A major community sculpture titled Esprit de Corps was created at Donvale under the guidance of art teacher Jeanette Jennings, with significant contributions from students, particularly those in Year 8, as well as staff. Located near the front entrance to the administration building, the work was conceived as a visual expression of the campus ethos and identity.

The sculpture incorporated a range of symbolic elements reflecting the character of Donvale. Its design features imagery of local flora and fauna, celebrating the bushland setting of the campus, alongside motifs inspired by the original inhabitants of the area, the Yarra tribes of the Currawong Park region. Clay and wooden cylinders, individually crafted and threaded onto the structure, represent the many contributions of the school community.

At its centre, the main totemic form included carved and painted elements drawn from the surrounding landscape. The overall structure subtly forms the shape of a cross, acknowledging Carey’s Christian foundations, while its outward-reaching design has been interpreted as “wings of freedom”, symbolising the school’s commitment to individual growth and development.

Together, these elements created a collaborative artwork that embodied the spirit, values and shared experience of the Donvale community.