Offspring Sydney Winter/Spring 2019

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WINTER/SPRING 2019

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$50,000

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TOP

influencers share Meditation magic

BEING VEGAN

PARENTING

Bold, brave & beautiful life of

Lucy Durack

Self compassion heals

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Baby’s cry signals



contents Winter/Spring 6

8

EDITOR’S NOTE

8 BABY FASHION ONE WITH NATURE This Spring, let your baby roam in adorable, lightweight outfits where spots and frills will lead the way! 10 GIRLS FASHION FLOWER POWER! Girls will bask in the warm spring sun this season as cool and chic meets flower power! 12

10

BOYS FASHION JOIN THE SAFARI! Let your boys run free this Spring in vivacious bold colours that make every day feel like an adventure!

14 MUMS FASHION PRETTY & FIERCE This Spring, emanate warmth with free-flowing outfits in soft hues of pinks and apricots.

14

16 16 COVER STORY THE BOLD AND BRAVE LIFE OF LUCY DURACK Darling of the Musicals, Sweetheart of the Screen, hardworking mum and all-round Good Witch, Lucy Durack, shows the value in seeking the support of family, friends and the odd stranger on social media.

34 SOCIAL TOP INFLUENCERS TO FOLLOW IN NSW & QUEENSLAND Here we’ve collected our favourite influencers to follow for your daily dose of motherhood, fashion and travel and lifestyle inspiration. 40 HEALTH PREVENTABLE DISEASES KILL: A CASE FOR VACCINATION Dr Adam Coulson talks vaccination and why you shouldn’t entrust your child’s health to celebrity chefs or footballers’ wives.

22 WELLNESS WHAT’S UP BUTTERCUP? Kristin Neff PhD discusses the antidote to harsh self-talk and the benefits of Self-Compassion. 28 SPIRITUALITY THE BENEFITS OF MEDITATION FOR FAMILIES Meditation is being praised by researchers for its stress-relief and effects on the behaviour and educational performance of children. 30 FOOD BACK TO OUR ROOTS We examine the health benefits of a vegan diet, as well as some delicious and nutritious vegan recipes. 33 BOOK REVIEW Our favourite books to tuck into this winter!

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30

sydney | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | Offspring


44 44 PARENTING 6 TIPS FOR PARENTING ANXIOUS KIDS We can’t rid our kids of their anxiety, but we can help them to manage it – here are 6 tips to support you to parent your anxious child. 50 SPIRITUALITY TAKING EMOTIONAL CHARGE Renowned empath and spiritual teacher, Oscar de Souza, speaks to Offspring about the purpose of emotions and building positive relationships. 54 TECHNOLOGY HERE’S AN APP FOR THAT! Parenting doesn’t come with a manual, but there are lots of useful apps to make various stages of parenting a bit easier. We look at some great options – whether you are a new parent or raising teenagers.

WINTER/SPRING 2019

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

WIN

$50,000

MUMPRENEUR PACKAGE

TOP

influencers share Meditation magic

BEING VEGAN

PARENTING

Bold, brave & beautiful life of

Lucy Durack

Self compassion heals

FREE www.offspringmagazine.com.au

#1 AU PA ST RE RA NT LIA ING ’S TIT LE

Baby’s cry signals

01 PER COVER.indd 1

5/8/19 5:01 am

Lucy Durack

50 56 EDUCATION IF THE SCHOOL FITS Choosing where to send your child to school is a big decision – Claire Armstrong investigates the educational options. 70

70

SPECIAL FEATURE OFFSPRING PERFORMING ARTS AND SPORTS GUIDE There are many sports and performing arts options for your child to try. We look at the options, so you can make the best decision for your child.

78 TRAVEL NSW GETAWAY GUIDE It’s time to dust off those winter woolies and put a spring in your step as the days grow longer, the sun warmer and evenings balmy to have some family fun in New South Wales!

ISSUE 32 WINTER/SPRING 2019 Produced and published by Offspring Magazine Pty Ltd. ABN: 95 159 474 245 Website www.offspringmagazine.com.au Editorial enquiries editorial@offspringmagazine.com.au Advertising enquiries Phone 02 4326 1178 Mobile 0415 267 414 advertising@offspringmagazine.com.au Subscription enquiries subscription@offspringmagazine.com.au

Managing Editor Kate Durack Contributing writers Brooke Evans-Butler, Claire Armstrong, Ann-Marie Bradstreet, Colleen Willis, Kate Durack, Sophie Phoon, Natalie Coppolelli, Gabrielle Platt. Graphic Designers Naomi O’Bryan, Keely Goodall, Nathalie Berger Printed by Blue Star Group Cover image: Kurt Sneddon

Offspring magazine is an independent magazine published quarterly by Offspring Magazine Pty Ltd. Opinions represented are not necessarily those of the publisher. Offspring magazine contains general information and does not claim to substitute for health or parenting advice. All content is subject to copyright, and may not be reproduced without permission.

80,000

Average Net Distribution per issue.

This publication has been independently audited by the Circulations Audit Board.

Audit Period: September 2017 - March 2018

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6| Editor’s Note: Winter/Spring 2019

10 years of Offspring

It’s been 10 years since I had the lightbulb moment to start Offspring while meditating, after yet another sleepless night with my 16 month old daughter.

T

he sleep-deprived, random

through our Facebook page

idea to start a magazine

(Offspring Magazine) and by

augmented Offspring’s

joining our newsletter www.

inaugural edition, in Perth with breakfast radio host Lisa Fernandez on the cover. Four years in, I took the opportunity

offspringmagazine.com.au It’s a delight to have Lucy Durack’s lovely face on this cover. An advocate of Self-

better family relationships and manifest our desires (“Honouring our emotions”). Children suffering anxiety is a growing condition that is explored in an article based on the book by Michael Grose and Dr Jodi

to expand Offspring, and moved my

Compassion and a hardworking

family to Avoca Beach, a pretty seaside

mum, her positive energy

children can turn their anxiety

town north of Sydney. Two months

shines through.

into resilience.

after arriving my marriage ended, but Offspring kept growing.

I was excited by the opportunity for us to interview

Richardson, Anxious Kids, How

Also on child health, Emergency Hospital Director,

We launched the Sydney edition

the leader in the field of Self

at the end of 2013 and the Melbourne

Compassion, Dr Kristen Neff

edition in 2015.

(“What’s Up Buttercup?”),

“Preventable diseases kill: A case

who has based her academic

for vaccination”.

The digital side has continued to expand during that time with a new

research on Buddhist

website due to go live any day.

principles. I also recommend

To celebrate 10 years, I’d like to

Dr Adam Coulson, urges parents to vaccinate their children in

We provide information on various education options to

her free meditations, which can

consider when choosing a school for

give another Mumpreneur a $50,000

be listened to on Insight Timer. Self

your child (“If the School Fits”) and we

marketing campaign with Offspring.

Compassion is valuable in helping us

explore the benefits of extracurricular

This will include advertising across

be kinder to ourselves and a great skill

activities for a child’s development in

all three of our hard copy and digital

to teach our children.

our Performing Arts and Sports Guide.

publications, online exposure, a Cover

In this issue, we look at the benefits

We only publish Offspring magazine

Story and a photo shoot. The selected

of meditation for families and have

biannually but have lots of content

Mumpreneur will be the Cover model

a piece on the rising health trend

on parenting, families, wellness and

of our next edition.

towards veganism, including some

lifestyle, regularly appearing on our

lunchbox ideas for kids.

website and in our newsletter so please

You can apply for the Mumpreneur marketing package, or to nominate

I interview spiritual healer, teacher

someone whose business you think

and medium, Oscar de Sousa, on how

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

might benefit from this opportunity,

honouring our emotions helps us have

Kate Durack

join us there until our next edition

“To celebrate 10 years, I’d like to give another Mumpreneur a $50,000 marketing campaign with Offspring.”

Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

www.offspringmagazine.com.au



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“Chris and I try to keep really open about communicating how we’re feeling because we’ve both had stints as the main carer.”

Offspring | WINTER 2019 | perth

© KURT SNEDDON

16 | cover story

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cover story | 17

The bold and brave life

of Lucy Durack

Darling of the Musicals, Sweetheart of the Screen, hardworking mum and all round Good Witch, Lucy Durack, shows the value in seeking the support of family, friends and the odd stranger on social media. BY ANN MARIE BRADSTREET

W

hen Lucy Durack got her childhood dog, her

hankering for the lead in school musicals, she’s mindful not to

outnumbered dad, on learning it was a girl

narrow down her daughter’s choices and says, “Polly is very keen

had one demand – a tough name. Born and

on singing and dancing, and she’s got a smart little brain, so I want

raised in an unashamedly girly girl house

her to see what other things are out there.”

in Perth with her two sisters and a bitch named Bandit, this Fairy

Lucy, a Helpmann Award winning actress, (she won the

Princess was, as every good tale goes, destined for the stage. With

coveted theatre prize playing Elle Woods in the Australian season

a wicked talent and spellbinding mix of resilience and charm,

of Legally Blonde) has broadened her own horizons. Not confining

Lucy chats to Offspring from

her talents to the stage she has

her home in Melbourne about

a growing number of screen

family and her magically

credits, including cop, Tugger,

crafted career on both stage

on popular Nine Network

and screen.

series Doctor Doctor, and

“Polly wants to be The Fairy

wayward, Roxy, in Network

Queen of the Theatre when

Ten drama Sisters. She’ll

she grows up,” Lucy laughs

soon return to Sydney to

of her daughter. Clearly keen

resume filming, as a judge on

to follow in Mum’s footsteps,

Seven’s revival of family hit,

Polly must have been taking

Australia’s Got Talent (AGT).

note of Lucy’s Glinda during

Mercifully, without hyperemesis

last year’s GFO’s production of

gravidarum, the debilitating

The Wizard of Oz, her four year

morning sickness that plagued

old being no stranger to The

her in early production.

Good Witch. Polly, imbued in show business from the womb, (she was in

She’s expecting her second child, a baby boy in October and describes her recovery as a

utero during her mother’s reprisal of a fleshed out Glinda, in the

“Miracle,” after suffering from the condition throughout her

smash hit musical, Wicked) will likely be understudying in the

entire pregnancy with Polly which she says, “Was really hard,” a

wings in January when Lucy treads the boards as Princess Fiona in

believable sentiment when considering the first five months were

Shrek the Musical. Although Lucy held similar childhood dreams,

spent on stage. Relieved the symptoms subsided much earlier this

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sydney | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | Offspring


18 | cover story

about, because it was just this moment where I thought, ‘Oh my God, I’m not alone, and we’re all just trying to figure this out in the middle of the night.’” When Polly was six weeks old, Lucy auditioned for the role of Sophie in Alison Bell and Sarah Scheller creation, The Let Down, screened on ABC & Netflix. Now in its second series and steadily gaining cult status, the wry triumph peels back child rearing to its bare bones. Lucy, in a fluster before the audition when the babysitter called

pregnancy and grateful for the solace she sought in a Facebook group of fellow sufferers she says, “It was a really useful group to just connect with complete strangers that were also going through this really terrible time. “Just having people who are going through exactly the same thing is really

in sick, had no choice but to take her newborn with her. Luckily, the role of Sophie called for a shiny new mum, who almost has it together when encountering an

POLLY IS VERY KEEN ON SINGING AND DANCING, AND SHE’S GOT A SMART LITTLE BRAIN, SO I WANT HER TO SEE WHAT OTHER THINGS ARE OUT THERE.

useful. I found having a Mothers’ Group really helped. I remember once we finished our four weeks, or whatever you do with the nurse , she was like,

eclectic mix of characters at Mothers’ Group. Polly, not only welcome at the audition, scored her first screen credit starring as Sophie’s baby in the pilot episode. Lucy’s agent called saying, “Well, if ever there was an audition where it’s appropriate to bring your baby, this was it.” Childcare, a tricky balance to strike for most working parents is no different

‘Right it’s now up to you girls to meet on your own’, so I started up

a WhatsApp Group, but I started it in the middle of the night when I was up feeding Polly. “Polly was born in June, so it was winter, and it was dark and cold, that isolating time when you feel like, you’re the only one in the world awake feeding your baby,” Lucy laughs. “And so, I thought I’ll just add the mums and when they wake up in the morning, they can join, but at around 2am I kept getting this ‘ding ding’. All the mums were up feeding their babies, it was so heartening and it still gives me warm fuzzy feelings to think

for Lucy and her theatre director/choreographer husband, Chris Horsey, who face their own specific challenges piecing together the irregular shapes of their showbiz schedules. Sitting down, at least monthly, with their calendars they nut out the gaps, Lucy says, “As long as we’ve kind of organised the next month or two, and I know in my heart that Polly’s looked after in the best possible way, then I can keep going.” Lucy says it couldn’t work without Chris and his hands-on approach to fatherhood, “Chris is absolutely brilliant, such an

Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

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cover story | 19

OH MY GOD, I’M NOT ALONE, AND WE’RE ALL JUST TRYING TO FIGURE THIS OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.

excellent husband and dad. We don’t live the traditional roles of how we grew up, where our mothers were the main carer. Chris and I split it pretty evenly.” At times, that means either one stepping up to care for Polly while the other works. When schedules collide, they arrange day care, a nanny or call on family. Once, when Chris was choreographing in Paris while Lucy filmed Sisters, they got a live-in au pair. Lucy’s mum is booked in for August. “Mum’s super helpful. She flies in and saves the day multiple times a year. She’s brilliant.” Lucy says. With the long term future often difficult

