Windsor parent, Amani Jhalisa Rodgers, with the input and ideas from our students, created 'The Windsor Way'. This bespoke digital artwork was presented to the whole school at our 2025 NAIDOC Parade on 21 July 2025.
This artwork was created to honour the vibrant community that makes up Windsor State School. At the heart of the piece is a large central meeting place, symbolising the school itself. It represents the unity of staff, teachers, teacher aides and leadership who come together each day with a shared purpose; to guide and grow the next generation.
Radiating out from the centre are stepping stones. These represent the path of learning, growth, and connection — each step taken by students, staff, and families working together to build a brighter future.
Surrounding the central meeting place are four smaller gathering circles. These symbolise the school's sport houses - Wilson, Lutwyche, Maynard and Bowen. Each one plays a vital role in shaping the students' experiences, building belonging, teamwork and healthy competition.
Flowing throughout the piece is a journey line. It weaves through gatherings that represent each stage of a child's schooling at Windsor, from their very first day in Prep, right through to their final year in Grade 6. This journey line is a visual story of growth, connection, learning and change - the years spent growing not just in knowledge, but in identity, resilience and community.
Across the canvas, you'll see smaller meeting places that represent the parents, carers and volunteers the backbone of the Windsor community. These are the people who show up, lend a hand, and help create a safe, welcoming and supportive environment for every child.
You'll also find symbols for waterways woven into the piece, representing the Brisbane River and local waterways that surround the area. These waterways have been a vital resource for the Turrbal people for thousands of years and continue to hold deep cultural, spiritual and environmental significance. Their presence in the artwork acknowledges and honours the enduring connection of the Turrbal people to this land and water.
Scattered throughout the design are delicate purple jacaranda leaves, which is a tribute to the many jacaranda trees that bloom across the school grounds each year, bringing colour and beauty to the space.
The entire piece is created in shades of blue, reflecting Windsor's school colours. The varied dot and dash textures symbolise the natural elements of the school environment like native flora, flowering bushes and stone, grounding the story in the land on which the school sits.
This piece is a celebration of Windsor's strength, unity and care. A living, breathing community that walks together to support every child's journey, while standing with respect on Country that has been cared for since time immemorial.
About the Artist
Amani Jahlisa Rodgers is a proud Ngarrindjeri, Ngaiawang, and Ngangaruku woman with strong ancestral ties to the lower Murray River, Lakes, and Coorong regions of South Australia. Although born and raised in Queensland, Amani has always felt a deep connection to both salt and freshwater Country.
Amani is a multidisciplinary artist who creates both canvas and digital artworks, using storytelling, symbolism, and culture to express connection, identity, and healing. Her art is deeply personal and often inspired by her journey as a mother, creating from a place of love, strength, and a desire to leave a legacy for her son.
Through her cultural workshops and creative practice, Amani empowers young people to explore their own stories, build cultural pride, and find healing through creativity.