For the past couple of weeks at Holly Lodge we have welcomed a four legged visitor called ‘Holly, otherwise known as ‘The Dark Horse’ into our art department!
After a successful millinery collaboration last year that saw Yr12s handmade hats exhibited at Aintree Racecourse’s world famous Ladies day and Grand National, The Jockey Club invited our pupils to take part in an equine design competition. As a result, a life size sculpture of a horse has been a resident in our school to the amazement of all that have walked past our art rooms.
Key Stage 3 pupils conceived the design to decorate the horse with and Yr13 BTEC Art pupils realised the design on the 3D fibre glass horse in the colours represented by all Holly Lodge year groups.
Our entry into the competition was called The Dark Horse as the design and concept embodied the ethos that underpins our school.
Never underestimate the ‘Dark Horse’. Everyone has potential. At Holly Lodge Girls’ College, we firmly believe that everyone can ‘Expect to Achieve’. This is the same ethos applied to Red Rum after he showed signs of lameness to the dismay of his owner/trainer. Due to hard work, resilience, belief and commitment to a tailored training plan on the sand and in the salt waters of Southport, Red Rum became one of the most famous racehorses of the twentieth century and now universally accepted as ‘The Saviour of Aintree’.
This design depicts inspirational quotes and affirmations that motivate the various year groups to try their very best in order to reach or even exceed their full potential. Each year group is represented by a different coloured rosette which corresponds with the different coloured ties that they wear as part of their uniform.
Red Rum was believed in and achieved success on many, many occasions, no matter what obstacles were put in his way. This ethos is shared by all at Holly Lodge Girls College.
