Spring Fling

It was Book Week in Victoria in late August, and Zoe's school held a book character parade. Zoe went as Luna Lovegood, complete with butterbeer cork necklace. That's the cape I made for her when she was Hermoine in Pre-Prep.

At my school, we held the biggest event of the student council calendar - the UNIFEM Spring Walk. It was a lot of fun, with the theme this year being "Pink". I think it was the best Spring Walk so far - all of the RSC girls were wonderful. They used their initiative and were reliable and enthusiastic. The Yr 12 House Captains were fantastic, and almost all of Senior School got involved. These three girls, Kathryn, Amelia and Jacqui, were the DJs.

We've all been following the football - either attending matches or watching on TV. This is at the MCG. After last night's elimination final was a thriller, with Collingwood beating Adelaide by 5 points in the last minute of the game. Zoe was very lucky and went to the game with her friend Mia. Greg and I watched at home, cheering and groaning throughout the last quarter.

I managed to win the school's footy tipping competition for the season - $500!

Zoe's Grade 6 Dance Performance Night was last Thursday. It started slowly, with the other 2 Grade 6 classes' dances. They were good, but completely eclipsed by 6JH. Zoe's class had the x-factor, with all the students dancing with real style. Zoe was a standout - front and centre in everything, the other kids relying on her if they forgot. And she looked gorgeous in my old tiered skirt from the 80's and Mum's hairstyling skills. She was a star! You can see Jesse, Zoe's oldest friend, in the mullet wig on her right. He was very cool, too, along with Dougy and Sam T on her left.

And that's Mia on the left and Alexis, the school captain at the back.

Zoe joined a soccer team, halfway through the season. She went to all the training sessions but was only able to play one game. At last, a sport that fits in with ballet!

For our month in reading, Zoe continues to plough through the "Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging" series. She's about to finish "Dancing in my Nuddy Pants". And I am reading "Eldest" to her - not quite a classic, but it might become one over time.

I have just finished two fabulous books - "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larssen. Kristina in Sweden recommended this and it really is as good as everyone says. And this week I read a jewel of a book - "The Women in Black" by Madeleine St John. Set in 1950s Sydney, the characters are all engaging and the voices are true. Charming and witty, I highly recommend it.

Ski Camp

I had a wonderful five days on ski camp last week. We take all of the Yr 9 girls to Mt Buller, staying in Mansfield. The girls rotate through cross country, downhill and snowboard over three days. Some of them have never seen snow before, while others ski frequently, so we try to put them in groups of matching ability. It's usually great fun. This year's group were terrific - almost all making a real effort to learn and to encourage each other. We had to send four girls home early, with minor injuries (pre-existing mainly) and one unwell. The rest of the group were delightful - we really are blessed with our Yr 9s. They were always cooperative, polite, considerate and cheerful. Amazing because they get very tired.

On the Thursday there was a karaoke night, and all the guests at the resort were welcome. There were three schools altogether. Of course, our girls, although the youngest group, were the first to get up and sing. A number of them are talented performers. Once they started, then everyone joined in and it was a really fun night. My colleague, Kate, and I even got up and sang - very badly!

As teachers, we spent most of the time helping the beginners, we did manage to get a few good runs in. I love skiing! Can't wait to go again this season.

I finished "When Will There Be Good News" by Kate Atkinson. She is such a wonderful writer. I love novels where the characters' stories weave around each other and connect and disconnect. Atkinson is a master of this genre. While in Mansfield, I bought Stieg Larsson's "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" on the recommendation of a friend (Kristina - the long lost Swedish friend, found again!). I am looking forward to reading it but have started Geraldine Brook's "The People of the Book" as it was next in the pile (and I love her writing too - particularly "Year of Wonders"). So many books, so little time!

Just before ski camp, I held an afternoon tea - Books and Bubbly - for my colleagues. There were 6 of us who spent a very pleasant afternoon drinking champagne and talking about the books we have been reading and books we love. It was delightful. I will have to make arrangements for another one.

