Miss Greig (Head of Mathematics)

Looking at the intricacy and precision involved in creating these phenomenal origami pandas, it is hard to believe that Rhiannon Douglass only discovered origami when she was in Year 7. Now a Year 9 student, it has become a passion of hers and I think it is safe to say, Rhiannon has become quite the expert.

Each panda has been created with roughly 650 pieces of paper! Many of the A4 pieces of paper that she used had to be folded into 32 sections to then cut out and fold into the pieces. Rhiannon had to buy a guillotine cutter to ensure each piece of paper was the right size and, in some instances, she had to use stronger paper, similar to card, to help the pandas kept their structure. For any origami enthusiasts, you will understand how challenging it is to neatly fold anything stronger than standard paper, so this adds to the impressiveness of her creations.

Rhiannon explains that it took multiple attempts to glue the base and the arms together, however, she managed to attach their head and legs first time. Her perfectionism and attention to detail has resulted in what I can only describe as a masterpiece. Overall, she spent one month creating these. Now that is determination!

The reason why she dedicated all of this time to creating these pandas, is equally as lovely. Rhiannon tells me that two things have helped her get through this past year: origami and Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway. She explains that their Saturday night show helped lift her weekends throughout the pandemic and she wanted to do something to say ‘thank you for helping the nation get through lockdown’. From the outset she wanted to make these pandas as gift for the entertainment duo.

Since completing them, Rhiannon’s mum has been in touch with Ant and Dec’s management team who have reassured her the pandas will get to them safely. She hopes that she will hear back from the pair to acknowledge her work. I am certain that they will be in awe when they see them.

Great work, Rhiannon!

View photo of the origami pandas HERE.