Community News
Plenty Valley Christian College
A Lasting Legacy: Unveiling the PVCC Amphitheatre Mural
The Plenty Valley Christian College community recently gathered to celebrate the unveiling of the new Amphitheatre Mural, a vibrant and meaningful artwork that will become a lasting feature of our campus for years to come.
The mural is the result of a collaborative project between acclaimed mural artist Jo Travis and students from the Year 9/10 Visual Arts classes.
During the unveiling, students Sophie and Angelika spoke on behalf of their class, reflecting on the creative journey and the valuable opportunity to work alongside a professional artist.
Inspired by the natural beauty of our local environment, the mural features detailed illustrations of wattle, flowering gums, and an array of native wildlife. Botanical elements have been carefully painted into the design, while insects and butterflies have been incorporated using stencil techniques to create layers of colour, texture, and movement.
The insects represented in the mural are all species native to our local area, including:
- The Eltham Copper Butterfly
- The Swallowtail Butterfly
- The Wandering Ringtail Dragonfly
- The Transverse Ladybird
These insects were deliberately chosen to highlight the important role they play within local ecosystems. Pollinators, predators, and indicators of environmental health, these often-overlooked creatures remind us of the richness and interconnectedness of God's creation right here in our own community.
Artist Jo Travis shared that the project was inspired by a desire to celebrate local biodiversity while creating a work that reflects a sense of place and belonging. Through colour, scale, and imagery, the mural invites students and visitors alike to pause, observe, and appreciate the beauty of the natural world.
Reflecting on her time at the College, Jo expressed her gratitude to the PVCC community, writing:
"Thanks again for having me at Plenty Valley over the last few months. It really has been an absolute delight to spend time with you and the students, and really the whole PVCC community."
The project provided students with a unique opportunity to experience the process of creating a large-scale public artwork, from concept development through to execution.
Alongside developing artistic skills, students gained insight into collaboration, community engagement, and the role art can play in transforming shared spaces.
The finished mural now serves as a colourful and inspiring backdrop to the amphitheatre, enriching the College grounds and creating a welcoming space for students, staff, and visitors to enjoy.
We extend our sincere thanks to Jo Travis for her expertise, enthusiasm, and generosity in working alongside our students, and congratulate the Year 9/10 Visual Arts classes on their outstanding contribution to this significant community project.
As a College, we are proud to celebrate creative expression and the beauty of God's creation through works such as this. The Amphitheatre Mural stands as a lasting reminder of what can be achieved when artistic vision, community spirit, and a love for the local environment come together.
“For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.” – Romans 1:20.
Book Week Parade
Our Book Week Parade was a wonderful celebration of reading, imagination and creativity!
Students arrived dressed as their favourite book characters, filling the school with colour, excitement and plenty of smiles. From classic storybook favourites to imaginative new characters, every costume showcased the effort and enthusiasm of our students.
It was a joy to see our school community come together to celebrate the magic of books and the love of reading. Well done to everyone who participated and helped make the day so memorable!
Outstanding Achievement in the WiseTech Global Programming Competition
Congratulations to Arnav (Year 10) who has won an Outstanding Achievement award in the 2026 WiseTech Global Programming Competition, run by Grok Academy.
The competition draws thousands of students from across Australia and beyond, and an Outstanding Achievement award places Arnav among the very top performers.
Alongside a $200 prize and a personalised certificate, Arnav has also been invited to tour WiseTech Global's Sydney headquarters in November, where he will meet the engineering team and see behind the scenes at one of Australia's most successful software companies.
Arnav was entered in the competition through the Digital Technologies program and prepared for it under the guidance of Mr Clarence Goh, who has supported his growth in programming and problem-solving over several years. Arnav was quick to acknowledge that support, noting that he would not have been in a position to compete at this level without it.
We're very proud of Arnav's dedication and skill, and we look forward to seeing where his talents take him next. Well done, Arnav!