M.O.T.A.T Madness

The same question kept coming up, "How do you take a selfie?" Liam and Skylar discover how cameras operated in the old days (or should that be ye olde days?) and also about their limitations. ;-)

Before Facebook and Instagram and texting there was the phone; it only had one purpose (communication) and no internet options.  Kees, Jacob and Brayden were fascinated by the 'brick'.

Thank you to all the parents who came to M.O.T.A.T to support our learning: your enthusiasm was much appreciated.

A trip on the tram was an unexpected bonus.

Most of the children showed impeccable Sunnyhills manners. ;-)

Snakes for snake's sake

Kids happy 'cause they've got snakes

Key Competencies - Participating and Contributing, Managing Self, Relating to Others, Having Fun
(Okay, I just added the last one!)

There's something about Buddy Class

       Once a week we have buddy class.  Buddy class is great and it's a chance to build bonds between the kids.  It's fun and it develops confidence and social awareness.  

       There's something about buddy class.  I have witnessed it and it's a truly curious phenomenon.  The big kids love to do the crafty activities at least as much, if not more, as the junior kids. This week it was snakes. The sound of kids issuing instructions, folding paper and laughing at the snake expressions they created, filled the room with a vibrant hum.  It was a series of happy moments as I was asked to meet Mr. Giant Snake, twin baby snakes and many snake families (and that was just the big kids).

         The Year 2s packed up and left with their snake families, leaving my kids to ask, "Mrs Wallace, can we make some for us this week too?" 

         Yes, school is about learning, but sometimes that learning can come in the form of celebrating the place of fun, and about laughter, and about finding pleasure in the simple things - like folding two piece of paper to make a snake.  Yes, yesterday the lesson was mine to learn. Remember that your Year 5 and 6 kids are still kids and make sure you acknowledge this need in your planning, Mrs Wallace. Don't forget that frivolous fun is a vital ingredient in making a child truly engaged in the Sunnyhills School experience. 

Yip, kids, snake making is locked and loaded for Friday afternoon!

An Audience with Stu Duval

What an awesome afternoon!  Today the Senior School had the pleasure of hearing Stu Duval give a taste test of his upcoming novel - working title 'The Flax Cross'.  

               Man, it was awesome; it possessed so many of the elements we explored when we studied narrative.  There was the protagonist, Red McAllister, who is sent to Botany Bay in Sydney for stealing bread thrown out by a London baker; the menacing antagonist in the form of the Reverend Scree, who has clawed hands and dresses all in black, and Red's love interest, the beautiful, but downtrodden, Sarah. There was excitement, there was drama .... there was true and enduring love.  I won't give away the story, but needless to say we were all captivated, and a few tears were even shed. I think there will be no argument when I say we are all waiting with bated breath for Stu to finish the writing and editing process, before sending it off to his publisher. 

                There was a quiz and prize at the end of the session.... So which class won?  Well, that'd be the best class in the school, of course.  Thank you Cailan and Jacob for your efforts in winning us this original Stu Duval artwork.  You guys rock!!!!

Farewell Aimee

The last of our international students left on Friday.  It was a pleasure to host you, Aimee

Sophie and Jared shine at Speech Final

Sophie's speech about a world without wifi left the audience nervous!  What would would you do if there was no youtube?

What's next?  Looking to the future has Jared choosing to live in the present

Creating a menu to sate a leprechaun ... and get him talking about all his secrets

Here's a taste tester (get it?) of some of menus, and portions of menus, that were created by the kids in order to charm the leprechaun that visited.

A significant amount of research went into creating the perfect menu, considerable thought went into using language to get his greedy little mouth watering, while an attractive page layout sealed the deal. Our leprechaun was more than happy to submit to being interviewed.  (Some of the interviews have been put on our blog, so, if you're curious, scroll down.

We all ordered from the menus that were presented.  Few could go past the mini shepherd's pie

Carrageen pudding anyone?  Ruby, I loved the addition of the shamrock

Front of Jacob's menu

Fine fare on offer at Irish Dream

A portion of Angie's menu.  When we placed our orders (imagining we were seated in the restaurant) most passed on the black pudding offering!