Students at Clyde Fenton Primary School in Katherine are turning their ideas about caring for Country into a mural celebrating local wildlife, their school and its communities.
Clyde Fenton Primary School will represent the Northern Territory as one of eight state and territory finalists in the 2026 Paint Australia Beautiful School Mural Competition, announced by Keep Australia Beautiful and Dulux.
More than 120 children attend the school, approximately 95 per cent of whom are Indigenous, with students coming from Binjari, Rockhole and Kalano.
Teacher Yasmin Morris worked with students to bring together their drawings and sustainability ideas, using the school's animal mascots to show everyday ways to protect the environment.
Ms Morris described the project as an opportunity for students to share those messages through familiar local wildlife.
"It's using our local animals and representing on how to care for country and giving our Indigenous students a voice," she said.
Around 12 students painted the mural, which began with a group design project at the end of Term 2.
Students developed their ideas through freehand drawings and, in some cases, experimented with artificial intelligence before Ms Morris brought the elements together.
The mural features the school's brolga, jabiru, kingfisher and pelican mascots, which represent its values of being responsible, safe, kind and proud.
Their environmental activities include switching off lights, recycling cans, watering plants, picking up rubbish and turning off taps.
For student Jacyen, the project involved painting Jazzy the Jabiru, who is shown turning off a light.
Jacyen enjoyed seeing his contribution become part of the school.
"I painted the eye with the beak, It's a Jabiru named Jazzy," he said.
"It feels great."
The mural takes shape on the canteen wall, where students across the school can see it.
Ms Morris hoped the experience would help students recognise what they could contribute beyond the classroom.
"It's just been really nice for me to show the kids that they can do something that will have such a positive impact, not just on the school, but in their community," she said.
Allan painted Pepe the Pelican recycling cans, connecting his artwork with a message about reusing materials.
He wanted the design to explain how recycling could help protect the environment.
"It was pretty good," Allan said.
"Pepe the Pelican is recycling cans so we can turn it into new things to save the environment."
Wayne painted the brolga watering plants, highlighting the connection between healthy plants and wildlife.
His contribution focused on helping plants grow and supporting the animals that depend on them.
"The animals need plants to grow so they can eat," he said.
The project builds on environmental activities already underway at the school, where students take part in fortnightly sessions with EON to grow food and prepare meals using garden produce.
Compost bins support the garden, while bottles and juice containers are collected for recycling and refunds.
Families from surrounding communities will be invited to an unveiling of the mural, alongside a display of students' work across year levels.
Ms Morris welcomed the chance for the school to receive national recognition and share a positive story from Katherine.
"It's nice to have good news stories going out and again, embracing the culture and giving our students a voice," she said.
Supported by Dulux's Protects for Generations campaign, the competition invites students to design nature-inspired murals around litter prevention, waste management and biodiversity.
State and territory winners receive Dulux paint and supplies to bring their designs to life.
The other finalists are Exeter Primary School in Tasmania, Holland Park State School in Queensland, St Joseph's Crib Point in Victoria and Broome Primary School in Western Australia.
They are joined by Carlton Preschool in South Australia, Parramatta Public School in New South Wales and Caroline Chisholm School in the ACT.
