Mural Masterpieces - St Josephs School

Location:
St Josephs School, 35 Victoria Street, Rangiora.

Team:
Shannon van Til, Lesley Dobbs, St Josephs School students.

Accessible to public:
Yes.

Mural theme:
Icons representing the school's special quality, the children, the surrounding community and New Zealand themes.

Background to mural creation:
The school mural was created to brighten a very large dull wall to make it interesting for the children and to provide them with an opportunity to create a lasting artwork for their school.  The children and their teachers created a survey about the wall of 22 metres long by 2.4 metres high to see how everyone wanted it decorated.  Once a theme started to take place, two helpful mothers worked with the children to draw up plans, prep the wall, chalk on the design.  A year and a half later the mural was finished.  The mural features the local Ashley River, river rocks framing the work, a dove flying across represents the special character of the school, playing children, a sun that represents the special stained glass window in the school's church, a fern represents pride in New Zealand, three korus show New Zealand heritage, the school logo and the local mountain - Mt Grey.