Penaltimate Day

What a wonderfully settled industrious day the children had today. As if they know that from tomorrow things will be different...

But hey it's all good and the children are excited to be launching ahead towards new horizons, and hopefully Saara and I have done our jobs well.

It is sad, but also thrilling. I can't wait to hear all the news of their first school days and the exciting things that lay ahead.

Of course school isn't just about the schoolwork, of learning the rules, of following directions and instructions, of listening and taking in new facts... It too is about fun.. the fun of discovering a new friend, of working out a new teacher, of exploring new territory and beginning to break the secret codes of reading and writing and of being big and sometimes feeling small.

As I let my 'big children' go I hope that someone else will gather up these 'little ones' and nurture them and care for them as we have done here.

To all the children I thank you for your willingness to take up the many opportunities that we have set out for you. Thank you for teaching me things and for learning how to be tolerant and understanding.

Go, full steam ahead, and enjoy a life full of adventures and crammed with possibilities.

WOW... I hope it's not good-bye

Well Nitsa pulled me up on my blogging slackness so sorry to all of those who have been waiting for the next posting, you've been waiting awhile.

But honestly I have to say yet again, where has this year gone, and the ending seems to be going faster than ever. Only two more kindergarten days to go.

I can't believe it... as you might not be able to as well.
An incredible amount has been achieved this year by all the children and I can tell many are very excited about the new venture ahead.... but maybe not so some of the parents.
Yes Nitsa and Amanda I think the leap is getting closer, make sure you hold hands, close your eyes...... and FLY.

Saying good-bye to the children on Tuesday is going to be difficult. Sometimes that is why I surround myself with busy-ness. I have nurtured and extended and cared for and challenged them, only to send them off into someone else's care. And I can tell many are ready and eager for that.
I hope our party is a great opportunity to celebrate one last time as a group, not only children or parents of children coming to the kindergarten, but as a collective group who have found and developed friendships that I hope continue for a long time to come, no matter what the physical distances we might begin to experience that separate us.

I hope to see many of you around over the years and hear the stories you can regale me with about your children.

I will also take this opportunity to thank Saara for all the assistance she has offered over this year. Many if not all of you have experienced her approachablness and easy going self, she makes my job easier in many many ways.

....But they just play..... where's the learning in that???

So often I hear the cry that children just play at kindergarten and that the real work begins at school. this is said directly or indirectly with the inference that some parents feel that if their child has been recommended for a second year of kindergarten that it would be wasted and they the child would be better off repeating a school year.

Play is never 'JUST' any one thing, children learn far more at this time in their lives and at a greater rate than they will ever again... They make sense of their world by playing out situations and roles and build the foundations for a love of learning that will carry them through their academic years and beyond...

And since when is doing one thing 'just' doing that thing??? An example would be since when is watching tv at the end of a busy day... simply 'just' watching tv... it is unwinding, tuning out, and often rarely is it just watching tv.
The same can be said of play, very rarely is it just what we often observe on the surface. Play is complex and a skilled early childhood educator interpretes this play and extends it where it needs extension and plans and predicts for more challenges and outcomes. Play is never 'just' play... it is fun, absorbing, intricate, simple, solitary, social....

Luke... parent/teacher and latest news...

The children are preparing to say farewell to Luke... this has been done in several ways from children seeking him out... to chasing him for that elusive +kiss+ to sitting with him, or asking if they can visit... so I am anticipating a build up of this for the week with tomorrow's party/get together being a great opportunity for the children to get down and party with him, lol.

Parent/teacher interviews or update sessions are about wrapped up... I hope the information exchange has been usefull to many, I know I have found some of your feedback and insights helpful too.

I am grateful to those parents who also keep me updated with some relevant newspaper articles... two of late which are particularly good are from the Age, dated Nov 3 in the Education section, titled Dangers of too much safety, and the other titled, "I'm telling on you" is a powerful tool when push comes to shove... if you would like a copy just let me know.

School Transitions and parent teacher interviews.

wow is it already that time of year once again!
The local schools have begun the process of introducing their prospective new students to the school and environs. Do they seem so small to you? We have also begun talking about this change during our daily group times and getting some discussion going to help the children anticipate the change ahead.

I have to say that i find this group particularly caring of one another and supportive.. this wavers from time to time. But they do seem to be getting the sense that time is running out in this group to play together. There is some great stuff happening and friendships seem frenetic and fun involved play is evident everywhere.

I have begun the end of year parent teacher interviews so that we can chat briefly about some of the development that has been happening for your child and some things that may be useful to assist your child before school starts.

