tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44960419735906276792024-03-06T00:38:34.167+11:00In HindsightMy name is Anne.
I'm a mother, a wife, a teacher.Anne De Manserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04421025018738546599noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496041973590627679.post-83431091824713344562022-12-06T20:47:00.000+11:002022-12-06T20:47:51.060+11:00Vale Glenise Quinlan<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">Today, I put on a dress and went to the funeral of my great friend, Glenise. Several years ago, when I dabbled more frequently in blogging, Glenise asked me to write something about her, “on that website thingy’ when she died. Of course I said yes and then put it away in the corner of my minds where I keep the things that will never happen – because truly I believed that she would be in my life for ever. She was one of the constants of my universe. I don’t know why my particular voice was important to her but here goes.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOTe-6_Ho-Nn0l8mhca6RF6e8cYQeWhB_nbWwnRa8MD25yHWAnMpJlDaGQ3PnKTeKawwomizfMYCqNK-I__1wGAKHcdv9qgeUhNxInOvxCTOMc4vViUFCUO0qCGbIlCIBnnnjItqKRYRPe4ypoIOO3FgURn3IcejbVCAE_TqEmsdJGmG2Luum71-9/s4032/IMG_6313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOTe-6_Ho-Nn0l8mhca6RF6e8cYQeWhB_nbWwnRa8MD25yHWAnMpJlDaGQ3PnKTeKawwomizfMYCqNK-I__1wGAKHcdv9qgeUhNxInOvxCTOMc4vViUFCUO0qCGbIlCIBnnnjItqKRYRPe4ypoIOO3FgURn3IcejbVCAE_TqEmsdJGmG2Luum71-9/s320/IMG_6313.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">Glenise- Sue, Glen, Chooky, Mum, Gran – she went by different names to different people but every name was the definition of a do-er. When she saw a task that needed doing, she did it. Such was the nature of this woman that the many of her good deeds have gone unsung. She didn't do things for accolades or fanfare, she just saw a need and took care of it. I looked around at all the people at her funeral today knowing that all of them had something in common.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">Somewhere, in their time of need, Chooky had cooked for them, driven them somewhere, looked after their children, washed their clothes, consoled them, advised them, picked them up when they thought they were broken, dusted them off and put them back on their feet. She did all those things for me, and I feel a bit adrift knowing that my life jacket is gone.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">I don’t know if there’s a definitive list, but I lost count of the numbers of vulnerable little humans that Chooky took into her care as foster children. It wasn’t unusual to have her ring late at night – “I’ve got a 2 month old arriving at midnight- do you have any blue baby clothes?” She loved all those babies as if they were her own. She showered them with love but also with the routines so necessary for a good start in life. The nurturing extended to all of her friends’ and neighbours’ children as well. The kitchen at Glenise and Frank’s was always full of miscellaneous mischief makers- and their little faces lined the walls in framed portraits in ever increasing numbers, sometimes updated from baby to school uniform to wedding photo. When Taine was a baby and I went back to work, Glenise was the obvious choice as caregiver. There’s no one I would have trusted more with my own precious miracle. We called her the Baby Whisperer because when she put the baby down to sleep, that’s what the baby did.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">Glenise was the ultimate good Samaritan. She had an ear for everyone and an action to match. Countless numbers of us have poured our hearts out to her over a cup of tea, or a sherry, or a brandy and dry – or bubbles on special occasions. She nursed us through sicknesses and heartaches. She chauffered us to appointments and kept vigil with us in hospitals and waiting rooms. We all received congratulatory messages for the slightest success and she never forgot a birthday. And we never forgot hers. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">Her Boxing Day birthday was just another reason to extend the Christmas celebrations. Her Christmas tree was as big as her heart and underneath it was a present for each one of those framed faces of the extended family of children on the wall. Each present was hand picked and exactly what we wanted because she knew us all so well. For my kids, Christmas was rounded out with a visit to Chooky’s on Christmas night.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">If you were really lucky, as we were many times, you’d be included in the Christmas Day feast; a smorgasboard of roasted magnificence, all cooked by Glenise on the wooden stove, complete with the pudding that had been hanging from the kitchen rafter for weeks, and eaten about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, after copious glasses of champagne and bowls of nuts & bolts. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">Christmas lunch was just an elaborate version of the regular Sunday roast that appeared on the table like magic, every single week. Somehow that Sunday roast always spread far enough to feed whichever grand child, visiting relative or stray visitor happened to be about. In 2005 Glenise and Jess came to NZ with us on a school trip. Glenise cooked that Sunday roast, on her own, for 40 people in a tiny caravan park oven.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">On top of the love she showered on everyone else, there was the love Chook had for her sisters, her own girls and their families. A prouder Mum, Gran and aunty there never was. And then there was Cappy. As I said at Frank’s funeral, theirs was one of life’s greatest stories of passion and tempest.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrspNPbS6vjtv7dHK1XjUUPAniWpgILady3xiBwVtEcRecq4lC4sCd7U45bf76ZdMMuKsCNG5V5pKr3RKEABOXcBR3T2D9vnHwBMK91xgeNYbF0jfIjtWuAFQ-pHCCjSFdJ-F3NyhY_AaU6GJ0MMVYAtz8kuiq963sZG9AZlx_4vnLwBdU08SWqCF/s1115/348BBC3E-68F2-48CA-B0FF-0FF0881B22D4_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1115" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrspNPbS6vjtv7dHK1XjUUPAniWpgILady3xiBwVtEcRecq4lC4sCd7U45bf76ZdMMuKsCNG5V5pKr3RKEABOXcBR3T2D9vnHwBMK91xgeNYbF0jfIjtWuAFQ-pHCCjSFdJ-F3NyhY_AaU6GJ0MMVYAtz8kuiq963sZG9AZlx_4vnLwBdU08SWqCF/s320/348BBC3E-68F2-48CA-B0FF-0FF0881B22D4_1_201_a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">Having a sea faring husband meant Glenise had to be a master of adaptability, switching from independent, solo parent to family dynamic on a regular basis. While Frank was away, Glenise managed her household as well as any sea captain. When Frank was home, they disappeared to the bedroom for days on end. Sometimes they drove each other crazy but she would have followed that man to the end of the earth – in fact she once did just that, when she took off on a solo backpacking trip in her 50s- trekking around Europe, staying in hostels and catching up with Frank in different ports.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6KG1qlanGAnvprNMkhQxNwNxLm5ULlrYMTSL72BsuIsBVw5nSlUtLlBeFFVbDEJBu6Z_834VxRi4QnC8BHG6CItrPqtCqVU-c8gH-3e-HywfNyLRZm9XRmbAtizKG-nZwNJc6seDMR_gaDrTmOPFThJ1Q_MDw_S007eYGwPXzaHNaZ9ZhZkjITD5o/s2775/FC33DBFB-FBC5-4FD9-B4CF-21E74004161A_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2775" data-original-width="2700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6KG1qlanGAnvprNMkhQxNwNxLm5ULlrYMTSL72BsuIsBVw5nSlUtLlBeFFVbDEJBu6Z_834VxRi4QnC8BHG6CItrPqtCqVU-c8gH-3e-HywfNyLRZm9XRmbAtizKG-nZwNJc6seDMR_gaDrTmOPFThJ1Q_MDw_S007eYGwPXzaHNaZ9ZhZkjITD5o/s320/FC33DBFB-FBC5-4FD9-B4CF-21E74004161A_1_201_a.heic" width="311" /></a></div>My first memory of Glenise is her voice on the end of the phone- in particular on the end of the exchange phone where she worked as a telephonist on the switchboard that connected one phone to another in Mortlake. You’d ring the switch and tell them what number you wanted and they’d connect you. Except when Glenise was on duty, you often didn’t need to be connected at all, because she was the keeper of all knowledge in town. She could tell you who was home, who was not, and if they weren’t home where you could find them and whether it was a good time to ring. She knew if the butchers was open, if it was raining, whether the mail had been - she was the original Google.<o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">Her own phone number ended in 098 and she kept that number right through until today. I guess, as a hangover from the telephonist days, even in the days of caller ID, she always answered the phone with that number – ‘Hello, 098”. Sometimes I would try to one up her by answering her phone call with “hello 098” and she’d say, "Annabel, how’d you know it was me?"<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">There’s another memory that I share with dozens of closet card sharks in the district. Glenise’s card playing skills were second to none. From genteel Crazy Whist afternoons in the lounge rooms of the ladies of the district, to the caravan parks of Warrnambool and Lake Bolac, the jar of gambling coins followed her everywhere and the regular Saturday night after tennis, which later became the Friday night- into the wee hours of Saturday morning, year round blackjack games in the Quinlan’s lounge room were the stuff that legends are made of. Those games were serious business, but like everything she did, they were just another way of bringing people together.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">It would be remiss of me not to mention tennis. Tennis was Chooky’s game. While she loved to watch the cricket, it was tennis that she played. I’ve often been confused how her granddaughter became a champion Australian cricketer, because with the amount of Gran’s genes in her she could equally have been belting it out with Ash Barty at Wimbledon instead. In truth, Glenise wasn’t the best tennis player in the world but she was one of the most resilient and determined and that wily backhand of hers outsmarted a lot of would be champions. I remember one day we played in 40 degree heat and most of us wanted to call it quits but we were playing against Jude’s team and if Judy was playing on, so was Glenise! For many years we played country week together in Warrnambool. We’d start at 9, play till 5, go back to the van for a couple of sherries and then we’d walk back over the road and play the twilight comp. And then come home to start the card game. Her energy was boundless.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqfPQkpZkN_RFnITc6IQqctmqjkz-ty3QEsdeB-R09rYOBlmlCz1ubG12NVZfaNJM9a58CcNvaHgyWgEcqMlWZRg2ZaoJP9TVorP39-Kkd-qIYQnA5YOiWrz-OsZC1LRqvBwCntV-d2URJFvf8K9DC7kac0NDUUIUaTU3UmbzYa7S7BBKKW1FTADB/s4032/FEB9D87D-B828-4E8F-80B7-044886AA150B.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqfPQkpZkN_RFnITc6IQqctmqjkz-ty3QEsdeB-R09rYOBlmlCz1ubG12NVZfaNJM9a58CcNvaHgyWgEcqMlWZRg2ZaoJP9TVorP39-Kkd-qIYQnA5YOiWrz-OsZC1LRqvBwCntV-d2URJFvf8K9DC7kac0NDUUIUaTU3UmbzYa7S7BBKKW1FTADB/s320/FEB9D87D-B828-4E8F-80B7-044886AA150B.heic" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">It seems brutally unfair to me that the last part of her life was robbed of that energy but today was a glorious day for tennis, so I’m taking that as a sign that Chooky’s already back on the court somewhere.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;">And that brings me back to my initial thought – the conviction that Glenise would always be with us- because, of course, I realise now that this is true. The energy of someone who touches so many lives, in so many ways, can never be lost. She was a champion for the underdog, a supporter of the unsupported, a carer to the care givers, a helping hand to anyone who needed it. She’ll stay with us in every kind word we say, with every act of altruism we perform. She taught us all that it’s possible to be a truly good person. That’s Chooky’s legacy and we can honour it by doing our best to be the type of friends to each other, that she was to us.<o:p></o:p></p>Anne De Manserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04421025018738546599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496041973590627679.post-79169886049826081482020-03-28T22:04:00.000+11:002020-03-28T22:04:17.133+11:00The Corona Chronicles- March 2020March 28, 2002<br />
<br />
I'm resurrecting my blog to chronicle the bizarre twist in history that is the Covoid-19 virus. I'm confident that, like other disastrous moments in history, this nightmare too shall pass and hopefully, in another ten years time, my grandchildren will study 2020 at school as a weird but successfully solved blip in our lives. And then in 50 years and 100 years time their children's children will study it too and maybe their great-great grandma's journaling will provide a useful primary resource for them.<br />
<br />
Today is the first day of real impact for me. Up until now I've been at work so life has seemed relatively normal, seeing other people and quietly preparing for but not really affected by the crisis.<br />
<br />
I had a basic mathematical understanding of exponential growth before but now we're living it, through the deadly statistics of the pandemic and the rapid change to our lifestyle.<br />
Three weeks ago it was the Labour Day weekend. We went to Hamilton to watch Shakespeare in the Gardens on Saturday and to the MCG with 87,000 other people to watch the World Cup cricket final on Sunday. I was more careful than usual with my hand hygiene and I was little anxious in the crowded entrances but I didn't really feel at risk.<br />
<br />
Two weeks ago, we went to a wedding. I remember thinking I should be more careful with my physical distancing but there were lots of lovely people there that I hadn't seen for ages and it seemed silly and over cautious not to hug them.<br />
<br />
By last weekend, the reality of the numbers around the world started to sink in. Our exchange student was recalled to France and we began to panic about her safety - and our safety taking her to the airport. Suddenly the need for gloves and alcohol wipes and sanitiser was very real.<br />
<br />
School holidays began early for the kids and that eased the pressure a bit but at the same time raised the anxiety that life as we know it was about to change forever. And then yesterday, I finished work for the term and there was no reason why we couldn't retreat to our own little bunker and try to do our bit by keeping away from everyone else.<br />
<br />
And so begins an eerie, anxiety ridden, uncertain time for everyone.<br />
The best we can do is stay hopeful and do what we're told. I cry every time I think of not seeing my grown up kids or my beautiful grandchildren for the foreseeable future. My heart breaks for Taine, stuck in the house with us with no sport or theatre or face to face contact with friends. I'm disappointed about the holidays and adventures that we'll miss. But I know we are the lucky ones. As public servants we get paid regularly, we live in the country where personal space is plentiful and although my age puts me just into the higher risk category, we are, for the most part, mentally and physically well.<br />
<br />
When the school holidays are over, we'll be flat out navigating our way through online learning. I feel like we're pretty well prepared for that but how it will work in actuality remains to be seen. Its hard enough engage some kids when they're at school; no doubt distance will not make their hearts grow fonder!<br />
<br />
But for now, we need a routine. Exercise, healthy food, intellectual stimulation, sleep, repeat.<br />
Today we managed most of those goals. I walked 4 km, Geoff invented a delicious zucchini and sweet potato soup, I read a couple of education articles and, in a major show of self control, waited until 6pm to open the wine.<br />
<br />
We can only control our own behaviour and our own reactions.<br />
It feels ineffectual but he least (most) we can do is stay home and let our brave first responders get on with their jobs.<br />
One day at a time.<br />
#stayhome #staysafe #stayalive<br />
<br />Anne De Manserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04421025018738546599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496041973590627679.post-65361880097742699872017-08-21T21:47:00.000+10:002017-08-22T20:54:26.174+10:00Birthday Week<div class="MsoNormal">
As my own children and the children I’ve taught know, I
pride myself on knowing EVERYTHING! There are no secrets kept from me because
of my superior ability to put two and two together and smell rats in the least
obvious places.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So I am considering it the coup of the century that my
husband and friends managed to pull off a birthday surprise heist at the
weekend.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Geoff says I’ve been sooking that nothing was being planned
for my big birthday – obviously sooking is too strong a word but I admit I was
starting to feel a little unloved. I’d been rationalising the lack of planning
to soothe myself- just got back from an amazing holiday, busy at work, one
child not in the country, birthdays are just another number etc, etc… Given his
track record of awesomeness at celebrations, I knew Geoff wouldn’t let me down
but, you know, self doubt, old age; I was beginning to think maybe the magic was
finally fading.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The almost last straw was his suggestion to Jaime that she
pick up a cake from the cheesecake shop on Tuesday so we could blow some
candles out after swimming. A cheesecake? Really? For my 60<sup>th</sup>
birthday? All I had requested for my birthday was one of @icingonyourcake’s
magnificent creations – and now, apparently, I was getting a last minute, don’t
even ask me what flavour I want, probably will forget I need cream with it,
store bought…..cheesecake!<o:p></o:p></div>
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One of my ‘best girls’ had organised to take me out for
dinner at the pub on Saturday night as a pre birthday treat. Tired after a day
at the footy and still harbouring some despondency over the cheesecake, I
really didn’t feel like it but I was so grateful to Steph for at least making
an effort that I committed to going, despite being in the same clothes I’d had
on all day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When Steph arrived to pick us up, Geoff staged the most
ridiculous stalling tactics I have ever seen, and yet I still didn’t twig! I
sat in the car and twiddled my thumbs while he waffled on about toothpaste
accidents and needing to change his clothes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When we got down the street they informed me we were going
to Olivine instead of the pub. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Have you booked?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Nope, we’ll be right, there’s
just the 3 of us” </div>
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“Well, that’s just silly, there’s lots of cars at Olivine and
hardly any at the pub, why don’t we go there?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It never occurred to me that I knew the owners of all those
cars.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It never occurred to me that the function room was in
darkness and yet there were people in there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
People waiting for me. Lovely friends and family, waiting
for me in my dirty clothes, unbrushed hair and no make up. Wonderful conspirers
the lot of them, dreaming up a birthday dinner, right under my nose! What a beautiful, warm fuzzy of loveliness.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And of course, there was cake. A magnificent, lindt ball covered
creation complete with all things dear to me; books and my missing glasses, a
goal shooter’s bib and little figurines of the twins and Theo.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve never been so happy to have been lied to.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
PS: I also got my cheesecake- served with a triple dose of love from my best boys. Completely spoilt and it's not even my birthday yet!<br />
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<br />
And tomorrow, I'll be elderly. Thoughts on that at a later date!</div>
Anne De Manserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04421025018738546599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496041973590627679.post-37975297084762604092016-12-31T20:43:00.000+11:002016-12-31T20:43:58.808+11:00366- #Thingsthatmademehappy 2016This year I completed another 365 project (taking and uploading one photo every day). Actually I completed two, one on Insta and the other on Flickr and they were 366 projects because of the leap year, but whatever... semantics. The important thing is that I followed the rules, created a visual diary of our year, discovered some great photographers on Flickr and learnt a little bit more about photography along the way.<br />
I only cheated once, as in there was just one day when I didn't take a photo and so I used a screen shot to make a yesterday's photo satisfy a today's date upload. <br />
<br />
My theme for 2016 was #thingsthatmakemehappy<br />
Here's the top 10 things that satisfied the hashtag<br />
<br />
