Totems of Kindness
The students created a selection of totem poles from recycled wood as part of the project, working collaboratively and exploring what kindness means to them. They discussed the things they felt were important within their school communities, which were then represented through the artwork.
The project was also inspired by our visit to Marks Hall, where the students explored the sculpture trail and considered how art can be incorporated into a calm, safe outdoor space. This really helped them to think about how their own artwork could contribute positively to an outdoor environment and create a welcoming space for others.
What made the project particularly special was that the students were able to have their own voices heard as part of the work. Alongside the visual artwork, there were lots of voice recordings where the students could share their thoughts and ideas. This element of the project was supported by Suffolk Libraries, which was a fantastic addition and gave the students another way to communicate their messages.
It was lovely to see the students working together, sharing ideas and thinking about how these could be represented through both the artwork and their own words. The project gave them a really positive opportunity to collaborate and use art to communicate ideas about kindness and the things that matter to them.
The grand opening took place in the new Alec Hunter Accident student support sensory garden.
The students really enjoyed the project, and we were very pleased with the work they produced. Thank you so much for your incredible support throughout the project. Each school now has a selection of the poles in their own outdoor spaces, which is wonderful to see.
Charlotte Riches
Alec Hunter Academy
July 2026