NSW Teachers' Strike

Fifty percent of the teachers at our local school joined the NSW Teachers' Strike today. This meant that while Padawan Learner went to school, Blossom didn't. I took Blossom and a friend out for the day.

Their reward for tagging along with my errands was a trip to Balmoral Beach.

Where we found that the Shark Proof net, isn't. Luckily it's not swimming weather.

It was, however, eating weather and I treated the girls to lunch at The Bathers' Pavillion (Bistro side).

Where I was given the most enormous, impossibly piled-up, plate of Caesar Salad. Ate about one-third of it.

Feeding the 400

It's done. I'm exhausted. I can't even think straight. I may simply mumble. Forgive me if I do.

Starting at 5.45am this morning I directed two shifts of volunteer fathers through the feeding of 400 mothers and children for our school's annual Mother's Day breakfast. Why me? Because the Canteen Manager who has run this since forever resigned in the last week of term 1 and told me she hadn't done any planning, she didn't keep any notes on the event, she couldn't remember her suppliers BUT if I paid her she would consider coming back to run the event. I am the fundraising and functions co-ordinator and had to decide there and then whether the event would go ahead this year or not.

This was on the last day of Term 1. I had two weeks of school holidays and less than two weeks back at school to pull this together. I emailed everyone I could think of to ask if someone would run this event but they'd all gone on holidays. I considered cancelling it but I got a bee in my bonnet and decided to 'show her'.

Well, show her we did. It was the biggest Mother's Day Breakfast ever. We served 400 people in 1.25 hours between 7.30am - 8.45am*. There were no long queues at the ticket desk, the buffet or the coffee station. We offered REAL coffee made by a crack team of our restaurateur/barista Dads. They served 300 coffees - with no queues! We had a raffle with cool items. And even though it wasn't a fundraiser we made a profit of about $900. In short, the Mums were happy and we rocked!

Na na na na na to the Canteen Manager that deserted us.

*croissant, organic vanilla yoghurt, fruit salad, fruit juice plus tea or a latte/long black.

Normal blogging will resume after the whipping has stopped

Normal blogging will resume after the rush and head-spin that is our school's annual Mother's Day Breakfast which is held at the school tomorrow morning.

With the sudden resignation of the Canteen Manager (and as I am the fundraising/functions co-ordinator) I was left holding the organisational baby that is this massive event. At current count we have 400 RSVPs and I am under instructions from the Principal not to turn anyone away. Eeeeeeeeek.

I'll catch up with the Blogosphere next week.

Walk Safely to School Day

Today was Walk Safely to School Day, at least in NSW. Walking to school is a hot topic in this house. In theory we are only a 10 minute slow walk to school and thus this should be achievable every day. However, that walk includes our own version of heartbreak hill so walking to school usually involves much complaining and is only contemplated when I have an iron will and patience for whining.

Today, however, there was no complaining. Was it the practise walks of the previous two days? Was it the free piece of fruit waiting for them at the other end? Was it because it was declared a mufti/casual clothes day so the uniforms were left at home? Who knows the mysteries of a child's mind...

Especially as there was a complicating factor to the walk. Blossom left for a weekend long Band Camp today so we had extra luggage to lug up that hill:

But then maybe Blossom was so pleased with her new, completed.just.in.time.for.band.camp beanie that she didn't even think about her feet (but that still doesn't explain PL's generally bouncy demeanor on the walk).

Blossom's Band Camp Beanie

Pattern: Ladies Beanie from the Patons Big Book of Small Projects

Yarn: Freedom Spirit 100% wool

Needles: 4mm (next time I'd use 3.5 or smaller)

Meterage: Used approx 180m/75g

Comments: Blossom loves it but this wool is not ideal as is too 'stretchy'

School Picnic

Last night our school held (as far as I know) its first-ever free P&C funded event - a school picnic as a welcome back party and thank you to all those parents who helped us raise over $120K last year. Entertainment was provided by well known local wedding/function band Slide McBride. The lead singer, Slide, said "I'm the real life Wedding Singer". A great character.

Despite threatening rain it was a fabulous evening attended by 300-400 people (I'm hopeless at guesstimating numbers) and the band played well to their younger crowd by playing songs from Shrek, Spiderman and other movies as well as a great range of songs from the 80s through to current day.

