Kids on the Coast Magazine - Sunshine Coast - Issue 87. July/August 2018

ISSUE 87 July/August 2018 SUNSHINE COAST

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TO TAKE HOME

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PE E CO S

C I A L: Raising a child who â?¤ the planet

EDUC AT

T H: HE A L

I O N : T h e I B u n c o v e re d

Living the rollercoaster of infertilit

PL AY: C

reate a nature play space

y

ww

WELCOME

DON’T LOT

Throughout my day, I chat to a of people about the world of parenthood. And the range of stories I hear about the journey women (and men!) have taken to get there never ceases to amaze me.

No two stories are the same; some are joyful, but so many are peppered with heartbreak.

I always make sure I take a moment to stop and listen to every story, because I believe sharing these tales and connecting over these experiences is a huge part of the parent we all need to foster.

For so many, the path to motherhood is not an easy one. Maybe it’s because they’ve not been in a position to start a family until later in life, and therefore the journey is unavoidably more challenging. Or maybe because falling pregnant, staying pregnant and giving birth is not as easy as the movies lead us to believe! (We remember that episode of Friends when Phoebe popped out triplets without breaking a sweat, right?)

I’m one of the many who had a rough road, with multiple (m-u-u-u-u-u-l-t-i-p-l-e) miscarriages to work through and two incredibly harrowing emergency caesareans to eventually become mama to two batsh*t crazy kiddies.

And I’ll be honest, there have been days when I wonder if the fertility gods had chosen #2 and #5 instead, they may have been less testing on my nerves! But guilt over wanting and then kinda not wanting my children I’ll save for another time!

hood

all

But what I realised whilst riding my own fertility rollercoaster, was that no one talked about it. I lost count of the number of times people asked me when I was going to have a second child. If they only knew of the effort and heartbreak that was going on behind the scenes to make that happen. I didn’t tell them, I never felt I could.

Whether trying to conceive for a long time, going through assisted reproductive treatment, adoption, surrogacy, or simply giving up and accepting the hand dealt, if you have young children there will likely be someone in your circle who is going through one of these trials right now. The last one is something that never fully goes away.

Why am I opening my heart about fertility, you ask? Well we have a huge this issue, where we look at the facts about infertility and the mental health implications of that unspoken world. Hopefully it might start a conversation in your own circles.

And the main feature this issue is our – another topic very close to my heart, but you’ll need to read the magazine to find out all about that … as I’ve run out of room here!

Do you have a story to share? Just drop me an email at inbox@shoremedia.com.au. And don’t forget to join the conversation on Facebook!

Happy winter!

fertility feature

Eco Living special

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The team PUBLISHER & EDITOR IN CHIEF Angela Sutherland

PUBLISHER & SALES DIRECTOR Helen Rush

ACCOUNT MANAGER GOLD COAST Judie Groves

ACCOUNT MANAGER BRISBANE Bridget Vallis

DEPUTY EDITOR Amardy Baucke

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Amy Lou

PRODUCTION MANAGER Tanya Nissen

GRAPHIC DESIGN Michelle Craik

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Features 29

ECO LIVING SPECIAL: The simple switches we can all make for an ecofriendly home.

CONTENTS

39

FERTILITY: We chat to the experts and delve into the unspoken world of fertility.

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PLAY: Want to bring play back to nature?

Create your own nature play space!

PUBLISHED BY

SH RE

MEDIA

PO Box 852, Coolum Beach, QLD 4573 inbox@shoremedia.com.au Phone 07 5471 2362

More than just a magazine, we are a vibrant community, bringing the best in local news, events, features and more to parents across the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Brisbane. Made by local parents, for local parents, we strive to be the first and only place families come to connect – where they are understood, united and inspired.

Noah (age 3 1/2 )

ADVERTISING SUNSHINE COAST: helen@shoremedia.com.au 0424 577 706 GOLD COAST: goldcoast@shoremedia.com.au 0438 316 185 BRISBANE: brisbane@shoremedia.com.au 0468 868 087

Cover Photograph: Verve Portraits Playsuit & t-shirt: Cloth & Hide, Peregian Beach

Regulars

FROM THE EDITOR .................................................................................................................. 3 WHAT’S ON: The best local events for July and August......................................................... 6 THINGS TO DO: The countdown is on to the Horizon Festival........................................... 11 LOCAL NEWS: The latest news in your area .......................................................................... 12 NEW BUSINESS: Local businesses to enhance your kid-sized life ...................................... 15 NOTICEBOARD: All the news and achievements from our local schools .......................... 17 CHECK THIS OUT: The latest products topping our #want list!......................................... 20 PRIMARY EDUCATION: Why effort matters........................................................................ 23 SECONDARY EDUCATION: What is the International Baccalaureate?............................. 26 EARLY LEARNING: Reduce, recycle, reuse… reread! ........................................................... 36 FOOD: Wholesome bites for frequent snackers ..................................................................... 50 LOCAL LIFE: Meet Willo Ford, on a mission to change lives for single parent families.... 52 CLASSIFIEDS: Local products and services ........................................................................... 55 REVIEWS: This season's movies, books and apps ................................................................. 58 We encourage recycling. Please keep this issue for future reference, pass onto your friends and family, use for craft projects or place into the recycling bin.

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 BOOKING DEADLINES Ad booking: Aug 15 Art deadline: Aug 15 Distributed directly to parenting hotspots across Southeast Queensland: Brisbane, Gold Coast & Sunshine Coast.

For distribution enquiries inbox@shoremedia.com.au Printed at Fast Proof Press Printing All editorial and advertising in Kids on the Coast and Kids in the City publications are published in good faith based on material, verbal or written, provided by contributors and advertisers. No responsibility is taken for errors or omissions and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. All material in Kids on the Coast and Kids in the City is subject to copyright provisions. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

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What's ON

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VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SEE MORE EVENTS! READ ONLINE N

OW!

IMAGINATE 2018!

SUNSHINE COAST - BRISBANE - GOLD COAST

WINTER

To 15 July

SCHOOL HOLIDAY GUIDE www.kidsonthecoast.com.au kidsinthecity.com.au

Winter Wonderland

QUEENSLAND GARDEN EXPO 13 to 15 July Nambour Showgrounds, Nambour qldgardenexpo.com.au Queensland Garden Expo is a great day out for all the family with lots of things to do for budding gardeners. At the Kids Garden Patch you’ll find lots of fun activities including a sand pit, craft area and seed planting. New in 2018 is the kids maze, and there’s a free playground with giant slide, jumping castle and merry-go-round.

Kids under 15 are free.

2 to 13 July Noosa Civic Shopping Centre, Noosaville noosacivicshoppingcentre.com.au Add some winter magic to the school holidays with the synthetic ice skating rink! Adorned in fairy lights and including a snow machine, it’s an adventure on ice for all your friends and family. After enjoying the skating rink, pop down to the free playground in the Food Court or have a go at the Aero Jump Bungee Trampoline outside Red Rooster. $5 donation to Make a Wish Foundation.

School holiday fun!

2 to 13 July; Sunshine Plaza, Maroochydore; sunshineplaza.com Head to the Plaza for two weeks of holiday fun! In week 1, the famous ‘Nickleby the Magician’ will be there to show the kids how to do their own magic tricks! And in week 2, kids can get creative and take home a Sand Wizard masterpiece.

TO 29 JULY KIDS HOLIDAY FUN @ CLUB MOOLOOLABA 5 to 13 July Mooloolaba Bowls Club clubmooloolaba.com.au There is plenty of activities at Club Mooloolaba to keep the kids busy these school holidays. Each day there is a different activity: making your own pizza, kids trivia, glow in the dark disco, and kids bingo. Check website for details.

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ANIMAL PLANET

Sea Life Sunshine Coast sealifesunshinecoast.com.au Sea Life Sunshine Coast has partnered with Discovery Channel’s Animal Planet to invite guests on an o-fish-ial quest to discover fascinating features about the fin-tastic places our underwater friends call home. The interactive experience will take families on a turtle-y cool underwater adventure throughout the aquarium. Children will learn about creature’s habitats, different environments and the importance of conservation. kidsonthecoast .com.au • kidsinthecit y.com.au

* We publish information based on what is supplied to us - to the best of our knowledge all details are correct at the time of printing, however we do recommend you check event details with the organisers.

Noosa Regional Gallery, Tewantin noosaregionalgallery.com.au Imaginate is back! This fun, engaging and interactive art festival has displays for young and old, designed to ignite their senses as they explore the world around them. The gallery will be transformed into a space of sensory excitement with educational and interactive displays. Free entry.

