The past few weeks have seen a number of kids' activities go by without having received a dutiful blogging from yours truly. Therefore, this entry is all about catching up with the kids.
Linton here - I went with Alex's class and all the Year 1/2s on the tram (yes 70 kids and about 10 adults) north to East Brunswick to CERES (the Centre for Educational and Research in Environmental Strategies) for a full day of learning all about "shelter". This excursion complimented the kids' classroom work on learning about the environment and how humans/animals survive living off the land.
CERES is located on 10 acres on the banks of the Merri Creek and runs on renewable energy, conserves and recycles its water and waste, grows organic food, and teaches diverse audiences about more just and environmentally friendly ways of living. What makes the CERES concept particularly compelling is that sustainability initiatives are located in a participatory social setting which makes it a perfect outdoor classroom.
Last weekend we took the kids to what surely had to be one of the last must-see sights in Melbourne that we had yet to do - the Collingwood Children's Farm. A larger version of the Riverdale Farm, this oasis of calm and compost in the middle of the city was a very short tram/bas ride away and a nice diversion for a glorious Sunday morning. Filled with the requisite sheep, goats, ducks and stuff it seemed people were there as much for the cafe as for the chance to commune with livestock. In fact, we spent as much time in the line up for food as we did anywhere else...ask Alex! Apparently, the farm is also one of the places in the city where there are often tiger or brown snakes - two of the more nasty varieties in Oz - but thankfully due to the season we needn't worry. Still, I was wary about parking my butt on anything that looked like snake habitat. It wasn't a particularly jaw-dropping experience, but then they can't all be Milford Sound and it was great to be outside with the kids seeing it all through their eyes. And from that, rather more "fresh" vantage point, it was a perfect day.
The Great Lee Street Fete
Every year the kids' school holds a fall fair fundraiser. It's call the Fete (pronounced fate) and is one heck of a big undertaking. Very early in our tour of duty a parent, who has since become a good friend, asked us to help out with the juice booth. Well, that was not going to be a problem for a couple of intrepid, community-minded keeners like ourselves and so we were officially "on" to help run the Great Lee Street Fete juice stall. One boozy "meeting", one marathon fruit cutting session and one even longer day of serving up fresh juice later and we emerged with complete admiration for the couple who have been running the stall for the past few years. In fact, the whole fete operation was very impressive - from the rides to the food to the behind the scenes volunteers. Kudos must also go out to Lint who pounded the pavement along Lygon street for several weeks in search of donations from recession-weary businesses. That's a tough gig in one's own country, let alone one where you are a temporary resident! Oh yes, the kids had a blast, eating and spending their way to new levels of sugar-induced delerium.
Cross country running
Shortly after the Fete, Colin competed in a cross country running meet for his school where he placed sixth in his age group. That result was good enough to send him off to "districts" which were held last week just up the street at Princes Park. They had to run 2 kms and, considering he had only ever run one race before, we think he did wonderfully finishing a respectable 38th. I don't know if this may lead to more running or not, but it was a learning experience for Colin. I watched from a distance with interest as he dealt with the idea of being beaten by some of his peers and not doing as well as he might have thought. He seemed fine with it, but there was something that seemed to be nagging him...or maybe it was just his dad hanging around asking if he was okay. The photos are from Colin's school meet.
Ceres Field Trip
Linton here - I went with Alex's class and all the Year 1/2s on the tram (yes 70 kids and about 10 adults) north to East Brunswick to CERES (the Centre for Educational and Research in Environmental Strategies) for a full day of learning all about "shelter". This excursion complimented the kids' classroom work on learning about the environment and how humans/animals survive living off the land.
CERES is located on 10 acres on the banks of the Merri Creek and runs on renewable energy, conserves and recycles its water and waste, grows organic food, and teaches diverse audiences about more just and environmentally friendly ways of living. What makes the CERES concept particularly compelling is that sustainability initiatives are located in a participatory social setting which makes it a perfect outdoor classroom.
The kids loved making a variety of different shelters from a variety of cultures - mud huts (African villages) William shelters (Aboriginal Australians) yurts (Central Asia) tipis (Native American) - and looking at animals in their natural environment discussing how they protect themselves from the earth's elements.
Alex really enjoyed the "hands-on" learning experience and running around with his friends. I very much enjoyed it too but was thoroughly exhausted after the day. I cherish this time and the ability to go on class excursions with the boys' school.
Collingwood Children's Farm
Last weekend we took the kids to what surely had to be one of the last must-see sights in Melbourne that we had yet to do - the Collingwood Children's Farm. A larger version of the Riverdale Farm, this oasis of calm and compost in the middle of the city was a very short tram/bas ride away and a nice diversion for a glorious Sunday morning. Filled with the requisite sheep, goats, ducks and stuff it seemed people were there as much for the cafe as for the chance to commune with livestock. In fact, we spent as much time in the line up for food as we did anywhere else...ask Alex! Apparently, the farm is also one of the places in the city where there are often tiger or brown snakes - two of the more nasty varieties in Oz - but thankfully due to the season we needn't worry. Still, I was wary about parking my butt on anything that looked like snake habitat. It wasn't a particularly jaw-dropping experience, but then they can't all be Milford Sound and it was great to be outside with the kids seeing it all through their eyes. And from that, rather more "fresh" vantage point, it was a perfect day.
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