<b>My kids</b>- Nothing makes me happier than having all of them in the same place at the same time.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDT6J28lw1vlk7n7hW2GB5_pHriZcUl7TtHE51WxaQwX5gHQxbbHxzgkR0E9_nBnQ6kPr-pocdlGod5_ht9xQmR9nx7FBGxDroOt78QLtFJnu-nfa8nDdK7sJiJggg2pVPQY4ZIg9o5w8/s1600/ferry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDT6J28lw1vlk7n7hW2GB5_pHriZcUl7TtHE51WxaQwX5gHQxbbHxzgkR0E9_nBnQ6kPr-pocdlGod5_ht9xQmR9nx7FBGxDroOt78QLtFJnu-nfa8nDdK7sJiJggg2pVPQY4ZIg9o5w8/s400/ferry.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas present weekend to Rye</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMp7mZ8IgTtigud0OdZvpRLN7SPY1RqNss3FHALZAulhRcQXy1HobbyT7qeSNk1GbWM3dltZ4Cv97BaYrmLDLI-hsEwzcLZZASbzkivgBuK_FuCFbqs59Pmr5Y_kkbr4NGp50XHzn65p0/s1600/kids.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMp7mZ8IgTtigud0OdZvpRLN7SPY1RqNss3FHALZAulhRcQXy1HobbyT7qeSNk1GbWM3dltZ4Cv97BaYrmLDLI-hsEwzcLZZASbzkivgBuK_FuCFbqs59Pmr5Y_kkbr4NGp50XHzn65p0/s400/kids.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mothers' Day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>This man</b> - He's the best cook, the best travel buddy, the best kisser and luckily he's also very photogenic.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPeJpCrPQgNS0JsJRbzenHYmPP3102_wrKv4U9dxdmz8j722ShFSr7lq56gLtpI7NG7nNZz16VYTVCbSDTsB6gDejFEgcbHEn5YaY0n85tmGu2-TrlqmejFaptU-LDcLwFqa-YfQ3I1s/s1600/geoff3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPeJpCrPQgNS0JsJRbzenHYmPP3102_wrKv4U9dxdmz8j722ShFSr7lq56gLtpI7NG7nNZz16VYTVCbSDTsB6gDejFEgcbHEn5YaY0n85tmGu2-TrlqmejFaptU-LDcLwFqa-YfQ3I1s/s320/geoff3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOG8rgFpNlfl1muugUOhsmhOuSfLdWWiUidVp2kW2ySVulDd42d9X1KKhGHia79g_xlaegQJJLTXLnZpmMj3DcRwVcbTPWqDGoKAi8RguwKZxyFniyQ6c7xMuLqskfQrmkLuKyQudTKI8/s1600/geoff+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOG8rgFpNlfl1muugUOhsmhOuSfLdWWiUidVp2kW2ySVulDd42d9X1KKhGHia79g_xlaegQJJLTXLnZpmMj3DcRwVcbTPWqDGoKAi8RguwKZxyFniyQ6c7xMuLqskfQrmkLuKyQudTKI8/s320/geoff+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp22giR9QzBRGyK46VYODUseUk5XfOLPlVNXz8yVwnDcQQ9mJ6BbFN1319g-1wmjnwDhW5621-qLD4wzLAi35fPMTD5MsfHdjaLqvb7HO1buJV6Je0JGh_nvnV1vid5NirWYytdeb_X70/s1600/geoff.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp22giR9QzBRGyK46VYODUseUk5XfOLPlVNXz8yVwnDcQQ9mJ6BbFN1319g-1wmjnwDhW5621-qLD4wzLAi35fPMTD5MsfHdjaLqvb7HO1buJV6Je0JGh_nvnV1vid5NirWYytdeb_X70/s320/geoff.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZb6fM08_guTU1GdRRjjUi55i-b_Fnt0W-gwKkBW1P_3dLCGLJUhyphenhyphenEL7hbh2y-xntuxo63zJ93odo42J5qRVxLIKpERZSZ7KQwFqxL8CuCM0oaRx14Be6OWQLt1eab4Idpj7LUq-be38c/s1600/kiss.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZb6fM08_guTU1GdRRjjUi55i-b_Fnt0W-gwKkBW1P_3dLCGLJUhyphenhyphenEL7hbh2y-xntuxo63zJ93odo42J5qRVxLIKpERZSZ7KQwFqxL8CuCM0oaRx14Be6OWQLt1eab4Idpj7LUq-be38c/s320/kiss.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgym864WUOcICLFhhmRjW4wK2jffLZhEpQDcqhZWziwX5rBvEK7QSdIgNq7GtQsckd48B2Wukbd06n2KY_Av65ss1IVCDLqU0dg-2I_P9nfoaJypQt-9aFHiHsEhOhv7dCmw-tTiUw1QjA/s1600/kl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgym864WUOcICLFhhmRjW4wK2jffLZhEpQDcqhZWziwX5rBvEK7QSdIgNq7GtQsckd48B2Wukbd06n2KY_Av65ss1IVCDLqU0dg-2I_P9nfoaJypQt-9aFHiHsEhOhv7dCmw-tTiUw1QjA/s320/kl.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>The Lover and the Lunatic</b> - Being a grandma is beyond wonderful. Every minute spent with these two is a joy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXL65uRsISzdWi0PLfSZb4Idyv-OlklcNXIeqUP7_JhdmOSCj8HJX_sRhecGZBk5WLn4OIFnZOAhO5YC4II2Atguqb8N4kfcDJWbB4Fc9lTefs51nwmqqPzOG-igUDySHO7nh48oEsPA/s1600/29291866070_7bd15d46e2_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXL65uRsISzdWi0PLfSZb4Idyv-OlklcNXIeqUP7_JhdmOSCj8HJX_sRhecGZBk5WLn4OIFnZOAhO5YC4II2Atguqb8N4kfcDJWbB4Fc9lTefs51nwmqqPzOG-igUDySHO7nh48oEsPA/s400/29291866070_7bd15d46e2_z.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my favourite photo for 2016. Sums up their relationship perfectly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76M9IqAIEAPD1h63_ash6g1fKyaJt_YiL4sXed-86S5wea9Tq9jEGFA60BnYfxrAfTGsa8Dxsg7Ma6do2Fyn5h3PopBMxaYwb4E4pjxg3xBYS40s0F04OH2JCkeqKpIVsZgZSCusvJzM/s1600/bubbles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76M9IqAIEAPD1h63_ash6g1fKyaJt_YiL4sXed-86S5wea9Tq9jEGFA60BnYfxrAfTGsa8Dxsg7Ma6do2Fyn5h3PopBMxaYwb4E4pjxg3xBYS40s0F04OH2JCkeqKpIVsZgZSCusvJzM/s320/bubbles.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh424kn8NypLXDR0aHXgSnjEgIWS2ThNojz8RJXQkHewsIWUeYE7qeuBpm98gYzdEut3xKOlek-1lBHNdFasieUGowxXqf7u__EivijLWBUtu99Cmp9Cz2gKi4OGoCIJG2YxPZcFTybwwo/s1600/car+self.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh424kn8NypLXDR0aHXgSnjEgIWS2ThNojz8RJXQkHewsIWUeYE7qeuBpm98gYzdEut3xKOlek-1lBHNdFasieUGowxXqf7u__EivijLWBUtu99Cmp9Cz2gKi4OGoCIJG2YxPZcFTybwwo/s400/car+self.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took this selfie the day Jaime told me she was expecting no3. It was hailing outside the car and I was imagining how all 4 of us would fit in the car on rainy netball days in 2017!</td></tr>
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<b>The Sharks</b>- The Mortlake Junior Sharks had a very successful season. There were plenty of shuffles to photograph and I got to coach an amazing group of kids again this year. Then, in one of life's curly turns, suddenly the Sharks were no longer. I'm so sad that it's over but incredibly happy that I had the opportunity to coach again and to work with a great group of people.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkXZfIHkiu1s6Sw1IFkwhHpcFUmtSjzXxtl76fBPV1dL106dGmB_QSrgi149U9R6h41kvGLQOIl7J7YcCkprGtlLviyGX2mRpeXVRlTdIC4rvfVD5WX_miDyJMmrBWtapQn1gLqf3upk/s1600/practice.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkXZfIHkiu1s6Sw1IFkwhHpcFUmtSjzXxtl76fBPV1dL106dGmB_QSrgi149U9R6h41kvGLQOIl7J7YcCkprGtlLviyGX2mRpeXVRlTdIC4rvfVD5WX_miDyJMmrBWtapQn1gLqf3upk/s400/practice.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Practice makes perfect - 4 perfect flicks</td></tr>
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<b>Our animals</b>- <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTm5JTFCWm1T_6bYB2Pep3sz1GdUr7aj-xXS4bs0nMr9hnI-EMYu4s7rKazXPHPWre3pKIfeZ3iMfjc8XYQ6JE9WulLNtFLfBc4bAygsRmDAsj6zARyNEC3OdUMNzlPwFKWoS4HzYSqo/s1600/jonah.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTm5JTFCWm1T_6bYB2Pep3sz1GdUr7aj-xXS4bs0nMr9hnI-EMYu4s7rKazXPHPWre3pKIfeZ3iMfjc8XYQ6JE9WulLNtFLfBc4bAygsRmDAsj6zARyNEC3OdUMNzlPwFKWoS4HzYSqo/s400/jonah.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the last photo I took of these two together. We lost them both this year, just a few weeks apart. The original 'odd couple'.</td></tr>
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<b>My job</b> - I moan about it a lot but really, I have the best job, in a great school, with awesome kids.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnNJ9vIljd7SFaPmM9roJt0eyvP12n1ZwaXlV_NuYCssZUg0oJnWpHgjDVJl4vCbpZ_0cbmGRtOLP9jAMrsBIiT2NwYIUe3MOgDSCeMn71wlT79cvZxLmoQ-lLGv8cZ5ujlaZCJIAno0/s1600/debate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnNJ9vIljd7SFaPmM9roJt0eyvP12n1ZwaXlV_NuYCssZUg0oJnWpHgjDVJl4vCbpZ_0cbmGRtOLP9jAMrsBIiT2NwYIUe3MOgDSCeMn71wlT79cvZxLmoQ-lLGv8cZ5ujlaZCJIAno0/s400/debate.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The opposition debaters never stood a chance</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFJLZyUNfdQS9Y3cmTLzUr8kupfMCWjtYUWdpC13J2vctfiCPMaueq56vbObNgKJ8fvHfkVsIJAg2WEXcZdtyswybhbw53uEnzJGOXhuYKQUzE1LON8NHRj_TjWylwsFj4avID_b4WB8/s1600/grad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFJLZyUNfdQS9Y3cmTLzUr8kupfMCWjtYUWdpC13J2vctfiCPMaueq56vbObNgKJ8fvHfkVsIJAg2WEXcZdtyswybhbw53uEnzJGOXhuYKQUzE1LON8NHRj_TjWylwsFj4avID_b4WB8/s400/grad.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graduation time</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6d0JFfGt7Th_gTh1lVcKYRuFQYXUWvWnKTfzPrvjUsLGcyQN5v1-vcwSD0mgwR1ttUnHjWi7LwWDQjbXOeR1TpD0ck6klOP0-0SVrUbYMj6sWkodwuhxHUUQr9zFFBBJcrkKYLewmfU/s1600/nz+camp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6d0JFfGt7Th_gTh1lVcKYRuFQYXUWvWnKTfzPrvjUsLGcyQN5v1-vcwSD0mgwR1ttUnHjWi7LwWDQjbXOeR1TpD0ck6klOP0-0SVrUbYMj6sWkodwuhxHUUQr9zFFBBJcrkKYLewmfU/s400/nz+camp.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fun filled trip to NZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYB3FQzLCbCphEdejpgjNNr6iUrD7dp2oZUOxmS0cuLWnz_GjpP0qVs7R_e5igfg0BsmecFIh-ByRVv_Cg_BRh5-1iMm0m1gxbUAtUscreFNvklAdCk_rvumwPiyaJXDWr576L06kH3w/s1600/reading.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYB3FQzLCbCphEdejpgjNNr6iUrD7dp2oZUOxmS0cuLWnz_GjpP0qVs7R_e5igfg0BsmecFIh-ByRVv_Cg_BRh5-1iMm0m1gxbUAtUscreFNvklAdCk_rvumwPiyaJXDWr576L06kH3w/s400/reading.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who knew the dictionary was so exciting?</td></tr>
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Performing Arts- I think the skills developed in performance pave the way for success in life and the happiness in creating a great performance is contagious.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcxUv9KYaYOLfYK4KCeZXcoGPhY9FxBLq6UKxA98eSUFkBzVtPlWxgyX9-Y2Ih8sltGbXWFNVhEhW4P9wd2ypbCGjefQN2L2zWnYglXUVRIfyCERpm4M7Bvg5YilzpUtAUQhURbLHn44/s1600/13419133_10155114258245200_3017265704757164210_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcxUv9KYaYOLfYK4KCeZXcoGPhY9FxBLq6UKxA98eSUFkBzVtPlWxgyX9-Y2Ih8sltGbXWFNVhEhW4P9wd2ypbCGjefQN2L2zWnYglXUVRIfyCERpm4M7Bvg5YilzpUtAUQhURbLHn44/s400/13419133_10155114258245200_3017265704757164210_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Les Miserables</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzoBnQGU-ETZ4gRg6DkFoXUSqUxpOeSwQ6B7lnZYRJFekfL-bApc3eK_kddAiVRUuJMsrloRaAz_F_RNaggXjXCC8o2XUVe9qg1Dx5cXhHXkevLyaxMWTVXKwcoxadCaDS8YKZLeC0nY/s1600/big+fish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzoBnQGU-ETZ4gRg6DkFoXUSqUxpOeSwQ6B7lnZYRJFekfL-bApc3eK_kddAiVRUuJMsrloRaAz_F_RNaggXjXCC8o2XUVe9qg1Dx5cXhHXkevLyaxMWTVXKwcoxadCaDS8YKZLeC0nY/s400/big+fish.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Fish</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAcAnqf9goEA1Odpd9Rqc1aH5dAVXP8RsfmcITaAh1LlYS-E9mIlZuzGL0CO1ELZOGLJo2Irbm8bOW-LgUirml7wrPZZGeS45r1LmuEu9eKYQG6aspCLRHNasvlMXBWeQOZkLKxCMeyQ/s1600/juliette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAcAnqf9goEA1Odpd9Rqc1aH5dAVXP8RsfmcITaAh1LlYS-E9mIlZuzGL0CO1ELZOGLJo2Irbm8bOW-LgUirml7wrPZZGeS45r1LmuEu9eKYQG6aspCLRHNasvlMXBWeQOZkLKxCMeyQ/s400/juliette.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indigo and Juliet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRVPFThfbHehs1YZgMSngPZyYePRYYmdlZ5Q8wQ8lLWfWGTa02ZFQVFjtNQ78EvdV_yJY6pn4YPtqqmRqEyo94h-m9_kPKZZSe4xxvBiDt65w-NN2GLSOPS2Wsdy0-dgkxhsfsIaOL0M/s1600/15202526_10155680803315200_7631650666307500004_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRVPFThfbHehs1YZgMSngPZyYePRYYmdlZ5Q8wQ8lLWfWGTa02ZFQVFjtNQ78EvdV_yJY6pn4YPtqqmRqEyo94h-m9_kPKZZSe4xxvBiDt65w-NN2GLSOPS2Wsdy0-dgkxhsfsIaOL0M/s400/15202526_10155680803315200_7631650666307500004_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lion King Jnr</td></tr>
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<b>Vietnam</b> - Right up there with the best travel experience I've ever had.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQu977K8x9yoxopYLOWGQEj8W9V-mtp1VQoce6LtjDiO0qUj0Omp3hOS-k21Jk82WHzV3MZ90j7_PaWi0p3PioOEinF7qFmp1ZrrmsKuA4M9Q8875KJeKufQZ6NuZ6-_V2S3mjLjQym8/s1600/hcmc.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQu977K8x9yoxopYLOWGQEj8W9V-mtp1VQoce6LtjDiO0qUj0Omp3hOS-k21Jk82WHzV3MZ90j7_PaWi0p3PioOEinF7qFmp1ZrrmsKuA4M9Q8875KJeKufQZ6NuZ6-_V2S3mjLjQym8/s320/hcmc.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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HCMC - crazy town</div>
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Fresh chicken<br />
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Hoian- one of the happiest places on Earth</td></tr>
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<b>Special events-</b> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7wlElr3GthyphenhyphenLKZ16Njfby3p3_DjEsh8VOIdEKuDrk854pbITZXJ0I_S40H-1vxR8zZErZCmqjOAGLbDUwJky0Lj8QG1BG1tiLMwK-5ALy-UXNSfwEcYASxAqx6WzJ5y57479XMeftp-0/s1600/24773167552_37f0f902df_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7wlElr3GthyphenhyphenLKZ16Njfby3p3_DjEsh8VOIdEKuDrk854pbITZXJ0I_S40H-1vxR8zZErZCmqjOAGLbDUwJky0Lj8QG1BG1tiLMwK-5ALy-UXNSfwEcYASxAqx6WzJ5y57479XMeftp-0/s400/24773167552_37f0f902df_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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Pascale came back to visit and we managed a surprise assembly appearance</div>
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The Bulldogs won the flag. How good was that!</td></tr>
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<b>Sunsets</b> - They were my standby when nothing else had made me smile. Its lucky we get so many beauties. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7M5fu__wyUoiGZiHx3MKlETJT-lbIDhWOQVjlqWWdUIEafOpjIig3-jaUTM2lJnYiEY2S3ggjpwZUjQa79mnes98G_GsWKlkW4rnA2S7lxIkcYszI5XTQHUy5VHBjZtz2as0ldxRpJGc/s1600/25106841670_dde96171e7_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZB2jNRjjZTYbGgvU_rwfmMON-nOT4VR-0jbRDTO4vuDNRP31D0eZhCw-FHa_h9fTu66m1ustilZuKIddpfLKsF5-V8pMUU__Ltg3_82lQW4kTwn8pn3Pr_DbJtZs1ad4TEPenHn4YBc/s1600/15624358_1217430284992153_7428838145426194432_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZB2jNRjjZTYbGgvU_rwfmMON-nOT4VR-0jbRDTO4vuDNRP31D0eZhCw-FHa_h9fTu66m1ustilZuKIddpfLKsF5-V8pMUU__Ltg3_82lQW4kTwn8pn3Pr_DbJtZs1ad4TEPenHn4YBc/s400/15624358_1217430284992153_7428838145426194432_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7M5fu__wyUoiGZiHx3MKlETJT-lbIDhWOQVjlqWWdUIEafOpjIig3-jaUTM2lJnYiEY2S3ggjpwZUjQa79mnes98G_GsWKlkW4rnA2S7lxIkcYszI5XTQHUy5VHBjZtz2as0ldxRpJGc/s1600/25106841670_dde96171e7_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7M5fu__wyUoiGZiHx3MKlETJT-lbIDhWOQVjlqWWdUIEafOpjIig3-jaUTM2lJnYiEY2S3ggjpwZUjQa79mnes98G_GsWKlkW4rnA2S7lxIkcYszI5XTQHUy5VHBjZtz2as0ldxRpJGc/s400/25106841670_dde96171e7_z.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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And so the sun sets on 2016. Thanks to everyone who's allowed me to photograph them or tag them and thanks to my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kwaussies/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Instagram</span></a> and <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/139010641@N07/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Flickr</span></a> followers for their feedback.</div>
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Before tomorrow morning I need a theme for 2017's 365.</div>
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Any ideas?</div>
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<br />Anne De Manserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04421025018738546599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496041973590627679.post-14777973495043500482016-12-15T21:08:00.000+11:002016-12-15T21:09:40.457+11:00The Measure of Success<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Today my
school got a nice little piece of publicity in the Herald Sun.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "calibri";"><a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/special-features/news-in-education/vce/vce-results-2016-small-schools-prove-potential-with-analysis-showing-impressive-gains/news-story/80c8a32f7c7af9e3e37b203492dffb40" target="_blank">http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/special-features/news-in-education/vce/vce-results-2016-small-schools-prove-potential-with-analysis-showing-impressive-gains/news-story/80c8a32f7c7af9e3e37b203492dffb40</a></span></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In a
nutshell, the median score for all our VCE study scores (out of 50), was 35 – a
truly great median for a no scholarship, take all comers, encourage everyone to
finish year 12, government school. More importantly on the data spectrum, we
were the most improved school, with our median shooting up 5 points from last
year.</span></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">We’ve had
halcyon times like this before. Occasionally we have some ‘lean’ years but It’s
not a new thing for our VCE kids to do well. Back in 2007-2009 we had medians
well above the average and our students have always ‘batted above their weight’
when it comes to success in academics, in sport and in performance skills. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">So while I’m
happy for us to bask in the (momentary) glory of high academic achievement, I think its important to recognise that it’s
the not the most important measure of our school’s success and definitely not
the most important measure of this group of kids. In fact, not all the kids in
this photo contributed to that median. The numbers are derived from all the
Unit 4 study scores and that included quite a few year 11s (who will get their
chance at ATAR glory next year). Some of these kids didn’t even sit exams but
they are no less successful in our eyes. Some are successful just because they
finished year 12, some combined VCAL with VCE, Shona is the VETis plumber of
the year (2 x in a row). Lachie is a state junior cricketer, Jake a state level
high jumper and Gerald, a national equestrian. Cooper published his 2nd EP and got a perfect score in
VET Music, a subject he studied at Emmanuel College because if we can’t offer a
subject ourselves, then we’ll find someone who can. Chloe finished VCE with VCAL certs in
3 different disciplines. Breeanna, our dux, had three scores over 40 and she
won’t even turn 18 till next May. All of them combined student leadership
duties with their studies, becoming role models and ambassadors. At some stage,
each and every one of them has performed in the school play, with 4 of them
gaining admittance into our Performing Arts Hall of Fame. </span></span></div>
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<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I first met
this group when they tumbled, full of personality, into year 5. There were lots
of them then, a big class by our standards, covering the whole gamut of academic
ability. They were larger than life kids, all different but all willing to turn
their hand to any task. By year 7 it was clear they were going to be a
successful cohort. They competed with each other and with themselves on a daily
basis, in sport, in class and on the stage. We watched them grow from enthusiastic
youngsters into skillful teenagers. Almost all of them came to NZ on camp with
us and they soaked up every moment and made the most of every experience.</span></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And then
bit by bit the group started to shrink with a lot of the kids going off to
bigger schools in bigger cities. Those who remained here struggled a bit.
They missed their friends, and I think they felt a little bit deserted, with a sense that
while the others were off having new adventures, they were stuck in the seemingly
boring sameness of their run down rurality, with teachers who knew them so well
that there was nowhere to hide. They became burdened by the high expectations
we had of them, sometimes doubting that they could match those expectations
with their own lofty ambitions and the work load that lay ahead. Some of them fought the demons of physical and
mental health issues and just getting to school each day became a victory.</span></span></div>
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<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Like the
surrogate parents that teachers often become, we cajoled, chastened, promised, pleaded,
threatened, tutored, guided and bribed, and as loyal co workers do, they
responded by doing their very best, by believing that if they dreamed it they
could do it and choosing to step up rather than stepping aside.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZc9CPT_ozSqbTJzJEde7U6PBDE_e9pxZUrPF1DMb8epljy2YSt5RR4KAumsGXHuM5r9LEwtI63yAP4lnp7x-Az6Vmnw2w3Vh-ZDLFu-mdvhklq2aUmaDCbEuc4sD68jc2XusNMBXGiRg/s1600/Numeracy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZc9CPT_ozSqbTJzJEde7U6PBDE_e9pxZUrPF1DMb8epljy2YSt5RR4KAumsGXHuM5r9LEwtI63yAP4lnp7x-Az6Vmnw2w3Vh-ZDLFu-mdvhklq2aUmaDCbEuc4sD68jc2XusNMBXGiRg/s320/Numeracy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And now,
here they are, big fish in anyone’s pond. The survivors and the victors, ready
to embrace their ‘real’ lives with the same passion and persistence that’s got
them through year 12.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6FWog7qpEBFcm_Yk7mrUfIapHLMAyCE09ZDAqRN4-3PIvLZ9BFS00sAbXg7EeZ0PEG7qufe7QGN8B3js3dOyUpRVakXfASvwqtNYEp-YhNh7c2E__W0_Gb9IEqxkeW5KJ8hwgzmcpyE/s1600/IMG_2112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6FWog7qpEBFcm_Yk7mrUfIapHLMAyCE09ZDAqRN4-3PIvLZ9BFS00sAbXg7EeZ0PEG7qufe7QGN8B3js3dOyUpRVakXfASvwqtNYEp-YhNh7c2E__W0_Gb9IEqxkeW5KJ8hwgzmcpyE/s400/IMG_2112.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">What a lovely bunch. Well done
and good luck to you all.</span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anne De Manserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04421025018738546599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496041973590627679.post-7367330440921250462016-07-18T18:52:00.000+10:002016-07-18T20:08:21.593+10:00Metamorphosis<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">There’s a metamorphosis happening at our
place and I’m not expecting to see a butterfly emerge any time soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Having parented, (and survived) two teenage
girls, I was fairly confident I had the whole puberty- mother thing under
control and besides, everyone knows that boys are easier than girls, right?
