Mural depicts school’s faith and fun
If you want to know what St Joseph’s School stands for, well, the writing is on the wall - literally. Principal Yvonne Marshall reckons the Matamata school is the best and now she has the colourful evidence to prove it.
A mural, created with students at Matamata College, was recently unveiled at the school, in an effort to promote the school.
Principal Yvonne Marshall said the school found it difficult increasing the school’s roll past its 30 pupils, no matter how much promotion it tried.
Feedback to a questionnaire circulated through the parish indicated that many parishioners, whose children didn’t attend the school, didn’t realise there was a school next to the church.
‘‘It looked like part church, which we are, didn’t reflect a school.
‘‘We started thinking, what can we do to make it vibrant?
‘‘We had a beautiful new building but there are lots of spaces we could brighten up.
‘‘We had no idea where start.’’
The school wanted a mural that represented its values, diversity, faith and surroundings.
After seeing the mural at Railside by the Green, Yvonne decided to approach Matamata College art teacher Jolene Rogerson for her help.
‘‘At that stage we thought about asking for designs, and our kids would paint it. of the but it to Go online and visit the Matamata Chronicle, Neighbourly.co.nz page to view our video of the school unveiling the newmural.
‘‘Jolene suggested they could do it as an art project.’’
And after seeing a few concepts, Marshall said they finally found one which ‘‘pinged’’.
They decided to place the mural on a shed at the rear of the school, but clearly visible from the street.
‘‘It’s an older shed and it has brightened it up beautifully.’’
The mural was completed in term one, however an ERO visit and a very wet winter meant it was pushed back to term four.
‘‘I thought we better get it placed and blessed before the (college) students leave and we miss the opportunity,’’ said Marshall.
The unveiling was held last week, and included a blessing by Parish Priest, Father Leonard Danvers.
Marshall said the students had embraced the mural, which had inspired them to continue to beautify the school.
‘‘We now have ideas for further art projects to embolden our school.’’