Vibrant mural takes centre stage at Kensington Primary School

Students at Kensington Primary School are beaming with pride after unveiling a stunning mural that encapsulates their school values.

The vibrant outdoor artwork, which spans an impressive 23 metres wide, adorns the school’s art room building (facing Epsom Rd) with a vibrant display of colours and imagery.

Grade 6 students created the mural with the help and inspiration of Melbourne artist and illustrator Angharad Neal Williams, as well as the school’s visual arts teacher Elise Andrew.

The project was made possible thanks to the Creative Learning Partnerships Program, and a Victorian Government Initiative Grant, which was provided to the school last year.

The mural represents the school’s values including respect, responsibility, resilience, learning and creativity.

In one part of the artwork, a book is being opened and a “magical flow of ideas” spills out with a person in deep thought as they look to the sky, while nearby, someone is planting a plant.

Flowers and plants like the Golden Wattle are on display showing their resilience as they survive Australia’s hot climate, while unique flowers and rainbow bees are intertwined throughout the artwork.

The unveiling of the mural took place on August 25 in front of parents and teachers at an assembly, which was also marked with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Ms Andrew praised the students’ efforts and artistic talent, which saw students develop skills in sketching, designing and eventually painting the mural over the course of a week.

“Through the 15 workshops, students learned how to develop concepts in a specific visual communication style, how to respond to a brief and how to visually represent the school values as symbols,” she said.

“At the end of the series of workshops, students demonstrated voice and agency through a democratic process of voting on aspects of others’ work that they would like to see included in the mural.”

Dr Finicina Hopgood, the parent of a participating student, said it was a “lovely way for these students to come together in their final year of primary school to create something special”. Grade 6 student and creativity captain Maddie said, “I’d like to thank Elise for organising this and making it happen and of course also thank Angharad, for supporting us to design the mural and teach us many new skills through the process.”

Upgrade on track for completion

Meanwhile, a $7.4 million revamp of Kensington Primary School is on schedule to be finished next year, delivering much-needed enhanced learning spaces and facilities.

The state government-led project will modernise the school’s heritage Block A by upgrading general purpose classrooms for students and providing a new reception and administration area for staff.

A new passenger lift will also be installed to service the southern end of Block A and to improve access to some of the upper-level classrooms. A new school community hub will house a gym, canteen, music room, and a storage and staff work area. Other features include a new student toilet block, a covered walkway, and a new gathering space.

Construction of the long-awaited project began in 2019 after the community rallied behind Melbourne Greens MP Ellen Sandell who launched a petition calling for the government to fix the school following concerns of mould and collapsing floors.

A government spokesperson said the project was expected to be completed in second quarter of 2024. •

Caption: A new mural at Kensington Primary School. Photos: Hannah Komissarova.