By Justin Flynn
A young Ocean Grove primary school student has made the top 10 of an Australia wide art competition.
The competition attracted 48,000 entries and Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary School student Jolie Kerr was invited to Government House in Sydney for the presentation.
Jolie, 9, made the top 10 for her entry in an anti-bullying campaign and was hosted at Government House by New South Wales Governor General and former Ocean Grove resident David Hurley.
Entrants were required to draw an anti-bullying poster that depicted the children’s movie Ferdinand.
Teach Marnie Hallam got the students involved in the campaign.
“It coincided with the National Day of Action against bullying,” Ms Hallam said.
“I get heaps of emails for competitions but this one really stood out so we got involved.”
The school helped raise $666.20 for the Kerr family to fly to Sydney for the presentation with a casual dress day that students were asked to donate a gold coin for.
It was Jolie’s first time on a plane.
The Grade Four student’s entry earned her a special interview with the Governor General and she said the message behind the campaign was important.
“Bullying hurts people’s feelings,” she said.