The rain held off until the last 15 minutes and then it bucketed down. The band was under cover so the picnickers simply picked up their gear and stood near the band providing a fantastic atmosphere for the last few sets.

And despite the school gate being rocked off its hinges (!) and the new curtains in the hall being played with "tarzan style" the school escaped this event unscathed.

My only gripe (and learning for next year) is that there was a dearth of helpers at the end to clean up and lock up. "But it's raining" said the parents. Yes, well some of us still have to do it, regardless of the rain.

Despite this (and I'll get a little tougher and a little more specific about cleaning) we'd definitely do it again next year if the P&C will come up with the moolah.

*ArmyWife, you were sorely missed. I know you would've been there to the end cleaning and scraping with the best of them, despite the rain.

Yeeeeee Haaaaaa

The Class Lists are done. Handed in. Finished. I have Class Co-ordinators assigned to most classes but Year Co-ordinators are a bit thin on the ground. Oh well, I'll have to do a bit of arm twisting. Next week.

Now I'm off for some retail therapy.

Could someone come over and attack my ironing pile please? You know how much I love ironing.

Freedom from Homework Part II

Gotta love KelpieBlossom's teacher. Remember I said she hated homework but that she would set it each fortnight per school policy - and she doesn't care if the child doesn't hand it in?

Here is this fortnight's homework (she's in Year 4):

• 20 minutes reading, daily
• Practise your spelling
• Teach a parent something you know about St Valentine
• Help with the housework or gardening
• Tell a joke to a family member
• Help with the shopping
• Play a game with a family member
• Practise your tables

In other words, she's asking her students to be an active family member. Our house is so much more relaxed without 10 maths/science/HSIE worksheets and a mini project to complete.

I should've sent her a Valentine's Day card.

P.S. I'm off to Padawan Learner's Parent-teacher info session on Monday. His teacher is new, young, blonde and looks like a Barbie doll. I bet the classroom is full of Dads, all of whom will volunteer to do reading groups.

School's Out

At 3pm this afternoon 550 children from Years K-5 formed an arch snaking through our playground to bid our 100 year 6 children farewell as they finished their primary schooling. And so ended the 2007 school year for those of us who "pay less, and get more" (school days that is). I found the leaving arch very emotional, I can only guess what sort of teary mess I'll be when KelpieBlossom runs through the same arch in 3 years time.

It's been an action packed last week of school starting with ArmyWife's farewell dinner at our local watering-hole.* We surprised her with this Pandora bracelet with four charms:

A suitcase... because she's leaving

A four-leafed clover ... for luck

A Snowman ... for Christmas (and because the place she's going has cold winters)

An Elephant ... so she doesn't forget us

ArmyWife has written an account of this on her own blog here.

Yesterday, we held our final P&C function for the year - the teacher's lunch. Each year the school P&C pays for an end-of-year lunch for the teachers held during lunch hour in the staff room. We clear out the room, set it up in a festive way and serve a smorgasbord of cold meats, quiches, prawns, smoked salmon, sushi and salads. This year we provided a sideboard of sweet treats and large platters of cheese and fruit as well. The teachers seem to really love this event and we get a kick out of putting it on for them. They deserve every bit.

Now that school's out the festive season begins in earnest. My parents arrive from The Far West tomorrow and we have Christmas functions coming out of our ears. I've also committed myself to hosting what seems like half the suburb for a family BBQ on NYE. Better get down to planning that. Should be fun.

*AuE translation from my trusty Macquarie: noun. 1. a waterhole where animals drink 2. colloquial a hotel or bar, especially one used frequently for drinking with friends

Trifecta

First we heard about Queenie's excellent effort in getting a Class Prize for General Excellence at her recent Speech Night. Then Domestic Goddess' daughter Fashionista got a Class Prize at her Speech Night. I can now report that we have a Trifecta with KelpieBlossom taking out the Special Award for Citizenship and General Proficiency at her Presentation Day today.

You go girls!

Not to be outdone, Padawan Learner's Year 1 class shone in their final assembly item yesterday. Their fabulous teacher Mr B plays guitar and accompanied the class as they sang Aussie Jingle Bells loud and proud. Rumour has it that they were going to finish their class item with a rendition of Smoke on the Water but Mr B thought he might be in trouble with the school Principal if he played Deep Purple at a school assembly.

