Beginning in the amphitheatre, 5S explored the story of the tributes who were selected to enter King Minos’s impenetrable labyrinth. Moving into the classroom, we then started to learn our model text, closely linked to this Greek Myth. Imaginations were captured and this was a springboard into our fortnight.

Exploring our second myth, Hades and Persephone, we began to consider the symbolism of trees through this classic tale. Why did Ancient Greeks believe we have seasons? What trees are symbolic of the Underworld? Heading outside, we began to study textures of different bark and leaves through tree rubbings; we finished the day by creating an inspiration collage of colour, texture and shape.

Moving on, it was time to bring the trees to life. After deciding on a tree – perhaps a Willow or a Spruce.. or maybe a Birch – we started to build our 3D trees up, using pool noodles, cardboard bases and chicken wire to create malleable branches. Then it was time to mod-roc the entire terrain to create a textured landscape and tree, reminiscent of the tree studies from earlier on in the week. Gradient, acrylic painting was explored and practised alongside using sponges to blot and cover the terrain so there was no white patches left over. The final cherry on top was to consider the type of leaf that may adorn the tree.

Pomegranates are a symbolic fruit to many cultures and societies. For the Ancient Greeks, they represented temptation – a moment when Persephone had accidentally bound herself to the Underworld upon eating six seeds. For this, she had to spend six months in the Underworld where the world withered away; the remaining six she would return to her mother and life would begin to bloom again. This is what Ancient Greeks believed created the Seasons of Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer. Through still-life sketching, we studied real pomegranates: some whole, some halved. We then moved onto creating these out of plasticine and using different tools to help gouge out sections and cross-hatch the crown on top. Finally, we committed to clay and created full and halved ‘poms’, eventually painting and glazing them. The final task was to create a dinner table, fit for the King of the Underworld, where the pomegranates would lavishly lay. Well done, 5S!