Well, Taine turns 13 today and I’m not quite so confident anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Do3Q-IqAl0yGmYPgf_6CgBwl38CmvQ_ECDEFuvOD08rvy8dvuuNsbVR1T0p7r4Qkxwuz2yeWvCT21sHS4pnnHvPKwsGy4AnVipBuPSgKpzlCbfODb0CG-1_wd5kpju1smc_HK_GAJO0/s1600/TaineIMG_4925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Do3Q-IqAl0yGmYPgf_6CgBwl38CmvQ_ECDEFuvOD08rvy8dvuuNsbVR1T0p7r4Qkxwuz2yeWvCT21sHS4pnnHvPKwsGy4AnVipBuPSgKpzlCbfODb0CG-1_wd5kpju1smc_HK_GAJO0/s400/TaineIMG_4925.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">My beautiful little, tousle haired boy is
transforming, before my very eyes, into a man. Like a less verdant version of the
Hulk, his body is morphing into its adult shape, long and lean with man hands
sprouting from the ends of his arms. You can literally see his bones growing
and stretching under the skin; the puppy fat falling away to reveal an angular
and less awkward new shape. Every window in our house has become a mirror
that measures the change in his abs and biceps! His feet are already bigger
than his father’s, signaling a further growth spurt on the horizon and
increasingly more expensive visits to the shoe shop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The fridge and the pantry are often empty;
despite my daily shopping they are devoid of proteins and carbohydrates- but
that doesn’t stop him from endlessly opening their doors to window shop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The eyes that used to look beseechingly at
me to pick him up and carry him are suddenly at eye level with my own and more
often defiant than compliant. He’s developed a passive resistance that leaves
his bedroom chaos untouched and his homework wallowing in the bottom of his
bag. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigr-Hy-HUrT2pYMfIDwsSrIUFotTGfPJwLs8fAnD4G13lEsk26FRNPca0rXui1VLSW-XgS1VLpbZi66dl1uL2MfxQuG6nhVT4E_3h3UBTm_eAovpL_dJc0PDgIvgU2FN6FbjDPVLVMlo/s1600/mum+%2526+taine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigr-Hy-HUrT2pYMfIDwsSrIUFotTGfPJwLs8fAnD4G13lEsk26FRNPca0rXui1VLSW-XgS1VLpbZi66dl1uL2MfxQuG6nhVT4E_3h3UBTm_eAovpL_dJc0PDgIvgU2FN6FbjDPVLVMlo/s320/mum+%2526+taine.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The timid creature who used to worry about
his own safety has dissolved into a testosterone fuelled risk taker, full of
bravado and c’est la vie. His voice has dropped an octave and his constant stream of conversation has been reduced to the odd grunt or a single letter text message.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">His teddy, Lamby, lies abandoned in a corner
of his room somewhere, smothered by the discarded dirty clothes and surrounded
by other abandoned relics of his boyhood. That poor stuffed sheep has traveled the
world with him and now it doesn’t even rate a spot on the bed! </span>One night my little boy went to bed calling
out his usual chorus of “Love you Mum, love you Dad”. The next morning he started calling me Anne and squirming when I tried to give him a hug.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I remember when I was pregnant with Taine,
a miracle, conceived around my 45<sup>th</sup> birthday and born just
before my 46<sup>th</sup>. I had so many fears about my own ability to cope
with a baby, mostly fuelled by the asked, and unasked questions of everyone
else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">"How will you manage the broken sleep at
your age?" (Actually it was good training for the insomnia of menopause.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">"Won’t he miss out on doing stuff with you
because you’re so old?" (So far we’ve walked the length and breadth of New York
and London, cycled around Uluru and Paris and climbed the Old Man of Storr and the Sydney Harbour Bridge together. I think I’m doing OK ;-)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">"What if people think you’re his
grandmother?" (This hasn’t happened yet but I’ve since discovered that there’s
nothing wrong with being a grandma!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">"How will you cope with a teenager when
you’re 60?" (I’ll get back to you on this one).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">"Aren’t you sad that you probably won’t see
his grandchildren?" (Yes, I was actually asked this question and yes, I am. But
my parents didn’t see their grandchildren either and they were in their 20s
when I was born).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAR81z7eSM3Fjf1UztS3lnwJ_FKjoIs3EUmEa3jwa7HZwPKqfYzfO73NghD0w0YeetTiLeSuZhSqiG_F5YXw8oRs7Ijzr683JLK2fAJyCZSCdjd4KuIVk0-xM81Cjh9bM9rHTiFRbz0TA/s1600/IMG_7898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAR81z7eSM3Fjf1UztS3lnwJ_FKjoIs3EUmEa3jwa7HZwPKqfYzfO73NghD0w0YeetTiLeSuZhSqiG_F5YXw8oRs7Ijzr683JLK2fAJyCZSCdjd4KuIVk0-xM81Cjh9bM9rHTiFRbz0TA/s320/IMG_7898.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">As a result of these questions, I spent a
lot of Taine’s childhood willing him to grow up while I was still here to
protect him. Now I regret my own foolishness at wishing that magical time away.
Those long nights when nothing would calm him but a cuddle in our bed, the
early mornings when he just wanted to get up and play, the endless questions of
‘why, Mummy?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Because now, suddenly, here he is, an
(almost) self sufficient adolescent and from my past experience I know how quickly the next few
years will pass. When I blink a few more times he’ll be finished school and
gone from home. My wonderful, extended twilight of hands on parenting will be
over. Today, as I watch the last vestiges of ‘twelvie’ disappear, I have to
remind myself that it’s ok to miss the little boy that he was but more
important to celebrate the man he is becoming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">How grateful I am to have had the opportunity to
experience the childhood of this amazing creature. Behind the nonchalant, know
it all veil of the teenager, he is a kind, thoughtful and multi talented young
man. I may not get to be around to see him grow old and grey and I may never know exactly <b>what
</b>he will be but I do know <b>who</b> he will be. </span><!--EndFragment--><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Happy Birthday Insano</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">(And just to test his resilience, here's a video of Taine's theory of the world from many years ago)</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyiIU4hsPsdYczP2q0QMX4B3tztyW0FDwIwr0jb1rHb5cV7m5Rr6IpZaqheka23TNojovP83O2b6G6RZlU1wg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>Anne De Manserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04421025018738546599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496041973590627679.post-50164733099358073422016-01-15T16:41:00.002+11:002016-01-15T16:41:38.007+11:00Photo 365 (366)<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s something very special about the first month of the
new year. It always feels like a blank slate, a chance to move on from whatever
was holding you back last year, a promise of things to come, a whole year full
of opportunities just waiting to happen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNnkagwCYSXhxFCwKI1zmF3z1-GVONen2dKZ-3EZgaKN-Gc2OxUxS4-y1M90j5lMSjuj4YU80JLyJvOJ_NemINkFmz9xTOhBdscrI_C_14vtOoSlBFQ97CA_FVcm45TePv6YLMTB9RSI/s1600/opportunities.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNnkagwCYSXhxFCwKI1zmF3z1-GVONen2dKZ-3EZgaKN-Gc2OxUxS4-y1M90j5lMSjuj4YU80JLyJvOJ_NemINkFmz9xTOhBdscrI_C_14vtOoSlBFQ97CA_FVcm45TePv6YLMTB9RSI/s320/opportunities.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It’s silly really because time is just a human construct and
we could choose to start fresh on any given rotation of the sun but Jan 1<sup>st</sup>
provides a marker point and the older I get, the faster those 365 (or 366 this
year) rotations seems to disappear, so I really savour these first, ambitious
days of January, when anything seems possible.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For the last few years I’ve completed a 365 photo project.
The premise is simple; take a photo each and every day of the year and publish
it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve read lots of blog pieces from the ‘put down your
device’ naysayers who lament the way many of us view our lives through a lens.
I actually find these quite amusing, especially the ones that bag social media
and the internet – and yet the piece is published … on the internet! ‘Live in
the moment’, ‘make memories, not videos’, etc, etc. But what is a photograph,
if it’s not a memory? A memory that lives, not only in my rapidly deteriorating grey matter, but one that can be shared<o:p></o:p></div>
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My completed 365s are the ultimate photo album. Rather than
taking you away from the moment, the discipline of taking at least one photo
every day forces you to concentrate on the minutiae of daily life, to look for
something memorable in every day, not just the ‘special’ occasions. For sure,
my 365 shows me birthdays and victories and spectacular holiday moments but it
also reminds me of the other glorious parts of my life; the first ripe plums on
our trees, Spring heralding daffodils, sunsets, laughter, trivial, happy moments
from the daily grind of teaching that would otherwise be lost. The 365 is like
a gift to yourself because at the end you have a spectacular, chronicled,
visual diary of your life. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
I have tried posting my 365 projects in a few different places. Originally, I posted to the <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://365project.org/">365project.org</a> </span>website. This is a great forum for photography because of the challenges they set and the support of other amateur photographers. The hard part is getting around to uploading your photos from the camera each week.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlYqMlox6yESRmck03RypjJA0IyOfZoJQxkopQnJS2cUFwf354KCgdR5sQX2MeWjYmtM6TcufVtftz9OmrnNm8sdh7sLAi9mZ6NP7Fq9AZH9hl6TW9T20Z1lP0TYKzar2TvPwYHwfgzY/s1600/IMG_1890.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlYqMlox6yESRmck03RypjJA0IyOfZoJQxkopQnJS2cUFwf354KCgdR5sQX2MeWjYmtM6TcufVtftz9OmrnNm8sdh7sLAi9mZ6NP7Fq9AZH9hl6TW9T20Z1lP0TYKzar2TvPwYHwfgzY/s400/IMG_1890.png" width="223" /></a></div>
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In 2015, I chose Instagram because it’s so easy to post on the run with my iPhone and because the phone saves Inta pics into one folder so they’re easy to see as a series.</div>
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Since my first go at this project, back in 2011, I’ve tried
to up the challenge by applying a theme to each year’s photos. This makes it
much harder. This year’s theme was #trysomethingnew and was more about me
pushing my comfort zone than the actual photography. As a result, I’ve tried
lots of new recipes and eaten things I’ve never tried before and I’ve pushed my
own fear limits to climb to high places, including the Swiss Alps, the Eiffel
Tower and the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Since I was holding my breath
and closing my eyes for some of those experiences, it’s a good thing I have
photographic evidence!<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhnkjWhzaxhGZD4-vbahlo9Z25VHQZgdhyphenhyphenyJylNYx_eSH3xrIY2HGfGcwdjbKA8xMqCbVdxVX-fFosCMl9hkc960l08Wgi0f3UCIKzxFrltAk-6LJYBas8ALgNsixlWnHxhN26UiQa48/s1600/IMG_1889.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhnkjWhzaxhGZD4-vbahlo9Z25VHQZgdhyphenhyphenyJylNYx_eSH3xrIY2HGfGcwdjbKA8xMqCbVdxVX-fFosCMl9hkc960l08Wgi0f3UCIKzxFrltAk-6LJYBas8ALgNsixlWnHxhN26UiQa48/s320/IMG_1889.png" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram 2015 #trysomethingnew</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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One of my greatest regrets is that I didn’t start doing this
earlier. I admire and envy the photographers who have chronicled their own or
their children’s lives with daily or yearly photos. How amazing it must be to
look back and reflect in that way. Still, regret is a wasted emotion so I’m
determined to chronicle the back half of my life. Hopefully my grand children
and great grand children will find it of historic amusement, if nothing else.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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This year I’m going with Insta again (#thingsthatmakemehappy)
but I’m also posting to a Flickr group (#2016 ) because they have very strict
rules about posting on the same day as taking so it provides another level up
in the challenge. I’m also hoping to integrate the 365 into my teaching with a
#theresmoretomortlake tag for the kids to contribute to. From my dslr camera
I’m going to put as much as possible onto 365.org as well. And then, I really
want to do a portrait series because people are just so interesting!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcs8oRV1f092u4FIuQSQTysxkJXGbBBQZPwcTTcQiDsXwivNnJZHyWbgp4Gft-XiGtyBI4_Ju79ZcZy-KYAatTLTx9qOu4s_y8REJugBTFCC1J_KVz8K_GVEL7s8aeqDjzDM6MmHWY4g/s1600/IMG_1887.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcs8oRV1f092u4FIuQSQTysxkJXGbBBQZPwcTTcQiDsXwivNnJZHyWbgp4Gft-XiGtyBI4_Ju79ZcZy-KYAatTLTx9qOu4s_y8REJugBTFCC1J_KVz8K_GVEL7s8aeqDjzDM6MmHWY4g/s400/IMG_1887.png" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Insta 2015 : #thingsthatmakemehappy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The
hardest part is always choosing just one photo and that’s why I’m cheating by
running different sites. <o:p></o:p></div>
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If you’ve never had a go at taking a photo a day, this is
the year to try it.<br />
Here are my top tips for a successful project:<br />
- Take lots of photos and then edit each night on your phone/camera.<br />
- Take a photo early in each day. You can always get a better one as the day progresses but there's nothing worse than getting to bed time and having nothing captured.<br />
-Keep your originals in a 365 folder on your computer or a portable drive. Then if you want to print them at the end of the year, they're easy to find and in chronological order.<br />
-Don't beat yourself up if you miss a day. With most sites you can cheat a bit by filling in the gaps with an extra from the day before or the day after - NB; not Flickr though - miss more than one day and you're out!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHneay0vWEjW5EhO75arqppDC3v7LKmxKwb5PzHHOOCTp8HNNAzAvh91AXArTTEZRKuDsl8AXWaeIUTTFk0N6ifQOPAPflnOU-Oh-CJWRLNewot8UUSLkz43bC9Jkyq1cmz72jNiwgd0/s1600/IMG_1891.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHneay0vWEjW5EhO75arqppDC3v7LKmxKwb5PzHHOOCTp8HNNAzAvh91AXArTTEZRKuDsl8AXWaeIUTTFk0N6ifQOPAPflnOU-Oh-CJWRLNewot8UUSLkz43bC9Jkyq1cmz72jNiwgd0/s400/IMG_1891.png" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flickr- 2016 one photo a day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
- Choose a theme or go for a site that has weekly or monthly topic challenges. This definitely helps with motivation and inspiration. On 365 org you can even pair up with a mentor who will look at your photos and choose a challenge for you.<br />
<br />
And if you do start a photo a day challenge this year, please add me on Instagram or wherever you
post so that I can follow your adventures too.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
365 org : Anne De Manser<br />
Instagram: @kwaussies<br />
Flickr : @Aannne</div>
Anne De Manserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04421025018738546599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496041973590627679.post-23297443132424030412016-01-06T10:39:00.001+11:002016-01-06T10:39:18.866+11:00JonahOur poor, old dog, Jonah, didn't wake up this morning.<br />
This was not unexpected, we've been expecting his demise for awhile now. He was heading for his 16th birthday and that's a long time for a labrador.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtooDwz7F47JTczOHyBe0PacO3CquhFxgOFabAPGG8gMpgjqF0L4zMel21X-hVjiin1nPdh4kb7bOEsD5JbmYNNKufEOJT5YPpSaKRL7qzpbpaayb7B5bc3LaO4ciQDgGpsfCx_Cwvj8/s1600/936608_10153469913968191_587232824025269682_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtooDwz7F47JTczOHyBe0PacO3CquhFxgOFabAPGG8gMpgjqF0L4zMel21X-hVjiin1nPdh4kb7bOEsD5JbmYNNKufEOJT5YPpSaKRL7qzpbpaayb7B5bc3LaO4ciQDgGpsfCx_Cwvj8/s400/936608_10153469913968191_587232824025269682_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Jonah used to sleep downstairs in the porch with his best friend Nala, a mangy old moggy, (the by product of our promiscuous Maddy cat, who dropped a litter of kittens before she was old enough to be speyed). Nala was a crochety, wretch of a cat but she and Jonah had a wonderful companionship for their shared 15 years together. During the day they would sit on the front deck, guard the house and observe the world, then at night they would retire to their boudoir. A few weeks ago, Nala just disappeared and since then Jonah has been sleeping on the front lawn. I'm sure he's been looking for her and in the less scientific side of my mind, I like to think he's found her now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VJGEWIKxdCv0WcJFPX-e2F6_D1Jmzo0EMT7kQrJDBQRtF1XLQJcgl0HXGD2flRCvoiNzTka7B6XmXUnODFyoe4Wi6L5iBKGit_fxnBivhd27-TwjuNpaKP89Garnb0P7eZnU6BHYrpQ/s1600/IMG_4794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VJGEWIKxdCv0WcJFPX-e2F6_D1Jmzo0EMT7kQrJDBQRtF1XLQJcgl0HXGD2flRCvoiNzTka7B6XmXUnODFyoe4Wi6L5iBKGit_fxnBivhd27-TwjuNpaKP89Garnb0P7eZnU6BHYrpQ/s320/IMG_4794.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We got Jonah around the same time we got married and in a sense he was a symbol and statement of hope for a relationship that most people (other than Geoff & I) didn't rate a chance to see the year out. What a shame no one was running a book on the odds on the long life of the dog and the marriage; we would have been rich!<br />
<br />
We named the dog after the rugby great, Jonah Lomu. If he and Taine had been born the other way around, then I guess the dog's name would have been Taine.<br />
Like most labs, Jonah had a pesky adolescence before becoming a calm, cool and gentle companion. He loved it when we moved to Waggs Lane because he was never chained up and never wandered. He was always happy to see us and liked nothing better than a walk around the block - although in recent years a stroll to the corner was enough to convince him he'd had enough exercise for the day.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRbOfDqmdUXbqKE1p6X-Jp-FSCyEWQXvkq-mWHEO2XBfggZTfGIOK0tMsw3N9Wjd6kZxQaSTZfbLpajDf5NKfPtuITTL8p5tvdtTvCWoPnkp9Y5Z8iW16-R8vM531WVj3f4CHhepzhEU/s1600/IMG_0180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRbOfDqmdUXbqKE1p6X-Jp-FSCyEWQXvkq-mWHEO2XBfggZTfGIOK0tMsw3N9Wjd6kZxQaSTZfbLpajDf5NKfPtuITTL8p5tvdtTvCWoPnkp9Y5Z8iW16-R8vM531WVj3f4CHhepzhEU/s320/IMG_0180.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We've been fretting about leaving Jonah to go on our annual beach holiday this year. Blessed with helpful friends, he has always been well looked after while we're away but for the past 3 or 4 holiday trips we've been worried he'd cark it while we were gone and he's a big dog. Geoff even thought about pre digging his grave but that seemed a bit presumptuous, even for an ancient creature like Jonah. This morning, he got to perform this last labour of love, with a little help from Taine who learnt a bit more about the cycle of life. It was a fitting tribute for a faithful companion.<br />
<br />
In the end, Jonah's timing couldn't have been better. He got the last of the Christmas ham for lunch yesterday and when we got home late last night , his hopeful tail wagging told us he'd forgotten he'd already been fed, so Geoff gave him supper. As always, he waited patiently beside the bowl until he was told he could eat. And then he went back to the lawn to look for Nala.<br />
<br />
And now he's gone.<br />
Thanks for all your loving big fella.Anne De Manserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04421025018738546599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496041973590627679.post-91189768226924985712015-09-11T21:23:00.001+10:002015-09-11T21:23:11.399+10:00Shuffle Time<div class="MsoNormal">
Netball has always been my game. As a kid I played tennis
and hockey and basketball (very badly) but netball was the sport that I loved
and have continued to be involved with throughout my life. I love the
camaraderie of netball and the strategy of moving the ball from one corridor
and one third to another. I love that the boundaries of each position mean no
one individual can dominate (although I’ve seen a few centres try). Because of
the designated playing areas, there’s no room for ball hogs and clever team
work out plays individual brilliance, almost every time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love the aerodynamic fitness required and the way the momentum,
and therefore the score of the game can change in a heartbeat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJ-3AFXilKNrdDMlbMUVxmW6AHrj_gzayEklw8zqN0wfyQJ7yRJs7oakGIgG41y3Bwo2zEtRSUOEtDNd3Ap8wyhR1Gli6BvQnN-gxnFkkD4SWI2QevR23cHSINvJKlMKYhBiHbDEKuZk/s1600/netball.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJ-3AFXilKNrdDMlbMUVxmW6AHrj_gzayEklw8zqN0wfyQJ7yRJs7oakGIgG41y3Bwo2zEtRSUOEtDNd3Ap8wyhR1Gli6BvQnN-gxnFkkD4SWI2QevR23cHSINvJKlMKYhBiHbDEKuZk/s320/netball.jpeg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were a step ahead of the pleated skirts at Caramut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love netball because it’s a thinker’s game. As the great
Joyce Brown often said, 80% of what goes on in netball happens above the shoulders
and that suits me just fine because my brain has always worked better than my
legs!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I was a kid we used to play here in town in an ad hoc
sort of competition, run, I suppose, by our mothers, on Saturday mornings. We designed
and made our own team outfits that we then teamed with our gym boots or Dunlop
volleys. Nobody strapped their ankles or their knees and surprisingly I don’t
remember any serious injuries. Mind you, looking back at the photos I think
glamour may have been more important to us than speed, so maybe we just ran
slowly! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AHdudt2Br4akpaHwgf8UNjEZ3w8giuglNVl3i9SvD5WTNippGu1s2D3yAVGbM_H2DCpJcdnJQeR8yjM-YahPln9JuzBSPDEcY-5wVzLwqV5lAuHS6ktACMFqcJLmmi0kld2go1v1evI/s1600/zips.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AHdudt2Br4akpaHwgf8UNjEZ3w8giuglNVl3i9SvD5WTNippGu1s2D3yAVGbM_H2DCpJcdnJQeR8yjM-YahPln9JuzBSPDEcY-5wVzLwqV5lAuHS6ktACMFqcJLmmi0kld2go1v1evI/s320/zips.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guess what this team was called - The Zippers! Ha ha ha</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a teacher you always get dobbed in to be the coach of
things and so apart from my many years on court, I’ve also spent a lot of time
on the sidelines trying to get the best out of other players, usually kids. To
be honest I think I’m too dithery to be a great coach. I get way too caught up
in the game and my desire to be kind always overwhelms my ability to make tough
decisions but I love it and I really enjoy the chance to work with kids outside
the classroom environment. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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I started coaching kids when Woorndoo entered the Mininera
League nearly 30 years ago. Having had no netball competition in our previous league, we started
from scratch and I coached all 5 teams, from U/14 Reserves through to A Grade.