Also excited about being involved in Young UNIFEM here in Melbourne. We are planning a Spring Fling (just for adults) and I intend to get my student council involved in other projects. The student council already runs a Spring Walk to raise awareness of UNIFEM; it would be great if we can extend that work to include other schools.

Mostly I am excited about finding some old friends on Facebook. It's taken me a while to get on board with Facebook but already I have had such wonderful rewards!

Winter Pleasures

It's a little daunting to write this post as it has been so long since my last one and, of course, there has been a lot happening.

(Zoe on Wombat Run, Mt Buller)

Greg has been loving his new school - he's been there a year now and seems to be feeling very settled and happy. He doesn't have to take sport during winter but has the Yr 11 debating teams instead - a much better match!

(Freckle - chilling.)

Zoe has been getting on well at school too, and has recently joined a soccer team. As it is now halfway through the season, she is just a fill-in player but is loving the training and making new friends. Her very good friend, Bella, is a member of the team, as are some girls who will be at high school with her next year.

(Zoe in her soccer gear, combining both of her active hobbies!)

Most impressively, Zoe completed her Grade 4 AMEB Piano exam at the end of June, and achieved a Credit! Congratulations superstar and thanks Leonie for the wonderful teaching.

We took Mum and Dad to the Windsor for afternoon tea for Mother's Day. What a treat! As well as sandwiches and scones brought to the table, there was also a buffet of divine desserts and a chocolate fountain. Truly indulgent.

(At the Windsor)

We have all been engrossed in some wonderful books. Greg has to teach Shakespeare's Richard 3, and he loves it. The double meanings and political intrigue have really caught his attention. Zoe recently finished "Shauzia" by Deborah Ellis and "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen - loving both of them. She is now reading "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets". I have finished reading "The Wouldbegoods" by E Nesbit (another in our year of reading classics) and we are currently racing through "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" ahead of seeing the film next week. It's a departure from the classics but we just had to read it! I have read "The White Tiger" by Aravind Adiga (an interesting novel about life and India), "Asking for the Moon" by Reginald Hill (another Dalziel and Pascoe novel - I love them), "Sea of Poppies" by Amitav Ghosh (the author of "The Glass Palace" which I loved - this one has some great characters but I haven't enjoyed it as much) and "Finger Lickin' Fifteen" by Janet Evanovich (amusing but the series is getting a bit tired). I am now reading the short stories of Nam Le in "The Boat" - captivating and thought-provoking.

(Another happy hippo, made by Zoe and me for Leonie's birthday.)

I have been trying to run but have been struggling with injuries in both ankles. I have orthotics and hopefully they will keep me up and going. I completed the 10 km Run Melbourne event on June 28, and my brother John completed his first fun run with me, running in the 5 km event. As I waited for him at the finish line, I watched the winners of the 5 km race come in. To my amazement, one of my Yr 10 students was second in the women's race! I knew she was good but wasn't expecting to see her in this race. Zoe had also been training for the 5 km event but came down with an awful cough and cold in the days beforehand. We had been doing regular Sunday morning laps of the Tan - lots of fun.

(Another of the simple dresses I have been making and wearing for work, this one with the Boden cardigan I bought in England.)

As it's winter, it's time for knitting, and I have been making lots of fingerless gloves with fold-back mitten covers. Each of Zoe's friends has been given a pair for their birthdays, and I have made several for friends at my school. They are quick and fun to knit. I also made Zoe a balaclava for our trip to the snow.

We went to Mt Buller earlier this week, staying at Andre's. The snow was fantastic and the weather was really good. Had a fab time.

The football season has been exciting, with Collingwood now playing very well after having several players out injured earlier. I am, just this week, at the top of the footy tipping table - and feeling the pressure. Who to pick each week?!

Connection Woes

We have had more connection woes since we had a power shortage at home that lasted for all of about 5 minutes. A power shortage means that we then lose our connection to the internet for anything from 3 days to .... So far, it's been ten days! So I am completing this blog at work in between parent/teacher interviews. Ha! A very efficient use of time!

(The plane - a tiny one!)