LEARN TO SWIM AT KAWANA! Join us, all year round!

(07) 5493 7788 KAWANA

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What's ON

DON'T MISS OUT ON ANY EVENTS! Sign up at kidsonthecoast.com.au or kidsinthecity.com.au for our weekly What’s On guide.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SEE MORE EVENTS!

PREP OPEN MORNING Sunshine Beach State School, Sunshine Beach 9 August; 9.15–10.30am sunshinebeachss.eq.edu.au Discover the supportive and nurturing learning culture of Sunshine Beach State School (SBSS) at their Prep Open Morning. Spend a morning visiting classrooms within the beautiful natural surrounds, and find out about the community at the school, where positive relationships are fostered and highly valued.

Stories for Young Scientists

15 August; 10–11am Cooroy Library, Cooroy libraries.noosa.qld.gov.au/events Enjoy a special Science Week storytelling session followed by a chance to experience sensory science through a scientific-discovery walk.

Free, no bookings required.

24 August to 2 September horizonfestival.com.au The countdown has begun to Horizon Festival 2018, when the Sunshine Coast will come alive over 10 arts-fuelled days from August 24 to September 2.

The program is packed with performance, visual art, music, film, dance, comedy, immersive technologies and more, with a whole range of events for families and kids of all ages.

Get Wealthy ‘n’ Wise

July 24, August 7, August 21; 6.15–8.30pm 2/19 George Street, Maroochydore thinkmoney.com.au/ property-seminars/ At these workshops Think Money teaches you proven wealth strategies, whether you are an experienced property investor or just getting started. Get Wealthy ‘n’ Wise includes topics such as: ‘The Secret to buying 10 Properties in 10 Years’; ‘Proven strategies to property wealth’; ‘How to reduce your debt, not your lifestyle’; and ‘Getting control of your money’.

FLINDERS FAIR

25 August; 1–7pm Matthew Flinders Anglican College, Buderim mfac.edu.au/events/list Come and join the family-friendly fun at the annual Flinders Fair! There will be live entertainment, delicious food, fun rides, activities for all ages, fireworks and market stalls. Celebrating their ‘Green!’ theme there will be plenty of ideas and activities to get you thinking and acting sustainably, reducing, reusing, recycling and making healthy choices.

Entry is free and everyone is welcome.

Encourage creativity and curiosity these school holidays at Noosa Libraries!

• Join in the celebrations and fun at the Imaginate Festival at Noosa Regional Gallery.

• Teens can create the perfect accessory at the Cooroy Makerspace sewing workshop.

• Get creative in the family-friendly Wearables Workshop.

• Bring a droid to life using Star Wars Droid Inventor kits in a fun interactive workshop.

Meet renowned local artist Jandamarra Cadd

7 Wallace Dr, Noosaville QLD 4566, Australia. Phone 5329 6555 | www.libraries.noosa.qld.gov.au

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* We publish information based on what is supplied to us - to the best of our knowledge all details are correct at the time of printing, however we do recommend you check event details with the organisers.

HORIZON FESTIVAL

Visit us online for information about these events and more.

FULL PROGRAM OUT 13 JULY

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THINGS TO DO

HORIZON FESTIVAL Horizon Festival 2018

The countdown has begun to , when the Sunshine Coast will come alive over 10 arts-fuelled days from August 24 to September 2.

And there’s a whole range of events for families and kids of all ages.

JOSEPHINE WANTS TO DANCE

SECRET SPACES, HIDING PLACES

THE WHALE’S TALE

Ages 4+ Josephine is a kangaroo – who loves to dance. When a ballet troupe comes to town, Josephine is mesmerised – she sneaks into town to peer through the windows as the dancers rehearse, then Josephine goes home and practices all night until she knows the dance by heart.

On the day of the first performance the ballet company was in trouble and Josephine’s talents are called upon to help save the day.

Can she do it, and more importantly, does it matter that she’s a kangaroo?

Date: Fri 31 Aug; 10am and 12:30pm Location: Lake Kawana Community Centre Price: General $20, Group of 4 (at least 2 kids) $70, Under 2 on the knee for free

Ages 2+ Come and create secret spaces and hiding places for the children and native animals of the Sunshine Coast. Kids can bring along their favourite stuffed toy animals and work together to build bamboo habitats, teepees and cubby houses for themselves and their furry friends.

Date: Mon 27 Aug; 9:30–11:30am Location: Buderim Forest Park Price: $15

All ages Immerse yourself in The Whale’s Tale as you watch from the shore, or submerge yourself in this underwater playground full of surprises.

Ever wonder what it’s like to be swallowed whole? It’s time to put on your shrimp helmet, take a deep breath, and dive inside the massive jaws of Manilayo, the humpback whale.

Highly interactive, full of riotous slapstick and extremely playful, The Whale’s Tale is an environmental tale to warm the heart, with reflections about the consequences of our actions. It has been forecast that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the sea than fish. The Whale’s Tale is a rollicking journey that will leave you and your children wanting to make a difference.

Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens When: Fri 24–Sun 26 Aug; 11am & 2pm Price: Free

THE BOOKBINDER PATTERNS IN THE LANDSCAPE – TIDAL

STRING SYMPHONY All ages String Symphony is a mesmerising performance that invites audience members to become puppeteers. As the participants manipulate the giant interactive puppet, onlookers marvel at the beauty of this magnificent creation.

Cotton Tree Park, Cotton Tree Parade Date: Fri 24 Aug, 4–8pm; Sat 25–Wed 29 Aug, 2–8pm Harmony, Harmony Boulevard, Palmview Date: Fri 31 Aug– Sun 2 Sept; 2–8pm Price: Free

All ages A performative environmental installation on spectacular Sunshine Coast beaches.

This event will explore our relationship with landscape through the synergy of art and movement. Fluid large-scale artworks will be inscribed on the sand by performers, revealing patterns and markings through coordinated movement and interaction. Witness a connection to the landscape – both ephemeral and memorable. A reminder of the transience of our valuable unique environment.

Happy Valley Beach, Caloundra When: Sat 25 Aug; 10.30am–1.30pm First Bay, Coolum When: Sun 26 Aug; 10.50am–1.50pm Mooloolaba Beach, Mooloolaba When: Wed 29 Aug; 12.30–3.30pm Price: Free

Ages 8+ An old man sits down to read the tale of an erstwhile bookbinding apprentice. As he speaks the story spills from the pages and into the bindery - from pop-up book to puppetry, storytelling to live action – weaving an original dark fairytale in the vein of Neil Gaiman.

From writer/performer Ralph McCubbin Howell, and director/designer Hannah Smith, The Bookbinder is an inventive one-man performance for adults and older children.

Blackbox Theatre, Nambour When: Fri 24 Aug; 6:30pm

Sat 25 Aug; 2pm and 6.30pm

Sun 26 Aug; 6pm Price: Adults $25, Kids $15

To find out more about these events and more, visit horizonfestival.com.au kidsonthecoast .com.au • kidsinthecit y.com.au

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Local NEWS

Got a s Email outor ryedittoorshare? inbox@shoremedia on .com.au

Visit our website for more news – kidsonthecoast.com.au/news NOOSA KIDS AND BABY MARKETS UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

DID YOU

KNOW? THE AMOUNT OF WATER ON EARTH IS CONSTANT AND CONTINUALLY RECYCLED, SO SOME OF THE WATER YOU DRINK WILL HAVE PASSED THROUGH A DINOSAUR!

27,000 TREES ARE CUT DOWN EVERY DAY, JUST SO WE CAN HAVE TOILET PAPER.

Plastic takes 450 years to begin decomposing, meaning that every piece of plastic ever made hasn’t even started to decompose yet.

RECYCLING ONE ALUMINIUM CAN WILL SAVE ENOUGH ELECTRICITY TO POWER A TV FOR 3 HOURS. IT TAKES 25 RECYCLED PLASTIC BOTTLES TO MAKE A BRAND-NEW FLEECE JACKET! Australia has one of the highest waste generation per capita, with the average Australian household producing approximately 400kg of waste per year.

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WARM UP WINTER WITH RACKLEY SWIMMING KAWANA Family owned swim school, Rackley Swimming, has taken ownership of Kawana Aquatic Centre, bringing its popular aquatic activities to the Sunshine Coast.

With 20 year’s industry experience, and 22 swim venues now located from the Sunshine Coast into Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich and across the Gold Coast, Rackley Swimming is focused on meeting the growing needs of our diverse swim families – no matter the season!

