ANOTHER STUNNING MURAL FOR KENAKENA SCHOOL!

Kenakena School unveiled its third school mural last week. Twelve talented Year 5 and 6 children were selected based on their artistic ability and cooperative work skills to participate in Kenakena School’s latest mural project. As with the school’s previous mural local artist and Kenakena School parent Jacqui van den Berg oversaw the project, working with the children on painting techniques. Teachers Janine McDonald and Tatia Downer were the project leaders as part of the school’s Children with Special Abilities Programme.

The mural depicts the local story of Te Rau o te Rangi’s swim from Kapiti Island to the mainland with her baby on her back in the 1830’s to warn off an impending attack. The children worked hard to convey their interpretation of the story using the style of another local artist, Robyn Kahukiwa.

Renee Cameron-Bennett, a student involved in the project said, “It took a long time but it taught us lots of new skills like how to use a paint brush correctly, and how to use different painting techniques. We were surprised by how many layers of paint you needed.”

Another student Moana Thomas reported, “This was a great project to be involved in and it was an awesome experience.”

Parents of the artists, board of trustees members local Maori elders and the school’s Kapahaka Group participated in the unveiling ceremony and blessing.

We are very grateful for sponsorship from Toovey, Eaton and Macdonald Limited, who helped cover the costs of this special project.