They were long days and we didn’t win many games in any grade for the first few
years. Gradually though, thanks to the netballing dynasties of Mahnckes,
Leskes, Milwards, Muirs, Bourchiers and Barrs we built to be a pretty powerful
netball force and even though I’m not out at Woorndoo anymore I love following
their continued success.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihc-tTWYav_RIZaKvD7rajnvhAjh2cW_6mHG4vTd6F5cSnZ-GpjX2Og56A06GLL5dCaDFHE1IKUGsIV_jak7BRiDAFe92CB5A5bZF_2owlJHBRfP97cg5m3bpmcAOEEWOAXfZLF2k_hBc/s1600/premiers+side2004.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihc-tTWYav_RIZaKvD7rajnvhAjh2cW_6mHG4vTd6F5cSnZ-GpjX2Og56A06GLL5dCaDFHE1IKUGsIV_jak7BRiDAFe92CB5A5bZF_2owlJHBRfP97cg5m3bpmcAOEEWOAXfZLF2k_hBc/s400/premiers+side2004.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2004 13/U Premiers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My own daughters were born playing netball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the time she could walk, Jaime refused
to leave home on Saturdays without her netball bib on. Sophie, quite literally,
was almost born on the court given that I was at netball training 12 hours
before she was born and back on the court 3 weeks afterwards. I think they’ve
both been at netball training every Thursday night of every winter of their lives. And, thanks to their skill at the game I’ve been fortunate enough to watch them play netball
right up to national level. I still get a thrill every time I watch my girls play.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMzDuHV8FJkZivWOTObbkk3Opv8XdEwABQPeh67_FKhujBILIHZgpXXIPaq3PgdP3ukr80pPpziutZUSpWQTRF65edqCa9l7iX1-litmq0CQsVTRGFRLawKKGJaSwb7ej1nxo1A9Af3A/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMzDuHV8FJkZivWOTObbkk3Opv8XdEwABQPeh67_FKhujBILIHZgpXXIPaq3PgdP3ukr80pPpziutZUSpWQTRF65edqCa9l7iX1-litmq0CQsVTRGFRLawKKGJaSwb7ej1nxo1A9Af3A/s320/FullSizeRender.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's Jaime in the C</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zxtAiP5bRw_VhjVBOdq0lrhtSoCNlvJDoBNUQq8npwQfbnGYKv3UUXL5egva7qI7Zb1_DpP641Ea3vA07aheC6K1Ogf-n_qkWwTVT-FRdG1KMebS1BYMgskRwFUM73Cr0Pm3e7PHvhQ/s1600/netball2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zxtAiP5bRw_VhjVBOdq0lrhtSoCNlvJDoBNUQq8npwQfbnGYKv3UUXL5egva7qI7Zb1_DpP641Ea3vA07aheC6K1Ogf-n_qkWwTVT-FRdG1KMebS1BYMgskRwFUM73Cr0Pm3e7PHvhQ/s320/netball2.bmp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soph's first game</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8RJzvJhUQyeY0Avn-iXaVioRZHM6wJhpVFd4OHxRXoxSMH6Z1CjwC8BlQCzqKdsBU6L1eBFZjwz2CwaVmF3Es6b-boVh8H6wpxdXhIvqyUeN4eskJcQ0ngVMZhx1QFaK_NVTM5HYq4o/s1600/IMG_3590.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8RJzvJhUQyeY0Avn-iXaVioRZHM6wJhpVFd4OHxRXoxSMH6Z1CjwC8BlQCzqKdsBU6L1eBFZjwz2CwaVmF3Es6b-boVh8H6wpxdXhIvqyUeN4eskJcQ0ngVMZhx1QFaK_NVTM5HYq4o/s320/IMG_3590.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I stopped playing netball at 47 when the length of time
taken to get over a game started to overlap with the time needed to prepare for
one and apart from a couple of coaching stints with Nth Warrnambool teams I thought I was ready to be a netball spectator rather than a participant. Then I had a
delegation from the Mortlake Junior Sharks with a request that I take on some junior development work with them. Taine was ready to start playing junior footy and
the request came accompanied with wine by some lovely people, so I thought, why
not?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwa4M5wRwXIyPYOELQl7QfnMBdUemif58bxkdKV6UcyPbaAc279j3fz3DquXexE-OBsp9xFzIuxjC2NL7HirJAMZO98WFztg9F8I94t5lOJ4w00LBwPIr80xo9MXmLHj-wwFI5c9vQfDc/s1600/11947496_10154357810690200_5696123769582512301_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwa4M5wRwXIyPYOELQl7QfnMBdUemif58bxkdKV6UcyPbaAc279j3fz3DquXexE-OBsp9xFzIuxjC2NL7HirJAMZO98WFztg9F8I94t5lOJ4w00LBwPIr80xo9MXmLHj-wwFI5c9vQfDc/s320/11947496_10154357810690200_5696123769582512301_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When the Sharks win, we shuffle!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Getting a successful junior program running is never easy.
The first few years are always hard and it takes a special sort of resilience
to front up every week knowing that you’re going to get thrashed. When I had my
first season with the Junior Sharks I jokingly referred to it as my netball
penance; having had so many successful years at Woorndoo, it seemed only fair
that I see the other side of the coaching coin again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it has been no hardship to work with
this club or these girls. The club is run brilliantly, by people who really
care about providing sporting opportunities for kids in our town. The girls are
good listeners. They work hard and (mostly) they, and their parents, are really
nice to each other and to me. When I
started coaching this group 3 years ago, they were tiny little 10 and 11 yr
olds, much too small for the 13/U competition but full of eagerness to learn
and the grit to manage being walloped every Saturday. We set short term goals
in the first season – let’s get beaten by less in the 2<sup>nd</sup> round than
we did in the first; longer term in the 2<sup>nd</sup> year – let’s win more
games than we lose and then this year – let’s make the finals. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dk3yDmqR0FiuYJSGaAw_2g6Gxmg0wuWZYb6_k09s68RNfDgl38Ked_oJXRtVPi73YW1gr-FYVLeOTOHLNoq-GppQresQXC0M-Yi3dEhaD_7qv_JPB-xNu527zTgKsOLzCxLJosKeHPs/s1600/1-IMG_2138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dk3yDmqR0FiuYJSGaAw_2g6Gxmg0wuWZYb6_k09s68RNfDgl38Ked_oJXRtVPi73YW1gr-FYVLeOTOHLNoq-GppQresQXC0M-Yi3dEhaD_7qv_JPB-xNu527zTgKsOLzCxLJosKeHPs/s400/1-IMG_2138.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Remarkably, that’s just what they did. Now they’re the big
girls of the comp, finishing 2<sup>nd</sup> on the ladder with just 2 losses
for the season.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And tomorrow, the Mortlake Junior Sharks 13/U team will play
in the Warrnambool and District Grand Final. This is a BIG deal because it’s
the first time the Mortlake Junior Sharks have had a netball team in the
finals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saahhh exciting!! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m writing this blog piece to fill in the time before bed
because I’m nearly as excited as the kids. I couldn’t care what the result is
tomorrow (although OF COURSE I hope we win). The important thing is we made it
to the very last game of the year. We set goals and ticked them all off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone is better at the game than they were
at the start of the year. I've been overwhelmed by the number of well wishes we've received and the number of supporters willing to turn up so early to watch and cheer. Our club and our town has a team to be proud of and everyone is enjoying being part of it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And next Saturday I don’t have to get up at 7am to get to
the netball!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp25BnzcpMjQ8H4y8UxvcBd7C3ipEb6LYYHEknKwWb_N0Xd9Nh3GcFnttFITs9_VexPGL_hj4VBj6GcVLdAmeqrPT8vtDnXqKXxkyX-xvlgon-NVa2Ci7Ew0BkX2Gwh5SUYY2nnNN8H60/s1600/11949299_10154357810475200_5481375972480759123_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp25BnzcpMjQ8H4y8UxvcBd7C3ipEb6LYYHEknKwWb_N0Xd9Nh3GcFnttFITs9_VexPGL_hj4VBj6GcVLdAmeqrPT8vtDnXqKXxkyX-xvlgon-NVa2Ci7Ew0BkX2Gwh5SUYY2nnNN8H60/s400/11949299_10154357810475200_5481375972480759123_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Shuffle on Sharkies.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anne De Manserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04421025018738546599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496041973590627679.post-16408980457125556892015-02-12T20:10:00.003+11:002015-02-12T20:10:43.197+11:00Goodbye my friendMy Dear Friend,<br />
<br />
Today we stood rocking your great grandsons under the peppercorn tree outside the Woorndoo church while I listened to my girls deliver the eulogy at your funeral. I have never felt more connected to you than at that moment. In their words, your grand daughters captured beautifully the essence that was you and I felt comforted by the warmth of our shared pride in them.<br />
<br />
The minister made a remark about a door being opened and remarkably the door of the church suddenly did just that. Some may have found that eerie but I wasn't surprised. I felt your presence keenly. You were just letting everyone know you're still in charge!<br />
<br />
You were my oldest friend, a stable influence in my life since I was a little girl. Our relationship existed on many levels at different times. You were my mother's friend, my friend's mother, my mother in law, my ex mother in law, my children's grandmother but always, my friend.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuJts89krX8Ul0krAVdz6Sk52755uCf-sF5LSKIaA2xm5GUnLhIsSLUoeMZJGAmmTLhXqm-d7jkH6mucIaYl3P3g4ws3U54pYlMdlhmIp0Bl5tkOeOTlywJDfCzQ1oxpCNPxYFbqMRqw/s1600/IMG_7477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuJts89krX8Ul0krAVdz6Sk52755uCf-sF5LSKIaA2xm5GUnLhIsSLUoeMZJGAmmTLhXqm-d7jkH6mucIaYl3P3g4ws3U54pYlMdlhmIp0Bl5tkOeOTlywJDfCzQ1oxpCNPxYFbqMRqw/s1600/IMG_7477.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I was a little bit scared of you as a child. It took me awhile to realise that your bark was worse than your bite. From my cosseted, only-child perspective, your rules were tough but I learnt to live with them because I loved being part of your big, rambunctious family. I loved the bickering and horse play and shared chores. I loved the routine of it; poached eggs for breakfast and a teaspoon of tea for each person and one for the pot.<br />
<br />
When I married your son I became a bona fide member of the family and our relationship took a new turn. As a young farmer's wife I was in awe of your ability to manage a household, cook 3 meals a day and smoko for 6 or 8 or 10 or more without raising a sweat, all the while keeping the bench tops sparkling and the floors clean enough to eat off. In hindsight I can only imagine how difficult it was for you to put up with my messiness when I moved into your pristine former home.<br />
<br />
We shared many cups of tea and the occasional glass of sherry during the long, lonely Summer harvests. I learnt how to keep the house cool in the heat, to be thrifty with water, how to cook mutton in 57 different ways and to never leave the fly wire open. I learned that the key to cleanliness is that shoes MUST ALWAYS be removed at the door and I discovered that if you really want something done, you should do it yourself. I watched you chop the heads off chickens, kill snakes and knock holes in the wall. We learnt to respect each other's strengths. We shared secrets and played cards and laughed a lot.<br />
<br />
And then I became a mother myself and you, a doting but no nonsense grandmother. You never once tried to interfere with my bumbling parenting (though I'm sure you felt like it!) Instead you praised me and gave me the confidence I needed to do a good job. When my own mum died, you cleaned my house, cooked all the food for the wake, looked after Jaime and cradled me like a baby until I had the strength to look after myself again.<br />
<br />
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<br />
As your brother said to me today, "With Leila, you were either in, or out." I was lucky enough to be 'in' and stayed that way even when I broke your heart. Divorce may have seen me 'unfriended' by lots of people, but not by you. While you hated my decision, you understood it. Our family ties wavered but our friendship stood firm. Your decision to keep me 'in' allowed my new family and my old family to blend together. You gave my girls the gift of unity, never forcing them to choose between their parents. You were happy to 'rouse' my new husband and son just the way you roused your own. Today your new daughter in law took my hand at the cemetery and we said goodbye to you together. If that's not testament to your ability to bring people together, nothing is.<br />
<br />
We disagreed about politics, religion, technology and feminism and whether or not lipstick was mandatory when leaving the house! You were black and white while I always live in the grey but we agreed on the things that count most; love and loyalty. I'm sad that we won't be able to share any more conversations, but I'm happy for you that you're no longer stuck in that little room waiting to move on. I know your energy still exists; I saw it today in the faces of all your gorgeous grown up grandchildren and your ever increasing brood of great grand children.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Thank you for being my friend.<br />
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Love, Ann(e) xxx<br />
<br />Anne De Manserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04421025018738546599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496041973590627679.post-25424695446456493712015-02-03T20:44:00.001+11:002015-02-03T20:50:58.262+11:0028 Days of Writing 3 - My ideal schoolI'm cheating a bit today because it's been a very long day and I'm totally devoid of creativity so I'm basing this post on some multi media I already have saved.<br />
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Last year a couple of my colleagues and I participated in the<span style="color: lime;"> <a href="http://www.bastow.vic.edu.au/courses/leading-schools-in-the-digital-age" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Bastow</span></a> </span>course, Leading Schools in the Digital Age. I really enjoyed the course because, unlike a lot of the PD available these days, it concentrated on the pedagogy of 21st C teaching rather than the hardware.<br />
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We spent 13 weeks developing a school ICT change plan and spreading our own, individual digital wings to explore the possibilities of teaching and leading in this 'new' age. The program was run by a very slick team from<span style="color: red;"> </span><a href="http://www.dk2.com.au/" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">@dk2_econfidence</span></a><span style="color: red;"> </span>who provided us with mentoring and exposed us to the ideas of some amazing world experts, including a keynote from one of my 'internet heroes' <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/109633220764635723789" target="_blank">+Alec Couros</a> .<br />
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Anyway, one of the activities we had to complete was a 60 sec movie about our ideal school. There were several criteria that I won't bore you with but the concept really got me thinking about what is important in schools these days and when we were finished we were pretty confident that our school is well on the way to the 'ideals' we strive for.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">O</span>pportunities </b>: Despite being out the back of beyond our kids have lots of opportunities that contribute to their success later on and probably the greatest opportunity we provide is the ability to be successful while remaining in our own, wonderful country community.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">U</span>nited:</b> Our small size means we have to get along. Team work is imperative for staff and students.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">R</span>esourceful:</b> By necessity! Our teachers, parents and students are incredibly resourceful in solving the tyrannies of distance and funding.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">I</span>nteresting:</b> Curiosity is a keystone of our curriculum. We want to grow thinkers, not followers.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">D</span>ramatic:</b> Our Performing Arts program is second to none.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">E</span>xciting:</b> There's certainly never a dull moment.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">A</span>dventurous:</b> School trips to Japan and New Zealand, surf camps, cycling camps, historical re enactment camps, personal development programs, we have an adventure to suit everyone.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">L</span>eadership:</b> At our school, it's an action, not just a badge.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">S</span>uccessful:</b> The success of our students after school, in all walks of life, is testament to the success of our ideals.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">C</span>onnected:</b> We've been at the forefront of tech integration since the turn of the century. A BYOD program allows 1:1 access and connectedness for all. If we can't provide it in person we can source it online. Our school community is connected in person and via any number of social media and online programs.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">H</span>elpful:</b> I hope so. Knowing our community so closely allows help to happen when and where it's needed.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">O</span>rganised:</b> Well, mostly!<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">O</span>pen Doors:</b> Come, in, look around, join in.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">L</span>ife long learners:</b> We expect our staff to continue the learning journey with our students and we hope that our kids will leave school with a thirst for learning that will nourish them throughout their lives.<br />
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And so, that's <b><span style="color: red;">OUR IDEAL SCHOOL</span> </b>- and yes, the old acrostic is still the primary teacher's best stand by activity ;-)Anne De Manserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04421025018738546599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496041973590627679.post-68402836039039325342015-02-02T21:19:00.002+11:002015-02-02T21:20:49.580+11:00#28 Days of Writing 2 - The Magic TriangleDay2 of my 28 day, 28 minute writing challenge.<br />
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Much is made of the importance of the relationship between a teacher and their students. John Hattie rates it right near the top of his <a href="http://visible-learning.org/hattie-ranking-influences-effect-sizes-learning-achievement/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">138 factors</span></a> that influence student improvement. All good teachers understand that knowing your students and having a positive working relationship with them is vital if learning is going to take place.<br />
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But the relationship between student and teacher is not a linear one, it's triangular and at the apex is the child's parents. It's very difficult ( although not impossible) to foster a positive relationship with the child unless the parent is part of the team.<br />
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As a young teacher I would never have survived without the support of the parents in the small rural schools I taught in. Many times I was saved by mums or dads coming in to fix equipment (sometimes my car), to listen to reading or accompany excursions or share their expertise with the kids. At <a href="http://annedemanser.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/woorndoo-primary-school-sweet-memories.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Woorndoo</span></a> I even had a couple of mums who made me lunch! They embraced me in their communities and afforded me a respect that their children noticed and emulated. In these tight triangles everyone thrived.<br />
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These days we still have great parent support and I really value the great relationships I've built with parents, particularly through the Performing Arts and camps. Generally, parents are extremely supportive of our teachers and grateful for extra effort we put in. When kids see their teachers and parents working together they know that everyone is on the same team.<br />
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I feel I have been pretty lucky in having a generally positive relationship with the parents of my students but there have been exceptions. I've been sworn at often and spat upon rarely and twice I've had chairs thrown at me. I've taken abusive phone calls during dinner on Sunday nights and on a couple of occasions angry parents have turned up on my front door. On one occasion I was so terrified by a threat that I wet my pants in fear.<br />
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These irrational behaviours are thankfully very rare and as I've grown older I've become better at dealing with them and with recognizing the sort of situations that might escalate them. I understand that many of these reactions are triggered by uncertainty or anger or disappointment or the frustration of listening to a one sided perception from an upset child. I've always felt very sad for the children of these parents. Inevitably the kids are left confused, worried and embarrassed, long after the parents' angst has gone.<br />
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Even more insidious though are the 'devaluing' conversations about teachers that sometimes take place at home or in public or on social media, in front of the children. It's pretty hard for kids to respect their teachers if they think that mum and dad do not. If students are going to perform at their peak, they need to believe that their teachers are skilled at what they do. Little ears are quick to pick up on critical comments and disenchantment is contagious. I get that sometimes parents don't agree with our decisions but I wish that they would have those conversations in private, child free zones. Most issues can be clarified through honest discussion and even when they can't, we can agree to disagree.<br />
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Take the time to know your child's teachers; they are people, just like you. Attend parent teacher interviews, read the notes that are sent home, communicate often, by whatever medium suits you. If something about school bothers you, ask questions. Don't take everything your child says verbatim ( I promise we don't believe EVERYTHING they say about you). Offer assistance for extra curricula activities or at the very least, show support for the teachers who provide them. Be a presence in your child's education, all the way through school, even when they say they don't want you to. They will reap the benefit later.<br />