Rather than swimming being about black lines and solitary sessions, Cameron Speechley from Rackley Swimming explained that they believe it is about social interaction, swim races, safety skills, leisure, pool parties, and even the odd bomb dive. “And yes, if you want to represent your school, club or country – a few intensive training sessions might be a good idea too!” said Cameron.

“We believe swimming is a rite of passage for all Australians, and an activity anyone can do – even babies.” Cameron continued. “That’s why we offer free lessons to help introduce our youngest family members, to the water.

Families can benefit from our free ‘Baby Splash classes’ for bubs 2–6 months of age, or enjoy a free ‘Come & Try’ session or ‘Swim Safety Check’, when considering the switch to Rackley Swimming.”

Offering purpose-built swim facilities, with a range of indoor and outdoor heated pools, play splash areas, and some of the most qualified swim teachers, and talented elite coaches, Rackley Swimming caters for all aquatic activities – from learn to swim, squad, lap swimming, junior elite, elite swimming, aqua programs, adult swimming, and of course parties!

Long-time friends and locals to the Noosa area, Kristy and Heidi, have recently taken ownership of the Noosa Kids and Baby Markets, aiming to breathe new life into the already popular markets.

With seven kids between them from 1 to 14 years old, they are experts in the world of baby products and pre-loved items. And they are now at the stage in their lives where they are able to share their extensive knowledge and experience with other mums and dads – either those on holiday to Noosa, or local residents needing support or new ideas.

“We’ve attended the markets as customers and stall holders for many years,” said Kristy, “and we’ve always enjoyed the friendly, relaxed feel.”

As the new owners, their aim is to continue that relaxed enjoyable environment.

“We want the market to be a chance for like-minded mums, dads and families to be able to help one another in a fun, relaxed way,” said Heidi.

With the cost of living rising and the environment becoming a leading decision driver, recycling and upcycling clothes and baby gear has never been more popular.

“It is such an effective cost saver for many families,” said Kristy.

As well as pre-loved items, the duo plan to extend the products and services to be the platform that local businesses can come to and reach a wide variety of customers.

To find out more about the markets and their stall options, head to their website noosakidsmarket.com.au.

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SCHOoL HOLiDAy Fun

zOo kEEPER FOR A DAy

nEwEXPLORE ExciTingAFRICA ExHibiTs

WILDLIFE PHOTOS AnImAL EncOunTERs

Open daily 9:00am - 5:00pm (Closed Christmas Day) Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

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NEW

BUSINESS Local businesses to enhance your kid-sized life

Want to share y story? Email o our business inbox@shoreme ur editor at dia.com.au

CAKE ARTIST TO THE ROYALS MOVES TO SUNSHINE COAST

KEEPING SUMMER ALIVE WITH FROZEN SUNSHINE

Award-winning cake artist, Zoe Clark has recently moved to Australia after selling her bakery in London, and is now setting up her business here on the Sunshine Coast.

With over 12 years of experience in the cake industry, Zoë has become renowned for her elegant and sophisticated style, and has a global reputation for designing and creating beautiful bespoke ‘one-of-a-kind’ cakes and dessert tables. Her work is regularly featured in leading international bridal and sugar craft publications and her impressive growing list of clients includes celebrities, Royals and members of High Society. As well as creating cakes to order, Zoe has written a variety of cake decorating books and regularly teaches her highly sought-after skills and techniques to aspiring cake decorators all over the world.

Local artisan iceblock business Frozen Sunshine is keeping summer alive all year round with their delicious range of handcrafted allergy friendly ice-blocks.

“An iceblock on a hot summers day is a quintessential childhood memory for every Australian,” said Natalie, co-founder of Frozen Sunshine. “At Frozen Sunshine we are keeping that Aussie tradition alive with our handcrafted iceblocks that are made with natural ingredients.”

The idea came to Jamie and Natalie after a day at the beach with the kids. Jamie’s background as a fine dining pastry chef meant that he had all the passion and skills necessary to create great tasting iceblocks.

Natalie’s sensitivity to pretty much all processed foods challenged him to make them food allergy friendly too.

The husband and wife team launched Frozen Sunshine as a market stall in the winter of 2014 and have spent the past few years experimenting with over 60 seasonal flavours and getting feedback direct from their customers. Four years on, and Frozen Sunshine iceblocks are available in a range of eight flavours and can now be found at local cafés, green grocers and independent supermarkets across the region. They are now also available in 4-packs so you can enjoy a slice of summer every day, all year round.

Made on the Sunshine Coast with all natural ingredients including organic coconut milk and fresh Aussie fruit, these dairy free, gluten free, egg free and nut free iceblocks are an allergy-friendly and vegan treat the whole family can enjoy. To find a stockist near you, head to frozensunshine.com.au.

The delicious range of products includes traditional wedding cakes and celebration cakes as well as contemporary ‘patisseriestyle’ dessert cakes, macarons, biscuits and other confectionery items. Everything is made completely from scratch, using only the finest ingredients to ensure they taste as gorgeous as they look.

More information at zoeclarkcakes.com, or Instagram/Facebook @zoeclarkcakes.

RAINBOW FUN RELOCATES TO NOOSA One of the Sunshine Coast’s most popular boutique toy stores, has relocated from Kawana to Sunshine Beach Road, Noosa Heads. kidsonthecoast .com.au • kidsinthecit y.com.au

Family owned Rainbow Fun moved to Noosa to bring its beautiful selection of children’s gifts and toys to the northern coast.

Established in 2013, Rainbow Fun is passionate about children learning and exploring their potential with creativity and imagination.

“In this digital age where our children are spoon-fed by technology we like to empower parents and care-givers with the tools to help their children learn and grow through creative play,” said Jane Robinson, owner of Rainbow Fun. “We have hand-selected and curated some of the best brands in wooden toys, eco-friendly toys, educational toys, games, puzzles, craft activities, imaginative and role play toys from around the globe.”

Rainbow Fun stocks the world’s most popular brands including Seedling, Djeco, Playmobil, Spirograph, Melissa & Doug, Orchard Toys, as well as beautiful baby and toddler eco toy brands like Green Toys and Plan Toys.

“With our toys you can watch your child learn a new skill, build their imagination and grow through creative play!” Jane explained.

“Play is also a wonderful catalyst for parents and carers to tap into the little kid in all of us and join with children to share the experience and create together.

“There are so many beautiful creative projects and toys in store that are just waiting for a new home and a little creativity to bring them to life!”

If you can’t make it to the store in Noosa, all Rainbow Fun products are available online at their website rainbowfun.com.au.

Photo credit: Sonja Wrethman Fine Photography JULY / AUGUST 2018

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As part of our Kindergarten program we offer specialist lessons in:

Music

Sport

Languages

Dance

Literacy

Offering quality care to babies and children from 6 weeks to school age.

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Grammar Early Learning Centre 372 Mons Road, Forest Glen QLD 4556 Phone 5453 7077 Email elc@scgs.qld.edu.au Web www.scgs.qld.edu.au

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NO T ICEBOARD

EMAIL YOUR SCHOOL'S STORIES TO: INBOX @SHOREMEDIA.COM.AU

All the news and achievements from our local schools

RECYCLING OUR PLANET Students at St Andrew’s Anglican College, Peregian Springs, have taken their sustainability endeavours international recently, with the project from their Future Problem Solving team ‘Recycling Our Planet’.

The project evolved during the Year 7 Community Problem Solving classes in Semester 1 2017.

Team leader, Maya, said a problem was identified after the team carried out a recycling audit on the school bins.

“We wanted to identify an area of concern and work on solutions that really drew in students and made them aware of the consequences of not managing litter correctly,” Maya said.

The project was so successful that the team was invited to the International Finals when the team finished second in the Years 7–9 section of the National Finals, at Knox Grammar School in Sydney in October 2017.

Following on from that success, Maya, Lyla and Isabella recently represented St Andrew’s, Queensland and Australia at the Future Problem Solving International Finals at Wisconsin University, La Cross, USA. In Wisconsin, the ‘Recycling our Planet’ team competed against school teams from 36 states of the USA, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, New Zealand, Russia and Australia.

“The ‘Recycle our Planet’ team have been an inspiration with regards to their commitment to correct litter management at St Andrew’s and the wider community,” Maya, Lyla and Isabella

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Image credit: Healthy Land and Water

said Mr Peter Dick, coordinator of the highly successful Sustainability program. “They represented Queensland and Australia with great enthusiasm and passion.” Though the girls didn’t place in the Championships, the girls have gained so much from the experience and will come away from the trip with new-found skills and friendships!