We had such a delightful term break of two weeks. In the few days before Easter we flew to Canberra and stayed at our favourite hotel - the Canberra Hyatt. This is the most delightfully restful and lovely hotel, with gorgeous shaded verandahs, tennis courts, a swimming pool, buffet breakfast, lounge for coffee and pre-dinner drinks. We also love Canberra for its wonderful galleries, museums and fascinating parliament house. This time, Zoe was able to take a friend, so she invited the charming Bella to come with us. The two of them had a great time together.

(Fish and chips for lunch by Lake Burley Griffin)

(Outside Questacon with Einstein)

(Outside Questacon, demonstrating a little flexibility!)

We visited Parliament House, played tennis, visited the galleries, the library and Questacon, and had great fun bike-riding around the lake. The weather was perfect autumn days - sunny and warm. Bliss!

(Our wonderful four-wheelers)

(On the way to the pool)

(At Parliament House)

For Easter, we visited Rob, Mandy, Bailey and Wil at the beach house, and Amanda, Fraser and Sophie at their new house. We took my cousin's daughters, Kate and Emma, to see 17 Again, and Zoe had a birthday celebration with her friends to see The Pink Panther 2.

(Kate)

We all read: I finished "The White Tiger" and "Asking for the Moon". Greg read "The Passion" again and has begun "Ransom" by Malouf. Zoe finished another Muchamore book, Alison Lester's "The Quicksand Pony" and is almost finished Paulsen's "Hatchet". We also finished "Little Women" and "Good Wives".

In the second week of the holidays, Mum, Zoe and I travelled to Warburton to the Patchwork Teahouse, where we met Aunty Lorrie for lunch. We then spent rather a lot of money on fabrics and patterns but have enjoyed working on the projects. Zoe and I are particularly proud of "Hippy Jo"!

Zoe and I have been trying to do a bit of running, training for the 4 km Mothers' Day Classic. We have done a couple of training runs on the Tan and Zoe is now doing a great non-stop 4 km.

Apart from the internet problems, it's all been delightful!

March Downpour

At last - some rain! Yesterday, we had the most wonderful day of downpours and showers. The only problem was that it was also the festival for our suburb, including the big parade in which all the local primary schools and clubs participate. The parade was due to start at 11:30 am and the rain began to fall at 10:45! As a House Captain, Zoe was one of the leaders in the parade, dressed as a scarecrow. The parade went ahead but all the children wore raincoats instead of the fantastic costumes that they had pur so much effort into. The wonderful art teacher, Bit, had been working for weeks on the design and completion of the school's presentation and it was hardly seen! Still, we all kept telling one another, we need the rain!



My Year 8 students celebrated World Maths Day by having a party with Maths-inspired food.

My state, Victoria, celebrated Labour Day last Monday so, like most of Melbourne, we went to the beach for the long weekend. Zoe's friend, Mia, came with us and the girls visited the Amazing Maze in Arthur's Seat. Lots of fun! We also caught up with friends, Liz, Baz, Bella and Charlie at the Sorrento Sailing Club.

I haven't written about any of my creative efforts lately, so thought I had better catch up now. Before going overseas, I finished the pink Rowan Kidsilk Haze jumper for Zoe and a lovely Jo Sharp garter stitch jacket for me. Both were great on our trip, although Zoe's pink jumper got more use than my jacket. It was also perfect for travelling as it was light but very warm, and went under lots of layers. I could have got by without mine but it was nice to have something different to put on occasionally.

Now I am knitting some convertible fingerless gloves for Zoe. The colour isn't very good in this picture - the wool is more green than this shows. If they work ok, then Zoe has asked me to make pairs for all of her friends as birthday presents. Luckily, they won't take long!

I made some delicious nectarine jam from my Uncle Allan's fruit. Zoe and I have been helping with the markets on most Saturdays - it's very enjoyable to be talking with customers and catch up with Allan and Judy. Mum has also been busy, now that she doesn't have so much Red Cross Fire Relief work to do - she's made fig jam, strawberry jam and plum sauce!