OH, THE WORST THING THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IS, I’M NOT GOING TO DO A VERY GOOD JOB, BUT I’M NOT GOING TO DIE.’

to predict Lucy relies on her and Chris talking things through, “Chris and I try to keep really open about communicating how we’re feeling

because we’ve both had stints as the main carer. It’s great because we both know how isolating that can be and so we can be a little more open about that. It’s constant negotiation, a jigsaw puzzle that we’re trying to sort out.” Connecting industry parents who share tips and contacts for juggling parenthood and career through Facebook Group Actor/ Singer/Dancer/Mother also helps Lucy piece the puzzle together. “It has been an invaluable source, very, very useful. It’s a really great support network and for those really specific questions that come with being a mum, that are coupled with the uncertainty of

performing life. That Facebook Group, on a weekly basis, gives me such help and support, and just makes me feel happy that we’re all there looking after each other.” Being open to support and asking for help has perhaps enhanced the bold and brave life of Lucy Durack. Suffering stage fright while studying Musical Theatre at WAAPA (Western Australian Academy for Performing Arts), she sought guidance from teachers and read

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perth | WINTER 2019 | Offspring


20 | cover story

books on the fight or flight response.

on stage. Some of the acts are heart

On realising her worst fears would not

wrenching, some hilarious and others

result in being eaten by a wildebeest,

are just ridiculous. So you have this

she overcame the anxiety. Laughing, she

roller coaster of emotions throughout

remembers, “Once I discovered ‘Oh, The

your filming day. I’m really enjoying it

worst thing that is going to happen is, I’m

and I’ve learnt a lot.”

not going to do a very good job, but I’m

Lucy’s next big act will be welcoming

not going to die.’ That really helped me.”

her son and brother for Polly in

Accepting the possibility that, not

October. She says, “Polly is super

doing a very good job, needn’t equal

girly. Everything has to be pink and

disaster has undoubtedly allowed Lucy’s

purple, rainbow and sparkles. I think

talents to flourish and fostered her

having a boy will be really good for our

connections with others through the admirable mix of humility

household, to balance us all out. It will be interesting to see what

and optimism.

personality this little guy will have and who he’ll take after.”

Discussing the bravery of vulnerability, Lucy says, “Even to

The little guy will be around four weeks old when Lucy starts

just reach out and say, ‘I feel like I’m failing,’ and everyone says,

rehearsals for Shrek the Musical, opening at Sydney Lyric Theatre

‘Yep, we all do. Don’t worry,’ can help to know you’re not the only

in January 2020. She says, “Knowing that Shrek is coming up, and

one. I don’t think anyone escapes that feeling, at some point. I love

we as a family will be in Sydney for a few months with a newborn

Brene Brown, and I read a quote from her the other day where she

baby, we’ve got some beautiful nanny contacts from when we lived

says, ‘If we all operate from the perspective that we’re all trying our

there, so I’ve put them in place. I’m pretty excited because I love

hardest, then everyone’s life’s better.’ You know, it’s true. Everyone

Shrek. Now my life is so much about my family, a whole new part of

is trying their hardest, it’s just sometimes things are hard.”

my career that is really family friendly, that I can bring my family

Moments of vulnerability abound in the current season

to, has all of sudden become such a high priority. Knowing

of AGT. Judging for the first time, Lucy has found the experience more emotionally fulfilling than expected and explains, “You’re watching people bare their souls and try things they, maybe, don’t do in their normal lives. It’s their big chance in the spotlight. It can be emotionally draining because you want to give them all your attention, but it’s also emotionally fulfilling and beautiful to watch. “Every single filming day, probably because I’m pregnant as well, I cried at least once at something beautiful that happened

Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

that can happen with Shrek, I’m looking forward to it. It’s a really funny, well written show.”

EVEN TO JUST REACH OUT AND SAY, ‘I FEEL LIKE I’M FAILING,’ AND EVERYONE SAYS, ‘YEP, WE ALL DO. DON’T WORRY,’ CAN HELP TO KNOW YOU’RE NOT THE ONLY ONE.

Another well written show, however, comes first. Lucy needs to prepare for Bonnie Lythgoe’s panto spectacular, Jack and the Beanstalk, and this Fairy Princess doesn’t fit into any of her clothes. She’s off to buy maternity leggings from Westfield, she’ll probably drive. But perhaps, with a click of the heel or a wave of a wand, she might just fly in a pair of glittering wings, making every day fairy tales

(like only Lucy Durack can) come true… n

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FR

EE

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22 | self compassion

What’s up Buttercup? How being kind to yourself can make you a happier, healthier parent.

Kristin Neff PhD, Associate Professor at the University of Texas and global expert on the academic study of Self Compassion, discusses the antidote to harsh self-talk and how a swathe of worldwide study is proving the benefits of befriending yourself. BY ANN MARIE BRADSTREET

D

o you have a nickname for yourself? Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way writes about her inner critic she calls Nigel, “He looks down on the rest of me. Nothing is ever good enough for Nigel.”

As a child I heard my mum call herself, Stupid, hyphenated

with Idiot. She called me Darling, like I do with my kids. Dr Kristin Neff, Associate Professor of Human Development and Culture at the University of Texas thinks I should start calling myself Darling instead of Stupid-Idiot; as a breadth of research indicates I could have better physical health, happier relationships, more motivation, less anxiety and depression and a stronger resilience for coping with stress and trauma. But where would we be without Nigel?!” asks the stiff upper lip of our collective Western psyche. “People have false beliefs

Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

www.offspringmagazine.com.au


self compassion | 23

PhD in the examination of children’s moral reasoning when she became interested in Buddhism.

It was a difficult time, as she was suffering the break-down of her first marriage and had begun questioning her prospects and self-worth.

OUR SELF-DIALOGUE IS COMMONLY VERY SEVERE, FULL OF ADMONISHMENT AND CRITICISM WHICH QUESTIONS SELF-WORTH AND OFTEN LEADS TO FEELINGS OF ISOLATION, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION.

Through Buddhism, she found relief and noticed that Self Compassion, a central construct of Buddhist Psychology, had never been examined empirically and thus began her passionate devotion both personally and professionally to the practice and study of Self Compassion. Neff explains that you don’t have to be a Buddhist or spend hours meditating to practice Self Compassion to gain the benefits but there are three components that all need to be practised in order for the concept of Self Compassion to be complete.

The Three Components of Self Compassion

1

MINDFULNESS. Firstly, you must be willing to acknowledge that you are going through difficulty. Often,

during hard times, people are caught up in the narrative and don’t identify their own suffering. “We can get so lost in the struggle, the storyline, that we have no perspective, we’re trying to fix it, trying to problem solve,

about Self Compassion. They think it’s going to make them weak,

we’re sometimes trying to shove it under the rug, we don’t even

undermine motivation, make them complacent or self-indulgent

look because it’s too hard. And, it actually doesn’t make sense

but once you have the research it shows, well actually, it’s just the

to be supportive of ourselves if we don’t know we’re struggling,”

opposite. It helps people say, ‘Well, maybe I’ll give it go,’’’ says

explains Neff. So, the first step in practising Self Compassion is

Neff, an academic pioneer of the subject who, in 2003, developed a

voicing what is going wrong and how that feels so we notice our

ground-breaking research tool called The Self Compassion Scale.

own suffering.

Designed to evaluate trait levels of Self Compassion within an individual’s thoughts, behaviours and emotions, the scale has since been used in over 2000 studies with the concept continuing to gain mainstream interest.

What is Self Compassion? “It’s a very simple idea,” says Neff, “It’s a common sense idea, it’s not actually radical. You just ask people to think about how they treat their friends’ struggles or a loved one and the type of things they say to help them in difficult times.” Our self-dialogue is commonly very severe, full of admonishment and criticism which questions self-worth and often leads to feelings of isolation, anxiety and depression. Neff has found, being harsh and critical doesn’t motivate but rather undermines motivation. She says, “It just makes sense that you’d want to encourage and support yourself and let the voice inside your head be a friendly and supportive one as opposed to a hostile aggressive one. Once people get that, they make the switch for themselves.” Neff made the switch during her last year of Graduate School at the University of California, Berkeley. She was completing her

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

sydney | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | Offspring


24 | self compassion

2

SELF KINDNESS means responding to yourself during imperfect

SELF COMPASSION IS COMMON SENSE BUT FOR SOME REASON OUR CULTURE DOESN’T ENCOURAGE IT.

times with a kind, internal voice such as, ‘I know you’re feeling scared and overwhelmed right now and this is a difficult time but I’m here for you.’ Placing a hand over the part of your body that is feeling

The Best Way to Foster Self Compassion in Children

MODELLING “Is the best way to foster compassion in your children. Model it out loud. A lot of parents are really careful of what they say to their kids but what they’re modelling is, ‘What??!! I’m so

stressed, stroking your arm or giving yourself an endearing name

stupid, I lost my car keys.’ Children pick up those messages and

can soothe the emotions experienced, not with the intention of

think, oh that’s the way you’re supposed to be,” says Neff.

overcoming them immediately, but rather responding with love and support so the problem becomes less overwhelming and

MIRROR NEURONS The Mirror Neuron System is

easier to bear.

somewhat debated in the field of Neuroscience. Mirror Neurons,

3

special brain cells, which are activated both through action and

COMMON HUMANITY. “Is what distinguishes

observance are said by some neuroscientists to represent, among

the practice between Self Compassion and Self Pity.” By

other things, the capacity for human empathy. Others have

acknowledging everyone has flaws and bad experiences, it allows

challenged the strength of this claim. However, Neff says, “We’re

not only an extension of compassion to oneself but also others,

designed to feel each other’s messages. A huge proportion of the

leading to less feelings of isolation.

brain’s real estate is evolved for feeling others’ emotions.”

“The problem, overall, is most people know logically we are

Neff believes humans do this at a primeval level and thinks what

all imperfect, but emotionally, when a person makes a mistake or

happens internally is just as critical as outward behaviour, in terms

something difficult happens, they react as if something has gone

of what children are capable of picking up on. “We aren’t silos,”

wrong. As if this is not supposed to be happening, if it’s not perfect

she says, “What we cultivate inside impacts others outside.”

then something is terribly amiss, which isn’t true,” says Neff, who believes that within our inherent connectedness, “That all people

SELFISH COMPASSION, Neff believes, is of benefit to

struggle, all people make mistakes, everyone is imperfect,” we are

our children. She explains, a lot of parents think, “‘Oh it’s selfish,

able to accept and cope better with our own failings and be less

I shouldn’t be focussing on myself,’ But what I tell them is, ‘Who

critical of others.

do you want your children to interact with, someone who’s full

Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

www.offspringmagazine.com.au



26 | self compassion

Self Esteem vs Self Compassion Western Culture has become reliant on Self Esteem gauging self-worth. Boosting a child’s Self Esteem requires the child be special or above average, placing others below them. The hierarchal demands of high Self Esteem create a risky, cut-throat validation system which fluctuates at the mercy of achievement. Self Compassion, on the other hand, shows up amid failure and encompasses compassion for others, who also fail, which provides a more constant guard of self-worth, leading to better outcomes for overall wellbeing.

of compassion, kindness and calm, so they get that through their mirror neurons? Or do you want them to interact with someone who’s frustrated and angry? “My son’s autistic and I talk a lot about him and what a huge difference we’ve made. If he was in a space where he was really anxious and I felt really frustrated and anxious myself, I wouldn’t even say anything but he would ramp up, he would feel my tension. If then, I could just say (and I don’t say it out loud in this case, just to myself ), ‘You know, this is really hard for me, I’m feeling really overwhelmed and I just don’t know what to do.’ “I then try to be kind, supportive and say (to myself ), ‘It’s Okay. I’m here for you.’ As soon as I’d changed my internal mind-state he would almost always calm down. So, those messages were High Self Esteem can also lead to an over estimation of one’s abilities and reduce the motivation to improve. A 2012 study conducted at University of California, Berkeley, involved students sitting a difficult test they were designed to fail. Two groups were formed, the first being told not to feel alone as others had also found the test hard and they’d do better next time. The second group was told not to worry because they’d got into Berkeley and so, must be really smart. Students were then provided notes with unlimited time to study before taking a second test. Students from the first group, who were encouraged to be Self Compassionate, spent more time studying than the group who had been boosted and were more realistic about what was required to improve. “You don’t want to hate yourself, you want good Self Esteem, but we can’t always get it right, we can’t always be the better than others. Be a compassionate mess instead,” says Neff.

Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

received. That’s why I think Self Compassion is one of the biggest gifts we can give children. But we have to be willing to say that it’s hard to be a parent, it is hard, not always, it’s also joyous, but sometimes it’s really hard.” “So, it’s at those worst of times,” says Neff, “That if we can acknowledge the pain and just give ourselves kindness and support, then the pain won’t overwhelm us. It’ll be more temperate, it won’t last as long, and then we actually learn to cultivate calm, kindness and connectedness in the midst of the worst of times and it helps everyone, yourself and your kids. Self Compassion is common sense, you know, but for some reason our culture doesn’t encourage it.” n

RESOURCES Kristin Neff shares many free resources

on her website selfcompassion.org and has developed an 8-week program to teach Self Compassion skills with colleague Chris Germer. She has also published a book, Self-Compassion. www.offspringmagazine.com.au


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28 | meditation

The benefits of meditation for families Have you been hearing people ‘stress’ the benefits of meditation to you? A growing amount of Australian parents are looking to meditation to alleviate stress, whilst research is praising its effects on the behaviour and educational performance of children.

s m u M r o f s t i f bene Meditation helps with memory. Studies have shown that consistent meditation can slow the aging process of the brain.

