Pupils at Glenmoor School and Principal Peter Mitchell are rapt with their newly painted mural.

An offender’s short-term community work placement at a primary school in Christchurch has turned out to be a positive experience for everyone involved.

Glenmoor School principal Peter Mitchell is no stranger to working with community work offenders. In fact he has taken on a number of offenders as an agency sponsor over the years, and says he’s had his fair share of the good and the bad.

But he has been blown away by the artwork done at the school by Dean, who was sentenced to community work for minor traffic offences.

“Talking to him, I discovered he was a bit of an artist, and told him I had the perfect job for him – painting a mural by the entrance to the school,” says Peter. “He was enthusiastic about the job, and when I asked him how he felt about working with the kids, he was happy to give it a go.”

Over four long days, Dean, who works full-time as a sales representative, painted the mural on the 10 metre long wall with help from some of the kids. He found the experience positive and rewarding.

“When I was sentenced I decided that I wanted to use the hours to give something back to the community,” says Dean. “When I talked to the community work supervisor Makerita Anae-Fesola’i and she mentioned the school needed assistance I wanted to help.”

Peter says it has been the best outcome he has ever had from an agency placement, and he has had many good remarks on the mural from staff, parents and whanau.

“It’s been a brilliant experience. He worked very hard to get it done and I never had to chase him up. He was always waiting for me at the gate when I arrived in the morning.”

The mural is based on the natural world, and some of the 60 students who attend the school were given the chance to contribute. Peter says Dean worked well with them, even including worms and frogs for a special needs child who had a fascination for creepy crawlies.

“Dean can feel proud of his contribution – a real achievement. Everyone deserves a second chance, and I’m glad that this has turned out so well.”

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ISSN 1178-1327

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