Over the last few months, each and every student from kindergarten through grade 8 at Sacred Heart IB PYP Catholic School in Guelph has pulled out their paint brush to contribute to a brand new art installation symbolizing the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile traits.
Finding inspiration from other elementary schools within the district, grade 3 teacher Katie Belisle, applied for a grant to have a mural created and displayed within the halls of Sacred Heart CS in Guelph that reflected the spirit of the school.
Since Sacred Heart CS in Guelph is unique in the sense that it is the only publicly funded elementary school within the area to operate the IB Primary Year Program designation, they were inspired to create a mural that reflected the ten traits our IB learners strive to be – inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective.
Each classroom took on the task of brainstorming symbols of each of the traits which were then taken by artist and consultant educator Lydia Panart, who conceptualized the mural to be a tree with each branch showcasing a symbol reflective of IB learner traits representing the strong unity of the school.
“Our whole school was involved and that reflects our strength to work together,” shared Belisle.
Once conceptualized Panart sketched and coordinated the mural into panels allowing for each student to contribute before it was assembled to create the entire installation. Belisle coordinated a schedule that saw each student from kindergarten through grade 8 spend 20 minutes within the library painting the mural.
“I really wanted the whole school to be involved because I want each of the students to feel like they own this,” said Belisle.
Spanning over a couple of weeks, students filtered in and out of the library eager to leave their mark on the mural.
“It's just a pleasure working with the Catholic School Board,” shared Panart. “Art is important for the kids - I know how important it for me is, and I see how important it is for them.”
The art installation is now complete and proudly displays the hard work of students throughout the hallways of Sacred Heart IB PYP Catholic School in Guelph.