For mums, multitasking is a way of life. Meditation aids focus by reducing worrying and restless thoughts.

Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

Many Australian mums struggle with overwhelming stress and anxiety, regular meditation decreases the volume in the area of the brain that governs fear, anxiety and stress.

www.offspringmagazine.com.au


meditation | 29

n o i t a t i d e m n a c how n? benefit childre

Pre-school Aged Children: Meditation grows the place in the brain that affects self-regulation. It helps children manage their impulses. You can try and use meditation methods in your pre-school aged children before and after Time Out.

It makes you happier. A study done on Buddhist monks found that while they were meditating the part of their brain that controls happiness (the prefrontal cortex) was extra active.

Heart disease is the leading killer of Australian women and having high blood pressure during pregnancy can lead to a range of complications. There is increasing research that suggests meditation assists with lowering blood pressure.

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Primary Aged Children: Schools are increasingly trialling ‘short meditation breaks’ and some are even replacing detention with meditation. Over in the US, a Baltimore school has seen an increase in attendance and a reduction of suspensions after introducing mandatory meditation rather than detention for poorly behaved students.

High School aged children: Meditation can increase student’s performance in school, help with mental health conditions which are increasingly prevalent among high-school aged children such as ADHD, depression and anxiety.

sydney | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | Offspring


30 | mindful eating

Back to our roots

.Kids eating for. .a healthy gut. .and mind.

Veganism is a hotly contested diet and way of life. Many argue that the absence of dairy and meat from a child’s diet is a recipe for disaster, however, science has continually proven the health benefits of a vegan diet, provided it is balanced and well-planned. BY NATALIE COPPOLELLI

F

How? The livestock industry produces 60 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in farming, not to mention the global acidification of ocean water, and the impacts of eutrophication which is the build up of nutrients in water bodies that destroys wildlife. Researchers estimated a vegan world would produce 49 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions from food, 50 per cent less acidification, and would reduce water use by 19 per cent.

ad diets have come and gone but veganism continues

Oxford University researcher Joseph Poore says that going

to take over the world as scientific evidence behind

vegan “is probably the single biggest way to reduce your impact

the health trend has changed the eating habits of

on planet Earth.”

millions of people. To be vegan is to maintain a diet

!

without the consumption of animal products. This means no meat, dairy, cheese or eggs. For those who have enjoyed an omnivorous diet throughout their life, eating cake and a hearty steak without a care, this diet may seem extreme and overwhelming.

Why should I eat vegan? A well-balanced vegan diet has shown to provide health benefits,

NEED TO KNOW

Ensure a balanced diet so that children still receive adequate amounts of vitamin D, calcium, iron and vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is hard to find in a vegan diet so a B12 supplement is recommended

such as the reduced risk of chronic diseases associated with highsugar and high-preservative diets. This includes:

n Obesity n Coronary artery disease (damage or disease to the heart’s major blood vessels)

n Type 2 diabetes n Hypertension (high blood pressure) Some types of cancer, specifically bowel cancer which can be caused by a high consumption of red or processed meat.

Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

www.offspringmagazine.com.au


mindful eating | 31

Can we get all the same nutrients on a vegan diet? Yes, of course! However, it is recommended that vegans eat legumes and nuts every day to ensure enough daily nutrient intake. Iron in a vegan diet is surprisingly, not hard to come by. The best sources of iron include cereals fortified with iron such as Weet Bix and All Bran, legumes, tofu, green leafy vegetables such as spinach and dried fruits. The most crucial times for a child

CHICKPEA SWEETCORN. BURGER PATTIES.

raised on a vegan diet is under the age of five, and when girls hit puberty as that is when iron levels drop.

Recipe makes 5 patties. Ingredients:

1 peeled sweet potato cut into chunks, then steamed VEGAN PROTEIN MUFFINS. 200g (1 cup) fresh (or well drained) corn kernels Recipe makes 10-11 muffins OR 1 cup frozen kernels, thawed Ingredients: 250g (1.5 cups) cooked or tinned chickpeas, rinsed and 2 flax eggs (2 Tbsps ground flaxseed + 5 Tbsps water) drained well 1 1/4 cup dairy-free yoghurt, unsweetened (soy can be used) 2tbs olive or rice bran oil 2 medium (very ripe) bananas 1 peeled white onion, finely diced 2 cups GF rolled oats 1 peeled and crushed garlic clove 1/3 cup vanilla flavoured protein powder 3tbs millet or quinoa flakes Nutritional Booster 3tbs washed parsley, finely chopped 1/4 cup pure maple syrup 1/2tsp ground cumin Going vegan 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2tsp paprika “is probably the 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4tsp ground turmeric single biggest way 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1tsp salt or to taste to reduce your 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/2tsp ground black pepper Your favourite topping such as berries, granola, impact on planet 2tbs ground flaxseeds + 6tbs water vegan chocolate chips, chopped nuts, seeds, dried Earth.” fruit, rolled oats, crushed cookies

INTERESTING FACT

Method:

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C and line a baking tray with baking paper. Place the cooked sweet potato in a food processor with the well-drained and dried corn and chickpeas. Blend until the mixture is smooth - with some chunky bits left for texture - and well combined. Keep in the food processor. Heat some of the oil in a saucepan and sauté the onions and garlic for a few minutes until the onions are translucent.

Method: Preheat oven to 200 degrees C. Lightly grease each slot of a standard muffin tin. Use paper liners to keep the recipe oil-free. Prepare flax eggs in a small bowl, by mixing together the ground flax and water. Set aside about 10 minutes. It will thicken up and become gel-like.

Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly, then add the onions and garlic to the chickpea mixture and pulse briefly in the food processor.

When the flax eggs are ready, add all the ingredients (except the toppings) into a high-powered blender or food processor. Blend until smooth, about 1-2 minutes. Scrape down sides as needed.

Transfer the mixture to a large bowl, add the millet/quinoa flakes, parsley, cumin, paprika, turmeric, salt and pepper and mix well. In a small bowl, whisk the ground flaxseeds with the water. Then, using your hands, incorporate the flaxseed mixture into the chickpea mixture until fully combined.

Pour mixture into each slot about 3/4 of the way full. Sprinkle each one with your kids’ favourite toppings. Don’t press the toppings into the batter. It may yield a flatter muffin. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until lightly golden brown. Insert a toothpick in the middle of a muffin or two. If it comes out mostly clean, they are cooked.

Shape everything into 5 evenly sized patties and place on a prepared lined baking sheet. Heat the remaining oil in a large frying pan and then pan fry each patty for 2-3 minutes on each side. Once done, transfer the patties back to the lined baking sheet and bake for 25- 30 minutes, or until cooked through.

Let muffins cool for 10 minutes in the pan before transferring them to a cooling rack, then cool for another 10-15 minutes. It is normal if the muffins might flatten out a little bit *To avoid the liner sticking to the muffin, let them completely cool before enjoying. If not using liners, gently pop out each muffin with a butter knife.

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sydney | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | Offspring


32 | mindful eating

VEGAN CASHEW: CACAO BLISS BALLS:

Zinc allows for the development of our immune system and so they are vital in a healthy vegan diet. Zinc is commonly found in

Ingredients: 1 cup of raw cashews 8 pitted dates 2 tablespoons raw cacao powder 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract 1/2 cup of shredded xunsweetened coconut 2 teaspoons agave syrup

nuts, miso, tofu, legumes and wholegrain foods. A lack of zinc can make your child more susceptible to disease and illness. Calcium is needed for a child to build strong bones and teeth. It can be found in cereals fortified with calcium including Corn Flakes and Raisin Bran, soymilk, Asian green vegetables, almonds and Brazil nuts. Protein is important for building bones, muscles, repairing

Method:

skin and blood. It is found in tofu, tempeh, lentils, chickpeas,

Add cashews, dates, cacao powder and vanilla to a food processor and blend. While blending add the agave syrup.

seeds, oats, soymilk and vegetables such as peas, sweet potatoes, broccoli, potatoes and asparagus.

Form the mixture into small balls and then roll them in a bowl with the coconut until coated. Place in fridge until balls are hardened.

What goes in my child’s vegan lunchbox? Dietitian Amber Sewell-Green, who specialises in plant-based nutrition, suggests:

n Wholegrain wraps with fillings such as hummus, avocado, tofu or tempeh

While ensuring your child is attaining the necessary vitamins and nutrients that are essential for their healthy development, a

n Lentil or quinoa salads n Enchiladas with beany fillings n Homemade bliss balls n Homemade popcorn n Snack packs of crunchy fava beans

vegan diet can be cleansing and even strengthening for a growing child. As a diet that separates itself from preserved meats and cheeses, a vegan diet can reduce the chances of several lifethreatening illnesses while also having a positive impact on the environment. n

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books | 33

Book REVIEW

Here are our top picks for young readers this Winter season.

18 MO+

The Adventures of Twinkle the Unicorn, Splash the Mermaid and Belch the Monster

Author: Rhiannon Fielding Illustrator: Chris Chatterton

Three beautifully illustrated stories follow the enchanting adventures of three adorable protagonists - Splash the Mermaid, Twinkle the Unicorn and Belch the Monster – which will have little ones drift off into a peaceful slumber!

4+ YEARS

Ella and the Ocean Author: Lian Tanner Illustrator: Jonathan Bentley

Join Ella as she helps her farming family find joy in life’s simplicities with a family adventure to the ocean as they are struggling from the drought. Upon returning home from the ocean, life doesn’t seem quite so hard: the land, while still dry, is a beautiful colour, and the birds are singing!

12+ years

promise

Author: Alexandra Alt

Follow teenage lovers Lene and Ludwig as they navigate the complexities of love and war. As Ludwig is recruited onto the Eastern Front by Nazi Germany, Lene moves to Hanover and the couple becomes estranged, that is, until Lene returns to Germany years later on a quest to find out what happened to her lost love.

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

3+ years

The Furfins: Tinytail and the Lost Treasure Author: Alison Ritchie Illustrator: Aless Baylis

Dive into this charming underwater adventure and explore a magical kingdom filled with FurFins and other friendly sea creatures, in the first of a series of collectable, glittery picture books.

7+ years

Ninja Kid 4

Author: Anh Do Illustrator: Jeremy Ley

Nelson is every child’s nerd-to-ninja hero! As he auditions for the circus, Nelson will need to use all of his ninja skills to pull off his greatest escape act yet!

ADULTS

The Art of SelfKindness Author: Rebecca Ray

Reconnect with yourself in an age where social media causes you to lose sight of what is important in life. This book will guide you as you face the world with courage, grace and heart.

sydney | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | Offspring


34 | social

TOP

influencers To follow iN

NSW & QLD

2,3k Like

2k Comment

I

In recent years we’ve seen the explosion of a brand new profession – social media influencing.

ncreasingly, new mums take to social media as a creative

photos of their kids; they are content creators and successful

outlet while adjusting to motherhood, with some building up

businesswomen, who share advice on pregnancy, style, health,

enough of a following to turn it into a career.

travel and fitness. They have created a community of mums

Marketers and brands know that in 2019 audiences are after

authenticity, so they flock to these mums who are open and honest about their journey through motherhood – the good, the bad and the ‘insta-worthy’. These Influencer mums do a lot more than just post cute

who can relate to their struggles and learn from their tips and sometimes just share in a laugh. Here we’ve collected some of our favourite NSW and Queensland Influencers to follow for your daily dose of motherhood, fashion and travel and lifestyle inspiration.

1. @mumpacktravel In 2016, solo mum, Evie Farrell, and her daughter, Emmie, left Australia with a backpack and a dream of spending time together. For more than two and a half years they travelled through Asia, living a completely different life to what they had at home and learning about the world beyond the suburbs. “I was working full time and trying to work out how to spend more time with Emmie,” Evie says. “As soon as I realised it was cheaper for us to travel than stay at home I started packing up.” It was the best decision she could have made. “This trip changed us,” says Evie. “We know each other so well now, we’ve spent so much precious time together and we have the most incredible memories.” Evie and Emmie have been in Sydney for the past six months while they finished their book, Backyard to Backpack, all about their adventures. It’s available for preorder and is instore from 5 August. Read about Evie’s travels at www.mumpacktravel.com.au Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

www.offspringmagazine.com.au


social | 35 3. @allherflowers Elle Rampling is a photographer and mother to three girls; Audrey, Harriet and Magnolia. A recent sea change has seen Elle and her family move from an area surrounded by horses and paddocks in rural Australia to a sweet old cottage in a sleepy beach town on the Mid North Coast of NSW. Elle is a lifestyle photographer, specialising in capturing families, but it is her sun-drenched portraits of her daughters that captured the hearts of many and has seen her Instagram page, @allherflowers, grow in popularity. Whether roaming in paddocks with their ponies or frolicking by the sea, Elle loves to capture her daughters as they explore their environment. The girls can often be found dressed in adorable matching outfits, a love Elle says she inherited from her mother, as she and her siblings always had matching outfits growing up.