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The optimal space for learning is where school, student and family are all on the same page. At the end of the day we are all working toward exactly the same goal - happy, healthy, well educated children.Anne De Manserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04421025018738546599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496041973590627679.post-21479283748269303982015-02-01T20:19:00.001+11:002015-02-01T20:19:05.821+11:00#28 Days of Writing - Day 1I love a new challenge and given that I've broken my elbow and had to give up on some of the more physical challenges I'd planned for the start of the year, and because I feel bad for not taking on a Feb Fast (I'm great at taking on new things, not so good at giving up established habits), the idea of establishing a writing routine by writing for 28 minutes, every day for 28 days, is an appealing one.<br />
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I'm hoping that this challenge will embed a reflective writing routine that will help me to overcome the procrastination and fear of mediocrity that usually sabotages my blog posts. I'm also hoping I can use this as a modeling exercise for my students, showing them that it is possible in everyone's busy day to find time for reflection and writing.<br />
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What will I write about? Like the rest of my blog, these pieces will be about my experience, as a person and a teacher. Growing older is a privilege and I welcome the opportunity to share the triumphs and tragedies that have shaped my life. Through sharing we connect with others and our own learning can be passed on and become part of the fabric of someone else's life story. It's the closest to immortality we can get.<br />
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Teaching consumes most of my life and so it is the basis for most of my experiences. I've been teaching all my working life and - with time out for child rearing- this will be my 30 somethingth year at the chalkface.<br />
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Contrary to romantic fiction, as a kid I had no burning desire to be a teacher, no yearning to mould young lives or become the font of all wisdom. I wanted to leave school in year 11 and become a dental nurse but (thankfully), the teacher I asked for a reference told the dental hospital that I would make a crap dental nurse; that I should finish yr 12 and go to university. Back in the 70's, country girls who wanted to go to university and then come home and marry their boyfriends only had two choices, nursing or teaching. University was free in those days (thanks Gough Whitlam), and better still there was a shortage of teachers so the government offered studentships to high achieving HSC students who were willing to sign up to the Department and teach anywhere in Victoria for 3 years after their training. The studentship paid enough to house and feed me in the city and that was a good enough reason- along with the fact that in those days nurses had to wear very dowdy uniforms and silly hats- for me to pack my bags and head off to Melbourne Teacher's College.<br />
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Luckily for me, I fell in love with teaching on my first placement, a Prep class in Nth Melbourne and I never looked back. I love schools. They have their own aura, their own smell, their own energy.<br />
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These days I share my time between teaching, curriculum development and student welfare but it's the classroom time that I really love. Being able to influence the development of young people is an amazing opportunity and watching learning happen is an astounding experience, one that I never get tired of.<br />
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Of course, its not all beer and skittles but my timer is on 22 minutes and there's no way I'm hitting the publish button without some basic proof reading, so that's a post for another day!Anne De Manserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04421025018738546599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496041973590627679.post-87332078201992025372015-01-26T21:52:00.003+11:002015-01-26T21:52:44.400+11:00Happy Straya DayWe went to an Australia Day ceremony this morning. It was the real deal; flags, face tattoos and Mike Brady, ( in person), singing 'Up there Cazaly'! There was a Lion's Club BBQ and an older citizen playing the piano accordion.<br />
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But best of all there were the Moyne Shire Australia Day awards and we were there to see one of our students receive the 2015 Young Citizen award.<br />
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Charmie is one of those kids who makes a teacher's life worthwhile. At the end of the day what every teacher wants to do is make a difference to the world and while we may not be able to do that ourselves, we can have an influence on young people who might.<br />
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We first met Charmarelle McCarroll when she was 10 and a student in our year 5 class. Geoff declared her name to have too many double letters, so we called her Bruce! In an early sign of tenacity and resilience, she embraced the nickname and answered to it throughout the three years she spent in our teaching unit. Even then you could tell Charm was destined for success. Bright and inquisitive, she was a 'hands up' kid, quick to challenge her own and others' thinking, brave enough to make the odd mistake if it meant learning something new.<br />
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In year 8 we lost sight of Bruce for awhile. As is often the case with teenagers, she tried out her alter ego, the less successful version. She rebelled against her own intelligence and tried lots of strategies to 'fit in'. One of those included not speaking to us (I believe for fear she might have to acknowledge she was running just a wee bit off the rails). However, one of the great aspects of P-12 schooling is knowing your students <i>before </i>they turn into terrible teens, so we knew not to give up on her. We knew the real Charmarelle was hiding behind the mask so we enticed her out with the offer of a place in Geoff's VCE Drama class, even though she was only in year 9. It was an inspired move because she embraced the subject and never looked back.<br />
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In year 10, Charm completed unit 3/4 Drama, a subject usually undertaken in year 12 and one that includes one of the most difficult VCE assessment tasks, the 7 minute solo. For her solo, Charm researched the genocide in Rwanda and constructed a performance that reflected the desperation and terror of that regime and compared it to the similarly violent crimes of Joseph Kony. The performance earned her an A+ and an elite invitation to audition for Top Acts. I think it was during the solo research period that Charmarelle's humanitarian future was confirmed.<br />
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She joined the Moyne Shire My PlaYce project and began working on projects to assist the youth in our area. These included plans for the skatepark, the Battle of the Bands and Freeza. She also became part of the school leadership team, taking on the role of Communications Captain before assuming the School Captain's role in Year 12. At the end of year 11 she paid her way to the Philippines as part of the Alternative to Schoolies Program and helped to build a school in a remote village.<br />
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By the time she started Yr 12, Charm had already racked up an impressive start to her ATAR by completing 3 subjects early. With room to spare in her timetable she agreed to become my 'guinea pig' by taking on a brand new subject called the Extended Investigation. Mostly the domain of the high end independent and select entry schools who had previously had a chance to trial the subject, this presented a new and terrifying but exciting challenge for both of us. The subject requires students to complete a research thesis, similar to those undertaken in under grad uni subjects, including an ethics submission and an oral defence. At an info day in Melbourne we heard of a student who had investigated the notion of peace on the Gaza Strip by flying to Israel to interview the Defence Minister and another who had investigated immigration patterns by interviewing the past 7 Australia Immigration Ministers. We were encouraged to enrol at the State Library and to subscribe to costly research publications. With international airfares, political connections and long day trips to Melbourne out of the question it seemed like a fairly uneven playing field but Charmarelle was undaunted by this inequity. She wanted her study to make a difference and chose the local aged care facility for her field research and Google Scholar for the literature search. Applying for shire funding, she sourced a set of iPads and with the Yr 8-10 Advance class in tow, set out to teach the residents how to use social media to stay connected to their lives beyond the walls of the facility. The score for her thesis became insignificant compared to her desire to improve the lives of the local senior citizens.<br />
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With the written thesis due in early September, tragedy struck. Charmarelle's father went missing. A couple of weeks later, just before the Swot Vac period, sadly he was found dead. While the world as she knew it dissolved around her, this kid stood strong. She delivered the eulogy at her dad's funeral, kept serving coffee to keep herself financially viable, came to terms with the demons that threatened to knock her over and refused to give in. She handed in her thesis, <span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://bridgingthecommunicationdivide.wikispaces.com/Research+Thesis" target="_blank">(<span style="background-color: yellow;">you can read it here if you want)</span></a>,</span> sat all her exams and continued to work toward a brighter future. That she achieved an outstanding ATAR of 93.05 and became <span style="background-color: yellow; color: yellow;"><a href="http://www.standard.net.au/story/2766540/charmarelles-hard-road-to-success/?cs=72" target="_blank">dux of her class</a> </span>was almost unbelievable for most people but not for me.<br />
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Charmarelle embodies everything that Australia Day should be about. She is living proof that hard work pays and that country kids can achieve great things. In a school that values persistence and 'all roundedness', she has thrived. Naturally athletic she's shone at swimming, athletics and netball. Unable to hold a singing note, she's nevertheless commanded the stage and played every important character role in every year's school musical. She has become an accomplished public speaker through debating and leadership opportunities. She has been bullied by people who couldn't cope with her tall poppiness and her lack of tolerance for fools, but with the knowledge that she will soon leave them in her wake, their words have been water off a duck's back. She has allowed her desire to succeed overcome the desire to conform.<br />
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Not everyone likes the 'DeManser' style of teaching - the immediate feedback, tell it like it is, refuse to accept mediocracy method- but Charmarelle has embraced it. Outside of school I believe she has sought out and accepted the same approach from her netball coaches, her employers, her family and her mentors at leadership camps. Today when she accepted her award and acknowledged the part Mortlake College had played in her success, my heart swelled with pride. When she thanked me by name, I cried.<br />
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Congratulations again Charmie-Macharelle-Charmarelle-Bruce. I can't wait to hear where the next episode leads you.Anne De Manserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04421025018738546599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496041973590627679.post-49652012507513563322014-10-31T19:33:00.001+11:002014-10-31T19:33:38.762+11:00De Mansers & Daughter - Welcome to the firm
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">There's been cause for celebration in our family
this term because the middle child has started her first full time job. A
child's financial independence is always an exciting time for parents but this
one is special. Not only has Sophie landed a job - she has joined the family
business and become a teacher! And for this term, she is working in our school,
with us!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">This was the child who swore black and blue,
despite her obvious aptitude for teaching, that this was a job she would NEVER
do. Bought up in a household with two teachers, she always had a very realistic
view of what life at the chalkface is like. She knew about the long hours, the
lack of recognition, the absolute certainty that she would never be rich on a
teacher's wage. She knew that many times the needs of other peoples' kids had
come before her own and she swore not to take on that sort of commitment
herself. When she finished school with a score that put her in the top 2% of
the state, she had the choice of any course she wanted, so off she went to
make a million dollars in the media industry.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">And then, suddenly, she grew up and realized that
life is not all about making money. That a life fulfilled is one that makes a
difference to the world and one way you can contribute to a better planet is by
creating better people. She remembered that whether by nurture or nature, she was
already a great teacher and so off she went to get another degree.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">And now, not only has she joined 'the' family
business, she's teaching in my old classroom! In the same classroom that I
taught her. A room that still has her rainbow fish art work on the wall from
year 5 and 2 bookshelves cluttered with teaching memorabilia from my 16 years
at the school. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgiR7ehOjNC8LSGuaDcofNqPyqBHTzkECMO3CTJaS_n2-QZ4U5oa4R2CyP1nUFWOcJ2dtHXPRlStRGXDInLWVYDytjez-jP7QdY9fv8p9MtdT8ICEcepb4z4KqZXfrwMCSFm2CSxbOZI/s1600/IMG_6422.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgiR7ehOjNC8LSGuaDcofNqPyqBHTzkECMO3CTJaS_n2-QZ4U5oa4R2CyP1nUFWOcJ2dtHXPRlStRGXDInLWVYDytjez-jP7QdY9fv8p9MtdT8ICEcepb4z4KqZXfrwMCSFm2CSxbOZI/s1600/IMG_6422.jpeg" height="275" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><o:p> </o:p></span>This is a little
confronting for me. My teacher mortality radar just switched into panic mode.
Sophie is teaching the kids of kids I taught before she was even thought of.
She has decades of a brilliant teaching career in front of her and I
have....... not so many. I'm being replaced by a newer, shinier, albeit less
experienced but with the potential to be a much better version of myself! She's
tidied the shelves, thrown out most of my disorganised rubble and, for the next
term, she's going to be working from the same desk on which she once left her
mother cute notes!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVYTbLw-OsuE7LxXBhibTiJi8PR-Usjl3iuRVFinKaIv5bUE9Tuwe9lpeANzvsTRLuwpdE7zK3LCvYF98vH7AlSPx8IDKskndhvQKXP5FSsFfW7by6b3I258cmgYNXbA2rFC8a1jHonY/s1600/IMG_6417.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVYTbLw-OsuE7LxXBhibTiJi8PR-Usjl3iuRVFinKaIv5bUE9Tuwe9lpeANzvsTRLuwpdE7zK3LCvYF98vH7AlSPx8IDKskndhvQKXP5FSsFfW7by6b3I258cmgYNXbA2rFC8a1jHonY/s1600/IMG_6417.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm brimming with pride at her professionalism and
enthusiasm. I love the fact that her teaching style is so like mine - she's
already raising an authoritarian eyebrow with flair - and that she's at work
early so the day is organized and she's willing to adapt to any task, with any
class because she knows that she's a teacher of students, not subjects. But,
I'm also a little afraid for her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">Teaching is a tough gig and it's getting tougher by
the year. I've spent countless nights looking after sick kids on camp,
countless dollars providing materials and food and experiences for kids who
couldn't afford them. In my 35 years in the classroom, I've been sworn at, spat
on and kicked. I've had chairs thrown at me and I've been abused on the phone
and in my own home by parents who haven't liked me calling their children to
task over minor or major misdemeanours. I've counseled and cajoled, pleaded and
pushed kids to get their work done, hand their homework in, learn their lines,
do their best. I've cleaned up tears and urine and faeces and more vomit than
you can imagine (Did you know it's impossible to get all the vomit out of the
eyelets of leather boat shoes?). I've written countless referrals to doctors
and lawyers and human services looking for help for kids with special needs.
Even after they've left school, I've written glowing references and sourced
scholarships and work placements. I've survived 6 major curriculum changes driven by politicians who don't have the faintest idea about education and on top of that I've taught fire safety, road safety, cyber safety and safe sex. There are days when I despair and wonder if I
wouldn't be better off in a child free, 9-5, leave your work at work sort of
job. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do I really want this lifestyle for my own
child? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">You bet! Because even on the worst days, there's
the happy drawer (see the next paragraph) and the absolute confidence that no
matter what, you've done your best to improve the outcomes for the kids you
teach and surely some of that care and love has rubbed off on them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, on World Teachers' Day, here's a little
indirect advice to our newest teaching graduate and all her cohort of eager,
enthusiastic young teachers. Hindsight is valuable and there's some lessons in
teaching that you don't have to discover on your own!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. Leave your ego at the door. Kids are difficult
and discerning customers. If you do your job properly you become invested in
the kids you teach. They become part of your life. As a class teacher you often
spend more time with them than their parents do but you are not and never will
be their parents. To be a good teacher you need an ego that is robust enough to
let you think you can teach anyone, anything but you must also be egoless
enough to know that you'll rarely be credited for the success. Occasionally,
you will come across a grateful child, a thankful parent. Their gratitude will
feel like sunshine. Drink the wine they give you, (the real gems will know
that you like red wine, not white; dark chocolate not milk), and keep their thank you
notes. Put them in a 'happy drawer' and whenever you have a really bad day, get
them out for another read and let their words wash over you. One day these kids
will become engineers and nurses and doctors and lawyers and electricians. Some
of the best will become teachers. Watch their progress on LinkedIn and bask in
their success from afar.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. Keep your cards close to your chest. If you
think some of the kids are tough, wait till you meet their parents. The car
park mafia are your greatest enemy. In the carpark waiting for pick up, at cricket training or netball on Saturdays, at dinner parties, in the supermarket, on Facebook, these are
the places where teachers reputations are built or destroyed. All parents were
once school students and some of them feel this gives them absolute knowledge
of what is right and wrong with the education system and <u>your</u> teaching. If you
continue to teach in the country, there is no escape from this. Be careful how
much of yourself you divulge in the first few years. Kids have a wonderful
ability to misinterpret and put their own perspective on your words before they
repeat them at home. For this same reason, also be wary of the stories they tell you
about their parents!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">Of course, parents will also be your best ally. When
parents and teachers work together and support each other, kids thrive and you
will come across many wonderful parents. You'll learn to tell the difference
between the snakes and the champions but it will take you awhile. After 35 yrs, I still get it wrong sometimes. In the meantime, be polite, be fair; even in
the face of irrational anger or accusation, respond always with calm
logic and good pedagogy. Just like you, parents just want what's best for their child.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. Get involved. This is not news to you. Some of
the richest learning, for students and teachers, happens outside the classroom.
Camps, productions, sport, school events, shared interests; in these environments you
really get to know your students and can teach them lessons that relate to
their present and future lives. Embrace every opportunity to share extra
curricula experiences. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">You already know that not all teachers are created equal
and you will come across the 9-3.30, 'don't let the door hit you on the way out'
variety. This will frustrate you but it's the way of the world. Every
organization has a blend of those who do a lot and those who don't do much.
These teachers have empty happy drawers. Model innovative and inspiring
practice and sometimes others will follow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. Practise your mask. Teachers are always 'on'.
The kids don't care that you had a busy weekend, that your dog died, that
you've had a fight with your partner. They need a smiling face, an enthusiastic
voice and an engaging activity. The classroom is a performance space and you
have to be able to transform character in a blink. At any given time you'll
need to be a psychologist, nurse, confidante, bus driver, cook. Don't be afraid
to dress up, get dirty, play games and laugh. The kids will still know you're
the boss when you're wearing a dinosaur onesie.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">5. Be kind. As Maya Angelou once said, 'They may
not remember what you taught them but they will remember how you made them
feel'. Teaching is an emotional business. It's hard to deal restoratively with
a kid who's just sworn at you, wrecked your lesson and distracted everyone else
but staying calm and dealing with the behaviour rather than the child is vital.
