Children's Week Art Book

21–29 OCTOBER

Children’s Week 2023 Art Submissions

Early DIOCESE OF MAITLAND-NEWCASTLE

Student i Feel VO CE

safe, supported, included

i Am

creative, connected, engaged

i Can learn, lead & thrive

STUDENT WELLBEING AND LEARNING ACROSS THE WHOLE SCHOOL

2 | CHILDREN’S WEEK - SUBMISSIONS

Article 31: Children have the right to relax, play and to join in a wide range of leisure activities.

Children’s Week Art Submissions 2023 We invited students K-12 to participate in the making of this Children’s Week digital book through the submissions of art and stories to express ideas and creativity about the importance of play, rest and leisure. These are in the form of painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, photograph, sketch poetry/song lyrics.

This book showcases a selection of student art submissions which reflect the theme of play, rest and leisure.

Please visit our Online Art Gallery that contains all student art submissions received for Children’s Week.

Children’s Week is a national celebration of children’s rights, talents and citizenship.

The Children’s Week National Theme for 2023 is based on Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Through play and leisure, children and young people engage with the people, places and objects around them to form their understanding of the world and how they fit into it.

Play and leisure help to develop children and young people’s knowledge and skills. Play prepares them for a lifetime of learning both in school and beyond and has a powerful impact on their cognitive, physical, social and emotional development.

Acknowledging and celebrating Children’s Week aims to highlight children and young people’s right to play, rest, engage in cultural life, the arts and recreational activities and the fundamental role it has in their learning. This project was initiated to support the implementation of the Wellbeing Framework and Early Learning philosophy that advocates for student voice and agency in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

Celebrating Children’s Week as a school community is a great way to share the messages of Children’s Week with the wider community, raising awareness of children’s rights and the work of the UNCRC. ONLINE ART GALLERY

COVER ARTWORK: Eve, St Joseph’s Merewether Age: 9 “My artwork shows children from different cultures around the world all enjoying an equal opportunity to rest, play and take part in activities together.”

| 3

My artwork represents rest and relaxation, because when I go camping, it is a chance to unwind and relax, because you are away from the busy world, and have a chance to connect with nature.

Blaise Age 9 St Joseph’s Primary School, Bulahdelah

4 | CHILDREN’S WEEK - SUBMISSIONS

When I rest I feel ... calm. This painting represents being calm in nature, with a moon rising over a lake. I feel very connected to nature and love spending time in it.

Samantha Age 12 Catherine McAuley Catholic College, Medowie | 5

When I am walking with my mum on the beach, with the waves at my feet, I feel like nothing can hurt me.

Dara Age 11 St Joseph’s Primary School, Charlestown 6 | CHILDREN’S WEEK - SUBMISSIONS

When I read a book, I feel relaxed and calm.

I am proud that I can read and I can have a good time.

Charlotte Age 7 St John the Baptist, Maitland

| 7

When kids play they use their imagination. The children in my artwork are imagining they're dancing in an oversized garden.

They feel happy, calm and a little bit excited about playing with friends.

Kaydence Age 11 Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Tarro

8 | CHILDREN’S WEEK - SUBMISSIONS

JUST KIDDING UP There was a kid who was feeling blue ,

After being fed ,

Who thought to himself what should I do?

Early to bed ,

Then came his friend ,

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!

And they played till the end ,

OH LOOK! NOW I FEEL REALLY GOOD!

Time to be mindful ,

Now we have played ,

And not to be cry full ,

All day,

They went for a nature walk ,

And we had a rest,

To have a really big talk ,

The best,

Let ’s watch a good movie ,

We’ve also had leisure ,

To get really groovy,

For all is my pleasure ,

Time to eat some good food ,

NOW BE READY FOR TOMORROW,

In a really dozy mood ,

WITHOUT NO SORROW!

When I play, I feel happy.

When I play, I am confident When I play, I can be strong and healthy.

When I rest, I feel cool and relaxed When I rest, I am calm When I rest, I get more energy the next day.

When I do art, I feel mindful When I do art, I am focused When I do art, I can create my own art.

Diya Age 9 St Aloysius Catholic Primary School, Chisholm

| 9

This is a turtle. I think it is a reef turtle. It’s very calm.

When I play I feel very calm.

Ava Age 6 St Joseph’s Primary School, Gloucester 10 | CHILDREN’S WEEK - SUBMISSIONS

When I play I feel in the yellow zone because I like playing.

When I rest I feel recharged and ready to go.

My favourite leisure activity is gymnastics.

Bella Year 1 Holy Spirit Infants School, Abermain

| 11

When I create art, I feel inspired to see the world around me in new ways.

Levi Age 16 St Bede’s Catholic College, Chisholm

12 | CHILDREN’S WEEK - SUBMISSIONS

My art piece expresses a calm situation, as the art shows how doing an activity you enjoy can bring you into your own world and make you feel relaxation and freedom. The meaning I tried to put into the art was that stress and grief can’t be let go until you do something you love, something that makes you feel safe. And since art and drawing makes me feel a sort of leisure and peace, I decided to go with a type of sketch to try make the person looking at it understand how art can help you escape your reality.

