Budding Photographer

Here's another remarkable photo of our class from my budding photographer. Even her mistakes are brilliant! Make sure you check out Andrew's latest digital piccs at urbanstone.

A Fresh Breath

Amidst the flurry of reports and end of year activity, today I had two invitation to draw a smile.

1. A student beamed as she showed me her PowerPoint presentation on saltwater crocs that she had been working on during the last week. Amazed at her achievements she exclaimed in a disbelieving voice, "I didn't even know I had PowerPoint on my computer until we did it in class!"

2. A thank you note from a parent for being patient with a student in the class who was going through a rough trot.

I can tackle reports with a little more tap on the keyboard! It's the smallest of things that can be the most significant.

Renewable Energy

Here's a great snap from one of my budding photographers in Year 3 (won't let them use my camera again). A fantastic shot - it's great to have fresh eyes. We visited CERES and explored the use of solar, wind, water and methane as alternative enrgy sources. Loved the hands on experiences! We really have got some energy options Mr Howard!

Watery Reports

It's snifflin', sneezin' and snorts
as I work on this term's reports.

Is it the dust, pollen or the grass
or am I allergic to this task?

Whatever it is,
It makes my head fiz,
This reporting I will surely not mizz!

Emerging Artists!

Fairfield was fortunate to host two of Australia's soon to be famous artists. Emma Dilemma, the extraordinarily gifted chalk artist, shows off her masterpiece! Rory McRory is eager to present his parachuting snake to the public!

The whole of Melbourne's artistic society will hold their breath and patiently await their next community exhibition.

Holiday for Horses?

We were lucky to have Rory and Emma decorate our concrete on a recent visit. Here is Emma's homage to today's big Melbourne Cup!

I've always been disturbed that we should build a horse race into an event worth celebrating a public holiday over. Many will look to tradition or perhaps place emphasis on the larconic national character as reasons to support such a holiday. I keep asking myself ... who does it say we are?

Five better ideas for a public holiday ...

1. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Day

2. Another Language Day - a celebration of culture and diversity. Signs could be changed to incorporate local emphasies. Greetings and general conversation starters could be promoted through local councils.

3. Absolute Silence Day - a day where noise will be expelled from our lives. Sue points out that it might be better to have this on a school day.

4. National Origami Day - surely a lot more good then harm can come out of origami! Politicians folding paper cranes seems a lot more friendly then them passing laws on 'security' or industrial relations (perhaps more appropriately renamed 'industrial non-relations')

5. Fasting Day - to refocus our excessive lifestyles

Any other suggestions?