Selsdon school loses pupil Stevie Capel’s prized artwork portfolio
Anna Edwards
-
DEVASTATED: Stevie with some of the few bits of artwork that have not been lost
Photo: CRPM20100825F-004_C by Paul Martyniuk
-
DEVASTATED: Stevie with some of the few bits of artwork that have not been lost Photo: CRPM20100825F-004_C by Paul Martyniuk
-
DEVASTATED: Stevie with some of the few bits of artwork that have not been lost Photo No: CRPM20100825F-009_C
A DEVASTATED art student has told of her anger at discovering her work has been lost by John Ruskin College.
Stevie Capel spent weeks building a portfolio including chalk drawings, a mask and sketches for her BTEC First Diploma in art and design.
The 17-year-old's work earned her a distinction and she was named the college's top student for the subject over the last year.
But after going into the college, in Selsdon Park Road, Selsdon, at the end of term to collect the artwork she had not already taken home she was told teachers had no idea where it was.
"It was heartbreaking.
"I was so upset," said Stevie, from Queen Elizabeth Drive, New Addington.
"The work takes hours and you put such a lot of effort into it – the mask alone had taken about three weeks.
"I was so proud of what I had done and I've never won anything before, so it was a real shock when I was given the (best student) prize. I had hoped to use the work in my portfolio and maybe for university."
Stevie and her mum, Kirstan, even went through the college's bins in a desperate bid to find the missing work.
"I'm devastated for her," Kirstan said.
"Art is her life. She's been drawing ever since she could pick up a pencil.
"Seeing her work so hard and then to hear that they lost it was awful – she came home in tears.
"It's frustrating that no one can explain how it happened.
"But what really stings is that I've written to the governors and the principal about this and she's yet to even get an apology or an answer."
Stevie and Kirstan went into the school three times over the summer holiday and have even asked their MP, Gavin Barwell, to help them.
A John Ruskin spokesman said: "We are sorry it's come to this, as Stevie was an excellent student.
"Our head of art and design has written to the family and Stevie to apologise about some of her work going missing and we will continue to look for her work."
3 Comments
by Goody2010, New Addington
Thursday, September 09 2010, 8:18PM
“Why would anyone want to enrol on an alternative course if their first year's experiences are anything to go by?
If work on the new hairdressing facilities did not commence until every art student had completed their course successfully I wonder why the best two art tutors were made redundant prior to the end of the course and at extremely short notice causing great distress to the students.
If the principal and staff 'impose high standards of discipline and expectations' I find it difficult to comprehend how the work was lost with this 'regime'.
How about a formal apology from the principal with an explanation to the student herself as to why this happened? to date this has not been received.”
by Spokesperson at John Ruskin College, John Ruskin College
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 2:43PM
“Although a decision was made to stop the Art courses, students were offered alternative courses in Art related subjects, for example Graphic Design and Photography. Work on new facilities for Hairdressing did not commence until after every Art student had completed their course successfully. We have had outstanding achievement on all our courses which is why more students want to join us this year and be part of our success. The new Principal and all the staff impose high standards of discipline and expectations so that each learner has an excellent learning experience at the college. Once again we apologise for the loss of the artwork and we are continuing to look for it. We are a high performing organisation and would welcome a visit from any member of the public to see what we do.”
by Goody2010, New Addington
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 12:54PM
“What a shame the new Principal decided that Art was no longer wanted on the curriculum at JRC, once this happened the current students were surplus to requirements culminating in the loss of prized art work. Once the decision was made JRC couldn't wait to chuck the art students out to make way for the building works to commence on the new hairdressing facility. What a shame they couldnt look after the students they already had there.
Some apology!!!!...
If you have enrolled there good luck you'll need it!”