Savannah Age 10 St Joseph’s Primary School, Bulahdelah | 13

Motolani Age 10 St Brigid’s Primary School, Raymond Terrace

14 | CHILDREN’S WEEK - SUBMISSIONS

I like to walk my dog with my mum.

Danny Age 6 Holy Family Primary School, Merewether Beach

| 15

When I draw, I can stand out from the crowd, just like zebras stand out in the wild.

I like seeing how my drawings turn out at the end and how they bring people joy when I show them.

Mitchell Age 10 St Aloysius Catholic Primary School, Chisholm

16 | CHILDREN’S WEEK - SUBMISSIONS

My Artwork looks a bit complicated at first, but when you look behind the meaning, you start to understand it. There are two sides to this brain, the mentally stable one and the stressed out one, we have the mentally stable one with lots of colour, showing how your brain feels happy and relaxed while you rest while the other side looks dark and weak, feeling that too much is going on. When I rest, I feel relaxed and calm. It takes away the stress that I’ve had throughout the day.

Eisha Age 11 St Joseph’s Primary School, East Maitland

| 17

When I play, I am anything. When I play, I am anywhere. Play sparks creativity and sends out an outburst of imagination and holds a feeling of comfort and belief that you can be whoever you want from a beautiful mermaid to a playful dragon whilst being able to be teleported anywhere you want from a magical rockpool to a castle created in a treehouse!

Play unlocks personality and a time to find who you are and enjoy what you like either with people or without and to feel happy. When I play, I am me.

Lacey Age 13 St Mary’s Catholic College, Gateshead

18 | CHILDREN’S WEEK - SUBMISSIONS

My artwork represents leisure because it shows a place where I go to play and have a quiet area by myself. It also shows the trees and bushes around the house that I have.

It’s a place where I go to relax and enjoy a bit of ‘me time’.

Deanna Age 11 St Joseph’s Primary School, Bulahdelah

| 19

When I rest in nature, I feel calm.

When I create, I feel exited When I make my artworks, I am confident When I imagine, I can do anything The ladybird represents me because my Mum tells me I am unique as a ladybird.

Matilda Age 8 Holy Spirit Infants School, Abermain

20 | CHILDREN’S WEEK - SUBMISSIONS

When I hang upside down on the lounge and watch TV with my dog, I feel happy.

Eden Age 6 St Peter’s Primary School, Stockton

| 21

When I sing…I rejoice! Music is a language everyone knows.

I feel brave and calm all at once.

It is my happy moment.

I wish every child in the world could find their voice, their brave and their joy!

Eve Age 11 St Joseph’s Primary School, Kilaben Bay

22 | CHILDREN’S WEEK - SUBMISSIONS

The sketch shows one of my favourite things to do and I feel great doing it. The picture shows that if you do something you can get good at it.

Lincoln Age 14 St Paul’s Catholic College, Booragul

| 23

When I play, I take time for me.

I can take time for me and what I love to do.

Indie Age 7 St James’ Primary School, Kotara South

24 | CHILDREN’S WEEK - SUBMISSIONS

When I rest, I feel relaxed. I go on walks and look at flowers and birds. My mum loves Humming Birds so I did this for her in art class. I also take alot of photos of flowers. When I am in art class I feel completely relaxed but also focused.

Alexandra Age 9 St Michael’s Primary School, Nelson Bay | 25

When I play, I feel joyous, motivated and encouraged to carry on with the day.

When I play, I am learning, and enjoying my self.

When I rest I feel relaxed, free, and happy.

When I rest I am wondering and dreaming.

Phoebe Year 5 St John the Baptist Primary School, Maitland

26 | CHILDREN’S WEEK - SUBMISSIONS

When I play, I feel happy.

Ava Age 8 St Dominic’s Centre, Mayfield

| 27

When I am able to me be. This is me having fun.

Josiah Age 5 St Joseph’s Primary School, Bulahdelah

28 | CHILDREN’S WEEK - SUBMISSIONS

When I play music I feel happy.

Jasper Age 8 St James’ Primary School, Kotara South

| 29

Harry Age 11 St Dominic’s Centre, Mayfield

30 | CHILDREN’S WEEK - SUBMISSIONS

When I rest I feel like I am floating like a jelly fish, when I am relaxed at home.

Painting makes me feel calm and free.

Kye Age 9 St Joseph’s Primary School, East Maitland | 31

My artwork is of me resting in my bedroom. I used colours that comfort me to portray how I feel when I relax. I added a galaxy beneath the floor because when I relax I feel like I am floating in space.

Indiana Age 12 St Joseph’s Primary School, Merewether

32 | CHILDREN’S WEEK - SUBMISSIONS

I have made a clay clothing mobile with clothes to dress up in and clothes to wear when you play.

I am calling it: Wardrobe on the Loose. It is a handful of clothes floating in the air and no one can catch them.

“When I play, I feel like I can do anything… like fly.”