2. @theconniediaries Connie, an entrepreneur, mother, step mother and wife living on the Central Coast NSW is passionate about the simple things in life and raising her boys simply in their coastal home town. Connie and her family travel often in their renovated vintage caravan seeing many beautiful parts of our country. When they’re not traveling, you’ll find them having slow days around home crafting, gardening, cooking or you’ll catch them outdoors by the beach, 4x4 driving or taking a hike. Between traveling and slow days, Connie manages her travel blog www.theconniediaries.com.au and a popular online business The Timba Trend and Folk www. thetimbatrendandfolk.com.au where she and her husband and herself hand make a variety of shelves for around the home. www.offspringmagazine.com.au

sydney | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | Offspring


36 | social 4. @amothers.love Jess Stevens is a mother of five from the Gold Coast in Queensland. Jess became a first time mother at the age of just 16 and knew shortly after that she wanted to have a big family one day. Fast forward 18 years and Jess has had her fifth and final baby, giving her three beautiful daughters and two sons. Jess is also a Social Media and Lifestyle Influencer on Instagram where you can find them sharing snaps of their everyday life, items and brands they love. Jess and her children have a new love for travelling which has opened the doors to some amazing opportunities. Jess has also only recently launched her blog www.amothers.love. blog where she shares with her valued followers her family friendly travels in more depth. Watch her space for an amazing adventure coming up in October. When Jess isn’t changing nappies, shooting content for brands or managing her socials, she likes to shop online, watch Netflix and look for that next adventure to go on with her children.

5. @bybrittanynoonan Brittany Noonan is a mum, wife, fitness trainer and motherhood blogger from The Gold Coast, Australia. You’ll never find anything less than her real self on her socials and blog. Brittany openly shares her struggles and low times through her mental health battles and her everyday motherhood struggles but she also shares her happiness and the things that give her joy and peace. Brittany’s dream is that through sharing this real, unedited version of herself and her passion and knowledge for fitness and wellness, that she can inspire and help women everywhere to accept and embrace themselves and live a life they love. Brittany is forever on a mission to find the balance between being a busy business owner, fitness lover, mother, friend and of course herself and just wants to share her experiences and to help you find that balance too. You can read Brittany’s blog at www.bybrittanynoonan.com Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

www.offspringmagazine.com.au


social | 37 6. @storyandco Joanne Zammit is an educator, content creator and fashion lover who is obsessed with guiding others to find their purpose and live a life of gratitude. Jo has an interesting story, which includes her struggle with an unknown chronic illness for 20 years and losing her mother very suddenly the day she found out she was pregnant with her now eldest son. She also has degrees in marketing and primary education and was voted one of Google’s top 20 educators across Australia and New Zealand. Joanne’s goal is to help and inspire others whilst documenting her story for her children, from their mother’s perspective and as a legacy for her late mother. Story and Co is a collection of stories, education, age old wisdom, curated interiors & fashion which Jo has learnt from her late mother, her journey as a mama and experience as a teacher- all with a healthy dose of gratitude. Jo lives on acreage in Sydney with her Husband Adam and three children, Hunter, Archie and Evie. View Jo’s blog at www.storyandco.com.au

7. @theorganisedhousewife Katrina Springer is the ‘Organising and Checklist Queen’, and she is also the woman behind The Organised Housewife, one of Australia’s most popular parenting blogs. Created nearly a decade ago, The Organised Housewife has grown into a one-stop-shop for a daily dose of domestic advice that makes life simpler, tidier, and less chaotic. Kat’s passion and skill in helping other mums create an organised home resonates deeply with her audience, which explains why nearly a million people tune in to her blog each month. As a mother of three, Kat credits her accomplishments as an award-winning blogger, author, and celebrity ambassador to her children. Her honest and authentic approach has touched the hearts and homes of mums across the country. This year Kat has released her first cookbook, taken home the 2019 Gold Coast Women of the Year People’s Choice Award, and been appointed Celebrity Ambassador for the Give Me 5 For Kids Campaign. You can follow Kat on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest and read her blog at www.theorganisedhousewife.com.au n www.offspringmagazine.com.au

sydney | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | Offspring


38 |

s k c Ki

D N A S E I T R A P N U F T A S N O I FUNCT Leagues a r r a P o t s tribute 0s Kicks 9 Kicks pay & s 0 8 rn amous of Weste e n Club’s inf o s a which w es. nightclub nic venu o ic t s o m Sydney’s

its kind in Western Sydney. It is a multi-sensory interactive attraction that is virtual reality at its world-class best. On the ride be prepared to feel the thrill of up to 400 mind-blowing movements per second and up to 2Gs acceleration as you shoot monsters, clowns and have fun playing against your friends.

K

But that’s not all. Kicks also offers corporate meeting spaces icks is open 7 days a week and offers tenpin bowling, a

that are versatile and perfect for your next business meeting or

state-of-the-art arcade, the XD Dark Ride, party/meeting

work function. John says, “I just wanted to pass on my thanks to

rooms, food, drinks and a fully licensed bar.

you and your team for making our corporate event a success.

With an 80s disco atmosphere, it’s the perfect place for any

Everyone enjoyed themselves and had a great time.

function! Their birthday parties cater to all ages and are raved

“I also want to thank the staff

about by parents and kids alike! Suzy says, “I just wanted to say a big ‘Thank You’ to you for all your help and to all the team at Kicks for being such an awesome venue for my twin’s 8th birthday party.

“My kids had the best time ever!!! Their invited friends all had such a great time – they didn’t want to leave!!!”

“My kids had the best time ever!!! Their invited friends all had such a great time – they didn’t want to leave!!! “Everything was great. Couldn’t fault the venue or service. We will be back. Thank you SO much!!!” The Kicks arcade features several state-of-the-art arcade

that were on duty at the time, who helped make the event go smoothly from the catering, to serving drinks, getting our shoes etc. “Well done. We will be back.” This space allows you and your team to conduct business presentations, be provided with

a full catering service and then have a game of tenpin with a couple of drinks later in the afternoon. Perfect for the young and the young at heart, Kicks offers unique, memorable and fun parties and functions for everyone.

games, along with some unforgettable classics such as Space Invaders, The Walking Dead and Twin Moto GP. Trying the XD Dark Ride is a must as it’s the only one of

Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

Kick on at Kicks Tenpin & Arcade on Level 3 at Parra Leagues. www.offspringmagazine.com.au


UNIQUE, MEMORABLE & FUN PARTIES & FUNCTIONS FOR EVERYONE

02 8833 0701


40 | health

Preventabl

e

diseases

kill: A case for vaccinatio n

Would you let a carpenter operate on your child? (and why you shouldn’t trust your child’s healthcare to celebrity chefs, footballers’ wives & other charlatans).

alive today he could recount how his eldest daughter, Olivia, died

BY DR. ADAM COULSON

than 30 years. The six-year-old unvaccinated boy spent 47 days

BA BM BCH (OXON) FACEM About the author: Dr. Adam Coulson is a Practising Specialist Emergency Physician. He is a father to six children all of whom are vaccinated. The views expressed in this article are those of the author. The names and details of any patients have been changed to protect patient confidentiality.

C

Measles is not benign. If one of our favourite children’s authors, Roald Dahl, were tragically of measles encephalitis (infection and inflammation of the brain) aged just seven years old in 1962. He was a passionate advocate of vaccination. He had reason to be. Recently, Oregon State recorded its first case of tetanus in more in Intensive Care. Tetanus is vaccine preventable. I have cared for patients suffering tetanus - an extremely unpleasant and lifethreatening illness. Australia has seen a surge in self proclaimed “experts and champions” of antivaccination. Many of them have celebrity status. They make false and unsubstantiated claims about vaccination. Make no mistake, these self-proclaimed experts lack any

hloe was a beautiful infant child. Loved by her doting

formal recognised training or education in health sciences let

parents and grandparents. Chloe took several agonising

alone medicine. They are charlatans and should be called out.

days to die of whooping cough in a modern Intensive

Care Unit in one of Australia’s best children’s hospitals. Whooping cough is vaccine preventable, Chloe was not vaccinated. The year was 2004. Her death rocked me. I still see her pretty face.

Would you allow a well-meaning carpenter to operate on your child? After all, they’re good with tools. Would you? Let’s think about that for a moment. If your child needed surgery would you entrust their care to a charismatic and charming carpenter who lacked any formal surgical training? Would you?

More than 150 people have recently succumbed to Measles in

Isn’t it reassuring that Australia has a rigorous system of

New York State. The US had eliminated measles in 2000. Measles

surgical training and registration that guarantees the expertise

is vaccine preventable.

and competence of Surgeons?

Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

www.offspringmagazine.com.au


health | 41 So why do intelligent and well-meaning Australian parents entrust their children’s healthcare to untrained professionals? Footballers’ wives might be good for a bit of lighthearted TV entertainment but would you really turn to them for healthcare advice? When childhood vaccination was launched in Australia during the last century parents had a lived world experience of the devastation that vaccine preventable diseases caused. From 1944 to 1954 polio was responsible for more than 1000 deaths in Australia. The reality of this disease was ever present in communities. This devastating illness crippled and killed children. Its vaccine was welcomed. Many elderly Australians still live with the devastating neuromuscular disability wrought by the polio virus. Modern Australia, with its public health advances, has seen our communities thankfully grow healthier and safer. The lived world experience of the destructive power of vaccine preventable diseases is no longer in our consciousness.

More than 150 people h ave recently su ccumbed to measles in New York state. The U S had eliminated measles in 2000.

Make no mistake, vaccine preventable diseases kill and are ready to strike the unvaccinated, and the “herd”, if vaccine

viruses and bacteria many of which are largely vaccine preventable. Think about that for a moment. Would you want to be the parent that has to bury your child of an entirely vaccine preventable disease?

Would you want to be the parent that has to apologise to

rates continue to decline. Remember that the natural world isn’t

your child for their lifelong disability as the result of a vaccine

all paleo and wholefoods. The natural world is life-threatening

preventable illness?

safer materials, whole learning, and natural health

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42 | health Intelligent, caring and well-meaning Australian

If you have a number of

parents are right to question the healthcare

questions you would like to

their children are offered. So where should

ask your GP about vaccination,

you turn for credible advice to answer your

request a long appointment to

questions on vaccination?

allow you the time to explore

I recommend that your

your issues. Complex

“health home� should be your General Practitioner. These highly trained doctors have undertaken years of postgraduate medical training to specialise in providing holistic healthcare advice for

Would you want to be the parent that has to apologise t o your child for t heir lifelon g d isability as the resu lt of a vacc ine preventable illness?

the whole family.

questions might require several

consultations. If your child has complex healthcare needs impacting

Australia has an outstanding system of primary healthcare that allows consumers to choose their own General Practitioner. Take the time to find a GP that you like & trust. Recommendations from friends & family can be a good first step.

on vaccination decisions your GP can refer you to a paediatrician or paediatric immunologist for more specialized advice. Child health nurses are highly skilled registered nurses with postgraduate training and expertise in child health. They can be

The Royal Australian College for General Practitioners also has an informative website that provides advice on finding a GP in your area: https://www.racgp.org.au/information-for-patients/ find-a-gp

an invaluable source of credible advice on the healthcare needs of your child. Make sure you entrust the healthcare needs of your child to credible health professionals with the appropriate training &

Many General Practices undergo rigorous accreditation as evidence of their quality. A list of these can be found at: https:// www.agpal.com.au/for-consumers/

qualifications. You wouldn’t let a carpenter operate on your child? Would you? n

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44 | anxiety in kids

6 tips

.for parenting. anxious kids.

As much as we’d like to, we can’t rid our kids of their anxiety, but we can help them to manage it in ways that enable them to move it from centre stage and get on with living a vibrant, rich and meaningful life. BY MICHAEL GROSE & DR JODI RICHARDSON

Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

www.offspringmagazine.com.au


anxiety in kids | 45

I

f you’re the parent of an anxious child, you’re most certainly not alone. The number of children experiencing an anxiety disorder is currently estimated at 117 million worldwide. Here in Australia, there’s an average of two anxious kids in every

classroom; and they’re the ones with a diagnosis. Many more

TEACH YOUR ANXIOUS CHILD THAT THE PART OF THEIR BRAIN THAT PROTECTS THEM FROM DANGER IS ALWAYS ON HIGH ALERT.

anxious kids are yet to have their anxiety identified and understood. Here are six tips to support you to parent your anxious child:

1

Next, talk about the changes that happen in the body to power them up to fight or flee. They can experience an increased heart

Explain anxiety

rate, rapid breathing and an upset stomach. They might even feel

Anxious kids can struggle to explain how they feel and

dizzy, hot, sweaty and panicked. Anxiety effects thinking and

can worry that no one will understand what they’re going

behaviour too.

through. That’s why explaining anxiety is an important step in supporting an anxious child. The knowledge that anxiety is well understood, that other kids experience it and that it’s manageable brings them immediate relief.

2

Respond with empathy In the midst of an anxious moment it’s natural to want to reassure anxious kids they’ve got nothing to worry

about. Reassurance works in the short term but soon wears off

Teach your anxious child that the part of their brain that

and they’re coming back for more. This can become an unhelpful

protects them from danger is always on high alert. Called the amygdala, it’s meant to protect them from genuine danger but for

pattern. Instead, respond with empathy and validation. Use ahhh

anxious kids, it can be almost constantly activated.

statements like “Ahhh, I see you’re feeling really anxious right now, I know how hard this is for you” or “I know you’re feeling really

Explain that when they feel anxious, their amygdala sends signals to their body to fight or flee from the threat, whether the

worried right now, it’s not much fun feeling like that is it?” Anxious

threat is real or imagined.

kids need to know you understand what they’re going through.

