Mural marks milestone

A newly-painted mural marks another milestone in the history of Wellsford’s Living Way School.

Rodney Mayor Penny Webster unveiled the mural, painted by parent Jo Warahi, at a ceremony last month. Principal Peter Thomas told the gathering that the idea for the mural came from new entrant teacher Sue Chapman, who felt that the school needed a focal point to draw people’s attention as they drove past.

“Its completion marks another milestone in the life of our school,” he told the 31 pupils and their supporters gathered at the unveiling.
The stunning mural depicts the countryside surrounding the town, and features native birds and animals. A background of rolling farmland to the west of Wellsford represents the district’s agricultural roots.
Mrs Warahi wanted to create something representative of the town and those who live around it.

“I’ve never done anything like this before, and I hope that people realise that they should stand back to view, rather than examine it closely – with something of this size, every stroke counts and I felt quite nervous about taking it on.”

Cr Webster said she was delighted to be performing the ceremony and happy to see such creative use of a previously-blank wall. “I’d like to see more of this happening, as this is something that has been created out of love, rather than graffiti which is vandalism and destructive.”

The Christian school caters for five to 17 year olds. It was started 17 years ago in the Wellsford home of John and Cushla Sinclair.

Living Way’s head student Jessica Pennefather was presented with her Year 12 certificate by Cr Webster at the mural unveiling.
Jessica, 17, is headed for AUT next year to study survey and construction, following in her father Andrew’s footsteps. He’s a site manager in the construction industry.
Last summer Jessica drove dump trucks for Wharehine Transport and is currently studying for her Class 2 Truck licence. She is already qualified to drive tracked vehicles and has her licence to pilot light vehicles.
Jessica’s the only Year 13 student at Living Way, studying a mix of subjects via correspondence and under the accelerated Christian education system, which equates with NCEA qualifications. She’s been at the school since Year 8.

Rodney Mayor Penny Webster with Lorna Pennefather, 5, and artist Jo Warahi.