Nor'West News: November 25, 2021

6
Thursday November 25 2021
Mural depicts ‘legacy’ of kindergarten
• By Fiona Ellis
THE LARGE river portrayed
in a new mural at a Merivale
kindergarten founded over 100
years ago represents its long
history.
For Sophie Connell, whose
family has attended Fairleigh
Kindergarten for three
generations, this is especially apt.
The mural was a gift to the
school from Connell and fellow
parent Hadley McLachlan.
They were present at its
unveiling on Monday alongside
other parents, some of whom
also attended as children. The
oldest graduate present was
85-year-old Ned Robilliard
(centre).
“I wanted to leave something at
the kindergarten that would be
enjoyed by the next generation,”
Connell said.
“I’m an urban designer so I’ve
always been interested in the
street art within Christchurch.”
Her mother, Kate Burtt
(second from right), attended the
kindergarten in the early 1950s.
Connell said she enjoyed her
own time there as a child and
both she and her sister chose to
send their own children there.
“There was that lovely feeling of
a connection to the past, but also
they weren’t just stuck in the past.”
Founded in Rossall St in 1915,
the kindergarten moved to its
current Garden Rd location
in 1929.
“It’s been a long-standing part
of the community.”
The mural depicted a nature
scene featuring birds such
as fantails, reflecting the
natural environment of the
kindergarten.
Fauna in her mother’s time
was also memorable.
“When she was there they
had sheep roaming around the
playground.”
“It’s changed a bit but . . . there
are lots of things that feel very
similar.”
The 8m x 2m work by street
artist Guy Ellis, known as
Dcypher, was installed in time
for the kindergarten open day
this Sunday.
The mural was “stunning” and
also educational for the children,
Connell said.
Kindergarten manager
Rebecca Glithero was pleased
with the work and said it was
a legacy.
UNVEILED:
Sophie Connell
(far right) cocommissioned
the mural, which
was unveiled on
Monday.
OLD SCHOOL:
Her mother Kate
Burtt (below,
front row second
left) attended
Fairleigh
Kindergarten in
the 1950s. ​
“The stream represents the
long history of the kindergarten.”
The children also gave their
input on the mural and what birds
and insects it should feature.
“We really wanted to make
something that was meaningful
to the children and the
kindergarten,” Glithero said.
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