Transformative Repair

From floods and fires, to loss and lockdowns, school communities have experienced many challenges over the last few years. This innovative Transformative Repair program has been exploring ways to transform our idea of damage – in the environment and our own lives.

Transformative Repair encourages school communities to use artistic practice to identify damage, both literal and figurative. What’s broken? What needs to be repaired? And how can we help each other to continue with optimism and resilience?

The program provides a range of flexible ready-to-use materials that can enrich existing programs or inform extended enquiry project work. The materials can be integrated into any learning area across multiple year levels.

The program is a collaboration between Independent Schools Victoria (ISV) and Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

The Transformative Repair pilot program involved Carey Baptist Grammar School, Christian College Geelong and Youth 2 Industry College.

The pilot unfolded over three phases, giving schools the flexibility to shape the program to their needs and context:

1. Explore – Look at notions of damage and repair by observing and reflecting on the physical environment and the work of artists who engage in transformative repair.
2. Transform – Choose a damaged object or structure on which to focus and transform it positively through art. Throughout this process, learners invite and involve the history and perspectives of the broader community.
3. Storify – Craft a compelling story of repair that will transform how damage is viewed by others.

Liz Sonntag – a.k.a Tinky – explores the idea of transformative repair and her role in ISV’s pilot program working with students from Carey Baptist Grammar School.