Westport Primary School students ‘absolutely devastated’ after cruel vandals mock their mural

“You call this art?” ... four words that have pierced the hearts of the children at Westport Primary School. They were so proud of their mural and its positive message – until vindictive vandals destroyed it.

Westport Primary School deputy principal Angela Ratcliffe with students Nell and Tully. They are devastated their artwork was ruined by a mocking message over the weekend. Picture: Tom Huntley

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Staff and children at a western suburbs primary school have been left “absolutely devastated” after the mocking graffiti message “You Call This Art?” was painted over student artwork on the weekend.

Westport Primary School deputy principal Angela Ratcliffe said the vandalism, which occurred at the Trust Reserve toilet block next to the Semaphore Park school, was sadly not the first time the artwork has been vandalised since it was unveiled only six weeks ago.

“Unfortunately, we had some graffiti only a week after it was unveiled, but since it was around the artwork, rather than on it, (Charles Sturt) council was able to remove it straight away,” Mrs Ratcliffe said.

Mrs Ratcliffe said a large tag left over the artwork in the latest vandalism meant it was no longer salvageable, so Charles Sturt Council would remove it on Monday afternoon.

Year 6 student Tully Stramare, 11, said she and her classmates were upset at the vandalism.

“I feel very angry this happened to us and it’s not the first time it’s happened,” she said.

“We’re only kids – it would have been nice to be able to come back and visit (in later years) and remember something you did in primary school.”

The vandals tagged all over the rainbow mural, meaning it will have to be removed – and then added insult to injury with the message at the right.

The artwork came about after Westport Primary School was approached by the council to be involved in a community program.

Students from Year 3 to Year 7 worked on what is believed to be the first example in the world of a “paint by numbers” paste-up mural.

The mural was designed by local artist Di Caught, in collaboration with Sydney designer Claire Edwards, and installed at the adjacent Trust Reserve.

Students coloured more than 70 panels separately last term, but the final finished product was kept a surprise for their return from the July school holidays.

The initiative was supported by Charles Sturt Council, with Mayor Angela Evans unveiling the mural titled “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” to delighted students and teachers at the start of this term.

The incident has been reported to SA Police. If you have any information, please contact Crime Stoppers SA on 1800 333 000.