A lot happening around Candlebark and in our community. Happy reading!
Jane Cahill - Editor In Chief
contents
- Term Dates 2018
- What's Happening at Candlebark
- Year 7 Canberra Trip
- Candlebark at the Athletics
- Tournament of the Minds : Victorian Final
- Visit to Gisborne Oaks Nursing Home
- Gig at Holgates Brewery
- The Alice Miller Year 9 Bushdance/Interpretive Dance fundraiser!
- National Gallery of Victoria - Art Party for Teens
- Community Notices
Term Dates for 2018
- Term 1: 31 January to 29 March
- Term 2: 17 April to 22 June
- Term 3: 16 July to 20 September
- Term 4: 9 October to 13 December
- Unlike 2016 and 2017, dates will be the same for both Candlebark and Alice Miller.
What's happening at Candlebark
- September 11 to 14 – Year 7 Great Ocean Road Walk
- September 18 to 22 – LaTrobe camp
- September 19 to 22 – Year 8 Mitchell River Rafting camp
- September 23 – Year 9 Bush Dance Trip Fundraiser
- September 26 – Alice Miller Funk Band & Candlebark Ska Band at Holgates Brewery 7pm to 8pm
- September 27 – Candlebark Fete
- October 24 – Pop Up Globe Theatre excursion – Year 7s in Melbourne
- November 14 – Spring Soiree
Year 7 Canberra trip
Year 7 Canberra Trip 2017
Monday morning began with multiple cars in the Candlebark car park, some for the first time (some didn’t quite find it) but eventually everyone was on the bus heading for Canberra. Spirits were high until they realised they hadn’t bought any CD’s for the drive and would have to put up with John’s 1950’s greatest hits CD. We stopped at the usual stops; the Rocket Ship, the Submarine and the Dog. All good opportunities to get to know each other.
After 9.5 hours we arrived five minutes late at our destination and by the time we found our rooms and unpacked, we were a bit late for dinner. Compound that with the sorting of dietary requirements, and there wasn’t much time left after dinner for any activities apart for the obligatory group meeting. First nights are notorious for getting excited kids to settle, and sure enough it was well past 11 before the chatting started to die down.
Tuesday broke bright and clear and with a bacon and egg boost we headed further up the valley to the Cotter Dam. Dams are interesting close up and it made for a nice early morning walk up to the top. Then it was off to the CSIRO discovery centre where we got a rundown of the CSIRO’s history and operations. The kids partook in an information gathering game related to the CSIRO’s projects as Science Teachers rifled through the poster collection.
Next up was the National museum which houses some of Australia’s significant artefacts, but only has 5% on display at any one time. We were disappointed not to be able to witness Azaria Chamberlain’s dress but the whole group managed to fit in a giant mining shovel. Excellent gift shop here and the bus ended up with a pair of giant boogle eyes. Final stop for the day was the Mint and everyone seemed to have boogle eyes by then. Sightseeing is tiring, especially watching people working.
Tuesday night involved a massive 30 person game of Werewolf (Mafia) which took most of the night, with plenty of pointless executions of innocent villagers -- which is the crowds want.
Wednesday also broke bright and clear and after the obligatory hash browns we were off to the War Memorial museum. An overwhelming and emotional place, and difficult to do justice to it in the couple of hours we had. Some of the video simulations got a bit real with one of our staff having to apply a compress to the bleeding head of a pupil from another school. The Institute of Sport was high on many people’s list, and the games room at the start was a great way to test reflexes, jumping and shooting abilities, and flexibility. We were lucky enough to see a gymnast training, which was very impressive.
Lunch in the car-park then a self guided tour of New Parliament House. We visited the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as the grand ballroom. We somehow managed to set off an alarm by touching a picture frame, but were given useful information on how to get on the roof, where we performed cartwheels and other steam-letting-off activities. It was a whirlwind for the rest of the day as we rushed back to the Greenhills centre for an early dinner before heading off to the National Dinosaur museum at 6:30. We had a night tour booked, focusing on Australian dinosaurs and non-dinosaurs [OK]… and experienced the best gift shop of the tour. Fossilised shark tooth, anyone?
