Ideas included trimming shrubs along a school route to make scootering and bike riding to and from school easier and safer, and establishing a mural at Western Heights Shopping Centre.
Rotorua Lakes Council has backed the ideas, and Marc has been working with pupils from both schools to bring the idea behind the mural to life.
Marc says it is always a privilege to work with local tamariki.
"The painting process caters for all levels of ability, so it's great to see them learn new skills and really shine."
He says the children created all the designs, including the central concept - students pictured from two local schools giving each other a high five.
"This is the real standout feature. The mural also gave them an opportunity to present their school's values, which sit really well within the wider community.
"The children initially requested this mural. To have them on board from concept through to completion is pivotal to its success.
"Playing such an important part gives real ownership and pride."
Steph Reichardt, Sport Bay of Plenty's regional play system lead, says it was a relief to see the mural finally installed, because it had been a long process - from the engagement with the children, to designing and then painting the mural, to installing it.
"It was cool to see the kids so thrilled to see their artwork up on the wall."
She says the project was about talking to the children and finding out what was safe through their eyes, where they go in their neighbourhood, and why or why not.
"It was really cool to have two schools on board with the project, and seeing the students able to come together and collaborate on the mural was really special."
Western Heights Primary assistant principal Melanie Sweeney says this year she wanted the school's Year 6 pupils in particular to have the opportunity to leave their legacy at the school or in the community, and when she saw this project thought it would be prefect.
She says a number of their artistically-minded pupils had been keen to get involved and understood the kaupapa.
Melanie says it felt great to see the mural installed, and that the children had a great time at the unveiling and loved finding parts of the mural they helped design.
"I think it is a really great way for Sport BOP, council and schools in our community to share their values and inspire the wider community.
"With Covid it had been hard to engage with our communities ... this was a great way to bring everyone back together again and show we can unite and share our values with everyone outside of our school setting."
Aorangi School principal Kairo McLean says it was definitely a 'wow' moment for the art students who saw their ideas, concepts, and images go right from the draft stage up to when the finished work was installed on the wall.
"You could see and feel the pride on their faces - that 'Aorangi Āhua', as we say - shine through, especially when they were explaining to the junior students who attended the blessing the imagery on the mural."
He thanks Steph and Marc for making this a reality for the tamariki.
"This was a great initiative by Rotorua Lakes Council and Sport BOP/NZ which allowed our tamariki, the children of this neighbourhood, to have a voice and be supported to put together not just a painted mural, but a symbol to unite and create a true sense of community that will be around a long time."
He says the mural showcases positive vibes that the community needs in these overwhelming and tough times.
