GIVING BACK: Student teacher Stacey McDonald created this mural for Hillvue Public School under a teaching scholarship she received for her passion for Aboriginal education. Pictured with her are students, from left, Thora Flett, Jakala Flett, Tamyhas Jerrard and Lorretta Murray. Photo: Barry Smith 210912BSE02
STUDENT teacher Stacey McDonald worked at Hillvue Public School for just 10 weeks but has left her mark on the school and its students, yesterday unveiling a mural she designed.
The mural was a community project the University of New England student undertook as part of an Aboriginal education scholarship and hangs near the school hall.
Under the scholarship, trainee teachers had to do a project with academic or empowerment as its theme.
“With the empowerment of students comes the academic benefits as well,” Miss McDonald said.
The mural features the phrase: “We are one deadly mob”, four common spellings of Gomeroi, and the footprints of the kindergarten class Miss McDonald was teaching throughout her internship.
Two fathers from the school, artists Norman Murray and Hank Lawson, contributed by painting panels in each of their unique styles.
Miss McDonald, who is not Aboriginal herself, said she had a love for Aboriginal culture and wanted to make a difference to close the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous education outcomes.
All but two of the students in her Hillvue class were Aboriginal.