We parents would've supported you Mr B! *

* in breaking news it seems the new Russian president would also have supported the playing of Deep Purple at the school assembly!

The Birthday Shopping Spree has stopped ...

because someone's husband bought this at our recent school Art Auction fundraiser

Year 3 Artwork "Tree of Birds"

Last Saturday our school held its end of year drinks combined with an auction of 7 Year artworks and 25 Class artworks which the students have been working on for the last 6 months. The Year works were completed under the direction of a local artist (and school parent) and the class artworks were completed under the direction of the teachers. Every student produced a small piece of work which was collaged into the larger year works. The results were amazing.

We were gobsmacked at how much money we raised. Our estimate was a profit of about $5,000-$10,000. We raised nearly $40,000.

Year 1 Art Work "Butterflies"

Padawan Learner was at pains to point out that he didn't paint a butterfly. He painted a moth.

Books, The Parent Race and YAY Holidays.

I still can't believe what can be achieved when I don't blog all the time. Not monumental life-changing things, just everyday things which usually get put on the "do-sometime-else pile".


I finished reading Carpentaria by Alexis Wright on Wednesday night. It's 520 pages long and written in the voice of a male Australian Aboriginal elder. It is also written in an indigenous storytelling style blending astonishingly frank depictions of life in the Australian Gulf Country with magic realism.

I apologise to all those potential readers who I may have put off reading the book while I was trudging through at the 250page mark - please continue reading, as the last 270 pages are just reward for the difficulties of the first 250. In fact I am re-reading the book - the first 250 pages now appear light, funny and well paced with my head in the 'right place' and my mind used to the language and feel that it could become a great classic of Australian literature.

Yesterday our school held the annual K-2 sports carnival. The day consists of each child competing in a flat race, a novelty race and group novelty relays. Ribbons are handed out generously and there can often be more than one "first" ribbon given out in a race depending on how excited the parent judges get.

There is no such generosity in the parent races however. Oh no, this is a HIGHLY COMPETIVE event for which I am sure some parents train hard. After last year's debacle when I made the mistake of wearing jeans and Birkenstocks and came 4th in my heat - this year I made sure I wore runners so as to be better prepared. And came second last in a field of about 8. At least I think I came second last. When I asked Padawan Learner whether mummy came last he said "no mummy, you just didn't some last, just". I have mentally noted all the fast mums and will make sure I am not in their heat next year...


Who loves school holidays? ME! Today was the last day of school for two weeks. YAY. I know after a while you wish the kids were back at school and you have peace and quiet again, but I can't wait because I HATE making school lunches. I am looking forward to waking up knowing I don't HAVE to be anywhere soon, I don't have to make school lunches, there is no homework to cajole the kids into doing and no after school activities to rush to and from.

We are not going anywhere. The kids have Swimvac for half-an-hour a day in the first week and KelpieBlossom has ballet workshop for an hour a day in the second week. A couple of playdates planned but that's it. Aaaah.

In preparation for the holidays, and for breaking out the skirts and brand new Birkenstocks (the new red & white paisley ones), I have de-forested the legs, had a facial (!) and painted my toenails red (to match the Birks). Now I am all ready and just need to find a sunny spot in the garden with a cup of tea (or glass of wine after 5pm) and read my books.

Father's Day Breakfast

This morning the Year 3 Mums arrived at our school from 6am to cook 255 dads and kids a father's day breakfast. This is somewhat of a tradition at our school, along with the Mother's Day Breakfast (when the dads cook for us). This morning the Dads were treated to a freshly BBQ'd bacon and egg roll, a muffin, orange juice and yoghurt. They sat at tables in the school hall with tablecloths decorated by the children. Tickets to the event included a raffle ticket and fabulous prizes were drawn at 8.15.

The poor mum who had to organise this event did an amazing job to round up a bunch of overworked, sleepy mums to cook, clean and serve. I got off relatively lightly, being assigned to watch over the tea/coffee station to make sure no-one burnt themselves (ah, the safety requirements these days). Overall, a very successful morning.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL DADS!

Zone Athletics: Kids were great, but one parent gets a GRRR

For the last two days I have been out at the Academy of Sport in Narabeen watching KelpieBlossom and the rest of the school team compete in the Zone Athletics Carnival.

KelpieBlossom competed in the Junior Long Jump on Tues and the 9yrs 100m on Wed. She was really pleased with her results having achieved a PB in Long Jump (which was 45cm longer than her previous recorded jump) and a fourth in her 100m heat.

