Students give school lick of paint

Australind Senior High School has taken part in an art program that aims to raise students’ education aspirations and career knowledge of the creative arts.

The SmArts program is an education initiative providing students in Years 9 to 11 with links to art organisations.

Over three days, students worked with indigenous artists Sentelle Walsh and Rhys Paddick to design and create an artwork on a concrete ramp at the school.

“The vision was to collaborate and include different cultures into the art, in the form of a mural, to spark creativity of self-identity,” Mr Walsh said.

Year 11 student Jahan Manning said the theme was a good way for students to leave their mark.

“I paint in an abstract form, with the flow of my hands, so I used my hands to paint and not the brushes as my abstract impression of who I am and my mark on the mural,” Jahan said.

Program coordinator Diane Blount praised the students for their hard work.

“The students have been here every day from first thing in the morning, during their lunch breaks, and at the last siren,” she said.

“The way they have all worked together to create this striking and important mural for their community is a real credit to themselves and to their school.”