Enjoy this next little while here at LFK, I'm confident your child will, and I look forward to catching up at one of the several social events planned over the next little while.

Happy Birthday Amanda

Today was Amanda's 5th, always such a significant one... so we helped her celebrate it in style... well maybe not that much style, but at least enthusiastically!

Jude has come in to conduct some science research with a small group of children that she is using to obtain their responses to and concepts to particular things ( like what is 'alive') with.

The group as a whole seem to have launched into this term with new vigour, really cementing lots of learning and showing empathy and rejoicing either in new found friendships or celebrating by taking their existing ones to new heights. Really loving the group at this stage, they are developing a great collective sense of humour and enthusiasm.

1st week back.

well this week has certainly flown by. Its been quite manic with all the fete organising and extra bodies in the room, many of the children are opting to head outside and with more and more bikes being ridden around the children are really learning to use their reflexes and agility.
Just a reminder that kindergarten photos will be taken on Monday of next week, so hopefully the fete on the previous day will not tire too many of you out.
Good luck to everyone for a successful fete, and well done to everyone for the efforts you are putting in.
I will be undertaking the Responsible Serving of Alcohol certificate on Friday so that you can all enjoy a good drink or two .... or a little more, on the day. :-)

full steam ahead...!

Well ok isn't the year flying by!

Today I mentioned to the children that they might like to bring in their bears or other soft toy for a 'Teddy Bear's Picnic' on our last day of term, this Thursday... most were enthusiastic... well all that is except Dan who waled... Noooooooo.... so anyhow we will aim for that.

Also I don't know if it's that I've been on my international jornt and then being laid up for a few weeks but I am feeling I have missed out on some serious.... or not so serious socialising so we need to remedy that for next term.

I will also conduct parent/teacher interviews for those wishing them early next term, before that term gets away from us all too.

I have to say I am particularlly happy with the children's progress this year despite all the illnesses and all those holidays you have all gone on etc.

The children are working cohesively as a collective group and many are able to stand firm when expressing their opinions, many of their characters shine through and I love observing these in relation to each other in the group. Sometimes it is hard to allow things to happen due to time restrictions and trying to allow children the freedom to fully explore all that they want to. (hmmmm does any of that make sense???)

An update

Hi All just an update to let you know what's happening.
Well my chiro delivered the great news that by going back to work last Monday I set myself back a bit... always news you want to hear.
So I will be off work for another week, although I am allowed to take up some light duties so I thought if anybody wants to meet for a coffee and for us to have a general discussion on the program, your feedback and suggestions regarding communication etc it could be a good toime to do that., even if I have to stand from time to time...
also i may be able to conduct a few parent/teacher interviews to talk about the progress of your child.
Anyhow let me know what oyu think, but generally I still need to take it carefully.
Am missing everyone back there at LFK

Thank you

Thank you to all who have sent well wishes and for the beautiful flowers.

I will return tomorrow, ever so cautiously... so I won't be replicating any of the impressive Olympic competitors feats I've observed over the past week.

hey ho

Hi everyone. hoping everything is going ok back there at LFK.
Wow back pain really is very debilitating... I hope to make it back there tomorrow for the Flying bookworm theatre group but will not push myself as I think it will be more important to ensure my back is fully healed.
Hope all the children are handling things well and getting stuck into it.
Cheers

And I hope Saara is feeling much better as well.

broadening their horizons

Have you noticed your children talking about playing with children you haven't heard mention before???

Allison and I are allowing children from both groups to begin visiting and we are finding that many of the long day children want to come over and play here on the sessional side.
This is a great benefit for the children as they get to meet and interact with a new group of children and individuals within their secure environment.

It is working well.

Group time today

Well today William wanted to have his belated Show and Tell; and the problem with it being belated was that he accumulated many more items than he had the other day... but the children were attentive and he was rewarded with that. ( It constantly impresses me how at ease children are at getting up infront of their peers to talk).
as we are reinforcing mat rules, and the one in particular about if you are not ready to sit quietly and attentively on the mat you are able to got onto the verandah to talk or work in the room quietly. It seems that this finally sank in for one or two children today who exercised their right to go outside and talk. This meant that a disproportionate amount of children did this today. Usually this settles back to most of the children wanting to sit on the mat and listen to stories and songs, after they have exercised their sense of power and control... all good.
I attempted to read a story called Hooray for the Kafe Karaoke!... but unfortunately the children were far less excited about karaoke than me, but we will continue the story next week.

