Transition mosaic, Stoke Newington School, Hackney.
Funded and masterminded by Safaplace, this was a really lovely project to make in summer 2024. It was to help Year 6s (10-11 year olds) transition to Year 7 (11-12). We were asked to work with the year 6 in Grassmere Primary School who were visited by, and worked with year 7s from the secondary, Stoke Newington School.
It was a lovely opportunity for the younger children to meet the year 7s, to talk about their feelings and aspirations and what they thought secondary school might be and what they were hoping it would be. It was also an opportunity for them to meet older pupils they would see when they began their new school.
Pupils made their words and impressions in their tiles, their mini-masterpieces, which we then trimmed and glazed and assembled into a brightly coloured mosaic. The sparkly mural transformed a dark playground wall at Stoke Newington School into a thing of beauty and interest. We used a lot of mirror so they can see themselves too!
When you look closely you can read their kind, funny, aspirational and heartwarming words. We were honoured to be a part of this project. The new Year 7 s are really happy to see their work up on the wall. I went in to finish the grouting and there were lots of lovely pupils and staff saying happy enthusiastic things about their mosaic.
Safaplace is a young charity that aims to provide an environment where all of the community can feel safe; mentally, emotionally and physically.
The charity continues to fundraise, campaign on mental health issues and promote a programme to fund activities aimed at advancing positive mental health and wellbeing. It was established to commemorate the lives of Rachel Finley and Harry Lisle .