Article by, Prep Values Committee
A joyful new mural has appeared in the main corridor of our Prep School and it’s impossible to miss. Featuring a cast of colourful squirrels, each one proudly displaying a symbol of one of our five school values, the mural is a vibrant, pupil-inspired celebration of everything we stand for: Kindness, Curiosity, Courage, Endeavour and Integrity.
At the centre of it all is “Squirrel” – a cheerful, expressive figure who models each value through their outfit and actions:
- Crown of Kindness – gently holding a flower
- Lens of Curiosity – peering closely through a magnifying glass
- Cape of Courage – leaping fearlessly from a branch
- Boots of Endeavour – marching onward with determination
- Mirror of Integrity – reflecting back honesty and truth
The idea came out of our Prep School Values Working Group – a team of staff brought together by Mrs Petrie, our Head of Prep, who are passionate about helping pupils make meaningful connections with the values we regularly explore in class and assembly. With squirrels such a familiar sight around our school grounds and in honour of our renowned Squirrel Woods, it felt only right to let them take centre stage and this was fully supported by the pupils in our School Council.
From there, the project became even more of a team effort. We invited our Year 6 pupils to imagine, through artwork, how a squirrel might embody each of the five values – and they rose to the challenge with enthusiasm. Their designs were thoughtful, imaginative and full of personality and these ideas became the creative foundation for what would follow.
Mural artist Emma Bullman joined us in the summer term to bring the children’s vision to life. Using their sketches as inspiration, she created a vibrant woodland scene that bursts with colour, character and warmth. Her signature, “By Emma Bullman – Summer 2025”, now sits proudly below the Squirrel’s boots – a small detail that adds a lovely finishing touch.
The pupils’ ideas truly shaped this project, and it has been a joy to see their pride in the final piece. The mural has completely transformed the space, it is not just a decoration, but a conversation starter, a learning tool and a daily reminder of who we are and what we value.
Now, every time we pass through the corridor, we are met with a splash of colour and a clear message: our values are more than words – they are something we live by, every day.