The Sustainability program in Years 9 and 10 gives students an opportunity to become more aware of their own connections to nature and allows them to develop an appreciation for the world they live in. It is a program that combines both philosophical and practical components to educate the students in a holistic and hands-on manner.

UNITY COLLEGE GETS MUDDY FOR WORLD WETLANDS DAY On World Wetlands Day, a group Unity students joined frog experts, Traditional Owners and developers to install about 820 plants, rushes and sedges within the Aura Conservation Zone. The pond is designed to be an ideal breeding ground for the vulnerable wallum sedgefrog, which depends on swamps, freshwater lakes and marshes to survive.

Native to the coastal regions of Queensland and New South Wales, the wallum sedgefrog is a small, colourful amphibian that has become increasingly threatened due to habitat loss.

Healthy Land and Water is managing the frog pond project on behalf of Stockland and Aura with support from Queensland University of Technology and Traditional Owners.

Healthy Land and Water Coastal Catchments Northern Area Manager Susie Chapman said the project was crucial in ensuring acid frogs had the best possible chance to breed and prosper.

“This is all about providing the acid frogs some habitat connectivity and the right water and habitat conditions,” she said.

“It was a wonderful day. The kids had fun in the mud, lots of plants have gone into the ground, and hopefully the frogs will move in and do a bit of breeding soon.”

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EDUCATION

PROFILE

MEET THE PRINCIPAL…

STUDY YOUR WAY

Our Lady of the Rosary (OLR) is a small co-educational Catholic school in picturesque Caloundra. We meet Principal Dr Michael Stewart to find out more about their small, yet vibrant community.

With the online education landscape rapidly evolving, people now have more freedom and flexibility to learn what they want, where they want and when they want. Whether you’re a child studying via distance education in a remote location or and adult studying late into the night after work in order to upskill or change careers, online learning is reshaping the training and education space by providing more people with study opportunities.

Sherrise George is no stranger to online study and is a prime example of how effective it can be. Having grown up in Malanda in remote Far North Queensland, Sherrise completed her primary and secondary schooling online and via tele-conferences.

“I enjoyed not only the flexibility, but also the challenge of personalised self-directed learning. It’s made me who I am today,” Sherrise said.

After developing an early fascination with computers, Sherrise decided to follow her father’s footsteps into the field of information technology (IT), and inspired by the freedom and flexibility that comes with studying online, enrolled in a Certificate IV in Information Technology through TAFE Queensland Online.

“For me, it’s the perfect way to learn; it allows you to work at your own pace. You’re in charge of your own workload, you determine your priorities, you develop your goals, and you set your deadlines,” said Sherrise.

“You’re responsible for your learning outcomes and you’re responsible for your success. People can access their learning space 24 hours a day, seven days a week and, like me, be supported by teachers around the clock.”

Why wait to make great? Visit tafeqld.edu.au or call 1300 308 233 today for more information about TAFE Queensland Online and what courses are available.

TELL US ABOUT OLR? OLR is a small school of 340 students in Prep to Year Six (14 classes) and this enables us to be a tightly-knit dynamic community where we know every student and their family.

WHAT IS THE KEY FOCUS OF THE SCHOOL? Student wellbeing is a high priority and our aim for each student is that they love coming to school!

WHY DO PARENTS CHOOSE OLR? Parents send their children to OLR for a variety of reasons. Many people make comment on the caring culture that permeates all facets of our school community. An obvious strength is the positive atmosphere that exists. The children are loved, respected, and taught well.

WHAT EDUCATION PROGRAMS DO YOU OFFER? We offer our students a rounded education that supports personal growth based on Catholic values. OLR shares with students and parents a welcoming family atmosphere, great community spirit and an active parent body. Together we achieve many great things, every week there is always something exciting happening!

Our school has a caring, progressive staff and offers a dynamic, evolving curriculum, based on academic excellence, gospel values and spiritual awareness. The children enjoy the opportunity to participate in a range of both sporting and cultural activities including: musical theatre, student parliament, wakakirri, eisteddfod, choir, surfing and a range of musical instruments. There are specialist teachers in visual art, music and drama, Indonesian and physical education.

WHAT IS THE FOUNDATION OF THE SCHOOL? OLR was founded by the Sisters of St Joseph and was solidly built on the Catholic Christian tradition and the Charism of Mary MacKillop.

The quote from Mary MacKillop which states, “Never see a need without doing something about it,” is a firmly established ‘catch-cry’ at our school which often drives our purpose as a Catholic learning community. Our staff provide our children with the best possible learning experiences and have high expectations for the children in their learning and in their relationships with one another.

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Maximising learning in a caring Catholic community ting virtues which will encourage excellent We focus on building strong character, promoa respect for others. Our goal is for our work habits, a strong moral compass and ng. children to be successful learners who love learni Cnr Edmund & Alfred Streets, Shelly Beach, Caloundra QLD 4551. P 5491 4522.

www.olr.qld.edu.au

Check THIS OUT THE

LATEST PRODUCTS TOPPING OUR #WANT LIST!

Castle & Kite Craft Box Imagine craft time that is fun, requires no preparation, is individually organised and has minimal mess! Castle and Kite’s boxes are designed by a teacher, are age appropriately themed and are full of stimulating activities that develop fine motor skills, encourage self-expression and inspire creative thinking. Each box is themed so your little ones can explore new and exciting topics that will generate curiosity and discussion. Each box includes 6–9 activities that are individually packaged so craft time is unique and has a purpose. Activities are achievable for ages 3–6 years and have been designed so children can complete them independently.

From $35 per box (includes shipping); subscriptions available. castleandkite.com

The Ninja Built for budding ninja warriors and parkour champions, The Ninja comes complete with all the climbing, pull-up, swinging, boxing and strength building equipment that can be attached to train and have fun in your own backyard.

With a height-adjustable monkey bar as its core, the fully galvanised steel frame doesn’t need to be cemented in thanks to Funky Monkey Bar’s unique patent design and stabilising bars that secure the frame.The Ninja is load-rated to 760 kg and is tough enough for big kids and adults to use for fun and training. RRP $3,455 with Funky Ninja Accessories ranging $125 to $275. funkymonkeybars.com

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Frozen Sunshine ice pops The first artisan ice-pop business in Queensland is expanding its range to soon be in grocery stores across the region! Bringing their favourite flavours together in a pack of four, you can now have these much-loved ice-blocks in your own freezer, so you can enjoy that summer feeling… all year round. Made from all-natural ingredients including 100% Australian fresh whole fruit or juice, they are not only delicious but they are also dairy free, gluten free, egg free, and nut free, making them perfect for vegans and people living with food allergies and intolerances. Check frozensunshine.com.au for a stockist near you.

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Playmobil City Life Aquarium The City Life Aquarium is the latest set from the fabulous long-standing Playmobil range. The main set includes visitor terrace, deep sea cave, panoramic windows, three figures, coral, fish, seals, and plenty of fun props for realistic, fun, realistic, openended play. The aquarium can be filled with water to make things extra splashy! Accessory kits can be added to complement your aquarium such as a penguin enclosure an Aquarium Shop and assorted sea animals.

RRP: $84.99. rainbowfun.com.au

Love Mae bamboo dinnerware From start to heart, Love Mae strives to ethically bring beauty and functionality to the world of kid-focused décor, dinnerware and design. Based in the creative haven of Byron Bay, Love Mae’s thoughtful designs and playful patterns appeal to the young and the young at heart. This Fox & Friends 5pc Bamboo dinnerware set is a fan favourite, especially as it’s 100% biodegradable, toxin-free and manufactured with the lightest possible planetary footprint.

RRP $37.95. evolveperegianbeach.com.au

Sensory jewellery Designed to alleviate anxiety, nail biting and meet sensory processing demands and special needs, Jellystone Juniors silicone jewellery is a cool range of pendant designs designed for children ages 3 plus. With a fabulous soft feeling and texture, the jewellery is non-toxic, BPA-free and easy to clean.

Plus, pendants are fitted with a breakaway clasp for added safety. From robots and shark teeth to rainbows and love hearts, there’s a design for everyone! RRP $14.95. jellystonedesigns.com.au

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‘It Starts with a Wish’ Fertility Giftbox A stunningly packaged gift box of carefully selected products for a woman going through the fertility journey of trying to start a family as well as newly pregnant.

Whether IVF, egg donors, surrogates or adoption The perfect gift to help her relax and show your support or thanks.