Group Time discussion

Today we discussed schools and when I attended school. I read " Once Upon an Ordinary school Day".
The children had several questions on my school days and talked about where they are going to school. We talked about co-educational schooling. So if that comes up in conversation thats why.
Feel free to comment here about what your child brings up at home about their happenings at kindergarten.

Friendships and play

Generally, since arriving back I have noticed that several of the boys have broadened their friendship groups and have become more inclusive of other, whilst I have noticed that several of the girls have tightened and closed the playing circles making it harder for others to join in.

We have also begun working or re working on notions of fairness especially within a collective group context; re-establishing group rules and the rights of others, predominantly for our group times and packing up times.

Looking forward whilst celebrating the present

Ok, so as we head towards term 3 lets reflect on our goals and ambitions for your child. What is the greatest of these and how can 'we'; as a team achieve them.

What has been some of the interests your child has shared with you over the holidays? By sharing some of these they may be extended and through this your child forms positive concepts that learning is fun, and 'following things through to a conclusion; if there is one'.

I am very much looking forward to being back with you all and continuing our partnership in learning.
See you all on Monday

taking a magic carpet ride over Cappadocia....wow!

Well it may not of been a magic carpet but taking a hot air baloon is equally magical I' sure.

This without a doubt was the highlight of my travels through Turkey.

The landscape is totally mind boggling, and to view it at dawn drifting silently above is truely something I will never forget.

Antalya

Totally loving Antalya, i am staying in the old city which is a mixture of totally run down otoman houses and newly restored ones, beautiful. And as you can see the beach is not bad either.

more ruins, this time, Perge and Aspendos; which has the most intact ampitheatre in the area.

the pic with the tall columns is the Temple of Apollo in Side.

Happy Holidays

Greetings everyone, just wanted to wish you all a happy holiday.
Hope it's a good one. Looking forward to seeing you all at the beinginning of term.
/wiull post more holiday pics soon.

Ruıns ruıns and more ruıns. wıth some swımmıng added ın

sınce last wrıtıng I have travelled down the medeteranıan gonıg to Pammıkkalı. sorry don2t always get the spellıng rıght. but my pronouncıatıon ıs very good.... you have to belıeve me.

I.ve seen many... many ruıns now but stıll fınd ıt hard to belıeve how old they all are.

Last nıght ı stayed ın a bungalow ın Olympos. thıs ıs a beautıful area wıth yet agaın another rocky beack. and at 42 degrees whıch ıs what ıt has been for the past few days those rocks really do fry you. ouch.

Last nıght Turkey won theır soccer match so you can ımagıne the celebratıng that went on!

so ı stayed ın Fethıye for 3 days a lovely sea sıde town so took a few boat cruıses around the ıslands and swam ın the beautıful blue of the mediterranean sea. quıte cold but very ınvıgoratıng.

Have met several dıfferent people along the way but no

aussıes as yet... a few new zealanders... but they don't count. lol

ok two days here then off to Cappodoccıa... very much lookıng forward to seeıng that strange landscape. untıl then ı wıll explore thıs beautıful cıty. ı am stayıng the the 'old cıty' whıch agaın ıs stunnıng

Now don't get dırty

Fınally I have found an ınternet cafe! am now ın Antalya...

and you all worrıed when the chıldren got a lıttle dırty... here's me... like a pıg ın mud.... well yes.

thıs mud ıs meant to have great therapeutıc qualitıes... so I now have some great excuses up my sleeve when a parent ıs concerned about theır chıld comıng home very dırty... maybe ı should ınclude thıs pıc ın the parent ınformatıon pack... sayıng thıs ıs what we get up to at LFK :-)

pıcs

Ephesus

oh I really need to learn how to edıt these pages and fıx mıstakes.

Anyhow to Ephesus..

What a stunnıng place!

as you can see from the pıcs.. ıt took many hours to walk through thıs place wıth our guıde explaınıng so much ın fascınatıng detaıl...

now for a lıttle bıt of __ somethıng --- envy.... see that pıc wıth the hole well that was one of the publıc toılets and they are all sıde by sıde.... and made of marble so you could ımagıne just how cold that could get ın wınter.... well ıf you were wealthy you wouldn't have to worry.. why? because you would send out one of your slaves to sıt on ıt to warm ıt up.. heehee well ıt tıckled my fancy...

A Photo update

The first two photos are just sayıng Good bye to İstanbul for a few weeks.