How did this happen? I can't seem to rotate this picture or get rid of it! Hmm.

We have been very busy reading - my friend, Leonie, lent me a wonderful book, "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. A very inspiring account of Greg Mortenson's efforts to build schools in villages in Pakistan, with a focus on educating girls. It's wonderful and I strongly recommend it. Now, I'm wondering what I can do to help.

Tonight, I will finish reading "Little Women" to Zoe, and it has been lots of fun. Since this is the year of classic books, this one has been a great addition to our series. Greg and I are also making some selections for Zoe to read, to help her prepare for Year 7 next year. The first novel was "Goodnight Mr Tom" which she had begun to read while at Chelmsford. She's finished it and now can read something of her own choice: "Divine Madness" by Robert Muchamore.

Caught up with another couple of friends last night, including Christina. We are both missing book group so we think we'll start another one. Firstly, we will have to recruit some other members!

Hot February

Home again and it has been an overwhelming summer. With everything so dry from our endless drought, we all knew the bushfire risk to be extremely high. No-one expected the consequences to be so devastating. To have lost so many lives, and for so much property to be destroyed and so many animals to be affected was unthinkable, and yet it has happened. We have heard stories of courage and amazing escapes, and stories of tragedy and ill-fortune. One thing that has been positively amazing has been the swift response of the government, aid agencies and people everywhere in giving support - time and money. My mother has been working almost everyday to provide food for the emergency service workers, and to coordinate a team of volunteers to ensure a constant flow of support. She has been remarkable in her energy and in her organisational skills. I am very proud of her. This week, at last, she is able to scale back the efforts of her team, and hopefully, to get a bit of rest for herself. I have been impressed by her friends, also, who have given her encouragement and support too. And Dad has been doing whatever he can to help her.

Some remarkable stories: friends of a colleague of mine had a lush vegetable patch in their garden, kept in top condition using their gray water. When the fires came and they realised they could no longer defend their home, they ran to the vegie patch with wet towels. They survived the fire by lying face down in the mud of the furrows, with the wet towels over their backs and the green, leafy plants above them. Another colleague's friend ran to the creek with a wet blanket and hid underneath it as the fire passed over him. Once the danger was past, he lifted the blanket to discover two lyrebirds sheltering underneath as well! Then there is the amazing story of the man who was wandering with his beloved horse and the fire raced closer. It was pitch black and he was speaking to the horse believing he was in the last moments of his life. The horse pushed him, making him fall over, and then pushed him again, making him roll down an embankment. He found himself in a creek, as the fire raced over him. As soon as he could, he climbed back up the embankment to find his horse - but he saw the horse galloping back to him, singed, through the flames, looking as if it was the horse who had come to find the man. And there are stories of the woman in the wombat hole and the men in the drain under the road. All miraculous escapes.

In the city, we have not been directly affected, although we all seem to know someone who has been. I think it is this powerlessness that has made so many people so generous in their support. The fire season is not over and more fires threaten this week as we anticipate more temperatures in the high 30's for most of the week. It will be so nice when February is over and the more mild March arrives!

We spent the weekend at the beach house last week. It was lovely to be there again and to feel that we could enjoy the summer we had missed. Of course, it did seem strange to be enjoying the sunshine when only the week before there had been so much destruction, but it was lovely to be swimming and walking along the beach.

We are all working hard again at school. Greg is very busy with his work and preparation. He has had to re-read several novels prior to teaching them, and has piles of marking to do. He also has the tennis team to look after, which is demanding of his time but I think he quite enjoys working with the boys in a different environment. My classes are unbelievably delightful! I have four, the largest of which is 17 students. They are my Yr 10 class and have the potential to be very difficult. In fact, it seems I have the loveliest of the three classes, and the girls are almost all very keen to work and to do well. I also have a tiny Year 11 Methods class - this class is silent unless I am giving them instructions. I find it a bit disconcerting actually to have them work in such complete silence, but if they are getting their work done, then it's wonderful. A Year 9 class and a Year 8 class round out my teaching load. I also have the Assistant Level Coordinators role, the RSC and the Leadership Coordinator position to keep me busy. It is shaping up to be a terrific year. I am hoping to initiate more activities for the girls to be involved in.

