Krishna Avanti Primary School, Croydon’s playground has been brightened up with a colourful new mural, turning the EYFS outdoor area into an upbeat, warm and welcoming space.
Local street artist and teacher of art in a local primary school Alec Saunders painted an image of the Tree of Life which presents the roots of spiritual insight, which strengthen the trunk of character formation, which in turn supports the crown of educational excellence and in giving back to our communities.
“We wanted to find an image which was in mode with The Avanti Way which sets out our purpose and vision, but also one that the youngest children could relate to and feel inspired by,” said Principal, Bijal Pandya.
The school’s site team prepped and primed the wall before Alec came in over the Easter break and worked at his own pace to draw and then paint the images.
“Avanti’s core beliefs deeply resonate with me,” said Alec, who has so far painted . “Many of these are linked to growth in some way. Growth is more than a theme; it’s a journey—and being part of an environment where children are constantly evolving felt like a meaningful opportunity to contribute through art.
“What I love about this project is how it blends cultural identity, spirituality, and education. The mural reflects both personal and collective growth—how students develop not just academically, but emotionally and morally too.
“A special feature is the use of real gold leaf, which symbolises the inner light and potential in every child. Just as gold is revealed through care and refinement, so too is each child’s brilliance nurtured over time. I believe the mural will serve as a daily source of inspiration—reminding children of their value, their journey, and the beauty of who they’re becoming.”
Bijal Pandya said: “The children absolutely loved it and were really impressed by how much their space has been made to come alive with colour and lovely imagery. It is a beautiful mural which looks even more amazing in the flesh. It really lifts the space and has made it so much more of a vibrant space. We warmly welcome and encourage anybody within AST to come and take a look.”
