Mural to brighten up fence at a park in Flaxmere

Pupils from Irongate School had a vision that has now grown to include all the schools and kindergartens in Flaxmere.

On Friday 22nd June a fence, which boarders Ron Giorgi 3 park will take on a whole new look when it becomes the backing for a mural to be painted by the school pupils. The year seven and eight pupils from Irongate School have put their hands up for change and designed a mural which they hope will increase pride in the area.

The mural will be 60 metres long with red, white and black strands signifying progress through the ages and the developing culture of Flaxmere. Since the pupils of Irongate School came up with the idea of painting a mural, others have joined in. Schools that are now involved include Peterhead Kindy and Peterhead School, Flaxmere School, Flaxmere College, Ellen Stevenson Kindy, Kimi Ora School and Kimi Ora Kindy, Morgan Educare Centres, the Kohanga (by the fence) and Irongate Kindy.

Flaxmere Councillor Jacoby Poulain says “The idea of painting this mural had its beginnings at Irongate School but it has grown to involve the whole community. This is evidence of the great spirit that exists in Flaxmere and it’s our young people who will continue to increase pride in the community.”

Fellow Councillor Henare O’Keefe will MC the painting day on Friday 22nd June and the official dedication of the mural on Wednesday 27th June. He says “The fence has long been the target of taggers and we all hope that the new mural will put an end to this anti social activity. The mural will have a lasting effect on beautifying this area of Flaxmere and I am so proud of our kids for coming up with this wonderful idea.”

During the pupils’ research into the design for the mural, they were asked to write a poem or compose a letter about how they thought that the lives of Flaxmere residents could be improved. In their writing, many of the pupils spoke of the need to stamp out violence and graffiti and how small changes now will allow the next generation to have pride in the community.

The mural will be painted by the school and kindy children on Friday 22nd June. Everyone is invited to attend the official dedication of the mural by the Mayor of Hastings Lawrence Yule on Wednesday 27th June at 10am.