ANZAC stands for Australia New Zealand Army Corps and was "born" in 1915 during WWI. The troops were in Gallipoli and suffered a devastating time, losing many of their young men. It was the first time that Australian troops fought under their own flag, together with New Zealand troops. It was a spreading of the country's wings, so to speak. Today the nation recognizes the series of events in a holiday, and I was able to participate with my students.
We gathered in town on Sunday morning at 10:15 a.m. Each child was in school uniform and carried a small Australian flag. The veterans of any war, men and women, marched in the front. The high school band played, and community members came next. There were the boy scouts, the girl scouts, our school, the private schools, the high school, and other community organizations. After marching the whole town (all two blocks of it) we assembled around the historical marker in the square.
There was a somber, repectful tone to the crowd as the president of the Retired Service League gave a short welcome and speech. There is a clear program to this event, and I witnessed the same series of words and songs at the two ceremonies I attended that day (the first being the dawn service, 5:30 a.m., in Coffs Harbour, a town of 50,000 30 minutes north of us). Wreaths were laid at the marker, and people of all ages were included in the rememberance.
A bugle sounded, The Last Post, the Australian National Anthem was sung, and it was over. I have yet to make it through the national anthem without tearing up, I've found.
What struck me was the attitudes and expectations leading up to and during the day. It was an absolute given, to the different people I talked to, that everyone would be there. My second grade students came in uniform to downtown Macksville at 10:15. Many of them had already been to the dawn Macksville service, as well. My son Ross was at a sleepover of three 16 year olds. The parents got them up at 5:00 a.m. to go to the service 15 kilometers to the town where they live. They all went back to sleep when they got home, but still!
Students walking in the march carried framed photographs of their great grandfathers who had served and/or died in the wars. If I asked random kids why they were there, they answered, "To remember those who died," or "It's repecting my grandpa."
In addition to the Sunday ceremonies, Macksville had an assembly Tuesday morning once we were back at school. We followed the similar pattern of tradition, but without the march. Again, the students were somber, quiet, respectful, and thoughtful during the 20 minute ceremony. I was once again taken with not only the events, but the character of the citizens who participated.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
"Liberty, meet Mr. Thorncroft!"
This was an exciting week as I knew that my principal here was visiting in Corvallis and at Liberty. He was to see my exchange partner in person (instead of on Skype)for the first time since she left Australia in December. He was to meet the students in person (instead of on Skype!) and get a good taste of an American school! He came bearing artwork from the children here from Kinder up to Year 6, including a wonderful 25 page Aboriginal story retold and illustrated by the students.
Word has come through that it was a delightful visit, with parents bringing goodies, staff greeting his family, and all providing a warm Liberty welcome! I know that he must have been impressed with the beautiful school. I know he must have enjoyed meeting the teachers and staff. And I know he would have been impressed with the students. I can't wait to hear stories when he returns here.
I received a touching email from my partner during the visit. She was very taken with the relationships we have created just by carrying out the exchange and participating as we both have. We have both spoken about the future and the possibilities of a sister school relationship with Macksville. I believe the connections we are making with our students, their families, our colleagues, the communities we teach and live in, as well as the friendships our family members are making are very powerful and will not stop here. Neither of us dreamed about the far-reaching implications this year might have. We are starting to live those possibilities more and more every day.
Word has come through that it was a delightful visit, with parents bringing goodies, staff greeting his family, and all providing a warm Liberty welcome! I know that he must have been impressed with the beautiful school. I know he must have enjoyed meeting the teachers and staff. And I know he would have been impressed with the students. I can't wait to hear stories when he returns here.
I received a touching email from my partner during the visit. She was very taken with the relationships we have created just by carrying out the exchange and participating as we both have. We have both spoken about the future and the possibilities of a sister school relationship with Macksville. I believe the connections we are making with our students, their families, our colleagues, the communities we teach and live in, as well as the friendships our family members are making are very powerful and will not stop here. Neither of us dreamed about the far-reaching implications this year might have. We are starting to live those possibilities more and more every day.
Friday, April 23, 2010
You've Got Mail
I wish you all could have seen the faces of my students when I showed them the stack of letters in my hands from their American pen pals. The eyes lit up! They gasped! They giggled and waved their hands in anticipation! We talked about how our principal was in America this particular day, and visiting at our pen pals' school on this particular day! What a great celebration! Then I read each child's name and they came to the front to receive their letter. Each one waited with baited breath for their name to be called. The letters were colorful, and some even included pictures they had drawn.
They eagerly read their letters, shared new information with their seat mates, asked each other to read difficult words or unfamiliar expressions. "What is tackle football?" "She says her favorite fruit is canteloupe. What's that?"
