Vibrant mural brings school values to life

BANGALOW Public School students helped paint a new mural at the school last week with the help of Sydney-based cartoonist Jeff (Joffa) Taylor.

Featuring the town’s signature Bangalow palms, the mural depicts five versions of the school mascot OBA the Koala – named after the school motto “Our Best Always” – each representing one of the learner dispositions.

An OBA with a backpack depicts an adventurous way of living, one with puzzle pieces represents a connected way of being, and one with a steering wheel depicts a driven way of doing.

A sweating OBA represents a perseverant way of achieving and OBA with a mirror represents a reflective way of growing.

“This mural serves as a visible reminder for students in the playground to embody these dispositions every day,” principal Carol Antoun said.

Antoun had known Taylor for several years and has worked closely with him through her role as one of the organisers of the North Coast Primary Principals Conference.

“Joffa contacted us to let us know he would be running his Toonschool program at another nearby school and offered to bring this opportunity to our students as well,” she said. “The executive team and I were enthusiastic about hosting the Toonschool – hands-on cartooning sessions designed to enhance students’ self-confidence and wellbeing using a growth-mindset approach – early in the school year.

“The mural project grew from a similar idea, offering a chance for students to collaborate on a shared artwork that reflects the school values.

“What I love most about the mural is how bright, vibrant and collaborative it is. The learner dispositions are explicitly taught and discussed in classrooms, so the mural truly represents our school’s ethos, beliefs and expectations.

“Creative projects like this are invaluable for our students. They encourage artistic expression, teamwork and personal growth, while reinforcing important values and a positive school culture.”

Taylor, who illustrated the late Hey! Hey! It’s Saturday comedian Maurie Fields’s joke books, said involving students in painting murals helps give the students a sense of pride, ownership and accomplishment.

“It gives you a buzz seeing them work through challenges and create work together,” he said.