Zoe is loving Year 6. She is House Captain for the red house, and continues to learn flute at school. She is currently working very conscientiously on a project on Leadership (she is researching Rosa Parks) and is really making an effort to improve her organisational skills in preparation for High School next year. Greg and I are setting her some books to read, interspersed with books of her own choice. While she was at Chelmsford, she read the end of "Goodnight Mr Tom" by Michelle Magorian, and loved it. As this was one of the books we had chosen to set for her, she is reading the whole book now. It's a very moving book set in England during WWII. Zoe continues with ballet and piano - she is a busy girl.

While we were away, I read "The Railway Children" by E Nesbit to her. If you haven't read this, you must! It is so amusing and the scene where Bobby meets her father at the railway station is one of the most tear-jerking scenes in literature I have ever read. I was sobbing as I tried to read this out loud! How about this for a funny exchange:

"I suppose I shall have to be married someday," said Peter, "but it will be an awful bother having her round all the time. I'd like to marry a lady who had trances, and only woke up once or twice a year."

"Just to say you were the light of her life and then go to sleep again. Yes. That wouldn't be bad," said Bobby.

"When I get married," said Phyllis, "I shall want him to want me to be awake all the time, so I can hear him say how nice I am."

Zoe and I were nearly crying with laughter over that part!

Since this year, she and I decided I would read classics to her, we are now onto "Little Women". I'm not sure what we'll read after that - perhaps "Black Beauty".

I read the hugely amusing and stylish "The Moonstone" by Wilkie Collins. Since Zoe and I adore the Collector's Library editions, all of these books were in this edition. They were great for travelling. The wonderful Gabriel Betteredge made a wonderful narrator for his part, the horrific Drusilla Clack irritated as she was supposed to, and the poignant story of Dr Jennings was suitably moving. As the ending approached, I thought I was going to be saddened by the ignorance of the era in which the book is set, but I was very pleasantly surprised by the considerate handling of what became of the Moonstone. Wilkie Collins is a delightful writer.

Since arriving home, I have read "Cranford" by Elizabeth Gaskell and am now reading a Georgette Heyer. Before the end of last year, I read the beautiful "Love Without Hope" by Rodney Hall, the irritating "Twilight" by Stephanie Meyer, and the haunting "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy. I'm planning on reading "The White Tiger" next, but there are so many others I still have on my list. And I really miss my bookgroup. I'll have to start another. Anyone want to join?

Last Day

(Audience participation in Year 8 Opera.)

This is our last day at Chelmsford. What a wonderful exchange it has been!

I gave my second presentation at assembly this morning and, although it was a little rushed, I was quite happy with how it went. The girls were full of compliments. They are all wanting to come to my school on exchange now. I'll have to see what can be arranged when I get home.

(Year 8 Opera Performance)

It seems that the time has passed very quickly and Zoe and I have experienced so much. We really have felt very welcomed and quite comfortable. The people we have met and worked with have been very supportive and encouraging.

Today I had the pleasure of talking with the Year 10 and Year 11 prefects. It was interesting to hear of the variety of activities they organise, and the enthusiasm they have for their positions. They include everything from History Prefect, to Library Prefect, Dance Prefect and Maths Prefect. They organise displays, competitions, performances and study groups. Very impressive!

Zoe's friends have told me that they are very sad to see her go, and I know that she feels that she has made some lifelong friendships. I also will be sad to say goodbye to Peter, Rosemary and the wonderful Tara. I hope that we will all keep in touch and that our paths will cross again.

(Zoe's class)

This afternoon, we travel with Peter back to London then we will catch a taxi to Heathrow in the morning. The long flight home lies ahead of us. Hopefully, the heatwave will have ended by the time we arrive. The shock to the system would be enormous otherwise!

Looking foreward to seeing Greg and my Mum and Dad and friends.