It starts with a puzzle, it’s that simple.
Each student then takes a large piece of the puzzle and creates an artwork that tells his or her story.
When everyone’s finished and the pieces are put back in their places, the puzzle is complete and becomes a picture of inclusion, equality and reconciliation at school.
Tammy Anderson, the principal of Briar Road Public School in Airds, where Mates Puzzle program was introduced, gave it the thumbs up.
Local Indigenous artist Danielle Mate-Sullivan is the creator of Mates Puzzle Program, which has also been running at Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation in Airds.
So far about 100 puzzle pieces have been painted.
Someone else who has checked out the Mates Puzzle program and was rather impressed was Campbelltown MP Greg Warren.
Indeed he liked it so much he has now written to Education Minister Rob Stokes to express his support for the program and to seek advice on how Mates Puzzle could be expanded and introduced into other schools throughout Campbelltown and the wider Macarthur.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“This is a fantastic program that promotes culture, reconciliation and respect while also giving students the chance to express their inner artist,’’ says Mr Warren.[/social_quote]
“I have spoken to numerous people involved with the program including Danielle Mate-Sullivan and Briar Road Public School principal Tammy Anderson, and everyone has labelled it a huge success.
“The students at Briar Road Public School embraced the program and loved being involved, so it would be wonderful if students at other schools throughout Campbelltown and Macarthur also had the opportunity to create their own works,’’ said Mr Warren, also has a puzzle piece that he will paint and display in his electorate office.
