On Wednesday, 2nd February 2022, our Sixth Form art students participated in the national Articulation public speaking competition. This annual competition is open to Sixth Form students from across the country. Anastasija, in Year 12, was our representative at the regional heats taking place at the Milton Keynes MK Art Gallery.
Anastajia delivered an excellent speech in front of a live audience, explaining the social and political meaning behind the conceptual artwork 'Can't help Myself' made by Chinese artists Sun Yuan and Peng Yu. In addition, Anastajia delivered a thought-provoking and insightful analysis of the work of these collaborative artists, demonstrating our character values of determination and ambition.
During the event, there was stiff competition, with eight schools in the UK's Central and East Anglia areas taking part at the MK Gallery. In total, 124 schools across the country take part each year. At the regional heats, each student had to create a PowerPoint and present a ten-minute discussion about their chosen art topic before answering questions at the end.
This is the second year that Northampton Academy has participated in the Articulation event. Last year we saw Jess in Year 13 deliver an excellent virtual talk about English reportage photographer Steve McCurry. This year Anastajia continued to uphold our character values of determination and ambition with confidence by presenting to her peer group in class and at the MK Gallery.
Although Anastajia did not proceed to the grand final, to be at the National Gallery in London, she did exceptionally well and was a credit to the academy.
Mr Ambrose