The Young Archies

Recently we were sent home a note asking for permission to enter a painting that Jorgia had done in her Prep class to the Young Archies Award. This is a competition open to all public school students throughout the state from Kinder to Year 12 to enter a piece of art work that is a portrait. We were planning on going to see Jorgia's painting on display at UTAS School of Art at the IXL building and making it a family activity. After her class had all learnt their "Golden Words" they had a party which was hosted by "The Queen of the Golden Words" who was Mrs Winlow their assistant principal. She had dressed up and presented them with certificates.

On Thursday afternoon at work I received a phone call from the Vice-Principal letting me know that Jorgia had actually won her section (Kinder to Grade 2) and were we able to go to the presentation to be held the following night (Friday 24th September).

Of course I was very excited and I quickly rang Brooke to tell him...we couldn't believe it. We decided not to tell her until we got there and just let her think we were going on the family outing we had planned to look at the painting.

Friday night came and we arrived at the exhibition. Jorgia was excited to see her teacher Mrs Richardson who had only just got back from Queensland and Mrs Winlow who was the subject of the painting. We walked around and looked at all the work done by some really talented young artists and found Jorgia's. We explained to her that the yellow piece of paper underneath actually said that she was the winner of her section. She, of course, was pretty excited. She wanted to know if she won a prize and we told her that she actually was going to get some money. Big mistake!! All she wanted to know was when she was going to get her money! I was terrified that she was going to say something about handing over the money when she was presented with her prize!

Jorgia with her teacher Mrs Richardson

The Queen of the Golden Words

We all gathered downstairs where Lisa Singh MHA presented the awards and Jorgia was very calm and collected in front of everyone (and she didn't demand her cash) although when she came back to me at the end of the prize-giving with her certificate and envelope she ripped her envelope open with great anticipation only to find a cheque! She looked very puzzled and said that it didn't look like money to her! I explained that we would have to take it to the Bank and they would give her the money. She has had a great weekend planning what she is going to spend it all on!

With Mrs Winlow - The Queen of the Golden Words

We are very proud of her and glad that at least one person in the family has some artistic flair. We finished off the night with a celebration dinner at a high class restaurant (NOT!!) - of course it was Jorgia's choice and she chose Maccas!