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Le Bocage International School, Mauritius
Mosaic memento
When students set out to leave their mark, they did it in style – and learned a lot in the process
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raduating classes often seek a way to leave a lasting impression on the schools they’re leaving behind. While most opt for a small but thoughtful gesture – a bench, or new trophy perhaps – the 2013 graduating class of Le Bocage International School (LBIS) in Mauritius raised the bar by creating a
“Embarking on this project was a huge gamble, but we’ve created a lasting gift for everyone to enjoy” large-scale mosaic of the school’s logo, Leonardo Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man. “We wanted to demonstrate our appreciation for the school, and the incredible team spirit it has encouraged amongst our class,” says head boy and project manager Matthieu Ah-Koon. “It took a whole weekend of hard work by nearly 80 students to complete the mosaic, which now takes pride of place in the school.” “We really wanted our CAS project to eternalize the bonds that exist between us before we set off on our separate paths after completing the IB Diploma Programme,” says fellow student Yashil Sukurdeep. “It was a huge gamble: in 34 IBWorld
the beginning, we didn’t have the skills or the funds to complete the project. “Now, not only have we created a gift for the whole school, we’ve learned new masonry and pyrography skills, and pushed our organizational and teamworking skills to the limit. Working together on this project – something that will stand the test of time – has strengthened our friendship bonds and the happy school memories that will remain with us for the rest of our lives.” The mosaic has become such a central part of Le Bocage’s identity that it has become the school’s official emblem. Its design even appears on the school’s postal stamps, having been granted official approval by Mauritius Post, the island’s postal service.
Keshwyn, Matthieu,Yashil and Kelvin display their work
Wall wisdom To create a mosaic for your school, here is the LBIS five-step guide to success 1 Obtain permission before starting work, and ask the advice of your art and design teachers: they will be a great source of help 2 Choose an original design – using computer software to work on its size and colour scheme – and an appropriate location 3 Start fundraising, so you can buy the tools and materials you need 4 Get buying: depending on your project, you'll need tiles and cement, plus equipment like gloves and trowels 5 Set the date! Choose a day when most people in your year are free to help – a weekend or day during a mid-term break is perfect