During the first term of 2008 I have been an Artist in Residence at the Murrumbeena Primary School. In conjunction with teachers and students we have been creating a sculpture installation made up of ceramic totem poles and stepping stones. The work draws inspiration from the areas interesting and diverse history from swamp to farmland, its indigenous plants and animals and the influence of the artistic Boyd family whom lived in the area for many years. Each of the totem poles was created to a theme and the students were able to research and make firstly a tile to go around the totem pole and then take part in making a ceramic sculpture to cap the piece. We have ended up with sculptures of a frog, windmill, cockatoo, and signpost a school book and a work inspired by a Merric Boyd Koala pot. This has been an exciting project for all of us involved and once again has proved to me how important it is for children to have the opportunity to play with clay. Thankyou to all the Staff and student's at Murrumbeena primary School for making me feel so welcome especially the art teacher Jenny Solomon and the Deputy Head Shirley Krongold for overseeing the project. This Artist in Schools project was funded by Arts Victoria, Victoria (The place to be) and it is a Department of Education and Arts Victoria partnership, with support from the Community Support Fund. The sculptures will be installed in the next couple of months and I will post a picture when completed.