Includes pregnancy-safe tea, non-scented products, toxin free, all packaged with love aimed to rejuvenate and refresh. $129. fertilehorizons.com.au

JULY / AUGUST 2018

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Vaccination Matters

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EDUCATION

WHY EFFORT MATTERS (and how your child can grow healthier habits of mind)

effort

When we think about ‘ ’, few people would boast it comes naturally.

It takes effort to exercise on dark and cold winter mornings.

It takes effort to shop for, cook and feed our children healthy food.

It takes effort to remain calm and to be kind – to others and to ourselves!

And, of course, it takes effort to and to .

learn

Whilst some would argue that good learners are natural learners, academics and educationalists agree that ‘talent’ is not the essential ingredient for success. Yes, natural ability helps with learning but it is effort that is the key to ensuring students grow and succeed.

As Winston Churchill observed, “Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.”

So, how do we help our children push beyond their comfort zones to feel confident about their abilities? And, importantly, how do we encourage our children to make more of an effort – whether they are learning at school, playing sport, forming healthy friendships or eating their greens?

American professor and co-founder of the Institute for Habits of Mind Arthur Costa urges parents and teachers to help children develop positive ‘dispositions’, also known as habits of mind or characteristics, that are essential for expansive learning, such as persistence, risk-taking and responsibility. Costa warns that without these dispositions, “… students are not able to become the productive, innovative problem solvers for our economy and our democracy.”

Matthew Flinders Anglican College at Buderim on the Sunshine Coast is one such school that is taking the concept of effort seriously. kidsonthecoast .com.au • kidsinthecit y.com.au

improve

Inspired by the leading work of Costa and other education leaders, Flinders’ Primary School of 550 students from Prep to Year 6 recently developed criteria, called the Approach to Learning, that identifies five key dispositions for ensuring effort leads to successful learning.

Flinders Head of Primary Trudi Edwards explains Flinders is committed to helping its students understand that effort + learning = success.

“We explicitly teach the qualities which enable each student to give of their best effort: persistence (sticking to it), responsible risk taking (having a go), taking responsibility (stepping up), responding to feedback (taking it on board) and committing to shared goals (we are all in this together).

“That’s why our teachers all use the Approach to Learning criteria with our students to explicitly teach the qualities that enable each student to give their best effort.

“It’s empowering for our students to see what effort actually looks like and how they are in charge of their learning.”

Flinders Primary Head of Learning and Teaching Debbie Planck said the Approach to Learning helps parents, teachers and students demystify the concept of ‘effort’.

JULY / AUGUST 2018

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EDUCATION “We want all our students to know that they can experience success in how they approach their learning and to know that effort is the key,” Debbie says.

“If they approach learning with persistence, confidence, responsibility and risk-taking, then they’re more likely to become a successful learner.

“Our aim is to guide our students out of their comfort zones as learners so they feel confident to challenge themselves and grow.”

Flinders Year 4 teacher Sarndra Street agrees that it is vital for children have a healthy view of their abilities and realise they are capable of changing their habits for the better.

FLINDERS’ FIVE-CRITERIA APPROACH TO LEARNING TO HELP STUDENTS IMPROVE THEIR EFFORT RESPONDING TO FEEDBACK (TAKE IT ON BOARD) Sometimes it’s hard to hear feedback, but if you can accept that feedback is help, and make the improvements, then you will continuously improve.

“It is worrying to hear students say, ‘I’m always messy’. Or, ‘I never finish things properly’. Or, ‘I’ve always been disorganised’,” Sarndra says.

“Those views are unhelpful to a child because they negatively permeate their self-belief and can hold them back in life.

“With our Approach to Learning criteria it’s wonderful to see a students’ eyes light up when they realise, for example, that they won’t always be scared of taking risks; they can actually become more confident so they reach a point where new learning challenges don’t feel scary at all.”

PERSISTING (STICKING TO IT) Can you stay on task and see your activity through to the end? Learning can be tough at times, and you may feel like giving up or doing mediocre work, but if you persist you will feel more confident next time you try something that is tricky.

RESPONSIBLE RISK TAKING (HAVE A GO) When you try something new, you may expect to be good at it straight away.

But it’s OK to make mistakes when learning. Keep practising and never give up! Soon you will improve and become a responsible risk-taker and a better learner.

TAKING RESPONSIBILITY (STEPPING UP) When you work in a group, make sure you contribute your ideas and help to finish tasks so your group can achieve its work. And when you’re working alone, keep up the great work and take responsibility for your own learning, time management and organisation.

COMMITMENT TO SHARED GOALS (WE’RE ALL IN IT TOGETHER) You are an important part of your class, your school, your family and your community, so make sure you are a willing participant and help to encourage and assist others to achieve your shared goals.

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Year 4 Flinders student Jasmine Nathan explains how the Approach to Learning criteria has helped her in class.

“My strength is being organised and taking responsibility for my work. It feels good to know that is an important habit for learning,” Jasmine says.

“But I used to struggle with taking on feedback. I would think straight away that I had tried my best and that was all I could give.

But now I can see that feedback just means that my teacher or parents are trying to help me to improve.

“From my teacher’s feedback, I’ve started using paragraphs in my writing and I can see how my stories and reports are improving. I love writing and using my imagination. It feels like I’m in a whole new world.”

Matthew Flinders Anglican College on the Sunshine Coast is a leading independent co-educational Prep - Year 12 college offering an education for excellence in learning and life.

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Discover why Montessori is called the future of education.

NURTURING YOUR CHILD’S LOVE OF LEARNING FROM 15 MONTHS TO 18 YEARS.

JOIN OUR NEXT SCHOOL TOUR.

CONTACT US NOW FOR ENROLMENT ENQUIRIES kidsonthecoast .com.au • kidsinthecit y.com.au

Curious...

P: 07 5442 3807 www.montessori.qld.edu.au JULY / AUGUST 2018

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EDUCATION

What IS the International Baccalaureate?

With now over one million students undertaking International Baccalaureate

(IB) programmes worldwide, it’s no surprise the IB is gaining more and more traction in Australia as a popular alternative to state curricula.

Celebrating its 50th year, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme has long been recognised and commended for its academic breadth and depth. The IB’s balanced approach with a focus on personal growth and wellbeing ensures students are educated beyond the classroom to truly become lifelong learners.

The IB was established with the aim to provide an internationally accepted pre-tertiary qualification for increasingly mobile young people with parents active in diplomacy, international and multi-national organisations. As a not-for-profit foundation, the IB is “… motivated by its mission to create a better world through education.” The programme emphasises the importance of being an active and compassionate citizen, helping students realise their role within a global community.

With a curriculum based around ten key learner attributes, the IB is designed to develop students as lifelong learners who identify as Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open-minded, Caring, Risk-takers, Balanced, and Reflective.

The IB Diploma’s balanced approach to education provides

flexibility within structure, enabling students to select subjects from six major disciplines. Students explore each area of the curriculum from a global perspective, developing critical inquiry skills that are carried seamlessly from one class to the next. Subjects become integrated, creating a more comprehensive learning experience.

Intercultural understanding is promoted within the IB framework through the mandatory acquired language component of the course.

Additionally, unique to the IB diploma is the inclusion of the “innercore”; three additional key components that work toward developing the whole person, providing the educational edge when compared with other curricula. This integral part of the programme comprises Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), and the Extended Essay (EE).

Theory of Knowledge (TOK) encourages students to delve deeper into their learning, promoting curiosity and investigation. Students learn to question information sources and analyse the roots of their knowledge, better preparing them for university-level research later

“AS EMERGENT GLOBAL CITIZENS, IB LEARNERS RECOGNISE THEIR COMMON HUMANITY AND SHARED GUARDIANSHIP OF THE PLANET AND HELP TO CREATE A BETTER AND MORE PEACEFUL WORLD.”

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EDUCATION

in life. This heightened ability to explore and evaluate facilitates the development of analytical skills that are not only invaluable in a workplace environment, but also day-to-day problem solving.

Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) supports experiential learning whereby students use their skills in ingenuity and innovation to positively contribute to local and global communities and achieve personal growth through their efforts. CAS learning can take the form of student-led advocacy initiatives that can prove to be remarkably impactful with the support of peers and mentors. CAS gives students a perspective on the world, their place in it, and the drive to consider, plan, act, and reflect. These valuable life-skills distinguish IB alumni in the university admissions process and workplace.

Providing some of the most practical university preparation, the Extended Essay (EE) is an immersive research project which comprises independent research and excellent organisational skills that culminate in a 4000-word essay.

Tertiary education institutions around the globe have long recognised the immense value of an IB education, noting its ability to prepare students to excel at university due to its rigour and depth.

