Last term, Year 3 students painted self-portraits in monochrome colours. Colour was used symbolically to show unity across our grades and the values of our school. The students used the hues of their house colours to create their portraits. It was a challenging, yet very reflective process. The students displayed persistence and focus during the lessons to build skills in colour mixing and perspective.
Six students have had their artwork chosen by our staff, to be entered, in the Young Archie Competition, at the NSW Art Gallery. Congratulations to Emily (3B), Ivy (3B), Angus (3G), Amelia (3G), Hazel (3M) and Connor (3M).
About my artwork
I am new to my school, and my new friends have shown me kindness. I displayed courage by going to a new school. Part of making sure I didn’t feel left out was being prepared by getting a new uniform and talking to my mum about my nervousness. She told me it would be a little similar to my old school, and it is, but it is different too. I show resilience, and I can bounce back when stuff is hard. My portrait is blue because it is my house colour and because I connect to other people who love blue things too. Blue is the colour of the sky, and the colour of the sky reminds me of my thinking. I think when I look at the sky. I think nice things about my family because they gave me life. They are the most important people to me. Emily
My house colour is red, and I painted my self-portrait using red. It was a hard but fun process. I liked making the colours. My red self-portrait means strength. The strongest person I know is my dad, because he’s in the military, and he has shown strength for years by doing hard things and just being a dad. I get my strength from him, and I mostly show my strength by using my words to communicate how I feel. I stand up for myself and others by saying STOP when I don’t like how others treat me or my classmates. We need to look after each other because school is a community. Helping others is what matters.
Ivy
My self-portrait is in the colour red. It is a monochrome response. The colour red means compassion to me. Compassion is a very important value at our school. I believe it is important to show compassion to others, even when it’s hard. Compassion is a sign of love. I try to forgive others who hurt me. If no one forgives, the world would be a really bad place to be. Sometimes I can show courage by telling others not to make the wrong choices or also by taking risks. I did that when I swam at the Great Barrier Reef while on holiday. I like to play sports with my friends. It's lots of fun. Sometimes I have to show courage when I am disappointed or frustrated.
Angus
My self-portrait is a monochrome-style painting. Red is a bold colour and it makes me want to just go and try new things. Like when I tried meat. I tried ribs and they were great! It also is the colour of love. I am full of love, especially for my pets and family. I love them a lot. My school house is also red and we were challenged to use that colour to explore the qualities of my house patron and then think about how I have the same qualities. My house patron gave a voice to the poor people and stood up for them. I try to be like him and help others by reaching out to them when it’s a hard time or standing up for them when they are hurt. I also try to be a happy person as you can see by my smile. A smiling face makes others joyful too. Amelia
The colour yellow means courage. We have been focused on the value of courage at school this term. My self-portrait is a monochrome painting. I used different shades by adding white and black to create light and dark patches and show shadows on my face. I have lots of freckles, so they were fun to include. Courage is about going up to someone you don’t know and helping them. I show courage by doing things I am not confident to do. My parents help me to be courageous by telling me some ideas to face my fears and then I have the confidence to go and try. Compassion is like courage. I like to help others when they are hurt or upset. Just trying to be a friend can make someone happy. Everyone needs a friend.
Hazel
This is my monochrome self-portrait in the colour of my house patrons at school. Each house has a patron who has done great things for others in their life. My house colour is yellow. To me, yellow means happiness because it is bright and sunny. The light and dark parts, or hues of my portrait show that sometimes I have joy and sometimes I’m a bit sad too. I think everyone feels that way. Being brave and grateful is important. I am lucky to have an awesome mum and dad, who always help me. I try to help my friends and family so they have the courage to find success in whatever they do.
Connor
Year 3 Teachers
