.gov.uk/halloween contact the Festivals Office directly on (028) 7137 6545 or follow us on Facebook. The Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival is organised and funded by Derry City Council with the support of NITB, Ilex URC and the Taxi Company.