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46 | anxiety in kids

3

Show the amygdala they’re safe Once the amygdala senses danger, the cascade of events that follow can’t be stopped. The body and

brain will respond as if the danger is immediate. The only way to help an anxious child to calm their anxious brain is to teach them to show their amygdala they’re safe. This can be done with breathing. Deep and intentional breathing helps an anxious child to calm their amygdala and will begin to reduce their anxious symptoms. Practice intentional breathing regularly in between anxious times before applying this in the midst of an anxious moment.

4

The antidote to worrying It’s often said that anxiety is distress now about a possible future which is why worrying is so

common among anxious kids. When their minds fastforward to an upcoming event or expectation, their amygdala can respond as if the ‘threat’ to their safety is immediate. The antidote to worrying is mindfulness. Put simply, mindfulness is paying attention to what’s happening in the present moment. It’s a skill that can be learned, it takes time but is a

DEFUSION HELPS KIDS (ALL OF US) TO LOOK AT OUR THOUGHTS BY REMINDING US THAT THE WORDS IN OUR HEADS ARE INDEED JUST WORDS, THOUGHTS THAT COME AND GO, NOT OUR REALITY.

powerful anxiety management strategy.

5

Practice defusing sticky thoughts Anxious thoughts can get stuck and refuse to budge no matter how much attention is paid to them. Defusion is a

strategy that helps anxious kids look at their thoughts rather than run from them. Let’s say your anxious child is worried about an upcoming test. They’re thinking “I’m going to fail the test”. The thought makes them feel awful. Defusion helps kids (all of us) to look at our thoughts by reminding us that the words in our heads are indeed just words, thoughts that come and go, not our reality. Thoughts can be defused by putting a statement in front of the thought such as: “I notice I’m having the thought that I’m going to fail the test” or by saying the thought in a character voice like Darth Vader or Peppa Pig or singing it to the tune of happy birthday or a nursery rhyme. Defusion puts distance between anxious kids and their thoughts.

6

Get the fundamentals right Ample sleep, good nutrition and exercise are essential for anxious kids. Support your child to adhere to their

optimal bedtime so they wake naturally around the time of their alarm, reduce their sugar intake to support their gut health and to exercise regularly for optimal mental health.

For more information on anxiety in children read Anxious Kids, How children can turn their anxiety into resilience by MICHAEL GROSE & DR JODI RICHARDSON published by Penguin Life. Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

These are some of the many strategies that you can share with your child to support them to recognise their anxiety, understand how it impacts their body and brain, how they can manage their symptoms and, importantly, how they can turn down the volume on their anxiety and live life in full colour. n www.offspringmagazine.com.au


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48 | beauty

Skin deep

beauty While I appreciate beauty is skin deep, if there is something I can do to improve my confidence and the way I feel about myself, I will give it a shot. After trying Fraxel and Thermage at Skin Renu in Balmain, I was delighted with the results. BY KATE DURACK

before

F

or almost 30 years, I have compared my own skin to the smooth skin I have always admired, causing me to wear make-up everyday.

My skin has always been problematic and no amount

of cleansing, exfoliating and or even skin needling could really improve it. I have had a lot of acne scars and pigmentation, and of course sagging skin from aging. I heard about Fraxel and Thermage and what appealed to me about these treatments is that they created robust results from a single treatment and both therapies use energy, rather than surgery or needles, to stimulate the body’s own collagen production. I have been very happy with the results of both Fraxel and Thermage. They were painless and there was little downtime from recovery. I had my treatments at Skin Renu Skin & Rejuvenation Clinic in Balmain and the experience was faultless. The

af ter

staff were warm, relaxed and friendly which put me at ease, and my therapist, Jess, was gorgeous. She was experienced and knew all about the technologies and could answer any questions I had, making my experience gentle, pain free and very comfortable.

Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

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beauty | 49 Fraxel Fraxel is a laser technology that was effective in removing a lot of pigmentation from around my nose, mouth and chin that I always wanted to cover with make-up. It also reduced some pigmentation from scars and pregnancy. Additionally, I’ve noticed my skin is brighter and shinier, more glowing, like it used to be when I was younger. That was from one treatment. I had numbing cream for about an hour and then the treatment was for a further hour. Within a week, my skin had finished shedding the dead skin and the results were apparent. Fraxel is the most effective treatment I’ve tried in making my skin look clearer and reducing blemishes.

I have been really ha ppy with the results of both Fraxel and Thermage. They are both painle ss, non-invasive and there was little do wntime.

before

Thermage What I love about Thermage is that it helped lift my skin upwards! I had a lot of sagging skin around my jaw and felt quite jowly. Even make-up can’t help that. In fact, I didn’t know of anything that could improve drooping skin other than surgery. Similarly, the treatment uses energy – radiofrequency to get my own body producing collagen, which means no needles, surgery or downtime was required. The process involves heat energy to treat deep tissue, and cooling effects to protect the skin’s surface and maintain comfort for the client. The treatment includes patented Comfort Pulse

For more information visit www.skinrenu. com.au

Technology which involves gentle vibrations and interspersed cooling. It was not at all uncomfortable and there was zero downtime. It typically takes two to six months to see the results of

af ter www.offspringmagazine.com.au

Thermage. It has now been three months and my skin has definitely lifted and is tighter, and even the appearance of wrinkles has decreased!

sydney | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | Offspring


50 | spirituality

Honouring our emotions Spiritual teacher, healer and medium, Oscar de Sousa, shares why we need to acknowledge and nurture our emotions. BY KATE DURACK

E

xperiencing emotions is our soul’s purpose, according to spiritual mentor and medium, Oscar de Sousa. Honouring our emotions can also help us maintain positive relationships and manifest our desires.

We arrive here alone with nothing, and we leave alone with

nothing, except the emotions we acquire, says Oscar de Sousa, speaking from the Spirit Energy Centre on NSW’s Central Coast. Acknowledging our emotions prevents us from offloading them onto others, especially our children and partners, and subsequently them rippling through society Most excitingly, working with our emotions, rather than ignoring them, helps us manifest what we truly desire. Despite the importance of valuing our emotions, Western society teaches us to disregard them, and worse, to feel ashamed

Oscar’s been told by his guides, “Emotions are variable frequencies of energy operating simultaneously”, which is why some people can have various emotions at the same time. Oscar says, “The simplest form to expand the neurological system of the conscious brain to be able to harness, access and be attentive to the energy that resonates within us that’s constantly, forever fluctuating, is to first observe our mind, observe ourselves and not be puppets on a string.” If we acknowledge our emotions, even understand why we feel

for having them, which is not something we want to be infiltrating

that way, and to honour them, we are less likely to be puppeted

to our children.

by them and lash out at others. Unfortunately, those we love are

The best way we can become attuned to our emotions is to observe ourselves, says Oscar. [Meditation is a great way to develop this skill.] He says we need to be observant of the emotion that’s resonating within us, rather than being subjected to it controlling us, dominating us, and enticing us to act out.

Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

often the first to be hit by our emotional releases. “Instead of articulating what we’re feeling, we’re often being controlled by what they’re feeling,” Oscar says. Oscar explains a typical household scenario: “The husband (or wife) comes home stressed. They’re going to be communicating on that level of emotion. We’re not usually

www.offspringmagazine.com.au


spirituality | 51

observant and noticing these emotions inside. We don’t decide to calm them down or be attentive to them, so we don’t impose them on our children or each other (we don’t

Men need to start being more intuitive, talking about their emotions, listening to their inner self, not being just driven by the mind. – Oscar de Sousa

impose them consciously, we don’t even know they’re doing it). “We get home, our own fuse is already at the end of its tether. Perhaps we’ve been treated badly at work, there’s traffic, bills, expenses, and then we have to clean, cook, wash up … it’s all

The more we understand our emotions, we’re less likely to be subjugated by them, and will be able to articulate in language by talking about them. “People don’t want to say to their partner they’re feeling a bit insecure and feel like their energy is no longer connected to

putting you on edge. “It’s then easy to turn around to your child and say, ‘Turn off that machine!’ or ‘Get off that computer!’

them,” Oscar says. “Rather than asking questions based on this, such as ‘Do you

“Now, that child foremostly heard “Bang!”.

want to do more things in life without me?’ we tend to brew, be

“Secondly, the words that were spoken.

fearful, and then start to fish … ‘What did you do today? Who

“Months later our child speaks to us that way and we wonder why.

were you with?’ or even go through their phone, which just makes

“We have just been puppeted by our emotions. We are all guilty

people feel violated. “Emotions people have shouldn’t control their dialect or

of that. “Everyone gets puppeted, and the problem is we indirectly, and even innocently, jab that pain and stress that we’re feeling onto

behaviour, but moreso be a language to the brain to go this is what’s resonating, let’s attend to it.” Oscar says it’s even worse for men as they have been conditioned

the other person. “So, it becomes a virus because that person jabs another person with it and it just swims through society.”

to not feel or show their emotions, “don’t cry, suck it up”. “Poor men innocently have been trapped into a void that is not natural,” he says.

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52 | spirituality

into the future, so naturally start to have those experiences; and it’s a vicious cycle. When we realise the energy that resonates within us, the energy we’re emitting, the thoughts that carry it, we can stop causing that ripple effect. Affirmations, prayer, spells, incantations, are effective when we feel the word, when we mean it and we say it with sentiment, says Oscar.

“And women, being intuitive, are hit with a brick wall when they try to broach this. They feel a storm inside, they feel fear, they

Emotions people have shouldn’t control their dialect or behaviour, but moreso be a language to the brain to go this is what’s resonating, let’s attend to it. – Oscar de Sousa

feel confusion. “The man’s like, I don’t know what you’re talking about, and it takes a while for them to process.” Oscar says the consciousness of femininity and the consciousness of masculinity is the concept of Yin and Yang. We all have that in us, whether we are male or female. Some are slightly off balance, some have more of either. “Men need to start being more intuitive, talking about their emotions, listening to their inner self, not being just driven by the mind. “I can’t say that women now need to start applying the

If we’re panicking on the inside and reading this word, then fear becomes the dominant emotion. “The key is, when we do feel afraid, we comfort ourselves, ‘It’s ok, I’m afraid,’ that’s ok,” he says. “Once we acknowledge it, we can move from there but when we’re fighting against it that it’s not going anywhere, so it helps to acknowledge the fear and

where it came from. What experiences have led me to have this fear? “When we know what caused this, ok it’s failed relationships that make us afraid of falling in love again, for example, it’s not so dominant in our psychology or our energy.” Oscar advises writing down an affirmation in our own handwriting because our brain will absorb it much better. We should then read it out aloud at least 20 times with no intention, just so the wording becomes familiar to the brain. And then our focus can be on feeling each word. For example, when someone says, “I love you,” it feels different when they really mean it. Quite often we want others to say it,

male consciousness because unfortunately 2000 years of

but we rarely look in the mirror and say it to ourselves, it’s quite

male dominance, a patriarchal system, means women have

confrontational. And it’s the most important thing. n

already had to assimilate the masculine consciousness within themselves. But men are yet to assimilate the feminine consciousness within themselves.” Not only can honouring our emotions be great in maintaining more harmonious relationships and averting the ‘virus’ of offloading onto others, they can help us manifest what we want in our lives. The effect of our emotions was explored through water experiments conducted by Japanese author and pseudoscientist, Masuru Emoto, whose work demonstrated how the sentiment of a word, which is energy, can affect the molecular structure of water. Keeping in mind we’re made up of about 78 per cent of water, words said to us can impact us strongly. “If our thoughts (sentiments) on a piece of paper affects water, imagine we have that thought going over and over in our brain, ‘I’m not good enough, I’m not good enough. Life is shit. Life is shit,’” says Oscar. People are not only putting that energy back into their whole water aspect and altering the energy there, they’re emitting it

Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

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| 53

Why character education is important for your child Imagine a world without character. A world where life choices are based solely on probability, logic and pragmatism. How heartless and cold it would be.

F

ortunately, this is not our world. We consider a person’s character essential to every decision they make – lifechanging decisions and every-day choices. It is the

combination of a person’s thoughts and feelings, values and beliefs expressed in life and community. Every person has character, but it does not magically appear when a child reaches significant milestones like entering high school, at puberty or when one turns 18. So, is ‘character’ taught or caught? At The Scots College Early Learning Centre, character is taught and modelled by teachers. All boys come with enormous potential and grow when they are part of a strong and connected community. The Scots College calls this its Quest for Excellence. Growth, nurturing and refinement is a journey from where we are to where we hope to be, and offers great benefits for community, family and for the individual boys. Young children need practise to become familiar with feelings and

The Scots College believes all boys have character and want to help them grow it to be healthy, whole young men with brave hearts and bold minds.

do we do with these feelings?” Discussion followed and ideas developed. The boys resolved that plastic bags need to be avoided to reduce the risk to sea life. The boys designed shopping bags that could

actions. It is a learning process to

be given to family and friends, and

understand which feelings and

with a little enterprise could also be

behaviours are good to react to and which feelings need to be

sold. Grandmothers were enlisted to sew bags and the artists of

redirected to better responses.

the class decorated the bags with messages and pictures. The

The Scots College values this and practises respect, kindness, integrity and faith in action. In the classroom, the teachers see examples of boys’ feelings, actions and the greater good. It is not always obvious. Here is a real-life example of character education with a group of fouryear-olds at the Early Learning Centre. A boy comments that turtles might eat plastic bags because

boys took their bags home from class to share with their families. This is an everyday example of building character. The boys shared their feelings, chose a response and then began to lead change within their immediate communities. The Scots College Early Learning Centre consciously finds ways to cultivate character. The Scots College believes all boys have character and want

they look like jellyfish. His classmates also become concerned

to help them grow it to be healthy, whole young men with brave

and feel sad for the turtles. The teacher asked the boys: “What

hearts and bold minds.

www.offspringmagazine.com.au

sydney | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | Offspring


54 | technology

Here’s an

app

for that!