The IB Diploma qualification itself is internationally benchmarked, opening worldwide opportunities for further education.

More and more Australian schools are beginning to offer the IB curriculum, with most running the programme alongside state and national curricula. At the Queensland Academies Creative Industries Campus in Kelvin Grove, the IB is the only available curriculum.

“Students seek and benefit from collaborating and completing the IB together, strengthening our school community spirit of

like-mindedness and peer support,” says Principal Gavin Bryce, Queensland Academies Creative Industries Campus.

The IB allows students to develop as independent learners, fostering growth in inquisitiveness and interpretation as key cognitive assets. IB graduates establish learning as a life-long habit, and easily transfer their skills in collaboration and creative thinking to their career and social environments.

With greater opportunities to engage in the global workplace, the IB Diploma recognises that the world is increasingly borderless and graduates must be prepared to balance their local and national identity with an international mindset. This is achieved by learning to see the world from different cultural perspectives. Students develop an international outlook through the acquisition of another language, and engaging in inquiry, action and reflection on locally and globally significant issues across the curriculum.

For students, success in the IB often results in advanced standing, course credit, scholarships, and other admissions related benefits at many universities. Locally, this includes Queensland universities such as Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology, and The University of Queensland. The IB Diploma enjoys a high level of respect and recognition among the world’s higher education institutions for its established credibility in educating the whole person as an independent global thinker.

Jessica Doyle and Joanna Evans, Communications & International Baccalaureate Programs, Queensland Academies Creative Industries Campus (QACI), Kelvin Grove.

Growing people

to make a difference

Pacific Lutheran College’s early childhood program provides a strong foundation for your child. The Foundation College, from Kindergarten to Year 2, provides a stimulating and vibrant learning environment where your child’s creativity is nurtured and acknowledged, to foster their confidence and independence.

Strong parent partnerships

Specialist early childhood teachers and assistants

CONTACT Chris Henschke, College Registrar P 5436 7321 A Woodlands Boulevard, Meridan Plains 4551

Flexible learning spaces

Focus on literacy, numeracy and problem solving

VISIT US ON ANY WEEK DAY!

pacificlutheran.qld.edu.au

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JULY / AUGUST 2018

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ECO LIVING

Eco living 12 simple switches for a

waste-free home

ONE OF THE SIMPLEST WAYS WE CAN ALL MAKE A POSITIVE CHANGE TO THE HEALTH OF OUR PLANET IS TO REDUCE OUR EVERYDAY HOUSEHOLD WASTE. AND EVEN AS TIME-POOR FAMILIES, THERE ARE MANY EASY SWITCHES WE CAN MAKE THAT DON’T COST THE EARTH!

1 V

Get a stash of reusable water bottles Over 480 billion plastic bottles were sold in 2016. By 2021, this is expected to rise to 583.3 billion. While they can be recycled, when you buy a reusable water bottle, you’re purchasing Klean Kanteen Kid Classic Sport water something that’s much bottle $28.95 kinder to the planet and won’t leach nasty chemicals into your drinks like the single-use plastic bottles are known to do.

V 4

Compost compost compost

Though food scraps do break down, when food waste breaks down in a landfill environment it becomes the main contributor of methane gas. A typical Brisbane household sends more than 260kg of food to landfill each year. If food waste was stopped in NSW, it would be like taking 117,000 cars off the road!

Dharma Door Pacific Shopper, $36.00

7

V 2

Invest in reusable straws Six billion disposable plastic straws are used Ever Eco around the world every day. stainless steel straws, McDonalds has vowed to 4 pack, remove plastic straws from $16.95 $18.95 their UK restaurants. The Queen has rid them from her estates. It’s time to do the same in our own homes and daily habits.

3 V

Use beeswax wraps for school lunches A genius invention that we forgot about for a century or so. Our great grandparents were using these before plastic cling film took over as our go-to food storage solution. It’s time to go back to the old school! Beeswax wraps are a safe, hygienic and environmentallyfriendly alternative to plastic wrap. The fun designs make them perfect for school lunches.

3 pack Wrappa beeswax wraps, $35.00

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Do the family shop with reusable shopping bags On average, a plastic bag is used for 12 minutes and takes 1,000 years to break down.

With Woolies and Coles committed to phasing plastic bags out of their stores, it’s time to say goodbye to plastic and hello to eco chic reusables.

6

By running a family compost you can keep the food waste out of the bins and recycle it back into the earth, improving soil conditions in the process.

If you have space in the garden, set up an outdoor compost, this can recycle your food scraps and any garden clippings, and your veggie patch will love it! However, if you don’t have an outdoor space, you can still reduce your food waste with either a worm farm and/or an Indoor Bokashi composting bin.

5 V

Try cloth Designer Bums nappies cloth nappies, $34.95 Disposable nappies are the third largest consumer item in landfill! And it takes hundreds of years for conventional nappies to decompose.

Cloth nappies have come a long way in recent years and are now available in gorgeous patterns and prints, easy-to-use styles, and simpler-than-ever care instructions.

Don't stop at reusable shopping bags…

Get some reusable produce bags too!

Transporting and keeping food stored in plastic produce bags suffocates it and speeds up the decay process. Reusable produce bags come in breathable mesh and cotton designs that not only help you ditch the single-use plastic, but also care for your food.

Ever Eco netted cotton shopping bag, short handle, $12.95 4 pack Ever Eco Recycled rPet mesh produce bags, $13.95

8

Switch to eco scrubbing brushes When mainstream plastic scrubbing brushes and sponges become worn and brittle, pieces of them break off and send micro plastic pollution down our drains, into our water systems. Eco scrubbing brushes are they answer and they’re so much nicer to use!

Eco Max nonstick pan brush, $10.95

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ECO LIVING

9

Try bamboo toothbrushes Plastic toothbrushes are among the top offenders found in beach clean ups across Australia and Indonesia. They also cause recycling confusion and more often than not, make their way straight to landfill where they’ll take 500 years to break down.

10

Rethink food storage While it may seem safe to allow our food to be stored in plastic, new research on the chemicals found in plastic suggests we should be more careful. Stainless steel is the safer option for our Ever Eco Bento kids and our planet.

Snack Box, $22.95

Bamboo Toothbrush, Adult Medium, Blue, $6.45

11

Bamboo Toothbrush, Kids Ultra Soft, White, $6.45

There are some gorgeous bamboo toothbrushes available today, some also with different coloured bristles so you can keep your family colour-coding on point.

Reusable baby wipes Did you know there was such a thing? They’re a hassle-free and easy alternative to disposable baby wipes that are healthy for baby, safe for the environment, and better for your wallet!

Keep cups It is estimated Australians waste about 1 billion disposable coffee cups each year. A reusable coffee cup is a simple way to do your bit towards reducing that statistic.

(Plus, the coffee tastes waaaaay better!)

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Frank Green Stainless Steel Smartcup, $39.95

Cheeky Wipes, Reusable Baby Wipes Trial Pack, $39.95

All products featured can be purchased at thecleancollective.com.au

MAKE YOUR OWN LOX-TOX CLEANER

According to the National Toxics Network, indoor air can be up to 20 times more polluted than the air outside the home (yuk!). Cleaning products containing bleach, ammonia and chlorine can have a detrimental impact on your health and are especially important to avoid around children with asthma as they can irritate their airways.

Another common ingredient in store bought sprays and air fresheners is synthetic fragrances and parfum which have been linked to hormone disruption in children.

Thankfully it’s super easy to ditch those nasty sprays and make you own surface spray from things you may already have in your cupboard and a few essential oils.

For a 500ml bottle*: • 1 cup of vinegar (home brand vinegar is fine, or go for the slightly more expensive fermented white vinegar) • 20 drops of essential oils (buy a reputable tested brand, I only use Doterra; you get what you pay for!)

• Top up with distilled or purified water • Use with caution on marble or natural stone surfaces OR • 2 tablespoons of liquid Castile soap (found in health food shops and some pharmacies) • 20 drops of essential oils • Top up with distilled or purified water

ESSENTIAL OILS FOR CLEANING

Label: wildeessence.co; Bottle: centaurpackaging.com.au

GREAT OIL COMBINATIONS TO TRY: • • • • •

Lemon and tea tree Lemon, wild orange and cinnamon Lavender, eucalyptus and tea tree Eucalyptus, tea tree and peppermint Wild orange, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary Play around with different combinations and have fun!

LEMON: Purifies and cleanses. Use to degrease and cut through stubborn stains.

