St Patrick’s School’s room two pupils, teachers, and artist Katie Gracie with the two pieces of art which have come back after being stolen. PHOTO/ELI HILL
ELI HILL
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The life-sized paintings from the St Patrick’s School mural are back together again in time for the end of year break-up.
Late last month two of the four paintings which were painted to look like pupils dressed in the school uniform were stolen.
While the girl was found quickly, the boy had been missing until midway through last week when he was returned to the school by police.
Artist Katie Gracie thanked the community for its help in locating the second painting.
“Thank you to all the people that searched for them and sent me lovely messages.
“They will be incredibly hard to get out next time – and I wouldn’t want to mess with the kids in room two – they’re an incredibly cool bunch of kids that care.”
The fact the figures had been returned showed the pupils that good things could happen from bad situations, Gracie said.
“Aside from needing a little makeover there’s been no harm to them. It’s been a really nice end to the term as well and we’ll look at naming them next year.
“We’ll have a competition – I think they have to have names now. They’ve taken on a personality of their own.”
Room two pupils had written letters to the thieves after the pair had gone missing – and on Thursday said they were happy to have the paintings back.
“They have the same uniform as us, and were representing our school,” year two pupil Flynn Martin said.
Fellow year twos Annie-Mei Johnson and Amelia Riley said, “Katie made them with love.”