Be kind, be compassionate, give authentic feedback and suggestions for improvement. Remember that for some kids, school is the safest
place they know. Start each class afresh and never hold a grudge. Even the
worst behaved child might surprise you one day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">Keep learning; never stop. Build networks with your
friends, your colleagues, online. Read, discuss, think, reflect. Enjoy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: large;">Welcome to the firm Sophie. Happy World Teachers' Day.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
Anne De Manserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04421025018738546599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496041973590627679.post-27061056846202336122014-06-30T20:38:00.000+10:002014-07-01T09:12:55.805+10:00Just follow the Yellow Brick Road.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiH54YQXpyjtNPWiB8EhNm12JokwBoluz2HM2AF-J28wNwJ1k6xsKgy-Od1-OpRhx0kWfC1ruDu335Kl7SqDNkKhxgdg1U5wXvR73Lw6CrxfHCeUAt0VTg2u19y9C5nM9PLz-swhqCtg/s1600/660701342dfa2253f29f2e2f8c97c6e2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiH54YQXpyjtNPWiB8EhNm12JokwBoluz2HM2AF-J28wNwJ1k6xsKgy-Od1-OpRhx0kWfC1ruDu335Kl7SqDNkKhxgdg1U5wXvR73Lw6CrxfHCeUAt0VTg2u19y9C5nM9PLz-swhqCtg/s1600/660701342dfa2253f29f2e2f8c97c6e2.jpg" height="208" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
We've just bumped out our school production of 'The Wizard of Oz'. It was a great show and got terrific reviews from the people who came to see it ( even some that weren't related to the cast ;-)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWruIq0uhaGzPcTKQR9CnukOVPFn4vTsLylJZb6CntVHt5WW75g9msHw4usa6HsNGJiKPHTVrHWS8hPx0YYLO55cFJFmr1YcDldD8hk19ouDY7Q3a_ebAGrLmFbyLUUsMcI8SuNYjUfnA/s1600/1-097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWruIq0uhaGzPcTKQR9CnukOVPFn4vTsLylJZb6CntVHt5WW75g9msHw4usa6HsNGJiKPHTVrHWS8hPx0YYLO55cFJFmr1YcDldD8hk19ouDY7Q3a_ebAGrLmFbyLUUsMcI8SuNYjUfnA/s1600/1-097.JPG" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Noteworthy Bold";">The
planning for this year’s play started about a week after we bumped out from ‘Oliver’ last year.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Noteworthy Bold';">At that stage, the
VCE Theatre Studies students compiled a list of possibilities, taking into
account the very specific requirements of our company. These requirements include;</span></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Noteworthy Bold'; text-indent: -0.25in;">A
chorus of thousands!- Our company is open to all comers. We audition for the leads but everyone is welcome in the chorus.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Noteworthy Bold'; text-indent: -0.25in;">Enough
lead roles for all our senior students and junior stars.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Noteworthy Bold'; text-indent: -0.25in;">A
musical range that we can cope with.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Noteworthy Bold'; text-indent: -0.25in;">A
great story. Not only do we want the kids to perform, we want them to think, to analyse and understand the story.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Noteworthy Bold";">The
VCE students are asked to complete a theatre brief on each of their chosen
plays and to present these to Lyle, the director. She then investigates the
availability of the scripts and the music before deciding on‘The
Wizard of Oz’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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rehearsal schedules etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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script. Main roles are cast via audition; minor roles go to younger students
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drama games. Everyone else makes up the chorus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Noteworthy Bold";">Our music teacher, Kath, begins looking at the music and trying to get it into a key that we can manage. The hard slog of learning lines begins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Noteworthy Bold";">Our Yr 12 technician Brad
and the 8-10 production group start making the set and the props. Kath and I start working on the choreography, Geoff works with the
senior cast and VCE Drama students on their expressive skills and Olivia starts learning where
all the music tracks begin and end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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second term, rehearsals move to the local hall and we start blocking out the play. Jenny, one of the cast parents, creates meals for everyone,
every week. We try to work around footy and netball training, swimming lessons and all the other extra curricula activities our kids are involved in.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Noteworthy Bold";">The senior students make a trip to Block Theatre in Ballarat to
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Noteworthy Bold";">Kate, one of our talented mums, transfers Lyle’s drawings
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sound desk</td></tr>
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<![endif]--><!--StartFragment--><span lang="EN-US">With a month to go, rehearsal
time becomes frantic as we try, (in vain), to get all the way through the
show. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Noteworthy Bold";">On
the Sunday before performance week, we bump in. This is a full day exercise for
as many helpers as we can find. An extension stage to fit our huge chorus is set up, all the sets and
props are transported from school, the back rooms are scrubbed and carpeted
and Geoff works out how Lyle's vision will become a reality on the
stage. After many hours of saying it can’t be done, it is done. Brad and our IT tech Joel spend the next day setting up the lights and sound (not an easy task in a building built in the 30's!) and then, finally we
get a chance to rehearse with the set. This means all the chorus scenes have to
be reblocked because of the logistical nightmare involved in getting 60 + kids
onto the stage in an auditorium that has no wings!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqX3ItxU9laqzv05BURq1Ya5EraZ6zaLWo4kADqIM8soA-R2TIDokFCMoBcDyICzb_MLqDWuN-_f_4A2dmn0rlfz_sUGr1SZ8y1_YlHDowAJ2za2qnHJr_IvhJo8IR5OkFSbfJX-Rd4s/s1600/1-IMG_5551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqX3ItxU9laqzv05BURq1Ya5EraZ6zaLWo4kADqIM8soA-R2TIDokFCMoBcDyICzb_MLqDWuN-_f_4A2dmn0rlfz_sUGr1SZ8y1_YlHDowAJ2za2qnHJr_IvhJo8IR5OkFSbfJX-Rd4s/s1600/1-IMG_5551.JPG" height="198" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bumping in.</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Noteworthy Bold";">At
our last rehearsal we finally get all the way to the last scene and find out
how the story ends! The kids move into their 'dressing room', a small, drafty concrete storage room that leaks when it rains (and it always rains!). The space is designed to fit about a dozen but there is little complaint from our 50 who squeeze themselves shoulder to shoulder & keep all their costumes in little boxes under their chairs. During the downtime they keep themselves busy with their iPads, books and card games. The big kids are promoted to the real dressing rooms backstage. These are also ancient and tiny but closer to the stage and with the added bonus of wall hooks!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-EKMhLuHKgB00g5Olh0k69S4haeHZepog0tTx4wnApVCJcAk8CimSfXZM1lO7nTfWyxgRRLsdJgpadTARWdf079N3nD3N8Bp_dVMm4ThX_5HqWJoxWgIcio22PxB3wlyDV166LmJtLw/s1600/1-IMG_5254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-EKMhLuHKgB00g5Olh0k69S4haeHZepog0tTx4wnApVCJcAk8CimSfXZM1lO7nTfWyxgRRLsdJgpadTARWdf079N3nD3N8Bp_dVMm4ThX_5HqWJoxWgIcio22PxB3wlyDV166LmJtLw/s1600/1-IMG_5254.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dressing room mayhem</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Noteworthy Bold";">Then the real fun begins. We have three night performances and two matinees. The matinees are wall to wall sell outs with kids bussing in from several surrounding schools. The night shows also attract big crowds and the cast rise to the challenge, producing their best work when it matters. Miraculously, they remember all the words, they sing like angels and the set movements go (almost) like clockwork. The chests of the new year 5 kids swell with pride and the main cast take on movie star status , even posing for photos with the audience after the show.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxkfN4IrkkV6inho-456FRWYNaBPVMzD3dy5S11YMzljdoB5PI8uW67ZAl28_Iwfu0tdBcMKgB9LSOY9KKj59PmoToxIHRnywYbMIYJxAzN1ocUJhZ25lhmiupRj5wlAqpO6blorUB5I/s1600/1-041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxkfN4IrkkV6inho-456FRWYNaBPVMzD3dy5S11YMzljdoB5PI8uW67ZAl28_Iwfu0tdBcMKgB9LSOY9KKj59PmoToxIHRnywYbMIYJxAzN1ocUJhZ25lhmiupRj5wlAqpO6blorUB5I/s1600/1-041.JPG" height="246" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Noteworthy Bold";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Noteworthy Bold";">The last night is bittersweet. After so many weeks of rehearsal and nagging and cajoling, everything has come together beautifully and we aren't quite ready to leave Oz. And there's also the realisation that this will be the last show for our Yr 12 student, Charmarelle. The Production company is like a family and the kids who spend 8 years in it with us are very special. It's hard to say goodbye and tears are inevitable!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqclXLYDxcsP_S_Ueo00gMOFn8xf72tHg87HrwN047H7RuUkCBXbg7Oz_tR3_uxjoMoY5gz2xG15VFbTvjRQg1uSs2SxFZZ-Z3_QRKtOVmADRsQsLy5dPcSUVJ_23gdnc01qq5NQ1NkLw/s1600/10352978_10153102878765200_6698373381630321146_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqclXLYDxcsP_S_Ueo00gMOFn8xf72tHg87HrwN047H7RuUkCBXbg7Oz_tR3_uxjoMoY5gz2xG15VFbTvjRQg1uSs2SxFZZ-Z3_QRKtOVmADRsQsLy5dPcSUVJ_23gdnc01qq5NQ1NkLw/s1600/10352978_10153102878765200_6698373381630321146_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charmie's last show :-(</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Noteworthy Bold";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Noteworthy Bold";">It would be nice to run the show another week but I doubt the kids or the staff would have the energy. The teachers who work on the show put in 12 hr days for every rehearsal, 15 hrs on show nights. On top of that is the setting up, the packing up, the costumes, communication with parents and other staff at school, all while managing full time teaching duties and mid year reports. We're lucky to have an ever growing team of great parent helpers but nevertheless, the show takes a toll and we're ready for a holiday. </span><span style="font-family: 'Noteworthy Bold';">For Lyle there will still be several more long days, returning everything to it's rightful place and washing and sorting costumes. As much work as the rest of us do, she does triple. She is the creative and driving force behind the show and we worry that one day she will retire!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Noteworthy Bold';"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Noteworthy Bold";">So, what is it that keeps us coming back each year to produce our blockbuster musicals?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;">It's simple. We've been at it for quite some time now and we've seen the results of the children who are exposed to dramatic arts on a consistent basis. Almost without exception the production kids exceed their own potential in all sorts of areas, especially academic ones. Not only do we observe this, we can prove it by comparing their VCE scores with their externally assessed GAT (General Achievement Test) scores. And international research says the same thing, like this <a href="http://www.education.com/magazine/article/What_Drama_Education_Can_Teach/" target="_blank">study</a> by UCLA that found that kids involved in the arts do better academically. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;">Why is that? What are the students learning by doing the play that helps them to achieve great things academically? What does their drama work add to their ability to become leaders?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;">Here's just a few that I've noticed;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><b>Self- Confidence </b>- Standing up on stage singing your heart out to an audience requires bravery and teaches kids to trust themselves. The confidence gained by doing this applies to school, career and life. This is especially true for boys. Singing and dancing isn't stereotypically encouraged amongst boys in the country but when they are supported to be involved then they often reap twice the benefits that the girls do. Our performing art's boys grow up to be self assured, confident, articulate and charming young men.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzujikta1iBFhbpNY8GbvmsbZQ1BteEQwlr5siyBDUf_LYwJVt1Mhfj0BbJqD-tJSOBi9glRadGnFLJt8-dLm7BKKheXE1z2Q2fjm991tZxl3E0-JikMlmyzP_r-lACpzo__amOg7nm8/s1600/1-134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzujikta1iBFhbpNY8GbvmsbZQ1BteEQwlr5siyBDUf_LYwJVt1Mhfj0BbJqD-tJSOBi9glRadGnFLJt8-dLm7BKKheXE1z2Q2fjm991tZxl3E0-JikMlmyzP_r-lACpzo__amOg7nm8/s1600/1-134.JPG" height="258" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><b>Cooperation & Collaboration</b> - A successful performance can only be achieved through team work. In our company, kids from age 10 - 18 work together to produce something amazing. This has a great spill over into normal school life where these kids continue to ignore age and year group barriers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DKAxLvUyD0K3G7Aygl98bNI8k5ACev2zxfngRPiG693-ZLMGBv3dXIWy4Ujs2lnCcrOODik15-1ZmqcacChhUOu6n6Ak4PKslqIAmqNBlVx8qZ36fp2LqUlVornJnfgmg188kumBT4M/s1600/1-156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DKAxLvUyD0K3G7Aygl98bNI8k5ACev2zxfngRPiG693-ZLMGBv3dXIWy4Ujs2lnCcrOODik15-1ZmqcacChhUOu6n6Ak4PKslqIAmqNBlVx8qZ36fp2LqUlVornJnfgmg188kumBT4M/s1600/1-156.JPG" height="257" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><b>Concentration</b> - Learning lines and dance steps, practising and performing develops a balanced focus of mind, body and voice. I've seen non readers learn to read by having to learn a script. ADHD kids (while a nightmare in the warm up room!), often find strategies for self control that transfer to the classroom later on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><b>Communication Skills </b>- Drama enhances verbal and non verbal communication. It improves articulation of words, projection, persuasive speech and fluency of language. It promotes listening skills and the ability to improvise. The graduates from our company can get up and speak anywhere, anytime, to anyone - in class, to their footy team, when accepting awards, running assemblies, making speeches at birthdays and funerals and presentations in the work place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><b>Physical Fitness</b> - Movement improves flexibility, coordination, balance and control.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><b>Resilience</b> - Not everyone can have the lead role so auditioning is risky and requires kids to overcome their fear of failure. And once you've twirled around the stage in a white cape pretending to be a snowflake, you can do anything!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1UTfYCGYgZI9o7q-oQWrMTBaHvg6Rku4Dxn-LWY7glx27PeewAntpYK-C0zv-8tP-0AqJnOu6eEUYNrX3qh14LGG85EiDdNDRr2B2FB5Qc4qdQnQxBoMlEb-Zw6XWfEEXdyvKl_H2qk/s1600/1-110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1UTfYCGYgZI9o7q-oQWrMTBaHvg6Rku4Dxn-LWY7glx27PeewAntpYK-C0zv-8tP-0AqJnOu6eEUYNrX3qh14LGG85EiDdNDRr2B2FB5Qc4qdQnQxBoMlEb-Zw6XWfEEXdyvKl_H2qk/s1600/1-110.JPG" height="218" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><b>Perseverance </b>- Learning lines is hard. Rehearsing can be boring. There's a lot of waiting your turn and putting up with other people forgetting their lines. You have to commit and turn up every week. There are no quitters in our team.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><b>Memory</b>- Memory is like a muscle, it improves with practice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><b>Emotional & social outlet </b>- So many social situations can be learnt through Drama. Aggression and tension can be released through 'play acting' in a safe and controlled environment. We have several children on the Autism spectrum in our company. They are super stars on stage.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKTERNYeD-TN67XnfDEIMrKddc_gJhuAkgy6pJfEkzuexWeHmZyjSRBXrxznQ_BfyDCg6BcfGyZ_MTzH6DPyQBi6JovUKMeMqy5krbRKJKMmZY2ZTMAJbe0pQbkXgMid-t_Mo4p042lg/s1600/1-IMG_5237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKTERNYeD-TN67XnfDEIMrKddc_gJhuAkgy6pJfEkzuexWeHmZyjSRBXrxznQ_BfyDCg6BcfGyZ_MTzH6DPyQBi6JovUKMeMqy5krbRKJKMmZY2ZTMAJbe0pQbkXgMid-t_Mo4p042lg/s1600/1-IMG_5237.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><b>Imagination </b>- Today's world needs graduates who can imagine and create. Drama feeds imagination.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;"><b>Relationships </b>- Working together to achieve a common goal builds relationships between staff and students, students and students, parents and staff. The production gives teachers a chance to see kids in a different space than the classroom. It gives kids the chance to know their teachers as people and team mates rather than opposition. Members of this company are friends and mentors for life. Those who stick with the company until year 12 are inducted into our Hall of Fame and these students often return to support the show and are always available as mentors for our younger students.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A backstage visit from some 'Hall of Famers'.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;">We put the show on 6 weeks early this year because some of our kids are going to Leadership School and on exchange next semester. It was a good plan because we seem to have avoided the annual production plague that often decimates the chorus during show week! It was also a special production for our family, because after 10 years of going to every rehearsal and learning every line, Taine is in year 5 and old enough to get up on the stage. He was an awesome munchkin/crow/ozian/winkie ;-)</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taine's first show!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;">So, that's the story of our little (grand) school production and some of the reasons why we're passionate about it. We're very proud of our show. For a school of just 250 kids, with no funding and no facilities, we do an awesome job and the payback is well worth all the hard work. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Noteworthy Bold;">If you've got kids, get them into performing arts.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cast and crew of 'Oz'.</td></tr>
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Anne De Manserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04421025018738546599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496041973590627679.post-52754338907682383712014-05-11T21:48:00.001+10:002014-05-11T21:48:43.617+10:00Happy Mother's DayThis Mother's Day is a special one for me - my first as a grandma!<br />
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My beautiful twin grandsons, #rubenxaviermills and #maxjamesmills (born in the digital age and so already hash tagged) were born 16 weeks ago and I'm still finding it a bit surreal that they're actually here. I never had dreams of being a mother when I was younger, my kids just sort of materialized in the natural scheme of things but in recent years I have dreamt of being a grandmother. It's one of those things you have little control over though, so I've stifled my envy of other women and their hordes of grandchildren and held my breath, crossed my fingers, wished on falling stars and waited. And now, all of a sudden, we have not one but two, gorgeous, healthy additions our family.<br />
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Being a grandma is like gaining a whole new chapter in your life and suddenly you find yourself playing by new rules and making important decisions like ;<br />
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When to give advice?- I know the answer to this! When you're asked for it and only when it's helpful.<br />
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How to share with the other grandparents? - In our case this problem is multiplied because the twins have three sets of grandparents but then it's divided because there's two babies to share, so the formula is something like 2t / 6g x 2 t = ?<br />
So far there haven't been any fights but then again, we haven't all been in the same room at the same time with the twins yet! Sharing is not one of my strong points so I'll work very hard on this.<br />
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Who gets to be called what? - Xavier's mum had dibs on Nanna which suited me just fine. My Nanna was a lovely lady who wore aprons and made the best sugar biscuits on the planet. My Grandma was a red wine drinking, social butterfly who read me A.A Milne poetry and took me to George's for lunch. If it's image I'm after then I have to go with glamour ;-) Besides, Granny Annie has a certain alliterative appeal.<br />
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I think one of the best things about becoming a grandparent is the look of acknowledgement in your own child's eyes. I remember feeling that way myself, about my mum. It's not until you become a mother yourself that you truly understand what hard work it is, how unconditional your love must be, how terrifying and wonderful and daunting the task ahead of you feels. When your child becomes a parent themselves they look at you with new respect because suddenly they know where you've been for them. In my case, I am in awe of my own child because I struggled with one baby at a time and yet here she is, calmly managing TWO BABIES AT ONCE! She's so good at it that I feel a bit inadequate.<br />
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There's a wonderful sense of relief when you become a grandparent. I have long been the keeper of memories on my side of the family and now I feel like I can pass some of that obligation down the line. I have this comforting feeling of immortality now that the boys are here. Not just because some of my DNA has made it to another generation but because the essence of our family will be passed down to the boys and therefore we will live on through their memories. From our household we'll tell them the story of my aristocratic great grandmother running away to elope with a shearer and about Geoff's ancestors being shipwrecked off the coast of NZ. The other grandparents will add bits of their family fabric and by the time we're all dead these will be fabulous stories and we'll all be remembered as reckless adventurers!<br />
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Yesterday I went to the footy to look after the boys while Jaime played netball. I had a little banter with the man at the gate and told him I thought I should get a 'grandma pass' so I didn't have to pay to get in to babysit. He told me he had no grandchildren and wasn't likely to ever have them. I was so sad for him that I almost offered to pay double because I have two. I know I am blessed to have these boys and I can't describe my gratitude to Jaime and Xavier for sharing them with us.<br />
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My mum didn't get to be a grandmother for long but she was a bloody amazing one for the 4 years she had with Jaime, so I feel some pressure to continue her good work. As I walked around the house the other day with Max in the middle of a bout of reflux, my mind flashed back to Mum walking the floor with a colicky Jaime for endless hours at a time and I know I will never compete with her stamina or patience, but I'll try.<br />
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Will I spoil them? You bet! But I'll play by their parent's rules because they are Jaime and Xavier's children, not mine. Ultimately the responsibility for Ruben and Max is theirs, so I can stress less. That thing that people tell you about handing them back at the end of the day is so true. Grandparenting is a glorious belonging and quasi parenting gig without the really hard bits.<br />
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I can't wait to share in the adventures of this dynamic duo (and hopefully their brothers or sisters and their cousins - but of course, no pressure kids !), as they grow up. I promise I will be the best hands on- come whenever you need me- leave when you're sick of me- buy you awesome presents- take you on holidays- tell you how great you are- grandma you've ever seen, and if I can help it, I'm not going to miss a birthday or a sport's day or a concert, ever. I hope I'm around long enough to support their mother when the twins teenage selves drive her crazy and maybe even long enough to watch them fall in love and have babies of their own.<br />
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It's so exciting.<br />
Happy Grandmother's Day to me ;-)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Me and baby Jaime, almost 30 years ago</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Me and Jaime and her babies</span></td></tr>
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<br />Anne De Manserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04421025018738546599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496041973590627679.post-20707418961549816252013-12-31T16:22:00.003+11:002013-12-31T16:22:27.062+11:00Count your blessingsAfter the birth of<a href="http://annedemanser.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/mr-miracle-turns-10.html" target="_blank"> <span style="color: orange;">Mr Miracle</span></a>, I developed a chronic inflammatory disease that gives me a fair amount of grief, on most days. Just recently I liked a support group for it on Facebook because, you know, I like support and no one ever understands what you're dealing with until they've been through it themselves. I was hoping to get some advice on possible treatments and an insight into the positive ways other people deal with chronic pain. Instead I got more grief than I could handle. Lots of people chronicling their symptoms and 'woe is me-ing'. It made me feel worse rather than better so I unliked the page and left all those poor people to wallow in their own misery.<br />
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What the experience with the page did do was remind me that the best way to look forward is to count your blessings and feel positive about the future. So with that in mind I'm counting down my blessings for the Old Year before looking forward to the possibilities and adventures of the 2014.<br />
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<b><u><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">10 Favourite Photos from 2013</span></u></b></div>
Taking photos is one of my favourite things but due to some equipment breakdowns and accidents I haven't done enough of it this year. Thanks to the beautiful new lens Geoff gave me for Christmas, I'm getting back to <span style="color: orange;">my <a href="http://365project.org/kwaussies/365" target="_blank">365</a> </span>next year.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEgq_E7OFAssDmDsl3MJPUb9LYccCJEWShBi5qLLai89axxWHZcfmhyphenhyphengM97RgzFZzmcWfMNlZ04lbP6DODuqKxdp3Fc0WqFUyhZU9GeQXozmsdj9HZ80fLdUjPJTr0-rkbXV_phTdhsA/s1600/2-IMG_2910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEgq_E7OFAssDmDsl3MJPUb9LYccCJEWShBi5qLLai89axxWHZcfmhyphenhyphengM97RgzFZzmcWfMNlZ04lbP6DODuqKxdp3Fc0WqFUyhZU9GeQXozmsdj9HZ80fLdUjPJTr0-rkbXV_phTdhsA/s1600/2-IMG_2910.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best photo bomb</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">9 Happenings that gave me Great Joy</span></b></u></div>
<ul>
<li>The phone call - see number 1 below ;-)</li>
<li>Sophie's graduation</li>
<li>Anna & Andrew's wedding celebration. One of my dearest friends got married. I love that she is loved. </li>
<li>We went to Dunedin and caught up with my amazing sister in law Kasey & multi talented niece Erica. Their house always feels like home.</li>
<li>North Warrnambool Eagles won the A Grade netball premiership after just clawing their way into the top 5. I've watched the Hampden GF for 20 years. It was so much fun to have my girls playing and to be part of a fairytale sporting outcome.</li>
<li>Taine's school report - excellent behavior and attitude in EVERYTHING.</li>
<li>Mitchell Wills got a place in his chosen Performing Arts course. I'm so proud of him for following his dream.</li>
<li>Sara Bolch got a fabulous ATAR (along with countless other well deserved accolades). Proof that hard work pays and resilience is rewarded.</li>
<li>Geoff and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary - that's 12.5 more years than most people predicted when we got married ;-) This man has changed my life in so many positive ways.</li>
</ul>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>8 Awesome Travel Moments</b></span></u></div>
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<ul>
<li>New Years Day at the Grand Canyon</li>
<li>Disneyland ( I didn't really like Disneyland but it was awesome to find that out!)</li>
