Magnificent: The Bunnaloo Public School students in front of the mural.
There is a bright and bold new addition to the playground at Bunnaloo Public School — a large-scale mural, designed by the Year 3-6 students, and facilitated by Outback Theatre for Young People and Melbourne-based mural artist Natalie Birch.
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The students have spent the week with Natalie Birch, who runs her own creative business, Natalie Birch Illustration, learning about design principles before completing their own masterpiece.
Ms Birch said she had a fun time at Bunnaloo.
“I felt like part of the school family here from the moment I walked in,” she said.
“The kids have all been so enthusiastic to learn, and they’ve amazed me with their co-operation, sharing, planning and execution.
“I’ve certainly learnt just as much from them, if not more, and I’m so touched that we could create together, such a large piece that will become a legacy for Bunnaloo.”
Showstopper: The impressive mural at Bunnaloo Public School.
The theme for the mural was local environments, with the students adding their own native animal characters they had personalised with items such as cricket bats, headphones, netballs and sneakers.
The overall design was decided on by the students, with everyone pitching in to help sketch out and then paint the brick wall.
On the reverse of the landscape is the school motto, Good, Better, Best, and the school emblem of an ibis and waterwheel.
Full of colour: The Bunnaloo Public School motto, and the school emblem of an ibis and waterwheel on the reverse side of the new mural.
“It was great to have experts in their field come and embed themselves within our school for a full week to achieve an amazing result,” Bunnaloo Public School principal Darren Devereux said.
“The engagement with all students K-6 has been great, and we are so thankful to have an outcome that has been contributed to by our students, and that will be such an asset to our school and community for many years to come.”
Outback Theatre creative producer/chief executive officer Sarah Parsons was thrilled with the creativity and teamwork displayed by the students.
“We have had nothing but kindness and support from the entire Bunnaloo PS community,” Ms Parsons said.
“The students are exceptionally creative and generous, and the staff are some of the best I’ve worked alongside.”
Year 6 student and school captain Alice Peat said it was a memorable week.
“I’ve had heaps of fun working on this mural with Sarah and Nat. It’s been quite fun using all the different colours, learning about contrast, patterns, and balance,” she said.
“My favourite time was painting my kangaroo up, and drawing it, I’ve had a lot of fun. It looks so good, better than a plain white wall.”
This project has been funded by the Country Arts Support Program through Create NSW.