Great for removing sticky labels and stains.

LAVENDER: Antibacterial and a great disinfectant. Pairs great with vinegar and has calming properties.

WILD ORANGE: Great against grease and has a very uplifting scent.

EUCALYPTUS: Natural germicide with clean purifying scent.

TEA TREE: Fights germs, bacteria and viruses, also a great bug deterrent.

ROSEMARY: Natural antibacterial and antiseptic properties.

PEPPERMINT: Antibacterial and antiseptic properties with a cool invigorating scent.

Deters ants and spiders.

CINNAMON: Antibacterial and antiseptic, and powerful against mould. *Because of their high cleansing properties its recommended to only use glass bottles with essential oil or to have a PET1 or 2 plastic bottle. Using normal plastic may cause them to leach out harmful byproducts into your lovely home-made spray.

If you accidentally get an essential oil in your eye then dilute with any carrier oil (i.e. coconut oil, olive oil, vegetable oil).

Keep your spray out of direct sunlight.

By Kat Strom, Wellness Advocate, mum to two young energetic boys, and creator of Happy Healthy Homes. Find out more about how to get started using essentials oils at healthyhappyhome.com.au or on Facebook: Healthy happy homes with Kat.

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31

ECO LIVING

RAISING A CHILD WHO

loves the planet “The single best thing we can do for the environment is to raise better children.”

Think of pretty much any skill, and the conventional wisdom will be to ‘teach them while they’re young’. As children, our brains are practically fresh sponges, ready to soak up any skill that might help us get by in later life. And since it is often the things we are taught to care about as a child that we end up valuing later in life – whether that be a strong work ethic, a tidy house, or an important career, we can assume the same conventional wisdom can be applied to living sustainably.

Teaching our children to appreciate and care for their natural environment at a young age will embed values in them that will be reflected in their actions as an adult.

But, amidst our busy lives, how do we ensure that the future generation is raised to be one that truly cares for the planet they will inherit?

LEAD BY EXAMPLE Living sustainably is a skill like any other and it can be said that one of the easiest ways to teach a child a new skill is to lead by example. A child can quickly develop good habits, if their role models choose to instill them, because they have not yet developed preconceived ideas about the way that things should be done. Thankfully it is easy to make caring for the environment part of your own daily life!

• Swap and share items instead of buying new.

• Turn off the light when you leave a room.

• Conserve water by turning off the tap when brushing your teeth or by shortening shower times.

• Plant a tree or a veggie patch.

• Educate yourself on how to properly recycle.

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• Recycle cardboard waste into art projects – i.e. cardboard boxes, toilet paper rolls, egg cartons.

• Donate old toys and clothes to those in need.

• Reduce food waste by eating everything on your plate.

• Reduce landfill by composting any uncooked food scraps.

GET OUTDOORS! The easiest way to teach a child to care about the environment is by allowing them to physically experience it and enjoy it. Taking your child out in nature to explore and play will help them develop a love for the outdoors and give them an appreciation for the way it can enrich their life. They will be spending less time in front of a screen and experiencing the joy of nature will give them incentive to want to protect their environment.

GET THEM INVOLVED There are many age-appropriate ways a child can get involved in living green. Younger children can help with simple tasks like separating paper and plastic, while older children can participate in community activities like beach clean ups.

Habits like recycling or composting can be taught as soon as children are old enough to begin helping with household tasks. It will be no more difficult for them to learn to throw a piece of used cardboard into a recycling bin as into a rubbish bin, if it is explained to them from the start that this is where cardboard goes.

Planting a small veggie garden is a fun and interactive way for children to learn where food comes from. You will be teaching them responsibility kidsonthecoast .com.au • kidsinthecit y.com.au

ECO LIVING by helping them to care for their plants and they will in turn get to experience the great sense of accomplishment that comes from turning a seed into something that can be eaten. You don’t need a lot of space as a veggie garden can be started in pots if you do not have a big yard.

After planting your new garden, you might explain to your child just how long it takes for a beautiful big tree to grow, which will leave them with a whole new appreciation of the work that Mother Nature does and may make them feel sadness to see a beautiful big tree be cut down.

By allowing your child to take part in these types of activities they will not only be learning the art of sustainability, but also many other invaluable life lessons: critical thinking, responsibility, creativity, compassion, and to be thrifty with their money. Not only this, they will also be taught the importance of personal health, plant health, basic sciences, math, and geography.

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO START… If learning good habits is easy when you’re young, the flipside must surely be that breaking bad habits is hard when you’re old. But the good news is, it is not impossible. And what better motivation could there be to break away from our unsustainable lifestyles than to leave a healthy and happy planet to our children?

As Albus Dumbledore once said, “Soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy”. If we instill good habits in our kids now, they won’t ever have to face the same dilemma.

“TEACHING OUR CHILDREN IS THE BEST WAY TO INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF OUR PLANET.”

KEEP IT POSITIVE Like everything with kids, it is important to avoid being too pushy and instead allow your children to develop opinions on their own.

Let them ask questions and encourage their curiosity. Gently guiding them towards solutions will help them learn to develop their own problem-solving skills and will allow them to deepen their understanding of what they consider to be right and wrong.

Try and keep things fun and light-hearted rather than putting too much focus on the negativity surrounding environmental issues.

Let them know that there are many ways that they can be part of a solution rather than making them feel worried and helpless about all the problems.

By Kelly Armstrong, Little Beach Bums; littlebeachbums.com.au Little Beach Bums is a leading cloth nappy service on the Sunshine Coast.

Delivering freshly laundered Global Organise Textile Standard (GOTS) certified organic cotton pre-fold nappies to families across the Sunshine Coast, they believe in living sustainably without sacrificing convenience.

PREP 2019 PREP OPEN MORNING THUR S DAY 9

AU G U S T 9 : 1 5 NO C AM - 10: 30AM AT C H M LT S E N T ZO N E IC RESU M E D A ∙ C E X A C T E N L E L LE A RN • G L A SSER

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ECO LIVING

8 REASONS THAT REUSABLE SWIM NAPPIES RULE Despite being in the depths of winter, the idyllic Queensland climate means that our kids are swimming all year round. For those with kids under three years old, this means a reliable swim nappy is a staple in any swim bag. Though disposable swim nappies were typically viewed as the easier choice, many parents are ditching the disposables with public pools also now following suit – requesting parents make the move towards reusable swim nappies rather than disposables. from explains why…

Rosemary Covey

Cottontail Nappy Service

COST

QUANTITY

Though there is the upfront cost of buying the nappies, many reusable swim nappies are ‘one size fits all’ and can grow with your child. So, you only need to buy two or three (dependent on how often you swim) and they will see you through a baby’s early years.

To avoid rashes and ensure they don’t leak, disposables need to be changed as and when they become heavy. For a day at the beach this can mean multiple changes. A reusable only needs changing when a baby has a soiled nappy.

FIT

EASE OF USE

Disposables are sized simply as Small, Medium and Large, whereas there are many adjustments you can make with the snaps on reusables around baby’s tummy and legs to ensure a super-snug fit on the whole nappy.

Disposables are pulled on and off like underwear, which can make them pretty darn difficult to change on a wriggly toddler. Whereas the snaps on reusables mean they can changed standing or lying down.

When you have a wet, squirmy (soiled) baby, an easy-to-remove nappy is essential!

COMFORT Disposables absorb water making them a lot heavier in the water for baby, whereas reusables swim nappies are very thin and light and non-absorbent, meaning they keep their shape in the water. Also, the fabric on reusables can be a lot softer on a baby’s skin than the scratchiness of disposables.

LEAK PROOF Snug fit is the most important part of a swim nappy, as its key purpose is to hold and contain solid matter; one thing nobody wants to see in a public pool is an escaped #2! Because disposables swell and absorb some water, this leads to them sagging and no longer being leak proof.

MAKE A STATEMENT With so many fab designs, bold colours and super-cute patterns, a reusable nappy is becoming so much more than a functional item.

Bubbas can now splash out in style.

THE ENVIRONMENT Above all else, reusable swim nappies are eco-friendly. No more throwing disposable nappies into landfill. Simply wash, and wear again… and again… and again.

Cottontail Laundry Service provides a reusable modern cloth nappy laundry service to parents and child care centres.

Their weekly service kits also include 3 x complimentary swim nappies throughout the summer. cottontailservice.com.au

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Two friends are on a mission to make the world a healthier place for kids. And they need your help!

Two friends are on a mission to pull together a community to tackle some of the biggest health and environmental challenges threatening our kids.

planet. Together, as a collective, we can better our health, support the environment and help make the Earth a healthier place for future generations.”

