​Last term, our Year 12 Modern History class took a trip down to Coffs Harbour for an HSC study day. After learning so much rich content over the course of this year, it was important for us to go and cement our knowledge and see it all from different perspectives.

We woke up very early and began our drive as the sun rose. As a small class of four students, this was a great opportunity to create lasting interpersonal bonds; which were only strengthened on the six hours we spent on the road.

While attending the various seminars, we were able to interact with other Modern History students and discuss our opinions on the impending HSC exams (and share our nerves!). We attended several lectures on the units we had previously studied with Nikki;  including Japan, Germany, the Atomic Age, and the Conflict in the Pacific. The lecturers were eccentric, to say the least, however they provided many helpful tips on study habits and marking criteria, along with a range of key points about our units of study.

After the lectures, we took a brief detour to visit the heart of tourism in Coffs Harbour — The Big Banana! This was a little element of fun intertwined into a generally serious and studious day. Despite being a long day, this excursion was educational and useful to us as Modern History students. It was an opportunity to bond with Nikki and each other, and to revise material that may have been less prominent in our minds over the course of this information-dense year.

Anji Conroy
Year 12

​Poem of the River

The water trickles over the slippery rocks and flows down the stream.
The river is glistening in the light of the sun, the ripples from the small waterfall descend down the river.
The bright sun bursts through the cover of the trees like a lamp turning on in a pitch black room.
The depths of the river are murky and dark, the grass around the river is luscious and green, it's soft and smooth under my feet.

— Gabrial Liddell (Class 4)



Frangipani

Up in the branches 
Of the frangipani tree 
I was at the top of the world 
How high can I climb today? 
The smell of sweet flowers on the nose 
Swaying with the wind in the tallest branches 
Singing with the magpies 
Songs of joy 
The sun in my skin 
The wind in my hair 
Wonder in my heart 
What are the swallows building? 
How do trees feel? 
Can I hang from here? 
A constant stream of wonder 
On
And on…

— Sumari Geitz (Year 10)

In Kindy, we connect closely with nature and the cyclical rhythm of the year. Our stories, songs and actions encourage reverence for Mother Earth as we observe the seasonal changes.
 
In autumn time, the children painted flower pots in autumn colours reflecting the golden leaves falling, bright autumn rainbows, rosy red apples and orange pumpkins.

In winter, the children planted their bulb babies in their pots, tucking them into Mother Earth’s warm blanket.

Last term, the children watered their bulb babies diligently as they eagerly waited for them to grow.

This term, the children were greeted with green shoots growing tall towards the sun, a sign to show that spring was on its way.

Now that the children are learning from home, their pot plants have travelled home with them, just in time for their Dafodilly Dancers to blossom and dance in the springtime breezes.
 
Yellow, yellow daffodils
You’re dancing in the sun.
Yellow, yellow daffodils
You tell me spring has come.
 
At Shearwater, we celebrate the seasonal festivals that are connected to cosmic events such as the autumn and spring equinox and the winter and summer solstices. When the children participate in the festivals, they are able to experience the deeper mysteries of life, through simply observing and connecting with the rhythms of nature.

The spring equinox  on September 23 is a time to celebrate the energies of rebirth, and renewal.  It is a season of wonder as new life begins; baby animals are born and flowers bloom. There is much to celebrate, even in these uncertain times!
 
At Kindy we would normally be celebrating our Spring Festival in our last week of Term 3 before the holidays start. Here are some ideas for creating your own family festival at home. It is important to note that with young children, the preparation for the celebration is as important as the celebration itself.

• Find a good spot to make a seasonal table with your children, and keep adding new treasures found in the garden or during daily walks in nature. Your child may like to add special springtime drawings or paintings to their nature display too.
• Let your children help prepare a special meal with fruits and vegetables that are in season, like these Fruit Floaty Boats.
• Decorate the family dining table with a special cloth, candle, flowers in season.
• Light a candle and say a verse or sing a song before sharing your special family meal.
• Share seasonal stories, sing, dance, make music or play some games together as a family.
• Go on a springtime treasure hunt and make a family mandala out of the collection, or spend the afternoon getting creative and making things out of your treasures e.g. make flower crowns for the whole family out of jasmine vine and colourful flowers, create ‘wonder sticks’ out of nature finds, bright wool and beads.
• Go for a walk and look for signs of spring, then recreate them out of colourful beeswax, play dough or clay.

 
The Kindy children have been busy bees in their own homes, creating their own nature tables, nature weavings, wonder sticks, springtime beeswax crafts, practicing their Mother Bird and blanket stitch, making flower crowns, and much more! It has been heart-warming to see so many photos of the children doing their Kindy work, and hearing stories of the wonderful family activities that are taking place. Perhaps there are some craft ideas here that your child may like to do at home too?
 
Kara Mallory
Hummingbee Kindergarten Teacher
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