Parenting doesn’t come with a manual, but there are lots of useful apps to make various stages of parenting a bit easier. We look at some great options – whether you are a new parent or raising teenagers. BY BROOKE EVANS-BUTLER

Our top app pick for new parents Feed Baby Are you a sleep-deprived new parent? This app allows you to keep track of your baby’s feeds, nappy changes and routines. It clearly fills a gap – it has been downloaded over one million times. Go to www.feedbaby.com.au

Our top app pick for toddlers Macleans Nurdle Time Do you struggle to get your young child to brush their teeth?

Our top app pick for pregnancy Sprout Pregnancy Having a baby is such an exciting time, and with great pregnancy apps, you can access daily information about you and

This free app features a catchy song and reward points (so they can ‘buy’ clothes and accessories to personalise their ‘Nurdle’) to encourage your child to brush for the whole recommended two minutes. It features a countdown timer, so your child can see how much longer they have to brush. Parents will love that it even features some simple tips about

your baby, and access handy tools, including a contraction counter

brushing properly before the start of the song. To download and

for when you go into labour. For details go to www.sprout-apps.

for more details, go to www.macleans.com.au/kids-products/

com/sprout-pregnancy-iphone-app

macleans-app.html

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technology | 55

Our top pick for screen time apps OurPact Managing your child’s screen time on their devices can be a challenge – but OurPact allows parental control so you can block apps you do not want your child to have access and manage the amount of screen time you want your child to have (without having to hide the charger or confiscate the device). For more information go to www.ourpact.com

Our top pick for educational apps ABC Reading Eggs This is a fantastic app that helps your child learn to read. It’s self-paced, fun and suitable for children from 2-years-old. If your child wants something fun but you want to ensure it is educational, this might be a good compromise. For details go to www. readingeggs.com.au/apps

Our top app pick for parents of teens Life360 If you are parenting teenagers and find yourself sending multiple texts to make sure they arrived at school, their friend’s house or their sports training safely, then this app could give peace of mind. Simply save your usual locations and your family or friends in your customised ‘circles’ will be alerted when you arrive at or leave the location. The free app also has a chat function. For more information check out www.life360.com

Our top pick for First Aid apps St John First Responder You might have heard of the First Responder app (which

Our top pick for parenting apps Calm Kids, Connected Parents Parenting expert Maggie Dent has released an app, Calm Kids,

allows people with First Aid qualifications to sign up to be notified when someone has called for an ambulance within 500 metres, so they can respond. But did you know you don’t have to be a ‘First Responder’ to get use from this great app? The app features First Aid instruction, First Aid tips and

Connected Parents, so you can easily access Maggie’s pearls of

features a handy Triple zero calling feature that sends your GPS

wisdom. The app gives you access to Maggie’s weekly tips, audio,

location so an ambulance can easily locate you. It is a great app

videos and articles to connect stronger with your children. For

for parents who want to be prepared. For details go to www.

details go to www.maggiedent.com/calmkids

stjohnwa.com.au n

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sydney | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | Offspring


56 | education

Choosing where to send your child to school is a big decision - so how do you make the right choice for your family? CLAIRE ARMSTRONG investigates the educational options.

S

chool days make up an enormous part of a child’s life, so you want to set them on the right path with a productive and supportive learning environment. There are many wonderful schools which can make things confusing for parents. Finding the right school for your family involves research and careful consideration. Offspring takes a look at the schooling options to help make your planning a little easier.

Government/Public

The local primary school is the natural choice for many

parents, with some choosing their residence with a school’s proximity in mind. A school close to home can have the key advantage of having friends in the neighbourhood, a guaranteed enrolment acceptance and the ability to walk or ride. “In 2018 at a primary school level, 70 per cent of all Australian students attend government schools,” Australian Bureau of Statistics Director, Michelle Ducat, says.

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education | 57

If the school fits

There are countless teachable moments in a day.

Today’s teachable moment

At KU, your child’s curiosity becomes the launchpad for learning. Together we take it further.

# 56

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See Hear Feel the difference

Welcome to

sydney | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | Offspring


58 | education If you wish to put your child’s name down at a government school outside of your local catchment area (for example one close to your workplace), a place is not guaranteed. You must also consider enrolling subsequent children and hoping for a place, as well as shuttling children to and from school. Most government schools have minimal fees, while encouraged, these are usually voluntary ranging from $50-$300. For Amanda Taylor the decision to send her children, Chase (11), Kobe (8) and Emerson (5) to the local public school was an easy one because they live in a great school district. “Before we went to the school parent feedback helped us know that the school community was positive and wants the kids to strive to do their best in all areas. I think knowing that their academic and sporting needs are being met is important and I have confidence in the teacher’s ability to extend the kids if needed.” “We plan to send the kids onto the local high school, which is a great school with lots of quality programs and also the same school I attended.”

Independent/Private

If you’re interested in independent or private education, which

covers a range of religious and community schools including Steiner and Montessori, it is vital to start looking early as there are often waiting lists and fees to consider. For parents, the wide range of independent schools means they have more say on the type of education they want for their child. The Independent Schools Council of Australia (ISCA) currently has 1,123 member schools in Australia (as per 2018 ABS data). The median price of an Australian independent school per student is $5,330 per year. ISCA Executive Director Barry Wallett says independent

“In 2018 there was a net increase of independent student numbers by over 12,000. These numbers show that parents have strong confidence in independent schools.” For information on independent schools, visit the Independent Schools Council of Australia website, www.isca.edu.au Montessori Montessori education is growing steadily in Australia. Its philosophy, based around Dr Maria Montessori’s approach, emphasises independence by providing an environment for children to learn at their own pace. Children are free to choose activities within a prepared

schools represent 14.7 per cent of all Australian school enrolments

environment. This allows children think for themselves and help

and is continuing to grow.

them to develop confidence, concentration, creativity and inner

”Independent schools have been Australia’s fastest growing school sector over the last decade,” he says.

discipline. Classes are grouped in a three year age range. For more information visit www.montessori.org.au

Libby Oteri chose a two stream Catholic coeducational school to send Frank (8) and Sofia (7). “We wanted a school that offered pastoral care and a strong sense of community. We also wanted the choice to select the school that felt right for our family. After meeting with the principal we knew the school was the right ‘fit’ for us.” “We will also make the decision for secondary school on what feels right for Frank and Sofia individually.” Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

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education | 59 Steiner Steiner, or Waldorf education is based on the methods of Rudolf Steiner aiming to educate artistically and holistically. A unique feature of Steiner education is the same teacher stays with the class throughout their primary years aimed at creating strong relationships between teacher, student and the student’s family. The use of electronic media is strongly discouraged and all toys are made from natural materials. While there are fewer Steiner

attend an interview and then a preference scheme is in place with first round offers given to students of the religion within the parish. Community/Alternative/Open Learning Another option is community schools, sometimes called alternative or open learning education. The schools act independently and form their own curriculum and ethos and are often small, co-educational, multi-cultural and nondenominational.

schools than Montessori, they are gaining popularity. For information on Steiner schools visit www.steinereducation. edu.au Religious The majority of religious schools in Australia are Catholic, with the latest ABS data showing one in five Australian students are educated in Catholic schools. However, there are a number of other major religions represented including Anglican, Baptist, Greek Orthodox, Islamic, Jewish, Lutheran, Seventh Day Adventist, Uniting Church and Presbyterian. If you want to enrol in a religious school, you must contact the individual school to put in an application and usually pay a small fee. Some schools do not require you to be of the faith to attend. However, you will be asked to

Foster Care

Can you help a vulnerable child in your community?

If you have space in your heart and home for a child, you can become a foster carer. You can provide care for a weekend, a few weeks, a few months or even years. You choose the period that suits you. We understand every family is different, and we will support you so you can provide the best care possible to a child in need. Find out more today 1300 791 677

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mackillop.org.au

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60 | education

out Things to think ab when doing your research: . If you

 Visit the school and meet the staff nding the ady atte can, speak with parents alre school.

h the out as music or STEM and find us practices and policies on homework, religio bullying. ilities for  Think about travel and the facuire d. if req before and after school care fees,  Look at the overall cost includingknow and ps cam uniform, stationary and your budget.

suc  Check out the special programssch ool

HOME SCHOOL

Home based education is another alternative option and not

just for people in remote locations. Other factors such as disability, behavioural issues, gifted children, bullying, cultural or religious beliefs, or lack of confidence in mainstream schooling system can lead families to opt for home schooling. Home schooling is a growing community in Australia with lots of support available for parents wanting to take the plunge. Each state and territory in Australia has its own set of legal requirements for registering to home school, some stricter than others. Some parents choose not to register, however this can

, www. Visit the MySchool website s of file pro a get to u u.a myschool.ed icators. ind nce schools, as well as performa

impact government payments and benefits. n

SHARING SHAKESPEARE AT JOHN COLET SCHOOL Every year representatives from Bell Shakespeare visit John Colet School in Belrose, to see the students perform their Shakespeare plays.

T

his year, Associate Director James Evans and Head of Education Joanna Erskine (pictured) attended and were thrilled to witness such passionate Shakespeare in

action, including many classic scenes. It was clear to see that

Shakespeare program enabling students from disadvantaged

there was no fear of the language, only total joy, testament to

schools the opportunity to experience the joys of Shakespeare.

the immersion of students in John Colet School’s Shakespeare program from such a young age. Students enjoyed the chance to show off their plays and

Bell Shakespeare Teaching Artists visited John Colet School again in June this year to teach students physical comedy, to use in their 2019 Shakespeare Festival performances.

receive expert critique while also enjoying the opportunity to ask questions about the life and times of Shakespeare, stagecraft, performing arts careers, and more. As a gesture of thanks, the students at John Colet School voted to make a donation from money raised at their school Market Days in 2018 towards Bell Shakespeare’s Sharing

Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

To see how your child can enjoy the immersive education experience at John Colet School, join an Information Day during Term 3 or 4 or call to make an appointment for a tour on your preferred day. Telephone the Registrar on 9451 8395.

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62 | education

mlc fosters confident learners

Every day in Pre-K at Methodist Ladies College School (MLC) is full of fun, friends and discovery.

O

Outside of school hours, Pre-Kindergarten girls who are

budding musicians, tennis stars, dancers, dramatists, gymnasts or engineers, are able to take full advantage of a range of cocurricular opportunities available to all girls at MLC School. “One of the things the Pre-Kindergarten girls enjoy most

pen, beautiful and wonderfully resourced, the atmosphere in MLC School’s Pre-Kindergarten studio is inviting and engaging, and the purpose-built play area

offers plenty to delight and challenge young minds. According to Daniel Sandral, Head of Junior School, “When parents choose MLC School Pre-Kindergarten, the transition from Pre-Kindergarten to Kindergarten is a seamless experience for their daughter, and also for them. “MLC School’s mission is ‘to educate young women to be fearless thinkers’, and our youngest girls are encouraged to

MLC School invites families with children aged four and under to a weekly playdate.

about school is meeting and interacting with girls in other year groups. It is the older girls who show and teach our youngest girls what is to be a fearless learner”, says Daniel. Just as the Pre-Kindergarten girls quickly make themselves at home at MLC School, so too do their parents. Coming to MLC School is an experience for all the family, and includes community events such as Parent Information Evenings, the Principal’s Welcome Cocktail Party, the Pre-Kindergarten Parents’ Morning Tea, International Night and weekly book picnics. These events present parents with time to meet one another, make new friends and develop support networks.

Enjoy a weekly playdate for U4s MLC School invites families with children aged four and under to a weekly playdate. Girls and boys can join in activities such as Storytime, Art

explore, inquire and discover their interests and develop under

time and Make It Happen, and then explore the playground

the nurturing guidance of our highly qualified and experienced

with its bike track and timber climbing gym.

Early Childhood Educators. “This lays the platform for the girls to be confident learners, and ensure they are comfortable with the structure of life at school.” Alongside early literacy and numeracy programs, the girls also benefit from weekly lessons in all of the Junior School specialist subject areas, such as Mandarin, Drama and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics). These opportunities are the envy of other early learning centres.

Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

The playdates commence on 8 August 2019, and continue every Thursday until 12 September 2019. The playdate time is 9.15am – 10.15am. You can register your attendance at my.mlcsyd.nsw.edu. au/EventRegistration.aspx?EventID=10310 For more information about any of these events, telephone Judy Lezon on 02 8741 3984 or email jlezon@ mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au

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64 | education

Languages, music, creativity and play lay firm foundations for a great start Early Learning at International Grammar School (IGS) near Sydney CBD offers an environment rich with languages, music, creativity and play.

E

very child, from the age of three, is welcomed daily by educators who are highly qualified, experienced, and passionate about the education of each child in their care.