Wednesday night was spent playing Werewolf and Mafia in separate rooms, and getting pretty excited. A courageous young student led another round of a game, the very nature of which involved people shouting excitedly at each other.
Thursday also broke bright and clear (is there a pattern here?). First up was the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex, which is 25 minutes further up the valley. It houses the largest satellite dish in the Southern Hemisphere, plus the decommissioned dish that relayed signals during the first moon landing. We had a Doctor of Astronomy guiding us and we duly assailed her with questions.
It was a 50 minute drive back to the city where we had an appointment with the Salvation Armani to find an outfit for the night’s disco. Everybody did well, especially the ten people who found identical Wally’s Chicken kebab shirts. Generous discounts were obtained for courteous behaviour and hot pants left on the rack, thankfully (“Whatdayamean?”).
The ever popular Questacon was next with its myriad of scientific activities. Plenty of hands on, interactive and frightening experiences. Awesome gift shop purchases including the giant NO button. (Says no every time you push it). Some of the kids were asked about their Wally shirts and concocted a story about being on an Employee of the Year excursion. They did look smart (“No sauce on the shirt!”).
But wait, there’s more. Final stop of the tour was the National Arboretum, which houses many rare and endangered trees plus an awesome Bonsai collection. Unfortunately it was closing when we arrived so we had a run around in the brilliant acorn playground, to the joy of one little visitor who wanted to join our group. We visited the lookout with the Wedgy nest sculpture then rolled down the hill past the 200-million-year-old-Wollemi-Pine plantation.
Thursday night was dress up and disco night in the hall. Unfortunately the PA was proving difficult so whilst the staff beavered away with that, we partook in a round of ‘Quartermaster’s Store’ with everybody’s names parodied to hilarious effect. Some names proved easier than others. And behold, the disco was on! The Wifi was touchy but not as touchy as it was at the CSIRO, which is ironic, as they invented it! But great dancing and fun were had by all. Interesting to see who the natural dancers were (and it wasn't the staff). A hot, sweaty and tired bunch headed off to bed. And so did the kids.
Friday was an early start but it was still bright and clear. We had superb weather all week. Up at 6. Some very bleary teenagers after some late night talking, and, horror of horrors, it was too early for bacon and eggs! So it was a quick pack, clean the rooms and onto the bus for the nine hour drive home. The usual stops and shenanigans and we entered the school gate just as the unofficial tour song came on the stereo; Aha’s “Take on me.” You can never predict these things. But I’m sure I’ve suffered some permanent hearing damage from that chorus sung full pelt on that bus.
So an action packed trip but also a great one. A fantastic bunch of kids who mingled really well and will make a great Year 8 group next year. Thanks to all the staff, Brennan, Peta and Carla, and a big special thanks to Michelle for her Herculean work in doing all the complicated bookings.
See you next year.
Shaun
candlebark at the Athletics
I sit here in a dizzy afterglow. It may be lack of food and water, or perhaps it’s from simply staring at a triple jump take-off line for too long. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s the dizzy excitement of a job well done: a team performance of gigantic proportion with a couple of memories burnt into the psyche of some young minds, to be later recounted over a campfire in years to come, “I was in the school relay team…..I shot the putt for Candlebark…No, no. It’s definitely hop STEP then jump, I know because I represented the school in it..”
Outside it is cold and wet, inside it is warm and glowing.
