Choose a strong password. Check your privacy settings. Beware of strangers online.

These were just a few of the top tips that earned ACG Parnell College’s Chelsea Cai first place in the recent Netsafety Week Schools’ Competition.

Designed to boost internet safety in New Zealand, the competition encouraged children from around the country to create an online safety mascot for their school. Chelsea’s winning entry portrayed a girl dressed in the ACG Parnell College school uniform, wearing a police hat, and encircled by essential digital do’s and don’ts for the security-conscious.

“It is so important to keep safe online now, to protect ourselves and our families from being scammed or hurt,” says 11-year-old Chelsea, who won a prize pack filled with school stationery and an array of Whittaker’s chocolate for her efforts.

Completed during the lockdown, Chelsea’s creative entry took two hours to complete and was quite simply a labour of love.

“Art is my favourite subject. I love drawing, and my dream is to be an artist or designer one day. Every weekend I spend three or four hours making art, including sketching and painting with oil and acrylics. This competition was a great opportunity to share my ideas and my love of drawing with other students in lockdown – especially those who may be quite new at using computers and the internet for studying.”

Chelsea started at ACG Parnell College in 2020 and is actively embracing all the school offers, from academics to art, sports and beyond.

“I’m really enjoying studying the Cambridge curriculum, and I respect and love my teacher Miss McPolin so much! She has taught me a lot and helped me build my confidence. I love swimming and playing netball too because staying active keeps me healthy and happy.”

In addition, to her many other talents, Chelsea is also a gifted pianist, gaining a Distinction grade in her ABRSM Grade 5 examination earlier this year.