<li>Cycling around Strahan, Tas.</li>
<li>Snorkelling on the GBR</li>
<li>Finally getting some good friends to NZ with us and staying in a magnificent apartment in Queenstown, overlooking the Remarkables and Lake Wakitipu.</li>
<li>The Lawrence Daffodil Festival - what a bizarre stumble upon.</li>
<li>Cruising down the Gordon River.</li>
<li>Climbing the Stanley Nut.</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrjmMEsjCFY8pTL7nxSXpjwkVsEOM1NqpbBpQd75s1GBr_OjTVbHnJ-hFNCh7bTGGaGtrgasG6R7bFUbal0QhPG13VB4_w5f6e1Wh9xGj2IRX5AjE0vMOSKl5kt7wgj-OSFAtaI3bq1I/s1600/9-YjebPlULSsWL1RXjwvPvLg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrjmMEsjCFY8pTL7nxSXpjwkVsEOM1NqpbBpQd75s1GBr_OjTVbHnJ-hFNCh7bTGGaGtrgasG6R7bFUbal0QhPG13VB4_w5f6e1Wh9xGj2IRX5AjE0vMOSKl5kt7wgj-OSFAtaI3bq1I/s1600/9-YjebPlULSsWL1RXjwvPvLg.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">7 Things that Improved My Life</span></b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">A king sized bed. Should have bought one 30 years ago. </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Kerry Boyden - colleague, neighbour, friend. She's had my back all year.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">The decision to save and spend on plane tickets and to take every travel opportunity we could. Our bank account is empty but my bucket list is looking more achievable as a result.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Finally working out that you can't change the way people think (even when they are clearly wrong and you want better for them!). This helped me survive the election and several other whacko decisions that people I like have made this year.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">I exchanged fried food for red wine = life balance.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Dr De Toit managed to unfreeze my shoulder after many of his colleagues had (expensively and painfully) failed.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">We bought a new car. Spending money is just an emotional hurdle and well worth the luxury of leg room and good suspension!</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>6 - Favourite TV series on the iPad. </b></span></u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This category replaces what should be 'Favourite books' but this year I discovered the relief of filling my insomniac nights with video pulp fiction. I promise to get back to the printed word next year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Friday Night Lights- I watched 5 whole seasons, one after the other. I was starting to channel Tammy Taylor and
my heart still pines for Tim Riggins. I can’t believe they actually called it
quits on the series and I'll never know what happened to them all.</li>
<li>Game of Thrones – all the way from King's Landing to the
Red Wedding and suddenly Jon Snow was competing for a place in my heart with
Tim! Can’t wait for series 4.</li>
<li>Downton Abbey – Oh how I cried when Sybil
died. Seriously, this show made me think about the whole concept of social class and how much it still exists. And how ridiculous, pretentious and obnoxious it is.</li>
<li>Broadchurch – I don’t usually like murder
mysteries but this was a beauty. I should have seen the end coming but I
didn’t.</li>
<li>The Time of Our Lives - Made in Melbourne and every character is identifiable with someone I know.</li>
<li>Orange is the New Black – this one will see
me into the new year.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><u><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">5 - Personal achievements</span></b></u></div>
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<ul>
<li>I was the Acting Principal for nearly a
term and I survived and so did the school. While I learnt that I was capable of doing
the job, I also gained enormous respect for my boss. Running a school is a complicated, 24/7, mostly thankless job. The experience also
reiterated for me that I don’t want to be a Principal. You just don't get enough time to spend with kids.</li>
<li>I managed (just barely) to maintain this blog. Since I can't be a vampire I'm really passionate about immortalising my thoughts by laying down a digital record of my existence. I'm not sure if it's an egotistical thing or a fear of being forgotten thing. Whatever, I like the idea that my great grandchildren might find a record of this some day.</li>
<li>Following on from the previous point, my post about skin cancer was read online by 1600 people and published in three newspapers. I was overwhelmed and gratified by the feedback I got from so many sources and I'm proud that people have told me they'll be more careful with their kids' skin now.</li>
<li>I learnt the Cup Song - harder than you think for the rhythmically challenged</li>
<li>I presented at two face to face conferences and three online. I'm terrified by public speaking but I feel great once it's done!</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">4 - Firsts</span></u></b></div>
<ul>
<li>We ate plums from our own tree.</li>
<li>Taine joined the cricket team, swam 50 metres and kicked a goal in footy </li>
<li>I went snorkeling </li>
<li>I completed my first fun run. Actually, it was just a brisk walk but I got up very early to do it, I made the whole distance and I wasn't last.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8fIxzFtIjlV15qKjmcdczx0slemy_GV7ZbBWUvlqu1x-qmY9GL6VMkiDOmNHKuV20N1jdKNthI6KaXHXHo3S__3JCX6P81xk2eWnizKRwEJhNfo3k2JOgIob0fH28y6lgykB9TMRXWI/s1600/IMG_3778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8fIxzFtIjlV15qKjmcdczx0slemy_GV7ZbBWUvlqu1x-qmY9GL6VMkiDOmNHKuV20N1jdKNthI6KaXHXHo3S__3JCX6P81xk2eWnizKRwEJhNfo3k2JOgIob0fH28y6lgykB9TMRXWI/s1600/IMG_3778.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a><br /><ul>
</ul>
<u></u><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><u><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>3 - Group successes</b></span></u></u></div>
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<li>I coached the Deakin Sharks U/13s this year
and they didn’t win a single game. Nor did they ever give up. Not once. They
had fun and I had fun. They listened and trained hard and improved every single
week. The U/13 team is indicative of the whole club. Lots of great volunteers working hard to provide local sporting opportunities for our kids. Bring on the shuffles in 2014!</li>
<li>The cast and crew of Oliver. What a great
show. I’m always blown away by the learning that happens through a school
production. I’m also staggered by the voluntary effort put in by the staff
production team. This year was no exception. I’m blessed to work with such
amazing kids, staff and parents. Lyle Russell must never retire!</li>
<li>The student leadership kids at school were
fantastic this year. Their biggest coup; running a school formal. It takes real guts to not only lead but to be the first followers so kudos to Stacey and Charm and Brad for getting the event off the ground and good on you to the kids who bravely turned up and had a great, drug and alcohol free good time.</li>
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<!--EndFragment--><u></u><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><u><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">2 - Best Pieces of Feedback. </span></b></u></u></div>
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</u>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">From a student - "Please don't die before I get married because I really want you to be at my wedding!' - We'll do our best & you can write those place cards in ink ;-) </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">From a parent - 'Thank you for saving my child's life'. Sometimes we make more of a difference than just teaching a kid to read and it's a wonderful feeling to know that and to be acknowledged for it.</li>
</ul>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">1 - Very Best Phone Call </span></b></u></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">'Mum, I'm pregnant………with twins!'</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE</span></div>
Anne De Manserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04421025018738546599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496041973590627679.post-89234587536870906802013-12-24T23:45:00.003+11:002013-12-24T23:45:29.479+11:00Tis the seasonAnd so, this is Christmas….. And hasn't it come around quickly this year?!<br />
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Religion doesn't play a major role in our family but we observe Christmas as a period of good will and family celebration. It's a scheduled opportunity to take stock, give thanks and celebrate the privilege of being alive. Whatever your beliefs, I think there is a magic that surrounds the season and I swear I've seen lights in the sky on Christmas Eve that could only belong to a sleigh.<br />
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Luckily, my children have inherited the Christmas passion that I inherited from my mother. Regular readers of my blog know that I lost my <a href="http://annedemanser.blogspot.com.au/2013_10_01_archive.html" target="_blank">Mum</a> many years ago but Christmas is one of those times that makes me feel close to her. In fact, Mum died on Christmas Eve and lots of people question how I can still enjoy the holiday so much when it's the anniversary of her death. It's easy really. Mum was such a great fan of Christmas that I see it as a celebration of her life, not her death. After being given a final, terminal diagnosis in November she decided Christmas Eve was the time to go because she'd read some cockamamie story somewhere that the leprechauns had struck a deal that anyone who died between midnight and dawn on Christmas Eve got a free pass to heaven. I guess morphine can do strange things to people but Mum was never one to let facts stand in the way of a good story and she liked to hedge her bets on the whole heaven & hell thing, so Christmas Eve it was.<br />
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Given the doctor's prognosis of 2 weeks after an appointment in November, I wasn't so confident that she'd make Christmas Eve so we held Christmas early that year, on December 1st. Mum's rule about the tree going up was strictly Dec 15th ( I can't remember why) so we had to fudge the truth a bit. We had a great celebration with some close friends, we opened all the presents and sat round her bed (in the lounge room) telling stories & listening to Jaime sing several renditions of Rudolph. The next day Mum slipped into a coma and didn't really regain consciousness until Christmas Eve. On that day, she suddenly sat upright in bed and demanded that I open and drink the bottle of Moet that the district nurse had left her. We had what would be our last conversation while we listened to the Myer Christmas Carols. She put down the glass, went to sleep and never woke up again.<br />
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Anyway, I digress. Ever since Mum died, Dec 1 has marked beginning of the Christmas season for me and I'm glad and grateful that my family support my need to maintain the tradition and ritual that keeps me anchored to my childhood. Not only do my children respect my OCD order of things, so does my husband. If there's one piece of advice I would give to any girl, it's find a man who loves Christmas. If you've found yourself with a Humbug (or one who tells you Valentine's Day is a commercial joke), get rid of him.<br />
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It took me a long time to give up the 'real' tree. Christmas tree hunting was one of the more hilarious but also stressful features of my obsession. The tree had to be 'just right'. Not too short, not too tall and definitely not too skinny! When we moved into our new house though, the thought of all those dead pine needles was too much for me so we bought a spectacular fake fir. It's just the right size and it stays green for the entire month that it's allowed to reside in the lounge room but it has to be put up PROPERLY! The lights go on first and then the ornaments, in order.<br />
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First, Grandma's ornament. Clearly I was in the midst of grief when I bought it because it's a naff pink rosy thing that Mum would have hated. Nevertheless, I pack it in tissue paper every year & then tuck it into the tree somewhere where the lights will reflect on it.<br />
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Next, special ornaments that the kids have collected over the years. This year, lots of special ornaments that made their way home with us from our big trip last year. Elvis dressed in Christmas colors from Memphis, Santa holding the Statue of Liberty, turtles with our names on them from Key West and a Boston Celtics baseball ornament from the Quincy market. Shells in a glass ball from Santa Monica, Minnie Mouse from Disneyland, the official 2012 edition ornament from the White House and a Navajo indian ornament from the Grand Canyon. More hedging my religious bets with a beautiful wooden cross from the church in Sedona, a handmade owl from a shop in Natchez that was so deep in the South that the shop assistant referred to her boss as 'Miss Emily'. And my personal favourite, one that reminds me that Christmas crosses racial boundaries, a black Santa riding in a sleigh pulled by alligators from the Everglades.<br />
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It was odd being away from home last year. Amazing, but odd. I don't want to sound at all ungrateful about spending Christmas Eve watching the snow fall in New York because it was amazing but I am glad to be home with my own traditions this year.<br />
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Last but not least, on top of the tree goes a pretty ordinary looking paper angel that Sophie colored in at school the year that Geoff first joined our family. It was a symbol of our new family unit and so it maintains its superior position over all the glitz and glamour below it. By the time all that goes on, I have drunk at least one glass of champagne & we've played some sort of irreverent Christmas Carol from the Simpson's Christmas CD.<br />
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Then the present buying begins. I am totally unashamed of the over indulgence that is the pile of presents under our tree. We're not usually extravagant people but Christmas is different. We love buying each other stuff and there are no rules, except that everyone gets about the same amount of parcels because it makes the unwrapping process more fun. It doesn't matter how old you are, Santa brings everyone a sack full of things to wear, things to eat, things to read and rubbish to play with. Online shopping has played right into my compulsive Christmas shopping addiction because its so easy to order bits and pieces in the lead up. By the time the parcels arrive I've often forgotten what I bought and so it's like a double Christmas surprise - for me and the recipient. Then of course there's the sorting and wrapping and more buying because inevitably I've got sidetracked with things that one of the kids will really like and left someone else's pile a bit short. Then, (every year) about a week before Christmas I suffer from over indulgence phobia and take a few things out and tuck them away for birthdays, only to change my mind on Christmas Eve and put them back in again!<br />
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Giving to strangers is a relatively new tradition in our family but it's a growing one. Last year in New York Taine elected to spend his Christmas money in $1 bills, giving them away to homeless people in the Subway. The genuine gratitude from people for the price of a coffee was a humbling one for all of us. This year we've concentrated on online donations, the Wishing Tree and a couple of Secret Santa drops. There's a lot of joy in anonymity.<br />
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Jaime and Xavier and Sophie arrive in time for a late dinner on Christmas Eve and we take our annual photo in front of the tree. This takes some work because from one year to the next we forget how to use the self timer. Everyone yells at Sophie because she insists on putting lipstick on first, then Sophie yells at everyone else because we aren't sitting in THE RIGHT ORDER. Then Taine ruins Christmas by jumping up before the timer goes!<br />
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The Santa sacks go on the chairs in the lounge room. NO ONE is allowed to open ANY presents before 7am when I am sitting in my chair with a cup of coffee beside me. We'll eat bacon and scrambled eggs and croissants for breakfast, served in my grandmother's Royal Doulton warming bowls that only come out on Christmas Day. The girls will go out to the farm for lunch and Geoff and Taine and I will have a ham sandwich picnic. Tomorrow night we'll share with our co grandparents- to- be and Xavier's extended family. We'll take along one of our Christmas traditions ( the super enhanced bon bons) to join our traditions with theirs.<br />
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This year of course, given that the eldest child is heavy with child(ren), Christmas is especially significant. Christmas is a celebration and promise of new life and ours is about to be doubly blessed. I can't believe my baby is about to have babies of her own and I can't wait. With the new additions, our lives will cross into a new phase but Christmas will always be Christmas and a way to connect past generations with the future.<br />
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Like thousands of other Victorians, we've watched the Myer Music Bowl carols tonight , we've left some carrots on the deck for the reindeer and some shortbread and some water for Santa (with a side serve of red wine for the elves) on the kitchen bench. We've done a quick Secret Santa run and now the house is quiet and brimming with anticipation. The sky is full of stars and I swear if you look closely enough you'll spot the lights of Santa's sleigh. I'm off to enjoy the sort of sleep that only ever happens when all of my precious children are tucked into beds in my house.<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Happy Christmas to all of You and Yours from Me and Mine :-)</span></div>
Anne De Manserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04421025018738546599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496041973590627679.post-34949931134747428382013-12-22T11:10:00.000+11:002013-12-22T11:10:47.438+11:00100 Lyme Light Keepers for SheridanThere's nothing like Christmas for reflecting on just how lucky you are to have a happy, healthy family. I look forward to Christmas Day because it's one of the few times I have my three kids all under the one roof & I can see for myself that they're all OK.<br />
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There's also nothing like Christmas for realizing not everyone is as lucky as you are and that your luck and your life can change in a millisecond. It's also, if you're anything like me, a time when you really feel like giving back to the world in some way. Contributing to someone less well off than yourself is one way of counting your lucky stars and hoping that karma will pay back to you when you need it most.<br />
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I work with lots of lovely people and Vicki Jones is one of them. She's an invaluable member of our Education Support Staff and she works in the Home Eco room, preparing for classes by doing the shopping and collating the ingredients; helping the students with their cooking and then when everyone else has eaten and gone, she gets to clean up behind them. More importantly though, she's a mentor to many of our kids, especially the troubled ones. She talks while they cook, she encourages and cajoles. She praises and scolds when necessary and she has made an amazing difference to the literacy and the confidence of countless numbers of young people. Vicki is also one of the most positive people I've ever met. She wears pretty tops and bright lipstick and she always has a smile on her face.<br />
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That smile is the smile of a true professional because beneath it Vicki has been facing an unbelievable challenge over the last 18 months.<br />
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Vicki's daughter Sheridan, (pictured with Vicki in the photo above), turns just 26 today. At the beginning of 2012, Sheridan suddenly felt very tired and fatigued and strangely, her handwriting became messy. The initial diagnosis was a vertigo type illness and possibly carpal tunnel syndrome. She was advised that some Bowen therapy should soon see her right. Unfortunately, she began to experience other symptoms including loss of feeling and function in one leg. A barrage of MRIs, CT scans and blood tests pointed to a devastating diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. Having clearly inherited her Mum's positive outlook, Sheridan tried to slow the progress of the disease with pilates and physio and water aerobics and speech therapy but to no avail. The symptoms worsened quickly and she was no longer able to work. Further tests indicated that perhaps it wasn't MS but a rare condition called Spinocerebellar Ataxia, for which there is no cure.<br />
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I can't fathom how a family copes with devastating news like that :-( and as the months went by it just got worse. Sheridan's speech deteriorated, she had difficulty swallowing and had to give up driving. The diagnosis changed yet again to another obscure and incurable disease before discovering from DNA tests that this was also incorrect.<br />
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By July this year she was confined to a wheelchair and her future looked very bleak. Then, a chance encounter with a doctor in Western Australia uncovered the real cause of her symptoms ; <b><a href="http://www.lymedisease.org.au/about-lyme-disease/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">LYME </span></a></b>disease. In late 2011, Sheridan had been camping in the bush and on her return had found and removed a tick from a friend who had been with her. Sheridan hadn't found one on herself but in hindsight, she must have been bitten. Many of you will have seen the '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0EN9MurGrE" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><b>Today Tonight'</b></span> </a>stories on Lyme Disease during the last year. Like me you probably half listened to the tragic stories of victims of this disease that officially doesn't exist in Australia! It's an insidious bacteria that mimics the symptoms of many other debilitating diseases and is therefore very hard to identify.<br />
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Hard as it is to diagnose, it's even harder to treat and will involve high dosages of antibiotics and other medications for many years. Sheridan will have to follow a completely organic diet; gluten, sugar, dairy and yeast free. Her doctor is in Western Australia and to get the best treatment she may have to go overseas. And because, despite many people having been accurately diagnosed with Lymes, it is still not officially recognized as existing in Australia, there is no funding for the treatment!<br />
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Sheridan's family and friends have worked out that the overwhelming figure of $50 000 needed for her treatment can be broken down into a more manageable 100 lots of $500, hence the title 100 Lyme Light Keepers and they have started a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lightonlymes?fref=ts" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">Facebook page</span></b></a> to gather support for their fundraising effort.<br />
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It's no secret that I love the internet and I believe very strongly in the power of social media to change the world in a positive way. I have 398 Facebook friends. If everyone of them donated just $1 to this cause then we'd almost cover one of those $500 lots on our own. If everyone donated $5 then we'd cover 4 lots! (For the record, I did that calculating all by myself ;-) If everyone on my Facebook list shared this story with their friends and some of them donated a dollar too, imagine how quickly we could make a difference for Sheridan and her family.<br />
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Of all the money you spend this Christmas, this could be the most satisfying.<br />
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Donating is simple. Just bank transfer your dollar, or five or ten to<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><b>ACC: 395 357 425 with your full name as the reference.</b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">Or you can write a cheque (do people still do that these days?) and make it out to '</span><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">Sheddies Light on LYMES' and post it to P.O BOX 179 Mortlake, Vic, 3272</span></b></div>
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Anne De Manserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04421025018738546599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496041973590627679.post-38089059200086300652013-11-23T21:06:00.002+11:002013-11-23T21:06:17.781+11:00Woorndoo Primary School - sweet memories.The local <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mortlake-District-Historical-Society-Inc/215949335086081" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">Historical Society</span></b></a> updated their Facebook page with this photo yesterday and it transported me 30+ years back in time to when I was teaching at Woorndoo Primary School. I taught at the school twice, once when it was a two teacher school and again when I was the Head Teacher (and only teacher!)<br />
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I found a photo of myself and the kids the year I went solo. Geoff challenged me to remember their names and I did it easily. In fact with all but one little fellow, the names rolled off my tongue as if I was back there doing the morning roll call. Shelley and Kerry Bourchier, Kylie and Narelle Milward, Simon …and his little brother Coulter, Megan and Prue Wentworth, Jason and Jodie Hill, Kate and David Mudford, Ricky-Russell the Keilor twins and a single Jervies' child, Bruce. I remember these kids (as I do most of the kids I've taught), so well that I could probably recall their reading scores and favourite stories if I tried.<br />
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At 24, with 3 yrs teaching experience, I was responsible for planning, teaching and assessing the entire curriculum for all 15 kids spread over 7 grades from Prep to Yr 6. There were no specialist classes and no planning time for me. Mind you, there were no staff meetings to worry about either 😉 I bought all the supplies, paid all the bills, balanced the books, administered first aid and supervised every recess and lunchtime. On the days when Bruce's mum didn't come to clean, I did that as well. I had complete autonomy over everything. I even got to choose the wall paint colors and I did the contrasting trim myself in my spare time. Actually, this was probably a bad thing because I was going through an 'autumn tonings' phase at the time and in retrospect the peach and russet together made a pretty nauseating combination.<br />
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There was no need for behaviour reports or time out rooms because no one misbehaved. In fact the only behaviour problem I had was that, having been given the responsibility of ringing the bell, Kate took the job so seriously that on the (rare) occasion that I wanted a second cup of tea or had to make a phone call, she got very upset if I asked her to let recess go for just a wee bit longer.<br />
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Bullying was unheard of. With so few kids you couldn't afford to be off side with anyone. I don't know how the kids picked teams for cricket but I know they shared Kylie because she was better than everyone else! Luckily she was also the best sport I've ever taught and she always made sure the little ones got an extra bat.<br />
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In the mornings we spent 15 minutes (or 50 depending on how much fun we were having) doing compulsory exercise. To this day I blame my frozen shoulder on the fact that I tried to outlast the kids in outstretched arm rolls. We skipped rope and hula hooped - I remember that little Narelle in Yr 1 could hula hoop all day if we let her. She could also read anything you put in front of her and write stories that would put my current Yr 9s to shame, which is probably why she's called Dr Milward now!<br />