What a day! Young minds overcoming butterflies and nausea to compete at the highest level available to them against fourteen other schools. A personal battle of wills before a step is even taken. The younger ones oblivious to this feeling of uncomfortableness, probably unable to even read it (let alone spell it, let alone realise it's discomfort), confronted with the unpleasant knowledge that it must be overcome. In front of a crowd. A competition against strangers, united in the pursuit of a victory in an event they’d possibly never even heard of a year or so ago. All these funny little rules, particular to an event, which must be adhered to, no matter what. Out the back of the circle; it must be thrown like this; handover must be done by this point.
It starts with organised chaos. Get the forty kids onto a bus by 9.10. Drive to Bendigo. Start time is meant to be 10.30 ... we arrive at 10.25. Quick chat with fellow officials, and actually start at around 11.00.
800m first up, whilst various field events begin around the….field. Then throughout the day, announcements from a mumbling man on a dodgy PA. Two heats for each track event, fastest time to qualify.
The support given for every child is superb. Everyone is made to feel good about themselves. Everyone knows how that competitor is feeling before the event. The shouting, a release of nervous energy.
Everybody tried their best. Despite music, Tournaments of Mind, Arts’ Week, chess, rubbish weather they had come to practice at Friday clubs. They had practiced on Wednesday during free time, surely no greater sacrifice to a child. And the weather, the weather had generally been awful. It’s meant to be a summer sport. But on the day, the weather, the practice, the spirit, all came together.
We’re not a big school, although some have said we’re the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. But we punch well above our weight. Ribbons were more evident than I can remember, and although we didn’t get a heap of firsts (congratulations to Nara, high jump; Lauren, 1500; Reuben 100; the 10 year old boys relay) there were a lot of coloured ribbons on our chests as we drove home.
Once again, my personal highlight was watching the relays. With only a few, if any, practice sessions, every team got a top four, and hence a ribbon, finish. The handovers were sleek, and done at some speed, every child running at their very best for the team. We don’t have the fastest runners, and sometimes you just have to accept that and do the best you can, but we do have, I think, some of the best learners, eager to improve, and willing to practice.
Some may go on to the Division finals, we shall find out. But we should all enjoy these successes because everyone in the team supports each other when we fall, cheers for each other when we flag and shares our joy when we succeed. Go Candlebark!
Andy Moffat
TOURNAMENT OF MINDS: VICTORIAN FINAL
Yesterday, Sunday, the Candlebark Tournament of Minds teams assembled at Latrobe University Bundoora, to compete in the Victorian finals. You’ll remember that they won their places with victories at Bendigo, just a couple of weeks ago.
Over 30,000 kids compete in TOM competition, from Australia and elsewhere. The Candlebark teams yesterday were the only ones who reached the final with members who were all new to TOM. They were also the only ones who did not use a script at all: the whole performance had to be prepared and presented on the day, and other teams relied on scripts for parts of their presentations.
This list shows the schools who made the final. We were proud to see Candlebark’s name among them.
The finals spanned about ten hours and I’m delighted to report that, in Wendy Wright’s words: `both teams were awesome and did brilliantly. They definitely had the funniest, most creative plays and worked really well as a team’.
The results were:
Four Primary school categories,
7 teams in each category,
1 winner going to the Australasian final and
2 teams awarded Honours which is equal second place.
Both the Candlebark teams were awarded Honours (equal second). A fabulous result indeed.
And what a wonderful coach they had in Wendy. She spent many, many hours, including sleepovers, teaching the students the skills they needed, to enable them to achieve at this level. One parent wrote to me last night saying that her son `had the best time !! He learnt so much but especially about the joy of working cooperatively in a team to achieve a common goal. I don't think he will ever forget this experience’.
Thank you, Wendy Wright.
John
visit to Gisborne oaks nursing home
On the 25th of August some of our generous and wonderful musicians headed to Gisborne to perform for the residents of Gisborne Oaks nursing home. Thanks to Lindy Velinsky for helping to organise this. The students had a ball, the residents seemed enjoy our visit and it was great to hear all of those fantastic performances. Well done to everyone involved.
