To celebrate the Dunedin Botanic Garden's 150th anniversary, which falls on June 30 this year, about 30 senior pupils were tasked with decorating a garden work van.
Garden collections supervisor Barbara Wheeler said the school had a developing relationship with the garden and as part of it she wanted to give pupils the opportunity to paint a vehicle.
The idea was supported by George Street Normal School deputy principal Anne Robertson, who drew a mural outline on the van before giving pupils licence to colour it in.
''They were so nervous when they started and kept asking if I was sure they were allowed to,'' Mrs Robertson said.
Resene provided paint for the exercise, which began last week and was due to be finished this week. Mrs Robertson said as the school was a ''friend'' of the garden, attempts were made for each class to visit at least once a year. Pupils also helped garden staff by gathering seeds and cleaning nuts off pathways, she said.
''We try to learn as well as serve, and do something helpful.''
Prominent and popular features of the gardens were displayed on the van, including Sid the cockatoo.
Native plants such as kowhai also featured, alongside pupils' names and references to the 150th anniversary. Ms Wheeler said the van had ''come up really nicely''.
''It's great to see the icons of the gardens on there.''
