This week's 'A Conversation With...' features the art department's latest addition - Miss Abbie Platt. Miss Platt has been working with us since September and in this feature, we learn more about what inspired her to go into art and teaching, and we also find out if she is more of a tea or hot chocolate drinker!
What is your role and how long have you been at Shiplake?
My role here at Shiplake is teacher of art. I am new to Shiplake this year and so I started at the beginning of September. My main degree is in photography; however art is now my focus with photography and textiles being things I enjoy doing for myself.
What were you doing before Shiplake?
This is now my third year working in an educational setting. I was in a state school before Shiplake, where I was a teacher to especially gifted and talented students, until I became a teacher of art and textiles. During this time, I also ran a printing workshop for staff members, which was a great deal of fun!
What inspired you to become a teacher?
I have always been a creative person and so the idea of sitting in an office in front of a computer for my job was quite off-putting to say the least. During my second year of university, I decided to visit different schools to see if teaching could be a possible option for me and this is where my eureka moment happened. One of my teachers when I was at school, Mrs Moore, was so happy when she found out I went into teaching.
What sparked your passion for art?
My grandad. He had a darkroom for developing photographs and, for Christmas, was always getting me art sets and really pushed and supported my creative side. He would also take me to galleries, and we would go sketch on walks and so this is where it all started. Later on, during my school years, I was introduced to photography and so I shifted onto that. However, I always kept up on my sewing and art in my spare time, or would do fine art classes during my degree.
What is a day in the life at Shiplake like for Miss Platt?
A lot of hot chocolate. I do not drink coffee or tea so for me, I need sugar and this is in the form of hot chocs. It’s bad - I’m having at least four a day! Before hot chocolate though, I’m in school for 7.00am. I find this allows me to set up for my lessons calmly, arrange the equipment, clay, or paint, all before the organised carnage begins!
I love teaching art as this immediately means for every year group, I am teaching something different or using a different material with each the pupils. This means that my lessons are never the same each day. I find this to be really refreshing and working with young people is always fulfilling.
The highlight of my day comes with seeing a dog on site, especially Lily, our department dog or lunch, which I think is very stereotypical for staff to say, but my waistband has definitely increased. The lasagne or pasties are my top two. I do not live on site and so I will usually head home around 6/6.30pm, even if I do not have duty or a club. I like to spend time creating in the department by myself or trying new processes to show my students for them to try.
Can anything be art? (This isn't meant to sound like the start of an exam question!)
No, I do not believe anything can be art, but I like to think that you can interpret different things and objects in a creative way. However, art for me is about the intention, meaning and the skill that has gone towards creating a set piece of work.
What do you do away from work?
Away from work, I enjoy travelling. After I finished school before university, I travelled around China and Australia by myself and so I like to go off and explore new places within the school holidays.
I have recently gained a new family member - my puppy Louie. He’s a cocker spaniel and his nickname is Chewy Louie, due to how much he tries to eat everything. I am yet to bring him into school but hopefully once he is a bit older, he will be here. Most of my weekends involve me training and walking him.
What does the future hold for Miss Platt?
Hopefully a long career in teaching art. I am very happy in my department, and I love what I am doing. Supporting students in their creative abilities is very rewarding and it is always lovely to see their faces when they've created their final pieces. Maybe one day I'd like to be a Housemaster, but for now I’m enjoying teaching!
