Trinity School Unveils Colourful Mural Designed by Pupil

A staircase at Trinity School has been transformed with a vibrant new mural, the result of a student-led competition designed to reflect the school’s vision and values.

The project was the brainchild of head students Anya McGinn and Alice Tatman (both 11), who wanted to brighten up the stairwell with artwork that symbolises the school’s commitment to diversity, learning, and community. They organised a school-wide competition to design the mural, receiving around 100 entries from pupils across all year groups. The brief was to create a design based on the school vision: ‘We aspire to encourage diversity and a love of learning that nurtures well-rounded individuals, with curious minds, who shine in service to our community and are inspired to flourish. We do this by always asking ourselves ‘Who is my neighbour?’’

Anya and Alice narrowed the entries down to a top three, which were then put to a vote in assembly.

The winning design, created by Year 6 pupil Teddy Wallace, was brought to life on a large scale by local artist and school parent Gemma Henderson, alongside her father, Paul. The winning design incorporates a number of different themes, including diversity, curiosity, and a love of learning.

Teddy, whose mother and grandmother also attended Trinity School, was delighted to leave a lasting legacy. “I feel very happy about it. Everyone else did a really good job because I have seen some of them. It’s really nice to see my picture on the wall,” she said.

Speaking about her creative process, she added, “It took me about half an hour to an hour, because I had to come up with it and sketch it out before and make all the colours and everything else.” She also used the internet for inspiration, explaining “I typed up ‘school diversity’ because I knew that was one of our main values in school. I knew I wanted to do something with sport, so I put a football, a tennis racket and a volleyball. Once I’d completed it I was very proud of myself.”

Teddy also had the opportunity to add the final touches to the painting, making the project even more special.

Head Girl Alice Tatman said, “We were really happy with how it all came together because it was just a theory, and we made it happen. One minute we were getting head girls and really chuffed about it, and then we were able to have this mural. I think the people that walk up these stairs every single day, I think they’ve really enjoyed it.”

Her fellow Head Girl, Anya McGinn, echoed her excitement: “There were a lot of entries, and they were all so good — a lot of amazing drawings. This wall was a bit plain, so it’s nice to have something bright on it, so when classes come up here they will see the artwork.” She continued, “I feel really proud because it feels like, for the younger years, as they grow up in the school, they will see that and we were the ones that made it happen. It was a small idea, and I didn’t really think it was going to happen, and it did.”

The mural took 11 hours to paint, with artist Gemma Henderson sharing her pride in the final result. “My father and I were honoured to be part of this project. Teddy did an incredible job creating a vibrant and colourful piece of art that beautifully represents culture, friendship, diversity and inclusivity within the school. It truly encapsulates the spirit of our community and reflects our school’s vision. It’s wonderful that the children get to see this artwork every day, reminding them to always ask, ‘Who is my neighbour?’ and inspiring them to flourish.”

The project was made possible through the support of Friends of Trinity School (FOTS), the school’s PTA, which funded the materials.

The mural now stands as a bold and lasting testament to the creativity, collaboration, and values that define Trinity School.