Saturday, June 29, 2013

Minischool, Distance Education style.

Term 2 is always a busy one at AnK Headquarters, with the holidays arriving it's like a breath of fresh air has arrived.  No science electrical circuits, no Japanese assignments due, no multi modal advertisements to create, or extreme weather events to report on.  Not even a fitness video, fraction assessment or an overdue art portfolio.  These are just some of the things the kids worked on during Term 2.  It wasn't all hard work though, we did have some moments of fun (shhhhh don't tell our school principal, she has an extreme aversion to FUN !!).  Early in June we packed up our bags and headed to LSODE Quarters for a week at minischool ! 15 Year 6 students, 2 teachers, 3 governesses, quite a few Mum's and this year even a DAD !! Minischool is a week where all the Year 6 kids get together and get to experience a week of 'normal school', in a classroom with their peers and teachers.

I was Head Cook for the week, ably assisted by an Assistant Cook, Head Supervisor, Supervisors and Medical Officer.  We were responsible for all meals (Breakfast, 2 x Smokos, Lunch, Dinner and Dessert), showers, sleeping and medication.  It was an amazing week and the kids had a blast. Here are some images to show you what a week at minischool looks like, thanks to Lisa Alexander Photography and the Yr 6 teachers for the images. Thanks to the teachers and staff at LSODE for making each and every minischool a memorable experience.  We have such a fantastic school, if you are in the area you should pop by for a tour - Longreach School of The Air or click on the link to like our NEW facebook page ! Thanks also to the mums and governesses who assisted during the week.

Tom tries his hand at Archery with one of the Yr 6 teachers as the target !

Disco night with DJ Mac and DJ Gary

School Photo Time



The School Quarters have bunk bed style accomodation

There is usually lots of talking and catching up (and not so much sleeping !!)


Circus Tricks


LSODE Rock Icecreamery - always a big hit !

Lots of food choices - smoko on the quarters deck.  Apple slinkys were a big hit this year.

Values Lesson

Mrs Arthur gives the spiel on manners, giving thanks and respect.

Science ....electricity circuits !

The boys hard at work, showing that some REAL work does happen at minischool.

Movie Night

Photo Scavenger Hunt - this photo was for the 'Naked' category !

Japanese Sumo Suit egg and spoon races.
Olivia and her Governess Miss Kate try out the suits.
Catching up friends - I think they would all agree this is the best part of minischool.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

LSODE Perform Kids in Space

Life at AnK headquarters is often hectic, insanely busy,  with a to do list several pages long, thus this blog tends to be very neglected. Late last year we had a week that topped the scales in the Crazy Busy department. The kids were madly trying to finish their last unit of the new national curriculum 'School of the Air' papers and I was madly trying to get enough stock together for the Emerald Craft and Gift Fair (the biggest market that AnK attend each year). My father in law had been ill for some time and unfortunately passed away one day short of his 81st birthday.

In the space of 5 days we attended the Craft Fair (Friday and Saturday), the kids end of year A Town dance performance (Sunday), my father in laws funeral and Kids in Space Dress rehearsal (Monday and 300km apart), and the kids school graduation and Kids In Space production (Tuesday).  To say we were exhausted was an understatement and thanks to the support of family and friends we managed to make it through Crazy Busy Week.


So what was Kids In Space ?? For those of you who don't know my 11 year old twins are schooled through Distance Education (previously known as 'School of the Air').  Earlier in 2012 our deputy principal had come up with a grand plan of having an end of year musical. No easy feat considering the school enrolments cover an area more than twice the size of Victoria. Auditions were held via individual videos being sent to the school and a cast for Kids In Space was selected.  Here they are:

That's Kristy's Miss M front in green shirt and to her left
also in a green shirt is Angie's Miss M.

The school got together for a cultural camp week in Term 3 and each year level also practiced their dance at their mini-school week. Otherwise all of the songs, dances and main cast lines were learnt 'on air' over the phone and with a DVD of our Deputy principal dancing all the dances !

Of course there were lots of supporting adults, in particular we had assistance from Sean Dennehy from Moving Opera QLD, school staff as makeup artists, sound technicians and general organisers. Somewhere along the journey I was asked if I could find some tutus and before I knew it I was costume designer.  The costumes were literally sourced from all around the world, they had to fit the theme of each year level dance and be affordable and age appropriate, and also in the right size !! I chewed through massive amounts of internet sourcing costumes and our costume design team used Pinterest as a viewing board. {Note:  I never knew how many websites Ed QLD staff were banned from accessing until we commenced this project !!} 

Our govie at the time, Miss Courtney, also spent long hours altering and making costumes on the sewing machine. Other parents were coerced into packing, hemming, ironing and adjusting 120 odd costumes. Lots of phone calls, emails and Pinterest viewing later we were ready to rock and roll.
The kids did a dress rehearsal the night before the big performance and before we knew it the time had come to put on the show.  And what a show they put on !!


Prep and Year 1 perform to Perpetual Motion



Year 2/3 Bubblegummers



Yr 4 and Main Cast Robots - Felt Robot Costumes from 

                      kidatheart01



Yr 5 Eye in the Sky



Yr 6 The Black Hole

Year 7 and Main Cast Pirates - Singlets from MEandREEKIE 
The main cast and the finale of Kids In Space


Mrs Moore (in black tee) celebrates the success of Kids in Space with LSODE mums Anita, Sarah and Lisa.

It was a mind blowing performance supported by a group of AMAZING school staff and parents.  Hats off to Mrs Moore for pulling off such a TERRIFIC showcase of the talent at LSODE. It was a pleasure to work with such a dedicated and fantastic team.  I'm sure all those who had the opportunity to attend were amazed.  We can't wait for the next one......bubblegum, bubblegum, bubble gum gum gum...BUBBLEGUM @!@





Wednesday, April 24, 2013

11th Birthday Party - The Cake & Fun Games Part 3

The final part to the birthday blog...the birthday cake and some party action.

Of course there was more lolly bag filling !


The Pool Party Cake with pretzel and gumball swimmers, lolly lanes and jelly water
 
 
Lanes are a bit wonky but the kids thought it was great.
 

Slip and Slide Fun

The Scavenger Hunt

Year 6 LSODE Kids try out the buggy and bikes.

Friends

The limbo





Water Bombs


It was a great day thanks to everyone who came and helped and made it such a memorable event :)




11th Birthday Lolly Bar - Part Two

Can't believe how quickly the first part of this year has flown by, I haven't managed to even finish our birthday blog ! Here are some photos from the Lolly Bar at the kids 11th birthday party. Links to suppliers where relevant.

The 'Malden' Lolly Bar


 
Pool Floaties - Container from Spotlight, Blue Cloud Lollies and
Mango Licorice from Woolworths,
Blue and Orange Wrapped lollies from Crazy Clarks.,


Pool Noodles - Target and Printable Labels from My Party Design




Water Bombs - Orange M & Ms (Woolworths), Blue and
Orange Jellybeans (Pink Frosting)


Lollipops - Little Big Company and Printables from My Party Design


Sherbie Kickboards - Ebay


Beach Ball Shimmer Gum - Little Big Company
 

Sour Strap Towels - Woolworths


Clear Lolly Bags - The Reject Shop and Party Printables - My Party Design



Miss L and Miss B filling up their take home Lolly Bag



Miss B shows her finished lolly bag
 
Hopefully I'll be back with another blog much sooner next time :)