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Many times in the ensuing years I've chuckled (or sighed) to myself when parents question the idea of composite classes or vertical groupings. This was the ultimate in vertical grouping and it worked like a charm. Every child worked at their own level. It was all about 'stage' not 'age'. Even then I abhorred one size, fits all text books and with my trusty <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gestetner" target="_blank"><span style="color: purple;"><b>Gestetner</b></span></a> duplicator, (oh how I miss the smell of duplicating fluid in the mornings!), and a box of colored chalk, I designed all my own work sheets and filled the blackboard with hand writing patterns and maths puzzles. While I taught one group, the others would work at their own task, at the same time absorbing everything I said to the teaching group. Just as I do now, I expected every child to work beyond their perceived potential and mostly, that's exactly what they did. The little ones learnt from their older role models and the big kids took their responsibilities vey seriously.<br />
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Despite my youth and inexperience, it was accepted that I was in charge and I was given the utmost respect from the children and their parents. I was an integral part of the community and I was nurtured and cared for, just as I nurtured and cared for their children. Many days I would know it was lunch time from the smell of homemade chips or scones being bought across to me from Maureen Hill next door. I was never short of cake for afternoon tea and Roma Keilor's apple & quince jelly kept my breakfast toast covered all year. If something broke (or my car had a flat tyre) I only had to pick up the phone and one of the dads would come and fix it for me.<br />
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We had a rickety gas heater in the top classroom but there were no fans or air conditioning so when it got really hot in Summer I used to fill a wading pool with water, then we'd all put on our bathers and sit in it while I read to the kids. Or we'd fill up mine and some parents' cars and head off 15 miles up the road to Lake Bolac where we could use the real swimming pool for lessons. Inevitably, I would spend the whole lesson trying to keep the twins from drowning- they had no buoyancy due to their complete lack of body fat! To this day they are the only kids I haven't been able to teach to swim.<br />
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Science and Nature Study lessons meant a walk down to the creek to look for tadpoles or collect specimens for our Botany books. One year we collected hundreds of taddies and put them in a tank in the downstairs classroom. I forgot about them over the September holidays and came back to find the whole place hopping with frogs!<br />
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The District Inspector came twice a year to check that I had everything under control. He checked my accounting (unbelievably I was never a cent out) and tested the children on their spelling, times tables and hand writing! I had to present all my courses of study and my weekly work program. He'd sign off on those, wish me well, and disappear until next time. The only time I ever looked like being in strife was when he rang unexpectedly one day while we were all out playing playing hide and seek. One of the Bourchier kids answered the phone and when he asked for me she said, 'I'm sorry but she's up a tree somewhere and we can't find her!' I was indeed up a tree, one that had a magnificent, panoramic view of the playground so I could keep an eye on everyone but still eat my lunch in peace.<br />
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At Christmas time we put on a concert. It was an awesome, community occasion and the start of my love for and understanding of how important Performing Arts is in education. We spent a little bit of every day of term 4 practicing to fill an entertaining hour and a half with singing and dancing and silly skits and at the end of the show we all shared a typical country supper of sponge cakes and lamingtons and Santa came and gave everyone, including the teacher, a present. If I remember correctly, the highlight of that year's concert was a cheer leading rendition of<span style="color: red;"> <b>'<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFrmapGCuhs" target="_blank">Hey Micky</a>'.</b></span><br />
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Not long after I left, the school numbers were judged financially unviable. The school closed and the Woorndoo kids started bussing to Lake Bolac or Mortlake. I was sad that my own kids just missed the opportunity to experience schooling in this unique setting.<br />
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I still love teaching but it's much harder work than it was then. The simple 5 columns of accounting have been replaced by thousands of order books and audited receipts in triplicate. The curriculum has become jammed with everything that every organization in the country thinks children should know. There are rules about rules and protocols and meetings to discuss the protocols. Good manners aren't quite as prolific as they used to be. Despite 30 years of experience and a Masters of Education under my belt, parents are less trusting of my ability to know best about the educational needs of their children. Unlike the village raising approach at Woorndoo, sometimes it feels like we are on opposing sides of a tug of war.<br />
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And we aren't allowed to climb trees anymore :-(<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">With apologies to anyone I've forgotten or mistaken for a different sibling!</span>Anne De Manserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04421025018738546599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496041973590627679.post-81151234325076755472013-10-06T20:10:00.001+11:002020-10-04T18:43:47.611+11:00Please pack your hat!Fourth term starts tomorrow and with it, compulsory hat wearing at school.<br />
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I've heard every excuse known to man for not wearing a hat. It's too hard to bowl with the hat on, I have naturally brown skin, the dog ate it, someone stole it, Mum forgot to put it in my bag, it will ruin my hair! I've had kids who will sit in the sun with their hats in their lap, put the hat on when the yard duty teacher walks by and then take it off again. I even had one mother tell me her doctor said her child should leave her hat off because it makes her head itchy. Let me tell you, if the kid gets melanoma the itching won't be a problem any more :-(<br />
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After so many years of Slip, Slop, Slap education the ignorance about sun exposure totally bewilders me. Today the temperature was unusually high for October but later in the week it may only be 15 and it might rain so I'll have kids telling me the hats aren't necessary. Rubbish! Sun damage is linked to UV exposure, not temperature and not wind. The UV will be high tomorrow and it will stay that way until at least April next year. After 10am in the morning you need to be wearing a hat. Every day. Even if it's cold and over cast.<br />
If you need a reminder, there are great apps that will tell you whenever the UV goes over 4.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoeVWBkZzEvkOn00fm6M6ZLe7EhVkvVEM9ycDcOFIrf148IUjd8siNRW07SgjKYbqRR7bIGp_WjtZkE2eTBSrwb4UEk5463H2plL_EC1CN_ZrGvLox3pzaDW6o2uMIfiveVPBOepvF00/s1600/mum+and+jaime+at+the+beach.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoeVWBkZzEvkOn00fm6M6ZLe7EhVkvVEM9ycDcOFIrf148IUjd8siNRW07SgjKYbqRR7bIGp_WjtZkE2eTBSrwb4UEk5463H2plL_EC1CN_ZrGvLox3pzaDW6o2uMIfiveVPBOepvF00/s400/mum+and+jaime+at+the+beach.jpg" width="400" /></a>I first met melanoma when my mother contracted it. Mum was an active, vibrant woman, universally loved. She played tennis and golf (quite badly but enthusiastically) and she was devoted to me and to her new grand daughter, Jaime.<br /><br />
There was no visible change in any of Mum's freckles or moles, just a tiny lump under the skin on the back of her neck but by the time they biopsied that lump and provided a diagnosis the melanoma had metastasized to every part of her body. In her initial surgery they removed 94 separate surface lumps requiring 357 staples. The internal lumps were hit with radiation. Every inch of her skin and behind her eyes was searched for the offending mole with no success. Later, after traction to relieve a pain in her neck (believed to be caused by arthritis) had failed, a scan revealed that she had a primary tumour in her spinal cord. Not all melanomas are visible. Removal of that tumour caused paralysis in one arm and required her to wear a neck brace to hold her head up. No more golf or tennis, no more carrying Jaime. Metastatic melanoma is a death sentence and we were told she would likely be dead within weeks or months. Mum was 'lucky' enough to gain a place on a new Inteferon drug trial. 3 times a week I or a nursing friend would inject her with a drug that caused her to vomit, to shake uncontrollably and made her itch so badly I had to wrap her in glad wrap at night time to stop her tearing her skin off. The drug boosted her immune system and slowed the growth of the tumors. More importantly to Mum, it gave her an extra 18 months with Jaime and provided research data to help in the fight against melanoma for future sufferers. When the trial finished so did the free access to the drug so I took out a personal loan to pay for the injections. Eventually though, the disease won. In late November a scan showed massive tumours in her brain and in the early hours of Christmas morning, the black scourge stole my mother from me. She was 56. She missed seeing that precious grand daughter grow up to have babies of her own. She missed meeting two of her grandchildren, and I still miss her, every, single day.<br />
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I had inherited enough of Mum's colouring to know that I was at high risk of the disease myself but unfortunately it was a bit late for caution. The skin damage that causes melanoma begins in childhood and I lived mine in the coconut oil drenched 60s and 70s. I had literally baked myself on enough occasions to know that my fate was sealed. So despite slip, slop, slapping through the 80s and 90s and having numerous surgeries to remove less dangerous skin cancers it was no surprise when I had my first melanoma removed a couple of years ago. I was lucky that this one was a) visible and b) in the early stages. If I'm really lucky no renegade cells found their way into my bloodstream before it was removed. If they did, then sometime in the near or later future it will appear somewhere else in my body, most likely my brain or my liver. It's likely I won't know about that until it's too late. I get my skin checked every 6 months and anything odd is biopsied in between but I live in constant fear that every headache or nagging pain is a sign of my worst nightmare. Every time I suffer from vertigo or nausea, I'm rushed into an MRI- just to check.<br />
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In between Mum's illness and mine I have lost friends to melanoma and I know countless other families who have lost children and brothers and sisters and parents. Scarily, many of these people have been much younger than me. Melanoma is the most common cancer i<span style="color: #20124d;">n <a href="http://melbournemelanomaproject.com/mothers-story" target="_blank"><span>15 -39 year olds</span></a> </span>and it kills more 20 - 34 yr olds than<span style="color: #444444;"> <a href="http://www.melanoma.org.au/about-melanoma/melanoma-skin-cancer-facts.html" target="_blank"><span>ANY OTHER CANCER</span></a> </span>and yet still our young people risk their lives for the sake of a tan and their parents allow it. My Facebook feed is full of teenagers posing in bikinis with comments like 'great tan babe'. Just last week someone even told me their child had a 'genuine Noosa tan', as if it was something to be proud of!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBJBk1jC7I0SrM4FNLIIFfxTRUcAgIDxZuG5Nxr-OBURYb1Zc7ozPlKZBonvs7G7DHHRA8eqITXqcN8w1eWdPSkTMjT_YzKeWtwZPoTvBIJ10BtMnoWatj-vztG3pJh7zON4w8zAfVMk/s1600/CCF17082007_00001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBJBk1jC7I0SrM4FNLIIFfxTRUcAgIDxZuG5Nxr-OBURYb1Zc7ozPlKZBonvs7G7DHHRA8eqITXqcN8w1eWdPSkTMjT_YzKeWtwZPoTvBIJ10BtMnoWatj-vztG3pJh7zON4w8zAfVMk/s400/CCF17082007_00001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Genuine Warrnambool tan. Not worth dying for.</td></tr>
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If you're lucky enough to avoid a deadly melanoma then you might just get a basal cell carcinoma. That's less likely to kill you and they can cut them off fairly easily these days. I've had lots of bccs and I'm lucky that my dermatologist is also a great plastic surgeon and does very neat stitches. Once though, I sat in the waiting room and watched a woman lose her entire nose over the course of an afternoon. Because that's how facial surgery for skin cancer works. They take you into theatre and slice a bit off and send it to pathology. While that happens you sit, (with all the other poor suckers) in the waiting room with dressings and tape holding your face together till you get the all clear and go back in to get stitched up. If the pathology doesn't show clear margins then they take you back to the table and slice some more off and so on until it is clear. The fear in that room while we waited to see who got the call back was palpable.<br />
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So, to all the parents reading this blog, I hope you understand that the only reason I ask your children to put their hats on is because I care about them. I don't want them to become skin cancer statistics and until the time they are mature enough to make their own smart choices you and I have to make them for them. I also hope you understand why I feel so angry with you when you don't support the hat rule or when you turn up at a school event without a hat yourself. We need adults to role model safe sun behaviour. You wouldn't put your child in a car without a seatbelt - don't send them outside without a hat. I make no apologies to all the kids I will cajole, plead with, yell at and send inside because they aren't wearing a hat this term - I hope you live long and scar free lives because of my 'meanness'.<br />
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When I see kids actively sun baking, I feel sick. When parents tell me there's nothing wrong with a 'healthy tan' or their kids turn up at school with bright, red sunburn and peeling noses I have to bite my tongue not to accuse them of child abuse. The sun kills people and to ignore that message is disrespectful to me and my mum, to my friends Wendy and Jenny, to Nigel's brother, to Jim Stynes and the thousands of other people who have lost their lives and their loved ones to this vicious disease. Worse still, it is inviting disfigurement and risking the lives of our precious children.<br />
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When you pack the lunch boxes into the school bags this week, please make sure the hat and sunscreen are in there too.<br />
<br />Anne De Manserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04421025018738546599noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496041973590627679.post-85023706861474852322013-08-18T22:29:00.000+10:002013-08-20T09:12:21.216+10:00Ode to the graduate.We went to Sophie's graduation last Saturday to witness her receive her Bachelor of Arts (Media Communication) Degree. I'm pretty sure it won't be the last time we see her don an academic gown, in fact she's already enrolled to go back to Uni next year but it's her first university degree and therefore the culmination of her childhood education and a good time to reflect on that journey and give thanks to the people who helped her along the way.<br />
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Sophie was blessed and burdened by being a 'faculty kid'. She started Prep the same day that her sister started Yr 7 and I started teaching at Mortlake College. By the time she was in Year 5, her step father had joined the staff as well and for 3 years she spent more than half of each day being taught by one of us. When your parents are teachers at your school there's nowhere to hide. If you stuff up then they hear about it pretty quickly! On the other hand, there's always someone to cheer for you at the sports, to watch you in the school play and get you some lunch when you leave yours at home.<br />
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When Soph made the state netball team, we toyed with the idea of her going away to school for awhile. We had some pretty lucrative offers from independent schools in the city looking to add her success to their honour boards and since we were traveling over 500kms a week for training it seemed like a possible solution. In the end though we knew that no school could offer the same, individualised program that ours could and above all, we valued having her at home with us more than anything else. Kids are grown and gone so quickly and you never get back that precious time with them once they're grown so we kept her with us. As a result, she combined the training and travel with her study, right through to the end of year 12. I'll always be grateful we made that decision because the conversations we had during that stressful, teenage time helped to forge the bond we have now. We spent a lot of time discussing novels and practising formulae in the car so it was also kind of an enforced study space and I guess her 96+ ENTER score was proof that multi tasking in year 12 is not only possible but also a good way to keep yourself organised and focused.<br />
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After a gap year to help earn her own way, Sophie eased into independence at Melbourne Uni by spending two years on res at St Hildas (giving her the boarding school experience we'd denied her earlier ;-) and then jumped headlong into life by taking an exchange semester to UT in Austin, TX. What a great learning experience for her and a fabulous excuse for us to go and visit.<br />
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And now she's a fully fledged Media Communicator working in the industry as an Events Assistant and looking forward to adding a teaching degree next year. While I'm not entirely sure about her entering the 'family business', I know she'll be a great teacher and I'm glad she's discovered that the glitz of the media world is nothing compared to chance to enrich the future of generations to come.<br />
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Graduations are pretty boring occasions. You pay a fortune to hire the regalia, then you sit through name after name, pretending polite applause until your hands go red, waiting for your own graduand to have their 30 secs of spotlight. I wish I'd been rude enough to have my phone out though because both the guest speaker and the valedictorian made some excellent points. If I'd had my phone out I would have recorded them or at least made notes but I was trying to be technologically pc and 'live in the moment'. Consequently I can't remember the exact words but the valedictorian spoke about the worth of the Arts degrees that Saturday's group were receiving. She said that an Arts degree is an investment in learning about yourself and your place in the world and indeed, about the world itself. It's about learning to appreciate and discover things about the world and how the people who inhabit it connect with each other and their environment. We've made plenty of the 'fries with that' jokes about Sophie's Arts degree but the truth is that she hasn't been unemployed at anytime since she left school. That's because she has a great work ethic (and stingy parents who insisted that if she wanted to travel the world as a student then she'd have to pay for it herself!). It's also because she does have a desire to learn about herself and how she connects with the rest of the world and I think the future of the world depends on more people knowing that.<br />
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So well done to Soph and on her behalf, thank you to all the teachers who have inspired, motivated, goaded, annoyed and at times, bored her into reaching this academic milestone. Her sister who taught her to read before she went to school, her kinder teacher Andrea who nurtured Sophie's problem solving ability by letting her play endlessly with jigsaws when everyone else was at the play doh. All her teachers at Mortlake College but especially; Mrs Goddard, who in Prep let Sophie sort her earring collection and chased her down the corridor when she was screaming to stay with me. Kerry Talbot who taught her to have fun and write naughty poems, Kath who taught her to sing despite her genetic disability with pitch. Lyle, who allowed her to try on so many different characters, Jackie who instilled an understanding of kitchen clean up and taught her to make great coffee and muffins thereby ensuring she would always be valued in the hospitality industry. Geoff who taught her that girls can be good at Maths, Earl Carter who polished her manners and encouraged her to respect herself and reach for the stars and Jane Boyle who role modeled female leadership at it's best. Thank you to her friends from school and netball and university and Texas and the workplace.<br />
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Every one of you has added something to the sum of the whole.<br />
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<br />Anne De Manserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04421025018738546599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496041973590627679.post-81398532029846172792013-07-18T21:52:00.001+10:002013-07-18T21:52:49.930+10:00Mr Miracle turns 10There's been lots of press lately about older mothers, most of it negative.<br />
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I'm certainly not refuting any of the scientific evidence. I know that fertility declines sharply after 30 and even more sharply after 40. I know that the odds of chromosomal problems increase with maternal age and that the chances of miscarriage and gestational diabetes are higher. I know that even with IVF it is very difficult to safely deliver a healthy baby after 45. And yet, that's exactly what I did and the resulting little miracle turned ten today.<br />
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I had my first baby at 26 - conception, pregnancy and birth, all to plan. Then followed several miscarriages, including two ectopics. That my body managed to gestate my second daughter seven years later was, in itself a miracle.<br />
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And then life, as it does, took another unexpected twist. Divorced and remarried to a (much) younger man with no biological children of his own, it occurred to me that if possible, he too should experience the wonder of pregnancy and childbirth. We didn't seek any assistance with conception but nor did we do anything to prevent it. It was a pie in the sky, fairytale sort of maybe but not likely thing, like when you imagine how you'll spend the Tattslotto winnings. I spent 3 weeks of every month in fairytale mode and then one week in resigned acceptance of the inevitable failure of my ludicrous plan. Then I actually got pregnant and had a couple of early losses and began to wonder if maybe the misery of miscarriage would overwhelm the pipe dream. I decided that my 45th birthday would be a defining moment and that after that I would look at some permanent contraception, but the birthday came and went and I was busy and didn't get around to making a doctor's appointment......<br />
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I didn't feel any different being pregnant at 45 than I had at 25. Apart from an early CVS to check for chromosomal issues, I had no extra attention because of my 'elderly' mother status. The pregnancy was textbook. Blood pressure normal, sugar normal, no morning sickness, no fluid retention. I was at work the day before he was born and and at 9.20 am on his due date, with no medical intervention, almost exactly one month before my 46th birthday, our beautiful boy was born.<br />
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I've read lots of comments on other blogs from women who say they couldn't imagine having the energy at 45 for a small child but honestly, I don't think I was any more tired than I had been with the girls. In fact because Taine had an enthusiastic and energetic new father and two much older and besotted big sisters, I probably had more rest than I had with either of them.<br />
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I've also read lots of comments lately about the selfishness of having a child whose mother will be an old age pensioner at his 21st. I do have moments of sadness when I do the sums that tell me I'm unlikely to spend a lot of time with Taine's children but despite having me in their mid 20s, both my parents were dead before I was 30 so I'm hopeful that he and I will get at least that much time together. If not, then there's the aforementioned big sisters and younger husband to maintain family continuity and in the meantime I make a big effort to record all our memories together. I also take exception to the assumption that I'll be in my dotage at 67. I may be too busy swanning around the world to organise a great 21st bash but I certainly won't be doddery!<br />
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My advancing age doesn't seem to have put too big a brake on our adventures so far. I may be a bit older than other mums but I'm not totally decrepit! We've ridden Dumbo at Disneyland and cycled the Washington Mall together. We walked the length of the Highline in New York and last week we snorkeled on the Great Barrier Reef. Admittedly, I'm not that keen on getting up for junior footy early on Saturday mornings and I'm a bit over parent teacher interviews but every age-stage of a child is so wonderful and I've been able to enjoy my hands on parenting of these stages for much longer than most people. I feel very blessed that Santa has had a reason to visit our house for 30 continuous years.<br />
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So while it's optimal to conceive before you're 35, I believe it's more important to be a great parent and to have babies when the time is right, whether you're 18 or 50. And if you're an elderly, want to be mum, then don't give up hope. Even against the odds, it is possible. And so very worth it :-)<br />
<br />Anne De Manserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04421025018738546599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4496041973590627679.post-63510776670860656252013-06-12T22:19:00.001+10:002013-06-12T22:20:14.815+10:00If you can't be nice..........It's taken me awhile to get back to my blog. I've got lots of drafts saved but, you know how it is, I've been busy.<br />
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But today one of the kids at school was bullied and it made me so angry, mystified, frustrated, saddened, bewildered that I had to write.....something.<br />
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Kids sometimes get bullied at school so this incident wasn't all that unusual. Some schools will tell you they don't have a bullying issue but they're lying. I think bullying behaviour on some level is a part of everyone's learning curve and a lot of my day is spent following up the real, the perceived and the imagined hurts that kids inflict on each other. Usually it works out well and everyone learns from their mistakes and kids become better at being kind to each other as they grow up.<br />
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Today's issue though was with big kids, mean girls who should know better. It was a cyber incident, an online, nasty comment. Not defamatory or illegal, just mean. Mean enough that 4 different people sent me a screen shot of it (This is a good thing because it means other kids are looking out for each other and for someone to 'fix' this sort of behaviour). Online bullying is hard to follow up because of the fine line that exists about what is and isn't school business. Nevertheless, I will follow this one up and likely I'll be accused of not minding my own business etc etc etc. No mind, I'm a big girl and I get paid to make sure everyone feels safe in my school.<br />
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However, what really led to my overwhelming frustration was that when I got home I read several different versions of this<span style="color: red;"> <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/12/gillard-menu-sexist-liberal-dinner"><b><span style="color: red;">post </span></b></a> </span>about a political party menu with a totally disrespectful 'joke' about our Prime Minister. Every political affiliation and debate over misogyny aside, it's not ok to say this about another person. Worse still, while some of the comments on the sites that published this news were in agreement with me, many were not. "Just a joke', 'harden up', 'the Labor Party do it too', appeared frequently. You know what, it's not a joke to make derogatory comments about anyone's breasts. Payback doesn't make a wrong thing right. The office of Prime Minister is occupied by a person and all people deserve respect.<br />
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No wonder my mean girls thought it was ok to bully one of their own :-(Anne De Manserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04421025018738546599noreply@blogger.com0