Wilhemina Age 7 St Joseph’s Primary School , Charlestown | 33

I like to go surfing with my dad at the beach. He helps me to learn to stand up on the board.

Lara Age 5 Holy Family Primary School, Merewether Beach

34 | CHILDREN’S WEEK - SUBMISSIONS

When I am in nature, when I walk, or have a picnic, I can rest and I feel peace.

Mia Age 12 Catherine McAuley Catholic College, Medowie

| 35

Jesse Year 5 St John the Baptist Primary School, Maitland

36 | CHILDREN’S WEEK - SUBMISSIONS

When I play I like to feel connected to nature and all the animals in it, that’s why I chose to draw a cow in a paddock and my little sister . Hanging out whith cows and family is what makes me feel happy Indigo Age 13 Catherine McAuley Catholic College, Medowie

| 37

I really like dancing, playing soccer at school and doing art. When I am doing art I feel like I can rest, and when I am dancing I get have fun with my friends. When I play soccer my brain gets fresh air and it is fun.

Torah Age 7 St Brigid’s Primary School, Raymond Terrace

38 | CHILDREN’S WEEK - SUBMISSIONS

My artwork represents my love of soccer.

I enjoy playing on the weekends and I train during the week.

Abbie Age 11 St Joseph’s Primary School, Bulahdelah

| 39

The child in my painting is imagining herself playing lots of different games.

I feel happy and calm and a little bit excited when I am playing with my friends.

Mia Age 9 Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Tarro

40 | CHILDREN’S WEEK - SUBMISSIONS

I made a poem and drawings to tell you about some of my days where I learn at school and have fun with my friends and my family at home. Relaxing helps me when my emotions become too intense.

Arabella Age 8 St Kevin’s Primary School, Cardiff

My Kind of Day When I’m at school, and my brain feels full, I look forward to having lunch and playing handball with this friendly bunch.

When the clock strikes three, I’m filled with glee.

My mum promised me, we could play frisbee near the big gum tree.

On the weekends and term break, mum helps me bake a cake.

I ride a bike with dad, Then my day is not so bad.

On fine sunny days, I grab a mat and in the grass I lay.

My idea of fun, is eating hot cross buns in the sun.

When I’m feeling mad, I get my pencil and my sketch pad, I sit down with my snacks to help me relax.

So when you’re feeling blue, remember this to be true, school is important to everyone, but so it relaxing and having fun.

| 41

When I meditate I relax.

Xavier Age 6 Holy Family Primary School, Merewether Beach

42 | CHILDREN’S WEEK - SUBMISSIONS

I feel hyperactive when I engage with others.

I use my energy when I run and sometimes when I play it can be calming.

When I rest it is mostly peaceful and quiet.

When I rest, my body can properly function when I wake up again.

Reuby Age 11 St Joseph’s Primary School, Wingham | 43

When I draw my imagination is let out to play. I can use real and imaginary images to create scenes which tell a visual story of my thoughts and feelings, hopes and dream. This art work shows the importance of doing what you love and to take the time to do what you love.

This art work shows how to take time and reflect on all the joyful thing is my life and to appreciate what I have. This artworks shows the connection between my thoughts to my hand and onto the marks I leave on the page forming my artwork.

Matilda Age 15 Catherine McAuley Catholic College, Medowie 44 | CHILDREN’S WEEK - SUBMISSIONS

When I rest, play and do things I enjoy I am inspired and enthusiastic. Having fun and being myself opens up the gates to freedom and growth. My painting represents kids who are having fun which is the opposite to when kids don’t get the chance to have freedom, have unique tall ants and self growth.

The message I would like people to see is kids having fun and enjoying themselves and all the tasks they can do and all the things they can feel. Doors would open for these children.

Charlie Age 11 St Paul’s Primary School, Rutherford | 45

When I play my ukulele, I feel happy.

Oriana Age 6 Our Lady of Victories Primary School, Shortland

46 | CHILDREN’S WEEK - SUBMISSIONS

They get a bowl of rice a day Two if they’re lucky Sometimes it’s OK. But usually, it’s yucky The water they drink is dirty and brown.

They walk far to get it And then they fall down The house is made of metal sheets And the floor is just bare earth It hurts their back hands and feet.

Please help children see their worth.

My favourite way to play and rest is through art, and writing. I mixed both together in this submission. My focus was on that not all children are able to have the things we do, but all kids should be able to receive these things rather than worrying about their food, water and shelter.

Kendall Age 11 St Brigid’s Primary School, Raymond Terrace

| 47

My artwork represents my dad’s farm. I enjoy being there to help harvest and plough the paddocks.

Elke Age 10 St Joseph’s Primary School, Bulahdelah

48 | CHILDREN’S WEEK - SUBMISSIONS

When I play I feel so happy to be with my friends. We really love playing skipping games, we laugh the whole time!

Zach Age 8 Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Tarro

| 49

02 4979 1200 841 Hunter Street Newcastle West 2300 NSW Australia www.mn.catholic.edu.au