Window

From the list of Registered Artists on offer in the Project, we were drawn to the idea of "stained glass". We thought this would be a worthy project to mark the completion of the new extension to our school. This art form seemed to especially suit us because of our link with St Thomas Church and its many beautiful stained glass windows.

The aims of the project were to introduce the population of the school and associated community to the art of leaded stained glass and to leave behind a lasting reminder of the project in the form of a stained glass window.

A preliminary visit took place and Mrs Maureen Davidson immediately inspired confidence in the project in both staff and pupils. Work had previously been undertaken in all classes on stained glass and Maureen uplifted all the children's work on that day. She hoped to incorporate some of the children’s "thoughts" into the plan before returning to begin work on November 1^st.

The pupils and teachers were encouraged to witness all the stages of the stained glass process. They were to see the design process (in which the pupils had previously been involved), cutting glass, leading, soldering, cementing and finishing.
	Some children look at the drawing and see the colours of glass that are to be used.

Class 4 see how the coloured cut glass will fit into the picture.	Children from the nursery department come to watch Maureen at work.

The thin strips of soft lead are now put into position and the jigsaw begins to come together.

The next step to watch is the soldering.	Andrew Ross and Anita Walker of St Thomas Parish Council pop in to see how the window is progressing.
	Final touches are put on with paint. Here some of class seven are adding flowers to the fields and fish to the seas.

The final stained glass window depicts "The Fisherman" St Peter, with the Abbey in the background. The foreground shows the greens and the heathers of the Angus countryside and the blues of the North Sea. The verse featured round the outside edge of the stained glass is a Celtic blessing from Isaiah - May the road rise with you May the wind be always at your back May the sun shine warm upon your face May the rain fall softly upon your fields Until we meet again - May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

The staff and pupils of St Thomas primary School would like to thank Mrs Maureen Davidson for her outstanding contribution to our school. Her work here will be remembered not only by the "Window" but also for the positive impact that she had on our school community as she brought "ART ALIVE".