We then had a glorious time on the internet watching Oregon State Football clips of games in action. I told them that canteloupe is another name for rock melon. They all giggled uncontrollably. They noticed how much each child had written and lingered over the closing and signature. I asked them to remember back to the day when they met their penpal on the screen during our last video-conference time and imagine that child writing this letter to them. Then we imagined how lucky our principal is to get to meet them in person!
They then shared the letters with each other around the room until it was time to paste them into their keepsake booklet alongside the copy of the first letter they had written to the U.S. students.
They eagerly read their letters, shared new information with their seat mates, asked each other to read difficult words or unfamiliar expressions. "What is tackle football?" "She says her favorite fruit is canteloupe. What's that?"
We then had a glorious time on the internet watching Oregon State Football clips of games in action. I told them that canteloupe is another name for rock melon. They all giggled uncontrollably. They noticed how much each child had written and lingered over the closing and signature. I asked them to remember back to the day when they met their penpal on the screen during our last video-conference time and imagine that child writing this letter to them. Then we imagined how lucky our principal is to get to meet them in person!
They then shared the letters with each other around the room until it was time to paste them into their keepsake booklet alongside the copy of the first letter they had written to the U.S. students.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Welcome back!
We have returned to school rested and refreshed. Ahh! The spelling list is new! The writing booklets are back! It's good to see friends! The math game is great! You know that wonderful honeymoon day back from vacation? That was Tuesday.
Monday was the first day back, but was spent with teacher training workshops. The keynote speaker was Jon Joseph, a teacher and researcher who has written, among other books, Learning in the Emotional Rooms: How to Create Classrooms that are uplifting for the Spirit. He has done lots of research on learning and the brain. He talks about the different student personalities that we encounter, really only four basic ones, and how we can help shift those from the lower side of the spectrum to the higher side.
The first breakout I chose was a session with the SMART Board. I use one in Oregon, but I don't have one here. The more SMART Board I'm talked through, the better for me! Interestingly enough, this session was more basic than even I needed, yet it talked about the maintenance of the board, which I'd never learned!
The second session for me was about Aboriginal Education in our schools. I was fascinated since, of course, it is all completely new to me. I sat with a peer from my school, so she was able to translate acronyms and concepts foreign to me. The presenter asked how many of us know what the Acknowledgement to Country is. I raised my hand. I know this is when someone makes a statement acknowledging the elders of the indigeonous people, past and present, as well as future elders. I have heard this said at trainings and meetings in the area.
Then he asked how many of us have said one. Two people raised their hands. He said, "All of you should be doing this. You need to offer to make this statement at the next opportunity." Laurel looked at me, and I looked at her, and we both smiled. Guess what my homework is? Wish me luck!
Monday was the first day back, but was spent with teacher training workshops. The keynote speaker was Jon Joseph, a teacher and researcher who has written, among other books, Learning in the Emotional Rooms: How to Create Classrooms that are uplifting for the Spirit. He has done lots of research on learning and the brain. He talks about the different student personalities that we encounter, really only four basic ones, and how we can help shift those from the lower side of the spectrum to the higher side.
The first breakout I chose was a session with the SMART Board. I use one in Oregon, but I don't have one here. The more SMART Board I'm talked through, the better for me! Interestingly enough, this session was more basic than even I needed, yet it talked about the maintenance of the board, which I'd never learned!
The second session for me was about Aboriginal Education in our schools. I was fascinated since, of course, it is all completely new to me. I sat with a peer from my school, so she was able to translate acronyms and concepts foreign to me. The presenter asked how many of us know what the Acknowledgement to Country is. I raised my hand. I know this is when someone makes a statement acknowledging the elders of the indigeonous people, past and present, as well as future elders. I have heard this said at trainings and meetings in the area.
Then he asked how many of us have said one. Two people raised their hands. He said, "All of you should be doing this. You need to offer to make this statement at the next opportunity." Laurel looked at me, and I looked at her, and we both smiled. Guess what my homework is? Wish me luck!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Two Weeks Holidays
With ten weeks under our belts, it's time to have time off! I'm curious how this schedule will feel when the year is over. I really like the idea of 10 weeks school/ 2 weeks off for four terms, then 6 weeks off at Christmas. But my body clock is realizing that American summer is only 8 weeks away, and I won't have any of it! Yes, I had an entire month in January that my colleagues back home didn't have. But that was then! My head says, "It's April - that 2 1/2 month break is around the corner. Woo Hoo!" But no! I'll let you know in 8 weeks how I'm feeling!
