HUNDREDS of painted wall tiles retelling the “Christian Story” appeared in the amphitheatre at Stella Maris School, Maroochydore, before the end of the 2007 school year.
The scripture wall, the work of the school’s 760 students, had been a catalyst in revitalising the charism of Nano Nagle, founder of the Presentation Sisters, at the school.
Stella Maris acting assistant principal for religious education Lindell Johnstone said that over 10 months the school worked on painting tiles pertaining to the scripture strand for each year level as part of its religious education and arts project.
She said Nano Nagle’s story set a pathway in developing the religious education and the arts project as a whole-of-school initiative, concentrating on music and visual arts in 2007.
“In conjunction with the RE curriculum particular scripture stories were chosen for each year level to explore as part of our ‘Christian Story’ focus.
“All 760 students engaged imaginatively with the text and visually represented their personal feelings, ideas and understandings of these stories by painting their responses on tiles.
“Each year level concentrated on a different focus, Prep focused on Creation, Year 1 on Jonah and the whale, Year 2 on Noah’s Ark, Year 3 on The Forgiving Father, Year 4 on Crucifixion art, Year 5 on Miracles, Year 6 on The Images of God and Year 7 focused on Where Jesus took his Ministry.”
Ms Johnstone said the tiles, in addition to scripture tiles painted by teachers, were placed onto the amphitheatre block wall along with a mural of the school logo.
She said it was a real community effort when it came to the tiling and painting, with staff and their families joining forces to exhibit the students’ incredible work.
“We utilised the artist-in-residence model, drawing upon the expertise of music specialist Jacinta Lanskey and art teacher Justine Stewart.
“They were instrumental in assisting and teaching the necessary skills for the respective music and visual arts components pertaining to the history of the psalms in the Old Testament and depicting selected scripture stories through art.”
Ms Johnstone said the project was an extensive exercise with much collaboration, blood, sweat and tears.
“Creating this space has engendered much enthusiasm, wonder and connection between our past and present for the students of our school.”
She said that, at the end of last year, students could be found gathered around the wall every day identifying and deliberating on the beauty and expanse of the wall.