Taran Carter
gig @ Holgates Brewery
You are invited to an evening of music at the Holgate Brewery in Woodend with performances by none other than the Candlebark Ska Band and the Alice Miller Funk Band.
The Alice Miller Year 9 Bushdance / Interpretive Dance fundraiser!
Less than 2 weeks to go!
A wonderful night of fun and hilarity for the whole family, featuring a great live bushdance band followed by an interpretive dance competition complete with a panel of judges and prizes, plus much more.
For those of you looking to perfect some dance moves for the interpretive dance competition, here is some inspiration for you:
See you on the dancefoor!
Cheers,
Alice Miller's Year 9 students and parents
National Gallery of Victoria - Art Party for Teens
NGV TEENS
ART PARTY
SAT 7 OCT, 6–9.30PM
NGV INTERNATIONAL
Teens are invited to take over the NGV for Art Party, returning these school holidays. Your ticket gets you exclusive after-hours access to The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture and Hokusai 北斎 exhibitions, workshops with contemporary artists, dance performances and DJ sets. Don’t miss this chance to spend the evening surrounded by over 140 sumptuous garments and the only emoji-worthy artwork, The Great Wave off Kangawa, as well as Japanese and French inspired food.
Ages 13 – 17 with valid secondary school ID.
Decadent or decorative; dress to match your vibe. Don’t miss this epic night out. Book now.
Community Notices
Dyslexia Series
Reena's Rainbow Workshop
Young Adult Fiction Author visit
Romsey Basketball 3 on 3 competition
Woodend Neighbourhood House - term 4
Gisborne Holiday Soccer Camp
Parent Engagement Study
My name is Hayley Jackson and I am writing to you as a research assistant at the University of Western Australia (UWA). Led by chief investigator Dr Jeneva Ohan, researchers at UWA and the University of Queensland are currently conducting a study about parents’ views of parenting support programs designed for parents of children who have behavioural problems.
Evidence-based parenting programs are a demonstrated, cost-effective, and long-lasting way to reduce child behaviour problems and improve children’s mental health and wellbeing. However, only a small number of parents participate in these programs. Our research seeks to better understand parents’ views of parenting programs, and the factors that influence parents’ participation in such programs. We are hoping that results from this research can be used to help develop strategies to assist parents to take part in evidence-based parenting support programs.
We would like to invite parents of a 3- to 8-year old child who are concerned about their child’s behavioural problems (such as defiance, breaking rules, and aggression) to participate in a 25-minute online survey. Parents who complete the survey have the option to enter into a prize draw to win one of 20 $100 Coles-Myer vouchers. In addition, parents who complete the survey will be offered access to an online, empirically-based parenting program at no cost (or obligation) to them. For parents who do choose to access the program, we will send them brief emails summarising any program modules they complete for three months following their activation of the program. We will then send parents a request via email to complete a final brief (approx. 5 minute) online survey about strategies taught in the program.
We are contacting schools, early childhood settings, non-government organisations, and online parenting forums to help us let parents who have a child with behavioural problems know about this study.
If Candlebark School would be happy to share an invitation to participate in this study with parents — for example via a newsletter, online resources, a noticeboard, or social media — the below text can be copied directly and is what we have been using so far to recruit participants. Alternatively, a flyer (attached to this email) that includes the same information can be used.
“We are investigating parents’ thoughts about taking part in online parenting programs.
If your child is aged 3-8 years, and has behaviour problems, please consider this 25-minute survey about parenting programs, your child, and yourself:
https://tinyurl.com/UWAParentEngagementStudy
Participants have the opportunity to win one of 20 $100 Coles-Myer vouchers.”
We have attached the ethics approval letter for this study.
If you would like more information regarding what participation in this study involves before deciding whether to share this survey invitation with parents, or have any other queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Warm regards,
Hayley Jackson
Research Assistant
School of Psychological Science • M304, Perth WA 6009 Australia
E hayley.jackson@uwa.edu.au