Pupils at the Maori immersion school in Sunnyvale, Dunedin, have spent the past two days creating a glass mosaic, with the help of award-winning glass artist Tracy Osborne.
Principal Tiahuia Kawe-Small said the mosaic would be completed in time for the kura's 20th anniversary celebrations this weekend, and would take pride of place in the kura's reception area to permanently mark the historic milestone.
''It will depict Te Aho Matua [the school's charter] by showing our connections to family, language and the wider world.''
Pupils have been learning about kaitiakitanga o te taiao (sustainability), recycling, reducing and reusing in recent months, she said.
''This is our small contribution to preventing Papatuanuku [Mother Earth] from being filled with unnecessary waste.
''It's going to look stunning when it goes on display this weekend.''
The official celebrations will begin on Saturday at 10am with a powhiri to welcome past pupils and staff.
Each of them would be given an opportunity to share anecdotes of their time at the kura and how it had helped shape their lives, Ms Kawe-Small said.
''We really want to showcase the kura, because there have been lots of ups and downs in the life of the kura.
''I see this weekend as a reconnection with our past, so that we can strengthen our future.''
The kura was in a good place at the moment, having recently received an excellent Education Review Office report, and the roll has climbed to 25 - its highest point in more than a decade, she said.
Celebrations will also include a dinner and a gala, with stalls, games, weaving, Maori musical instruments, kapa haka performances, workshops and other activities that display what happens at the kura.