Another part to consider of the 10 week term here is that there are no days off inbetween. No early release days, no conference days, no in-service days, no prep days. They are solid 5-day weeks all term long. That's very nice for curriculum planning and the consistent rhythm of the lessons. But there's no variation! There are pros and cons to each way, I think.
So with two weeks off, my family headed to the Gold Coast in Queensland and then New Zealand. We began with a tour of the Australian Zoo, home of the Crocodile Hunter. Our nine days in New Zealand included white-water river rafting, a boat through the fiords, hiking at the glaciers, trekking to find the penguins and sea lions, and driving across beautiful landscape and past vast oceans. Staying in youth hostels was a budget-friendly option, and we were able to meet people from all over the world as we cooked dinners side by side and learned new card games.
I decided my next teaching exchange needs to be in New Zealand!
Another part to consider of the 10 week term here is that there are no days off inbetween. No early release days, no conference days, no in-service days, no prep days. They are solid 5-day weeks all term long. That's very nice for curriculum planning and the consistent rhythm of the lessons. But there's no variation! There are pros and cons to each way, I think.
So with two weeks off, my family headed to the Gold Coast in Queensland and then New Zealand. We began with a tour of the Australian Zoo, home of the Crocodile Hunter. Our nine days in New Zealand included white-water river rafting, a boat through the fiords, hiking at the glaciers, trekking to find the penguins and sea lions, and driving across beautiful landscape and past vast oceans. Staying in youth hostels was a budget-friendly option, and we were able to meet people from all over the world as we cooked dinners side by side and learned new card games.
I decided my next teaching exchange needs to be in New Zealand!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Easter Hat Parade
The next day was the Easter Hat Parade. Can you tell Easter is really big here? In fact, as I mentioned, we had Good Friday off, and most businesses were also closed the following Monday. It reminds me of our four-day weekend around Thanksgiving.
The hats were also made at home and brought in for the special parade. Some were store bought and trinkets, ribbons, and toys were added. Others were fashioned out of a cereal box and some wrapping paper. The children were so proud!
We paraded for the older students as they oohed and awed. Then we paraded downtown for all of three blocks as the store keepers and customers (and parents!) admired and waved. Amazingly enough, as we rounded the block, still more folks were there to greet and wave to us! Funny, they looked very similar! (I think they knew the back ally way around, kind of like the Easter Bunny must know . . . ) When we returned to the classroom there were white dusty bunny footprints on the floor and little chocolates had been left for each of us! What else could we do with our day but color larger than life paper eggs on the floor on our tummies until our holidays began at 3:10!
I was even given, by some students, my first ever chocolate bilbies and chocolate wombat. I love this place!
The hats were also made at home and brought in for the special parade. Some were store bought and trinkets, ribbons, and toys were added. Others were fashioned out of a cereal box and some wrapping paper. The children were so proud!
We paraded for the older students as they oohed and awed. Then we paraded downtown for all of three blocks as the store keepers and customers (and parents!) admired and waved. Amazingly enough, as we rounded the block, still more folks were there to greet and wave to us! Funny, they looked very similar! (I think they knew the back ally way around, kind of like the Easter Bunny must know . . . ) When we returned to the classroom there were white dusty bunny footprints on the floor and little chocolates had been left for each of us! What else could we do with our day but color larger than life paper eggs on the floor on our tummies until our holidays began at 3:10!
I was even given, by some students, my first ever chocolate bilbies and chocolate wombat. I love this place!
Egg Drop 2010
There is a tradition that Year 2 students will design a contraption to protect a raw egg when dropped from a tall ladder. Part of the egg must be visible. The project is completed at home and brought to school on The Day for the demonstration.
The entire school assemblies around a tall ladder with lots of newspaper at the base (one parent helped put extra layers "for extra padding," he said with a wink). One of the teachers was Master of Ceremonies, and it was quite the production. The anxiety level was high as each contestant came forward when their name was announced. They handed their design to Professor Smitt who then dropped it from the top of the ladder. Each child was given a certificate, "Egg-cellent!" or "Oops!," a handshake from their teacher, and a photo taken. Applause all around! Great fun!
The entire school assemblies around a tall ladder with lots of newspaper at the base (one parent helped put extra layers "for extra padding," he said with a wink). One of the teachers was Master of Ceremonies, and it was quite the production. The anxiety level was high as each contestant came forward when their name was announced. They handed their design to Professor Smitt who then dropped it from the top of the ladder. Each child was given a certificate, "Egg-cellent!" or "Oops!," a handshake from their teacher, and a photo taken. Applause all around! Great fun!
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