TWELVE students have left a colourful lasting impression on a local childcare centre.
The VCAL students from Pakenham Secondary College partnered with a local artist to design and paint a mural for the Hippity Hop Childcare centre.
The project was the idea of staff at the centre, who approached Cardinia Shire to recruit young people to get involved.
Owner of Hippity Hop Childcare Michelle Smith said the centre commissioned the project with the aim of engaging young people and making a contribution to the local community.
“We really wanted to give young people in the area an exciting project to take on, something that would give them a sense of achievement and pride,” she said.
“The mural is fantastic and has completely exceeded our expectations. It’s turned a drab fence into something quite spectacular! Thanks to the students for their brilliant work.”
Jordana Hurrell, a VCAL personal development skills and art teacher at Pakenham Secondary College said it was perfect timing for the students and helped them develop valuable skills.
“Producing this mural has been so satisfying and beneficial for the students,” Ms Hurrell said.
“It’s helped them develop valuable networking, teamwork, time management, goal-setting and problem-solving skills.
“It’s really helped the students build their confidence and self-esteem. Some students in particular have really flourished during this project and will take many positive things away from it.”
Ms Hurrell said the students linked the project with a personal development skills unit, in which they were required to take on a project in partnership with people in the local area.
The project also requires them to demonstrate working together to achieve a common goal, and connectedness to the community.
Central Ward Councillor Jodie Owen launched the mural yesterday, alongside students involved in the project, senior staff from Pakenham Secondary College and representatives from the council and the child care centre.
Tara Kingston, the local artist appointed by the council to mentor the students and help drive the project, also attended.
Cr Owen said the mural embodies the magic that can happen when people in our community work together to produce something good.
“Council is right behind projects like these, which not only benefit those involved, but the whole community,” she said.
“This mural will add colour and joy to the lives of everyone who stands back to appreciate and enjoy it.”
The colourful mural is 24 metres long and 2.5 metres high, and was produced on 10 large blue board panels. Its jungle theme was devised by student Angela Gilligan and illustrated using a combination of spray and hand-painting.
The mural is now displayed on Hippity Hop Childcare’s front fence. It includes a separate space for the centre’s young children to add their own artistic touches over time.