Free to explore their own interests, children become pioneers

in their own learning, developing ever more complex skills. “Childhood is an important time,” says IGS Principal Shauna Colnan. “We believe it should be protected, nurtured and prolonged as children develop a sense of who they are and how they relate to

of learning another language, be it Italian, French, Japanese,

others.

Mandarin or German. This is our secular and coeducational

“We encourage the children throughout the day to see, think and wonder. “We know that high quality early childhood education lays firm foundations for future learning and ensures the best start in life. “In the IGS Early Learning Centre we aim to provide a wondrous and enchanting journey each day, playing, reading,

School’s unique offering. “A further language of our school is music. Children are given the opportunity to learn an instrument, to dance and sing, and to express themselves through embodiment and kinaesthetic activity.” The IGS Early Learning (Preschool and Transition) program runs from 9am to 3pm, with extended hours care available at the School from 7.30am to 6pm. Children transition seamlessly into Kindergarten and the

speaking, listening and learning about the local environment as

Primary and High School at IGS, where they become fluent in

well as far off places and cultures.

their additional languages and explore diverse interests across

“We encourage the children throughout the day to see, think and wonder. “We believe that bilingualism should be an entitlement for all children. From Day One, each child is immersed in the joy

arts, humanities and sciences. The IGS values are connectedness, diversity, authenticity, vibrancy and personal achievement, and the motto, Unity Through Diversity. Established in 1984, IGS educates 1,250 students from Preschool to Year 12. The School’s Mission is to equip students to be world ready. Celebrating its 35th anniversary throughout 2019, the School is enriched by local and international partnerships, accomplished alumni and a welcoming community. A pioneer in language learning, the School offers the recently opened Global Learning Centre for the Teaching and Learning of Languages and Imaginarium, as well as a Design Centre, gym, science labs, Drama Studio and many flexible learning spaces in Kelly Street, Bay Street and Mountain Street, Ultimo, close to the University of Sydney, UTS and high tech and creative hubs of Glebe and Pyrmont. Visit www.igssyd.nsw.edu.au to find out more about IGS.

Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

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A great start at

INTERNATIONAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Uniq lang ue ua prog ges ram IGS offers an innovative, cosmopolitan, secular and co-educational learning environment from Preschool to Year 12, close to the University of Sydney, UTS and Notre Dame. At IGS, we offer a broad liberal and bilingual education. We believe that the teacher’s role is to honour and nurture childhood while drawing out the innate gifts of the child. Unity through Diversity is our motto, and our five core values – diversity, personal achievement, connectedness, vibrancy and authenticity – are at the heart of who we are and what we do. We are a passionate learning community – a local school with a global outlook and we are equipping our students to be world ready.

Find out more and book a tour: igssyd.nsw.edu.au | 9219 6700 admissions@igssyd.nsw.edu.au

Central location near Sydney CBD

Out of hours care

Exciting music and STEAM opportunities


66 | education

Children flourish at PLC

PLC Sydney Preschools is a magical place to start a child’s learning journey.

P

LC Sydney is excited to bring their long history in education to the new PLC Sydney Preschool program. Opening to both girls and boys aged 3-5 years, PLC Sydney Preschool’s

first centre in Ashfield marks an exciting chapter in their vision to bring excellence in learning to the early years. They strive to make learning fun and encouraging and develop a child’s eagerness to learn - that’s the heart of a PLC Sydney Preschool education. Everything about the centre supports a child’s natural curiosity. Children will be enchanted

The preschool program offers the perfect balance between play, nature and technology. with their innovatively constructed indoor and outdoor learning environments, created to challenge them and put them on a path to school readiness. The preschool program offers the perfect balance between play, nature and technology. Guided by a play-based learning

framework, children have the unique opportunity to learn from PLC Sydney’s fascinating Invertebrate House, discovering different invertebrate species by observing them in their habitat. They will also have access to the latest technology including blue bots (mini robots), interactive whiteboards and iPad’s to support their learning. The brand new Ashfield Centre is modern with purpose built facilities, designed by leading specialists in preschool education. It also brings together a teaching staff who are highly experienced with a wide range of skills, providing an exceptional early learning childhood educational program. At the core of their teaching is kindness, care and empathy, so parents can feel confident leaving their child with the staff each day. Heading the team at PLC Sydney Preschools is Mrs Kelly Nickless, a passionate educator with over 20 years’ experience in early childhood teaching, managing and coaching. “We pride ourselves on the high ratio of teachers to children to ensure the little one benefits from the stability and comfort of familiar PLC Sydney Preschool staff every day,” Mrs Nickless says. “Our teachers will know your child intimately and develop strong relationships with families to support the best learning outcomes. Your child is unique and it’s our priority to help them flourish.” Choosing a preschool for your child can be difficult - after all, it is their very first formal learning environment. Mrs Nickless and her team are confident that you’ll love a PLC Sydney Preschool education for your child and they look forward to sharing their wonderful new centre with you. If you would like to find out more about PLC Sydney Preschool, Ashfield or to book a tour, please call 9704 5770 or email preschools@plc.nsw.edu.au

Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

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68 | education

Learning through play

Learning Together Playgroups was developed in recognition that in the early years, a child’s main way of learning and developing is through play.

B

efore they turn five, every child goes through a stage of

The focus of each playgroup is on helping children learn

rapid brain and skill development. In the early years, a child’s

about the world, make friends and develop the skills needed for

main way of learning and developing is through play.

‘big’ school.

Learning Together Playgroups is a new initiative run by your

“My daughter particularly enjoyed the outdoor play in the infant’s playground and having some Year 6 students interact

The creators of the playgroups also recommend them for parents who are uncertain as to whether their child is ready for school next year.

with them,” says Vanessa, a mum who attended the Learning Together Playgroup at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic School at Waitara. The creators of the playgroups also recommend them for parents who are uncertain as to whether their child is ready for school next year. Children who are eligible to start kindergarten,

local Catholic Primary School which offers children under five a

no matter the school, in 2020 are supported at the playgroup to

wide range of early learning activities.

develop important skills needed for the transition to school.

These playgroups are different to others because they have

For more information and for dates and times of the next

been developed by educational specialists, and are run by the

Learning Together Playgroup, contact your local Catholic

Kindergarten teacher from each Catholic Primary School.

Primary School.

Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

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education | 69

Uniforms that are fit for purpose The uniform designs at Barker College have been created to allow students to decide which items to wear from a core set, taking into account changing climates, personal preferences and activity levels.

B

arker has been a part of the fabric of Sydney life since 1890. It is a thriving school with a rich heritage, providing outstanding education for both boys and girls.

Last year the school welcomed girls for the first time into

Pre-K and Kindergarten. This year girls commenced in Year 3, and in 2020 girls will be welcomed into Year 7. Much work has been done to prepare for the girls that will join the school in the

“The Barker stripe is an iconic part of our history,” Head of Barker College, Mr Phillip Heath explains. “It is fitting that this be evident in the designs of our younger students’ uniforms.” Girls in the Junior and Middle Schools may choose to wear

coming years, including designing a uniform that will be fit for

pants or shorts as part of the uniform redesign. Boys uniforms

purpose across the entire School.

are also being updated and refreshed.

Working with renowned couture designer, Jonathan Ward,

“We are committed to providing a uniform that is uniquely

the designs created allow students to decide which items to

Barker, one that students will take pride in wearing and that

wear from a core set, taking into account changing climates,

suits the range of activities in which are students are involved,”

personal preferences and activity levels.

Mr Heath says.

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Offspring Performing Arts and Sports guide Whether for participation or for passion, there are many sports and performing arts options for your child to try. We look at the options, so you can make the best decision for your child. BY BROOKE EVANS-BUTLER Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

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offspring performing arts and sports guide | 71

Janine Ripper, Marketing Officer, Act-Belong-Commit, says some of the advantages of children taking part in activities such as performing arts and sports are: ❥ Boosts their mental and physical health and overall wellbeing. ❥ Builds resilience. ❥ Helps them to develop a sense of belonging and connection to others through forming new friendships and feeling a part of something. ❥ Improves confidence and self-esteem. ❥ Adds meaning and purpose to their lives. If you are worried about not doing enough activities (or doing too much), Janine says there is no ‘ideal’ number of activities for children, “it all depends on the individual child and the family”. “We highly encourage parents to strive for a sense of balance, especially between structured and unstructured activities, free time and rest.”

!

Remember there are so many activities that your child can try! If none of the featured sports/activities appeal to your child, why not try something a bit different, such as parkour, fencing, breakdancing or archery.

DANCE.

Dance is a popular activity for toddlers

right through to adults, and for good reason. Jerrika Howley, head of the ‘Petite Performers’ and ‘Young Performers’ departments at Brent Street, says there are many advantages of dancing, including social relationships, balance and coordination, as well as confidence, respect, fun, sportsmanship, teamwork and goal setting. There are many types of dance your child can try, but Jerikka recommends a beginner try ballet and/or jazz. “Ballet is the foundation of dance so all dancers will benefit from ballet training, and the co-ordination of jazz technique is always fun with the upbeat songs,” she says. Liliana Maddams, principal at LA Talent School, recommends children try out a trial lesson. “Some kids love ballet but some find it a little bit slow,” she says. “Others love hip hop, which is very popular, and they love jazz. The best way to decide is to come along and try a class because every child is so different.”

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72 | offspring performing arts and sports guide

DRAMA

To increase self-esteem or to bring out their inner actor – why not consider a good drama program for your child? “Although there can be a misconception that a Performing Arts program is all about the performance side of things, it is often more about learning life skills,” says Helen Davey, Executive Principal, Helen O’Grady Drama Academy WA. “Drama in general can help children with confidence, selfesteem, creative thinking, language skills and communication.

MUSIC

The wonderful part about it is that all children have amazing

Whether you take your baby to a music class or encourage your

on which to build these skills. Creative programs can really help

child to learn an instrument – there are a number of options

children to articulate their thoughts, feelings and emotions – to

available to immerse your child in music.

help them find their voices.”

Professor Alan Lourens, head of UWA Conservatorium of

imaginations which can be tapped into and used as a platform

Helen says performing arts programs suit everyone. “All young

Music, recommends children take part in music from a young age.

people enjoy creativity, when presented in the right environment.

“We know that students who take part in musical activity before

Some children come along to classes to increase their confidence

the age of 12 develop very particular pathways in the brain, in a

and self-esteem, while others attend drama classes as a creative

way that no other subject does,” he says. “What they do is connect

outlet, and to improve on their drama skills.”

the right and the left side of the brain very strongly.” He adds the sociological benefits are also massive. “One of the things about having students take part in music is that it is a social activity,” he says. “They have to learn to work with others in a way that is positive. There is no one trying to stop them from being their best because there is no opposition. For young kids, they are learning things like having to give things back, having to wait their turn, and having to put things in a particular place.”

!

Do you have a shy child? It doesn’t mean they will not love performing arts, according to LA Talent School’s Liliana Maddams. “A lot of the kids come through the door who are really shy,” she says. But within two or three months they are a completely different child; they have so much confidence, they can relate better to others.”

Students who take part in musical activity before the age of 12 develop very particular pathways in the brain, in a way that no other subject does.

Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

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offspring performing arts and sports guide | 73

MARTIAL ARTS

There are many types of martial arts, including judo, karate, mixed martial arts and more – and they are great not only for fitness, but to learn self-defence and increase confidence. Celeste Knoester, coach at Kano Judo Schools, says judo and many other martial arts have physical benefits for children, such as improved gross motor coordination, spatial awareness, strength, balance and overall fitness levels. “The aspect that sets martial arts apart from other sports however, is the impact it has on the whole person,” she says. “Children will learn respect, friendship, confidence, emotional and physical self-control, conflict-resolution and self-defence skills.” There are various martial arts classes, so when choosing a class for your child, Celeste advises to ensure it is something your child enjoys and looks forward to attending every week, while you as the parent feel they are learning something of value. “Trust your gut as a parent and if you are not comfortable with something being taught, there are plenty other martial art options for you and your child. A good martial art will keep your child active, while building them into the best version of themselves.”

SWIMMING

Swimming is a great bonding activity for parent and baby (and is a perfect way to introduce young children to water). As your child grows, swimming lessons allow them to learn their strokes and develop water safety. VenuesWest spokesperson and manager of Aquatics and Swim School, Taryn deLestang, says swimming lessons should be appropriate to the developmental age of the child, be fun and engaging, and include safety skills. “When choosing a swim school parents should look for experienced and competent instructors who can guide your child through the learn-to-swim process in a safe and compassionate environment,” she advises. “It should be a positive experience for children and parents. As with learning any new skill, practice is key and being able to attend classes at a suitable time and location is also a major consideration. If the classes are close to home and at convenient times then you are more likely to be able to commit to regular lessons.”

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74 | offspring performing arts and sports guide

LITTLE ATHLETICS

If you are worried about your child becoming bored with a repetitive activity, why not try Little Athletics? Little Athletics Australia CEO Martin Stillman, says there are a wide range of events for children from 5 to 15 years of age in Little Athletics including running, jumping, throwing and walking and the events are modified to suit the age, developmental stage and ability of the children. “Little Athletics promotes that it is important to ‘Be your Best’,” he says. “The emphasis being on fun, participation, performance, technique and getting involved with your family in physical and healthy activity.”