It was amazing to see all the talent out there - miniature future Olympians complete with Skins and Spikes. The kids all had a great time; KelpieBlossom enjoyed meeting kids from other schools and was sad when it was all over.

However, I am sorry to report that one Mum and I were not sad to see the back of one of our school parents. Cupcake Queen and I were the Team Managers for the day yesterday. This means we had to make sure that all the children were present and accounted for and that they got to their allotted events. Anyone who has ever tried to herd cats will know what sort of day we had...

We were particularly careful to ensure that the youngest members of the team, three of whom were only 7 years old, were accounted for and we tried to keep them close by to ensure an adult could walk them to their events. At one point just before the 8yrs 100m we asked these kids to stand near us ready to be taken to their event.

So, we were completely unimpressed when one father (of a 7yo) loudly proclaimed to all and sundry that his daughter couldn't possibly stand in the sun for that 5 minutes (it would sap her energy) and we were clearly inexperienced team managers. He then marched his daughter back to the stands somewhere.

Well, yes we were inexperienced. We'd never done this before. We had 75 kids to keep an eye on. This dad, rather than offering his obviously vast organisational experience, chose to sit on his butt and hurl insults. THEN when his daughter's race was called he walked her down there without bothering to let us know causing further angst while we searched for her.

There endeth the GRRRRRRR.

A Wash of Colours

KelpieBlossom wrote this poem at school. It was published in the school newsletter this week.

A Wash of Colours

Blue, green, purple, aqua

Brown tastes like the rich goodness of chocolate cake

Grey smells like a cloud of never-ending mist

White sounds like snow falling from a cloudy sky

Black feels sad like a dreadful funeral

Yellow looks like pretty, blooming, sunflowers

Red makes me hot and angry

But my favourite colour is blue

No Maths Skills Required at the Athletics

For the first time this week the sun is out, the washing is on the line and the house is being aired.

This is a far cry from the conditions in which KelpieBlossom's school held their inter-house athletics carnival on Wednesday. It was bitterly cold, for Sydney, and most of the children ran in tracksuits - not even bothering to take of their fleecy jackets.

In a previous post I was concerned that being posted to the Long Jump meant I would have to employ my non-existent mathematics skills to accurately measure jumps. I needn't have worried as the Science teacher took one look at me and assigned me to raking out the pit. It seems my reputation precedes me.

It turns out I had the best job there as Army Wife felt sorry for me and brought me a constant supply of warm tea and I was the only adult moving enough to keep warm.


Warning: gushing about child to follow.
If you are not a family member or this is 'not your thing' then you may prefer to divert here to a discussion about Quantum Mechanics.

KelpieBlossom had a good carnival. Her results:

• First in the Junior Long Jump (nothing to do with my raking);
• Second in the 9yrs 100m final
• Second in the Junior 4 x 100m House Relay

Last Week of Term

The last week of term is generally fairly relaxing. Normally there is no homework due, activities have stopped and the kids have more free time in preparation for two weeks of holidays. This week has, so far, hasn't fit the mold. It's been relaxing but yet we've had more on than is usual for this time of year.

Staying with us this week is Fairlie and her daughters Queenie and Impossible Princess. Unfortunately we haven't been able to get around much due to the atrocious weather but it's lovely to have them here.

Other happenings this week:

First, KelpieBlossom played with her school band at the Yamaha Music Festival on Monday night. They were in tune and came away with a Silver. The band was marked on appearance as well as performance and they looked fabulous.

Second, you may remember that when the Fireworks Night was postponed one parent was left with 230 bears in her house which were destined for the "Adopt-a-Bear" stall. Well, that stall was held today at school. Despite the rain there was a bear-buying FRENZY. I was a little skeptical about the potential of this stall. I needn't have worried. They sold out quickly with disappointed children who missed out.

Third, I had forgotten that Padawan Learner had to learn, and recite, a poem for news today. Last night, Fairlie, kindly found the Spike Milligan poem "Worm" for him which was a big hit.

Worm
Little worm - wiggle wiggle,
You make me and my sister giggle.
You live in mud,
You live in wet,
Yet never ever see a vet.
You must be very healthy worm,
Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle Squirm.

