A striking new mural has been completed on the 12-metre-high stairwell wall outside the Art, Drama and Technology precinct, creating a bold new visual landmark that can be seen from across the School and beyond its gates. The mural is a celebration of the Anglican identity, heritage and distinctive visual language of St Peter’s College, depicted through a contemporary interpretation of the treasures found throughout our campus.
At the heart of the mural is a stained-glass window from the sanctuary of the Chapel, depicting the story from John’s Gospel (John 6:16–21) in which the disciples find themselves in a boat facing adverse weather. Jesus comes to them, walking on the sea, and says, “It is I; do not be afraid.” The three visible disciples are Peter, James and John. Peter looks towards Jesus with the strength of faith for which he is traditionally associated; James looks with distress, while John looks with love. As Jesus appears, the boat reaches the shore and the disciples arrive safely. The story has long been understood as a powerful symbol of the early Church and an encouragement to Christians: in times of stress and hardship, we are called to embrace Peter’s faith and John’s love, trusting that Christ will come to us and guide us safely to land.
Artist Jasmine Crisp was invited to respond to a brief centred on the Anglican heritage and identity of the School and the story of Saint Peter. She has responded with great sensitivity and creativity, bringing together imagery from the Chapel, Memorial Hall, Year 12 College and Library archives to create a work that is both deeply connected to our history and distinctly contemporary. We extend our sincere thanks to Jasmine for the care she brought to the project and for being so responsive to the brief, embracing the many layers of meaning and symbolism within the School.
The mural incorporates the SPSC crest, including the keys referencing Saint Peter, alongside the Holy Trinity represented by three fish found on a small contemporary stained-glass window within the Year 12 College. Architectural details from the Chapel, including the concrete grapevine and Australian gum tree relief, organ pipes, gold stars and stained-glass imagery, are woven throughout the composition. A historic book from the Library archives represents the School’s enduring commitment to scholarship and learning, while the Chapel’s distinctive checkered floor tiles and Memorial Hall’s blue-hued diamond-patterned glass windows provide further visual references to place and heritage.
The restrained palette of blues and gold is also deliberate. Rather than attempting to reproduce the vibrant beauty of the Chapel’s stained glass, the mural respectfully draws inspiration from it, as well as the blue-hue that is synonomous with SPSC. The blue tones create a visual connection between the Chapel and Memorial Hall, while gold accents echo the Chapel’s stars and evoke light, faith and the enduring traditions of the School.
At the heart of the mural are the values Truth, Respect, Service and Pro Deo et Patria, reminding us that this is not simply a celebration of buildings and objects, but of the values and traditions they represent.
This significant new artwork invites students, staff and visitors to look up, look closer and consider the stories that have shaped, and continue to shape, St Peter’s College.
Adele Turner
Head of Arts