NETBALL

Ball sports are great to promote team work and skills – and with

Regardless of the type of sports your child wants to try out, Celeste Knoester, coach at Kano Judo Schools, offers her advice about making the right decision for your child. “Find an activity that your child enjoys doing. Any form of movement or activity that they love doing and is of benefit to their health, should be encouraged,” she says. “We, as adults, know that people have different preferences, and this applies to your child and their chosen form of activity too. There is something out there for everyone, be patient while your child tests the waters, however trying it may be.”

options including netball, basketball, soccer, football and more, there is sure to be a suitable ball sport for your child. Kobie Combes, Netball WA’s Participation Manager, says Suncorp NetSetGo (Australia’s official netball starter program) is suitable for girls and boys aged 5 to 10. “One of the biggest advantages of the Suncorp NetSetGO program is the use of modified equipment and rules,” Kobie says. “This allows the participants fundamental movement and motor skills to develop at an appropriate pace while allowing them to feel success and confident. Suncorp NetSetGO is also a very inclusive program for all boys and girls of all abilities aged 5-10.” Kobie adds that playing a team sport such as netball from an early age holds many physical and mental advantages including developing self-esteem, teaching leadership skills, improving team building friendships and developing

NetSetGO participants and Jess Anstiss,from West Coast Fever.

Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

communication skills. n

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76 |

The Australian Ballet School nurtures young talent The Australian Ballet School is Australia’s national centre for elite vocational classical dance training and the school of The Australian Ballet.

T

hrough the (audition-entry) After School Program, Intra/ Interstate & International Training Program and Full-Time Program, the Australian Ballet School’s eight-level training

program produces dancers of the highest calibre for The Australian Ballet as well as world class international companies. The school aims to nurture young talent so that every provision is made for the best, to be the best – to guide students to develop into well-balanced human beings, with a strong ethical sense – well fed in body, mind and spirit. Throughout the year, the school also offers a number of open

The school aims to nurture young talent so that every provision is made for the best to be the best – to guide students to develop into wellbalanced human beings. enrolment opportunities for young dance students who would like to experience training with some of Australia’s leading dance teachers. Early Learning & Boys Program are term-based, regular weekly classes offered at the School’s Southbank studios in Melbourne. Taught by vocationally trained teachers and

featuring live piano accompaniment, the Early Learning Program caters to girls and boys aged 3 to 10, with the Boys Program extending the opportunity for boys aged up to 15yrs to learn from celebrated male classical ballet teachers. No audition is required for either program and enrolment is through the school’s website. Open Masterclasses are held in major Australian capital cities every year and run for approximately 1.5 hours. These classes offer students aged 9 to 17 years the exclusive opportunity to work with and experience the high level of expertise on offer at Australia’s national centre of excellence in dance training. All students are welcome to enrol, regardless of previous dance experience. The Australian Ballet School’s annual Summer and Winter Schools attract both national and international students, and offer comprehensive training in classical ballet and other dance styles. Held at The Primrose Potter Australian Ballet Centre in Melbourne, the artistic faculty for both is drawn from staff of the school as well as guest teachers from The Australian Ballet and the wider dance community. The Summer School is delivered across two 5-day weeks (3-7 Jan & 8-12 Jan) with four alternate streams (Creative, Open, Boys & Pre-Professional) each stream catering to differing needs of students aged between 6 to 18 years. Winter School is a 3-day workshop open to students aged 9-16. To learn more about The Australian Ballet School and any of its training programs, please visit www. australianballetschool.com.au

Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

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National Tour 2019 Auditions & Open Masterclasses Experience The Australian Ballet School’s high level of expertise and work with some of Australia’s leading dance teachers. Auditions are for students aspiring to join our interstate or Melbourne-based programmes. Students who simply love to dance can participate in an Open Masterclass, and no audition is required. Tour schedule and dates are listed below. Enrol now by visiting australianballetschool.com.au Open Masterclasses

Auditions

Cairns

Sydney

Adelaide

Brisbane

Perth

Cairns

Sunday 14–Monday 15 July Sunday 21 July Tuesday 23–Thursday 25 July

Sunday 7–Wednesday 10 July Thursday 11–Friday 12 July Sunday 14–Monday 15 July Adelaide

Sunday 21 July Perth

Tuesday 23–Thursday 25 July Melbourne

Monday 29–Wednesday 31 July

Follow us Facebook /theaustralianballetschool Instagram @theaustralianballetschool Twitter @austballetschool

With thanks to


78 | getaway

NSW Getaway Guide

It’s time to dust off those winter woolies and put a spring in your step as the days grow longer, the sun warmer and evenings balmy to have some family fun in New South Wales. BY COLLEEN WILLIS

to offer, with plenty of parks and beaches, as well as Circular Quay, Darling Harbour and Luna Park, to name a few. Highlights include:  Sealife Aquarium  Sydney Observatory  Taronga Zoo

Special Mention Have some Wiggly Fun at the Wiggles Exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum! Accommodation  Novotel Darling Harbour  Oaks apartment properties For more information visit

 Sydney Ferries

www.sydney.com/things-to-do/family-

 Sydney Opera House

holidays/top-attractions-for-kids

 The Harbour Bridge

www.maas.museum

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS The Blue Mountains has a lovely laid back feel and is perfect for a quick getaway. Highlights include  Leuralla Toy & Railway Museum NSW  Jenolan Caves

DESTINATION NSW

Most of us love a good winery and With roughly150 wine producers and breweries a plenty, you’re bound to come across one you like! However, there are

nsw/blue-mountains

Putt Put  Go Karts Go!  Drayton’s Family Wines  McGuian Cellars G undog Hunter Cellar and Gourmet Pantry

 Hunter Valley Resort

the kids to enjoy. This then allows the

 Twin Trees Country Cottages

 Hunter Valley Gardens Aqua Golf & Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

www.bluemts.com.au

 Owls Cottage Katoomba

 Potters Hotel, Brewery Resort

 Horse riding

For more information visit www.stayz.com.au/accommodation/

playgrounds and large grassy areas for

 Ballooning

so driving is the most practical option.

Accommodation

than others and include kids’ menus,

Highlights include

Glenbrook is roughly 75km away and the Jenolan Caves are nearly 200km

way.

Accommodation

eating and drinking!

Getting There

 Hop on Hop off Trolley Tours

some that are more ‘family friendly’

adults get onto the serious business of

 Emirates One & Only (luxury)

However, the train or bus is also another

 Horse Riding

Hunter Valley doesn’t disappoint!

 Jenolan Caravan Park

 The Three Sisters  Megalong Valley Farm

HUNTER VALLEY

DESTINATION NSW

Families will love all that Sydney has

 Dinosaurs at the Australian Museum

Getting There The tourist route T33 is a lovely drive. Another option is taking the train. For more information visit www.huntervalleyvisitorcentre.com.au/ wine/child-friendly-wineries

DESTINATION NSW

Sensational Sydney!

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getaway | 79

SNOWY MOUNTAINS The Snowy Mountains have long been a favourite for snow enthusiasts and are

 Kosciusko National Park

 Discovery Parks Jindabyne

For more information visit

Getting there

www.snowymountains.com.au

Cooma is the largest town in the region

perfect for summer and winter.

Accommodation

Highlights include

want to stay! The most popular style of

 Hiking  Horse riding  Water sports - kayaking, canoeing, sailing, boating, fishing, swimming  Cycling

The first step is deciding where you family accommodation is a self-contained apartment, however, there are plenty of other styles to choose from as well.

and is approximately 400km from Sydney. Jindabyne is closest to Kosciusko National Park and is roughly 465km away and Perisher, Thredbo and Charlotte Pass are close to it. For more information visit

For more information visit  Lake Jindabyne Hotel

www.perisher.com.au For more information visit www.jervisbaytourism.com.au www.dolphinwatch.com.au

Mogo Zoo Mogo Zoo is home to rare and endangered species from around the globe. The kids could be ‘Keeper for the DESTINATION NSW

Day!’ For more information visit www.mogozoo.com.au

SOUTH COAST The South Coast sure is home to spectacular scenery and exciting activities. Highlights include  Kiama Blowhole

rainforest canopy, Lake Illawarra and the South Pacific Ocean. A big bonus is that

Batemans Bay is a good spot to base

it’s both pram and wheelchair accessible.

yourself in if you want to stay in one spot.

It’s located approximately 1.5 hours south

From backpackers to luxury, there is

of Sydney so could even be a day trip.

plenty to choose from.

www.illawarrafly.com

 Minnamurra Rainforest

Jervis Bay

 Batemans Bay  Jervis Bay  Beach fun

Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures This is a great activity for the whole family. Its beautiful views take in the

Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo For something a bit different why not stay the night at the zoo? For many families, this is a one off opportunity to

 Big4 Batemans Bay Beach Resort

For more information visit

 Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk  Mogo Zoo

(cabins, caravans and camping)  Chalet Swisse Spa at Surf Beach

Known for its pristine beaches, turquoise waters and national parks, it’s also famous for its dolphins and whales. There are 80-120 dolphins in Jervis Bay all year round, which gives you plenty of opportunity to see them. The whale

280km from Sydney. For more information visit www.familyhotelsguide.com

 Savannah Cabins For more information visit www.taronga.org.au Getting here Dubbo is an hour’s flight from Sydney

DESTINATION NSW

distance from Sydney to Dubbo is just

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Follow the Grand Pacific Drive and take your time. Batemans Bay is about

is a magnificent sight to see.

while creating magical family memories.

 Zoofari Lodge

Getting there

www.visitnsw.com

or you can drive, train or bus it. The

 Billabong Camp

Retreat

season is from June to October and truly

get up close and personal to the animals

Accommodation

Accommodation

under 400km. For more information visit www.dubbotourism.com.au

sydney | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | Offspring


80 | getaway

Port macquarie Port Macquarie is still close enough to Sydney for a quick trip, or you could make this a stopover on your way up north. Highlights include  Whale watching (June to October)  Water fun - swimming, surfing, fishing, kayaking,

Other spots are:

helpful driving tips

 Mantra The Observatory

 Make sure you have plenty of water

 Marina Holiday Park

with you  Don’t get low on petrol

For more information visit

 Keep mobiles charged

www.port-macquarie.net

 Keep first aid kits topped up and carry

www.portmacquarieinfo.com.au

essential medication

Getting there

 Tell someone your itinerary,

The distance from Sydney is

 Billabong Koala and Wildlife Park

approximately 380km so no need to rush

 Timbertown Heritage Theme Park (on

or you can fly if you prefer.

especially if travelling to isolated areas.

87 acres of natural forest!)

For travel information visit

For something a little different, why

www.visitnsw.com/destinations/nsw/

not visit the Observatory? Imagine

transport

what the kids will be thinking when they look through the telescope! It’s open on Sunday and Wednesday nights throughout the year. Accommodation I stayed with my family at the Mantra DESTINATION NSW

Quayside Apartments and found the location good and apartment to be a reasonable size.

B

BIG FAMILY FUN AT BIG 4

IG4 Easts Beach Holiday Park is the place to immerse in a relaxed beach landscape and take time out to explore the beautiful sights of Kiama and the NSW South Coast -

including the two famous blowholes, amazing walks, Saddleback Mountain lookout, wineries, rainforests and so much more. Their beachfront location means it won’t be hard to relax at this beautiful holiday park which offers plenty to keep the kids happy. The exciting, brand new pool complex has two pool areas – including a heated lounge pool with children’s play area and plunge pool, plus the large main pool which offers two lap lanes and a disability ramp. Sunny’s Aquaventure Park has three waterslides, a giant tipping bucket, ocean-themed splash pads and a shaded water journey for babies and toddlers. For drier activities, the park provides an entertaining Games Room with a designated soft play area for the little ones and various games to enjoy. The kids can also check out the two playgrounds, which have slides, a climbing and rope-play area and the awesome jumping pillow that never fails to get the kids smiling. To experience all of this on the doorstep of the beautiful Easts Beach where the whole family can play, swim, build sandcastles and have nothing but fun, book your next family getaway at www.eastsbeach.com.au

Offspring | WINTER/SPRING 2019 | sydney

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getaway | 81

COFFs HARBOUR How can you not enjoy a place that is home to The Big Banana?? Coffs is a great spot to break your journey if you’re on a road trip from Sydney. Highlights include  Dolphin Marine Magic Show  Helicopter Scenic Flights  Sky Diving

resort and loved it. The water slide was a big hit in our family! Other options are  Smugglers on the Beach (I love that name!)  Big4 Park Beach Holiday Park For more information visit www.coffscoast.com.au Getting there By road the distance is approximately DESTINATION NSW

540km from Sydney so allow enough time

 Water fun

if not stopping on the way. From Port

Accommodation We stayed at the Breakfree Annuka Beach

Macquarie it is roughly 150km and flying is another option. Highlights include

For more information visit

 Macadamia Castle - Knockrow

www.visitbyronbay.com

 Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens

www.byronbayaccom.net

DESTINATION NSW

– Mullumbimby

Getting there

 Art

 Being 800kms from Sydney there are

 Ballooning

a few options to consider.

 Hang gliding

byron bay Byron Bay is such a melting pot of

 Fun water activities

 Driving is one of them, as is also the train and flying.

Accommodation

people and ideas and it’s a good spot to

 Lennox Beach Resort

base yourself.

 Discovery Parks Ballina

 Flying into Ballina is with Jetstar, Virgin and Rex.

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| 82

REFLECTIONS HOLIDAY PARKS: Perfect Getaway

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