Then the next ones are pıcs from Gallıpolı. the one wıth the word ANZAC ıs lookıng out over where the Aust Troops landed, the other ıs taken from the scheech that Ataturk saıd for all mothers of soldıers who dıed there, and the othere ıs the Australıa war memorıal and graves at lone pıne, much further up the hıll/mountaın... seeıng all thıs really dıd help me to understand a bıt clearer why australıa went all the way over to fıght ın thıs war. Thıs place held a mıxture

of feelıngs for me as ıt was emotıonal to read the graves and dwell on all the lıves lost, but ıt was also a dıffıcult place as ıt ıs also a place where the turks come to celebrate a great vıctory.... and there were a lot of turks there the day we were...

Kusadası

aaaah I.Ve come ın off the beach to send you some more ınfo only to fınd that I have not brought my USB plug wıth me ınto the town centre.... well I wıll go back and jump intop the pool for awhile and see if İ can get back a little later... think İ have some good shots of Ephasıs.... was really blown away by that and how bıig it was.... who would of though

Gallipoli and Troy

I would love to share some of these photos with you but at this stage I have not found a computer with a USB port that works... better luck when I arrive in Kusadasi tonight.
Both these experiences have been great.
Gallipoli was moving and thought provoking... along with amazing vistas.

Yes Nitsa I went through the Aya sofia... but am going to sub title this trip the Scaffolding tour... as everywhere in both London and Turkey is undergoing huge amounts of work... London I presume is getting ready for the olypmics in 2012 turkey... matbe they realisede the tourist dollars are good.... the aya sofia has a quarter of the dome covered in scaffolding as are many other buildings, but it was still very stunning.

I am now making my way down the Agean sea going to Ephasis tomorrow...

Istanbul was a big head spin... both good and bad and this part of the tour is gentle managable.
Am loving the apple tea... damn you Jude you've got me addicted... but how on earth would you add sugar to that!

Have to admit i am disappointed with Turkish Delight.... seems to have no taste!

But the Bakalava..... yummm I\m going to return home fat....
Ok hope all are well
Love Malcolm

Istanbul... still

Yes Kathy I agree Istanbul is an incredible place with an amazing history.... Have seen so much and that isnt't enough....

but tomorrow I journey on towards Gallipolli.... I'm sure it will be emotional.

as it is I am already emotional and missing all the children terribly.... I hope they are all behaving.

Well my tour is now all in place so I hope there will be a few internet cafes along the way to report back to you all. When I get to Olympos I will be staying in tree houses ... I'm looking forward to that!

The weather has been great hot and sunny... hope you aren't all too cold back there.

Cheers for now... I have to be up at 6 to catch the bus to Canakalli. Have organised to have a few days in Kusadasa

we're not in kansas anymore Toto

Views
from
my
room







Well after a few days of total culture shock, along with mentally having to adjust myself to travelling alone, I now think iI am getting the hang of things... but I am not going to get overly confident just yet.... thanks for the warning Jude but it came much tooooo late... and I thought when he dropped his brush and I called out to him so he could retrieve it was being kind and polite... little did I realise it would cost me $10 ( he wanted more) and he polished my suede shoes!


When I arrived I felt so unprepared and totally imersed... so i only travelled little from the hotel i am staying at... which is actually in the centre of things anyhow with the Blue Mosque directly across the road. Am not sure if I can up load photos so bear with me. and shock of shocks I've loss my photography assistant with the departure of Chris... so so far there are no pics of me!

ooops

oooops 'buggers' was meant to read 'beggars' must of been some feudian typo... and that was being polite!

A funny thing happened on the way to the...

Well in true Malcolm and Chris style, on our final day in Paris one of our wishes was to make our way to Sacre Coeur in Montmarte, leaving it to the last minute we rushed up there only to be harrassed by some particullarly persistent 'buggars'... finally escaping we ran to the shelter of the beautiful basilica, the top photo shows the toll the beggars took on my enjoyment of the place. Of course being in Montmarte meant we couldn't leave without a photo in front of the Moulin Rouge... but of course we would then have to contend with the beggars so we ran as fast as we could down the hillside streets of Montmarte.. but the greatest dilemna was the beautiful cafes, shops and warfs of fantastically smelling foods that surrounded us as we made our escape to wend our way to the rather tragic sight of the Moulin Rouge.... poor Satine! +sic+ photo on right. Well I guess it means we will have to return to Paris to discover the delights of Montmarte at a more leasurely pace... and a different route.

And to Nitsa... no we have not found good coffee or coffee to rival Melbourne anywhere as yet...

Am Off to Istanbul tomorrow!