Mural Masterpieces - Te Hapara School

Location:
Te Hapara School.

Team:
Trish Brown (all murals), Michelle Lewis (student apprentice, mural three).

Accessible to public:
Yes.

Mural theme:
Red murals (series of five) - Getting to know our school community and locality.

Background to mural creation:
The red series of murals was designed to beautify the school entrance so all students and visitors feel warmly welcomed. The murals are a teaching tool so children develop understanding and respect for one another’s culture and the local Maori culture.

The first mural has the words ‘Te Ata Hapara’ in the centre, which is the original name for our school and means ‘The First Light’ and is also Gisborne’s claim to fame. Each pattern represents a community group within our school – anticlockwise from top – Polynesian, Kiwi, Gizzy-born, arrived by sea, arrived by air, British and lastly, everyone woven together into one community.

For the second mural, the school leadership team chose Maori names for the four school syndicates based on local icons – Titirangi – maunga, Turanganui River – awa, Tuamotu Island – motu and Takitimu canoe – waka. These words are painted into the mural to fit the shape of each subject. This mural also includes the sun with unfurling koru heart, representing new life through our children.

The third part features the seagull soaring for success, which has come to be a symbol for the students to always strive to reach their full potential. He is painted in the school colours, blue and gold, and features on school t-shirts and the school flag, which accompany all children representing Te Hapara School – our ‘High Flyers’.

The last two parts are native trees that frame the scene at the entrance to the school office and reflect the light of the sun.