Emanuel School pre-schooler claims top honours in Happy HabitART competition
Sydney’s Emanuel School Lexi Kalinko, a talented pre-schooler, has secured the first-place position in the 4-5 years category of the Happy HabitART Competition for Be the Future, specifically in the Art school/child care/school, Australia division.
Lexi with her painting
The competition engaged children from 14 different countries in creating drawings of their ideal coral reef. The entries were evaluated based on their artistic creativity, the adept use of shape and colour, and the incorporation of biodiversity in terms of corals, plants, and animals.
Lexi, who belongs to the Dolphins Group at Kornmehl Centre Emanuel Pre-school, revealed her thought process behind the remarkable artwork, stating, “I thought about what to draw and I drew lots of fish, a turtle, sea grass and a kind of clown fish and seaweed. The clownfish is hiding away because a shark is about to come and he is scared so he has to hide. The turtle is swimming in the coral reef.
People need to swim and keep their legs up and not on the coral because otherwise your feet can get sore and break the coral. The coral is real and we need to look after it. The person is checking if the coral is healthy.”
Lexi also highlighted the importance of responsible behaviour in coral reef environments, remarking, “People should swim with their legs up and avoid stepping on the coral, as it can cause damage. We must care for the real coral and ensure its well-being. The person in my drawing is checking if the coral is healthy.”
Terry Aizen, Director of Kornmehl Pre-school, acknowledged Lexi’s profound interest in the creative arts and commended her keen eye for colour and details. Aizen stated: “This is evident in her representation of the Coral Reef, as well as her understanding of the need to preserve and protect the coral for the future of our planet. We are thrilled that her creativity has been acknowledged in this competition.”
Lexi’s award-winning artwork will be showcased in esteemed publications such as Kids Eco News & Green + Simple! Additionally, she has earned an Arts and Crafts classroom pack and an Eco School Box for the preschool as part of her prize.
Andrew Watt, Principal of Emanuel School, expressed his delight at Lexi’s achievement, stating, “We are so proud of Lexi. Her artwork showcases the natural beauty of and diversity within our coral reef. I thank the dedicated Kornmehl educators for encouraging Lexi’s creativity and self-expression”.
Lexi’s triumph serves as a testament to the nurturing environment provided by Emanuel School and its commitment to fostering young minds’ artistic talents while promoting ecological awareness.
Great painting, well done Lexi.