P.R.I.D.E. Pou

Ohakune

The Pou were erected at the entrance of Ohakune Primary School to illustrate the school’s P.R.I.D.E. values (Participation, Respect, Integrity, Determination, and Environment. The Pou were created using different medium, clay, paint, glass, carved and wire.

The Pou were created by 50 senior students (11 and 12 year olds) who designed, created and completed the project over the space of 10 weeks. The development became a community project with local people who are skilled in the different mediums being utilised as experts and providing support to the children through the process.

As it is at the entrance is was important that the colours chosen were bright and stood out. These colours were carefully selected by the children who experimented with colours prior to applying them to the Pou.

The Resene colour names were reflective of the values especially when the children chose the colour Resene Endeavour for the determination Pou. This was joined by Resene Turbo, Resene Irish Coffee and Resene Green Leaf.

Working together to create such a long lasting feature in our school was a fantastic experience for all the children.

The main challenge came when painting as the Pou are not flat so bracing them before placing them in the ground was important.

Client: Okahune Primary School
Other key contributor – carving: Ted Barham
Other key contributor – clay and glass work: Judith Elliot
Other key contributor – earth removal and pou erection: Richie Fleury
Other key contributor – pole donation: Bruce Thompson
Other key contributor – tiling and structure: Max Cody
Other key contributor: Paul Beckett
Photographer: Blair Dravitski
Project: Resene Total Colour Awards 2015