We departed Hawkesdale on schedule and arrived in Melbourne with plenty of time to take a tour around the Albert Park Lake Grand Prix track, past Luna Park and along St. Kilda esplanade. We passed through customs without incident and boarded the “Spirit of Tasmania” with about 1,000 other people (Maximum capacity overnight is 1,050 passengers). With ten decks, restaurants, bars, shops, a cinema and various lounges, it was easy to get lost on board. After a very quiet and steady transit, we arrived in Devonport at 7.00am and returned to our coach. Breakfast was at a lovely bakery in Sheffield, a quiet country village with lovely painted murals all over the town’s buildings. We then travelled to the World Heritage Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair National Park. We visited a replica of the first accommodation house in the region, built by a German bushwalking enthusiast nearly 100 years ago, before there were even any roads into the area. He believed that it was such a beautiful place, that it should be shared by all and everyone should have the opportunity to visit. Now the National Parks have to limit the number of visitors to prevent spoiling what everyone comes to look at! They limit the cars to 50 at any one time and only up to 60 bushwalkers can depart on any one day.
Report by Mrs Gow
Emily was a member of the 15 & Under Mininera and District Netball Association representative side that played in the Association tournament at Warrnambool on May 25th. She mainly played at wing defence and in the centre. The team was very competitive and performed very well over the day. Well done to all team participants. The MDNA also had teams in the 13 & Under section which won one game for the day and a 17 & Under team which ended up fourth overall in a very strong competition.
Tim competed in the recent Cross Country at Lake Bolac on Monday May 19th. His cousin Chloe also competed. Tim and Chloe did a little bit of preparation together. Hawkesdale P12 College were very successful and had several winners of this event. Overall 32 students from the school partipated and we had five age group champions. Well done to everyone who competed.
Recently Georgia came second in the CFA colouring competition. She was very excited! Her prize included a CFA teddy bear, drink bottle, cap and a certificate. She was and we were very proud of her efforts. Well done Georgia!
This week our school started the Active After School Prgoram for Term 2. This is a free program, that is promoted by the Government to give students from Prep to Grade 6 an opportunity to physical activities in a safe, fun and non competitive environment. This term we are doing badminton. Children start with some fun warm up activities and then do some more specific activities directed at badminton. This is a great program but we have difficulties because of the distance some of our students are from the school and the commitment from parents to pick them up afterwards. The school or community already provide great sporting programs such as Auskick, Netta netball and Milo Cricket. The aim of the AASP is to encourage those students already not involved with these sports to have a go. What a great concept!
Blogs, Wikis. Vokis, collaboration, Profiles ……… the list is endless! What does it all mean?What a day we had. What an exciting world our children are heading into. I discovered where I fit into the scheme of things - and I’m pleasantly surprised! My tutor from oru school, Ann has been a great help - so willing to help where she can and does it in a manner that doesn’t make you feel insecure. She too continues to learn. What we are doing at our school is fantastic and I’m very thankful that my children are being taught in this environment.
I have taken these pictures from our garden. Both my husband and I don’t call ourselves gardeners but we enjoy having a garden and all the delights a garden can bring. We are fortunate to have lots of birds visit our garden as we have quite a few natives planted. My mum was a great rose lover and I have continued to have them in my garden. We don’t have a bore to water our garden with so everything has to just survive - and mostly survive they do! Obviously choice is important.
What a world blogging is! It is a great experience and I am glad that I have been able to keep up with it - just a little bit! Most times I find it difficult to know what to write - but I have been told just to start writing - so that’s what I am doing.
