Introducing The Maple Class, St John’s Catholic Primary School, Tiverton, Devon, UK
In April of this year I received a lovely message from Miss Sarah – A wonderful Art Teacher of 36 Amazingly Talented & Enthusiastic Students (aged 5-7) in the Maple Class of St John’s Catholic Primary School in Tiverton, Devon, UK.
This year their school summer term theme was ‘Art around the world’ and Miss Sarah’s class had been given Australia. She contacted me hoping to use Me as their ‘Focus Artist’ for this project to learn more about Australian art, and the techniques I use when painting.
To say that I was incredibly honoured and humbled was an UNDERSTATEMENT! I eagerly accepted their lovely offer to be their Focus Artist and soon received some wonderful messages and artworks from the children in the Maple Class…
Message From Maple Class – 25 May, 2024
Dear Nikki Silk,
We are all in Maple Class (aged 5-7 years old) from St John’s Catholic Primary School in Tiverton, Devon. We are all the way from England!
We have been learning about you in our Art lessons this term. We really like your art because of your choice of colours and your abstract, curved lines. We really like that you use the same colour, but lots of different shades. We think adding lots of dot’s makes your art really cool! Your art has inspired us to colour lots of sunsets and try pointillism art at home.
Are you happy to answer some of our questions?
1. What is your favourite artwork you have created? We especially like “cotton candy” and “Into the Wild”.
2. How long does it take you to finish one canvas?
3. What is your favourite Australian song? We have been listening to “Land down under” in our art lessons whilst working.
4. What do you like to do when you are not painting?
5. What is your favourite Australian animal? We especially love Koala’s. Please could you send us a cute real one in the post?
We look forward to reading your answers soon.
We really appreciate you reading our letter, don’t forget the Koala!
Love from Maple Class xxx
Aren’t they just the most ADORABLE kids EVER!!!! 
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to send the kids a real life Koala (LOL), so along with a letter to the Class answering all of their wonderful questions, I sent the best option that I could – 36 Mini Koalas and 1 Koala for the class, that they children affectionately named “Dotty” 
Letter To Maple Class – 31 May, 2024
Message From Maple Class – 12 June, 2024
Hi Nikki
Just to let you know your parcel has safely arrived in Tiverton and it arrived at the perfect time!
The children had a whole afternoon to make a start on their final piece today. So it was lovely to share your letter with them to get them motivated before they started painting. They were overjoyed with their mini koalas and the larger koala ‘Dotty’ has been made a fuss of all day. They made her jewellery, stuck her in all our trees on the field 
she’s had a great time!
Thank you so much for your support bringing our art project to life. I will send you photos of our art festival next month where the children can present their work but here’s a sneaky peak of our successful start.
Miss Sarah
Message From Maple Class – 04 July, 2024
Hi Nikki
Here’s a little video of our art festival today to make you smile! I’m sure you will be very impressed with our little artists. Unfortunately, the good old British weather meant a last minute set up in the classroom but all went well 
My Darlings In Maple Class of 2024…
You have all created some absolutely BEAUTIFUL and INSPIRING Artworks! I am just SO PROUD of each and every one of you, and I have loved seeing your artworks come to life!
I want to thank you all and Miss Sarah again for the amazing and humbling opportunity to be your Focus Artist this year, and I hope you all continue to paint and explore the world of art.
With Love and Admiration – Nikki Silk xoxoxo