Mural Masterpieces - Rakaia School

Location:
Rakaia School, Dunford Street, Rakaia.

Team:
Rakaia School Art Club – an ‘open’ club that many children attend.

Accessible to public:
Yes.

Mural theme:
Rakaia School values and Rakaia history/river myth.

Background to mural creation:
The mural was created to depict important aspects of the school and area/history/myth. – the Maori legend of the Rakaia taniwha, the surrounding landscape, House colours and the School values of Partnership, Quality and Respect.

By allowing the Art Club to be accessible to all students throughout the school, many ideas were gathered about important features of Rakaia and different interpretations of the myth to create a truly unique design.

The mountains depict the beautiful alpine surroundings of Rakaia, with the Rakaia River shown below. The black bar running the length of the mural is the Rakaia Bridge, which many children, staff and community members travel on daily.

The korus surrounding the school slogan ‘Inspiring Minds, Celebrating Success’ symbolise the strong North Westerly winds, as well as Tawhirimatea’s battle with the taniwha to claim the Rakaia River.

The flame represents the school values and how every learning journey, big or small, begins with simply igniting a passion for knowledge. Respect is modelled by appreciation of the lands history and myth, Quality through the sheer standard or work and Partnership is demonstrated through companionship and willingness to assist others and be part of a learning community.

The Rakaia River steams from the flame and flows up towards the sky to represent the learning pathways many take. Each wave of the river is a different colour to symbolise the uniqueness of every child’s journey. The river morphs into the taniwha to symbolise the strength and power history has in helping to shape the future.

The colours red, yellow, green and blue at the head of the taniwha symbolise the House groups within the school (Rutherford, Sheppard, Hillary and Blake). By igniting a passion for knowledge, choosing a learning pathway to travel on, delving deep into history and myth and by displaying admiral attributes, all emerge from their journeys as truly extraordinary learners.