Fourth, KelpieBlossom, despite having a term's notice, had to write a book report in a hurry tonight. Her chosen book? Judy Moody: Around the World in 8 1/2 Days. Thanks must go to Queenie for her help with the last minute colouring in and help with accompanying poster layout.

Fifth, despite the promise of more inclement weather the school athletics carnival is scheduled for tomorrow. It looks like it will be cold, and drizzly. And, hurray hurray I am on "Long Jump" duty (even though I specifically requested not to be put on any timekeeping or measuring activity - words are my thing; Charlie Eppes, I am not ).

Roll on the weekend when the kids and I will drive down to the Great Southern City for a week with Fairlie and the girls, leaving Firegazer to hold the fort and keep the Plasma company.

Homework Task for a Rainy Day

What do you do on a rainy day? Stay inside and read a book? Bake cookies? Watch a movie?

We wish. Instead we helped KelpieBlossom complete her homework by visiting Vaucluse House in the Eastern Suburbs today. Her current Homework Grid suggests she

"take a trip to Vaucluse House with your family.Talk about the different lifestyles of the convicts at the Barracks compared with the richer free settlers".

The Homework Grid approach encourages learning to be integrated into everyday activities (ie involves mum and dad). We pointed out that this part of her homework was not compulsory, and that visiting an old house in the rain wasn't an "everyday activity", but KelpieBlossom takes all homework very seriously so we had no choice but to obey.

So here it is. KelpieBlossom pointed out that, unlike the convicts at Hyde Park Barracks, this family did not have to sleep in hammocks, did not have to work all day and didn't share their beds with rats. Padawan Learner had a lot of trouble finding the dishwasher.

Our Fireworks Night was cancelled, and for some the news was un-bear-able

Yesterday at 2.30pm, when our cupcake team was over halfway through cooking & decorating 700 cupcakes, we got the news that our fireworks night, scheduled for tonight, would be cancelled due to heavy rainfall, wind and potential thunderstorms. This event is being re-scheduled for sometime in July.

While the archives are sketchy, word has it that this is the first time in over 20 years this event has had to be cancelled. I haven't checked Bureau of Meterology stats, but if this is correct then it is the first time in 20 years that it has rained on the Saturday of this weekend. Is this a sign that the drought is breaking?

So, what about the cupcakes I hear you ask? We decided we would hold a lunchtime cupcake stall at school next week; so we continued to bake and decorate through the night and now have 700 cupcakes frozen in the school canteen freezers ready and waiting. They look fabulous and the kids will love them.

Our stall has been let off lightly, one friend has 500 Loot Bags filling her study and lounge room and another has 223 donated teddy bears, intended for the adopt-a-bear stall, filling every available space. Certainly gives her place that "country comfort" look.


PS. I would post photos of our cupcakes but, due to the support provided by the champers at the decorating party last night, the photos look a bit blurry...

Hoping for Sunshine on Saturday

This is what the weather is like in Sydney right now:

BIG TIME

On Saturday afternoon our primary school has its major fundraiser for the year -
a fireworks night.

What we need is

or we won't be able to hold these

so here's hoping*...



*but the forecast is for more rain rain rain

I didn't video the school concert...and it's okay

This past week has been Education Week in NSW. Our school ended the week with a concert featuring every student in the school.

Kelpie played the lead role of Ella in her class play "Computerella" and Padawan Learner sang two songs along with everyone else in his year. I did not video the concert. I did not take photographs. Not even one. Not even before or after the concert. I just sat there and watched.

I was nervous at first. Would I be sent to the parent 'naughty corner' for such a breach of concert etiquette? Was it obvious that I turned up without any electronic paraphernalia? Well, I am here to tell the tale. And it was okay.

I reminded myself that, to my knowledge, there are no records of my thespian attempts in Trial by Jury, or The Golden Fleece. No voice recordings of my school choir attempting The Oratorio (thank goodness). Am I damaged by this? No, quite relieved!

So, I sat and enjoyed watching Kelpie play the part of Ella clearly and confidently. I noticed every expression, got every joke. I noticed that Padawan Learner knew all the words and hand actions to "Miss Sue" and seemed to enjoy every minute of it. I can relate all of this to you in detail because I saw it with my own eyes and not through a viewfinder.

I'm sorry that I have no photos or video footage to post. Perhaps you, too, would like to come and watch the next concert free of your electronic paraphernalia.