Charlie Thompson, a self-confessed eco geek, and Georgia Lawson, a mum with a nutritional background, are the co-founders of The Clean Collective, a health-conscious, planet-loving community and shop.

They’ve pulled together the healthiest and kindest products for your family and our planet under one roof, guided by an ingredients and materials policy that they believe is the strictest in Australia. And they’ve partnered with Take 3 For The Sea to give their community a chance to remove plastic from the ocean with every purchase they make.

“We can only be as healthy as our planet and when we look at Earth and her inhabitants as one, we’re not as well as we could be,” says Charlie.

“Up to 24% of health disorders are now linked to toxins like parabens, phthalates, and pesticides found in mainstream products, like skincare and household cleaners. And our waste is growing at double the rate of our population, with 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic debris believed to be in our ocean – harming our environment and threatening the health and sustainability of food chains for future generations.”

Charlie and Georgia believe that everyone should have access to the information and solutions they need to create a healthier and kinder lifestyle.

“The exciting reality is that we each have the power to change these scary statistics. With 72% of our total toxic exposure taking place in the home, we have personal control of nearly three quarters of the harmful toxins we’re coming into contact with,” explains Georgia.

“We want to connect and inspire a collective of like-minded people with the savviest natural and eco solutions on the market, as well as the most upto-date and practical information, so they can make more informed purchases for their family and our kidsonthecoast .com.au • kidsinthecit y.com.au

By the end of 2018, their aim is to: •

Remove 10,000 pieces of plastic pollution from the environment or teach 330 kids about pollution through their partnership with Take 3 For The Sea.

•

Stop 12 kilolitres of toxic chemical products coming into contact with people and the planet.

•

Prevent 500,000 single-use disposable products from being used and going to landfill.

But they need your help.

“We can only do this together. That’s why we’re passionate about building a community, not a supermarket. We even encourage people to buy less!” says Charlie. “If you’ve ever wanted to make positive social and environmental change, and to be involved in a kind community that celebrates every success, we’d love for you to join us!”

With your help, this revolutionary website could pave the way for a brighter future.

A shop with a difference. A community with a mission. A voice for a better future.

The Clean Collective is a parent’s #1 resource for creating a healthy, toxin-free environment for their family, while also bringing a vital bit of love and protection to our planet. By bringing together a collection of clean, eco-friendly family and household products under one happy roof, it easy to shop for necessities in less time, with zero worry.

The Clean Collective stocks the cleanest and greenest personal, pregnancy, baby, kids, home and environmental care products on the market. But it’s much more than a shop; it’s a community that’s voting for a better future through its everyday habits and purchases.

www.thecleancollective.com ` @cleancollective™@thecleancollective JULY / AUGUST 2018

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REDUCE, RECYCLE, REUSE… REREAD eco-friendly

The move towards a more , sustainable, affordable life is something all modern families are striving towards. Not only to do our bit towards saving the planet, but also to help ease the burden on our wallets!

One of the most sustainable resources available to families that is so often forgotten about can be found in the centre of every community.

Full of free books, toys, magazines, DVDs and games, the local library is the perfect examples of the WWF mantra ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’.

Karen Gawen, Young People’s Services Supervisor from Sunshine Coast Council explains, “Family life is expensive, With the rate that young kids grow out of toys, and churn through books and DVDs, it’s far better for both the environment and your wallet to borrow, not buy.”

It’s also a great way for older kids to try new things, without having to purchase. A library card gives you free access to the Sony catalogue so you can download or stream music, saving the environment by not collecting CDs anymore. “Kids can test out all genres of music and find their own taste, without it costing a penny,” says Karen. “If they don’t like it, simply try something else!”

Championing sustainability, libraries also lead the way in renewable practices. “The library is also great at recycling! As well as the multiple use of all our resources, any discards go to book sales or to recycling.

We have also been known to make art out of old books!”

But much more than that, the library is also a place where communities thrive. From Rhymetime and Storytime sessions for babies, to robotic workshops for teenagers, these free sessions become a place for mums to connect, for kids to make friends and communities to grow.

BECOME AN INFORMATION TOURIST Using the library doesn’t stop at your local community. Visiting a new city can be a fabulous experience for kids understanding other cultures, trying new foods, learning new languages. Yet another (often forgotten) source of valuable local information and culture is the local library. An amazing resource of books, maps, history and culture, escaping the tourist trap and visiting a city’s library can be the best way to acquaint yourself with where you are staying.

Browsing through the local books on the shelves, kids can absorb the culture of the city. They’ll even find great delight spotting popular books published in a different language!

Global libraries of today are far removed from the stuffy, dusty libraries of past. Modern libraries are a perfect blend of information and activity; education and engagement, and are brimming with locals only too willing to share their knowledge. They’ll also often have exhibitions and workshops, as well as the all-important free Wi-Fi to help you plan your day.

Not only a great source of information, when kids need a chance to take a breather libraries are a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city streets. Being heated in winter and air conditioned in summer they can provide the perfect oasis to regroup and refresh.

And best of all…? They are free!

To find out more about the many resources available at your local library, head to library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au 36

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THE

FUTURE BELONGS TO THE

Studies have shown that young children can ask between 25-50 questions an hour before they enter Prep. The research from psychologist and author and lecturer, Susan Engel, has also shown that this decreases to two questions an hour in less engaging Prep environments. As we prepare children for school, one of the greatest tools we can equip children with is the ability to ask questions, and let curiosity fuel their learning.

At Sunshine Coast Grammar School, our research based Early Years program, nurtures a learning environment where questioning and wondering is celebrated, and curiosity flourishes.

Curious about a Grammar Prep education? Book a tour.

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Sunshine Coast Grammar School 372 Mons Road, Forest Glen Qld 4556 phone +61 7 5445 4444 | email enquire@scgs.qld.edu.au | web www.scgs.qld.edu.au

JULY / AUGUST 2018

.com.au • kidsinthecit y.com.au A School of thekidsonthecoast Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association

FERTILITY

THE FERTILITY

DILEMMA Everyone falls

Through our early years we are certainly led to believe this is the case, with sex education at school mostly about contraception, STDs and how NOT to fall pregnant. Therefore, years later, when you want to start a family, many couples have no idea how to do it (well… they know the ‘how’ but not the ‘when’!).

A recent survey revealed that more than two-thirds of Australians do not know the ideal time to get pregnant. The narrow window when conception should occur, and the things to do to protect your fertility is not openly spoken about unless you are in the space of trying to fall pregnant.

According to Professor Jane Fisher, a Clinical Psychologist with longstanding interests in the links between women's reproductive health and mental health, there are several factors that can reduce our fertility. There are changeable risk factors such as having a high BMI (which can affect fertility in both men and women), smoking, alcohol, diet. And there is age.

Dr Fisher reported that people underestimate when fertility declines by about 10 years. She states that women’s fertility begins to decline at 30, and then more rapidly after 35; and men’s fertility just after 40.

Today, approximately 22 per cent of kidsonthecoast .com.au • kidsinthecit y.com.au

pregnant at the drop of a hat, right…?

women aged 30 will never have children.

One in 6 couples of reproductive age will be experience fertility problems.

Dr Nicola Kettleton-Butler from Saltwater Medical believes that there are multiple reasons for these statistics. “Generally speaking, many women are now choosing to have children at an older age which shortens the fertility ‘window’,” Nicola explains. “The average age a woman is having her first birth in Australia is 29.1 years, which is amongst the oldest in the world. Unfortunately, fertility declines with age.”

Dr James Orford, IVF Medical Director and Obstetrician-Gynaecologist at Fertility Solutions, believes there is a need for educating couples on when their fertile time is, when to try, how often, as well as counselling about background lifestyle factors. “The main thing we see is couples who are concerned how long it is taking to get pregnant,” says Dr Orford. “Some people are surprised how long it would take, or conversely some believe that two years is reasonable.”

For a normally fertile couple, there is around a 1 in 5 chance per month of falling pregnant, so as a typical fertile couple it’s normal to take about 4 months to conceive.

“Sometimes couples come in simply for reassurance; others have been trying for some time and feel it’s time to look at the reasons why,” Dr Orford explains. “We will investigate why – such as natural history and health. Some results might lead us quickly to assisted reproduction. If there is no obvious cause, dependent on age, we could try some alternative treatments.”

• 1 in 35 men will have a fertility issue, one in 25 men are thought to suffer from low sperm count.

• Females over 35 have a one in three chance of having fertility issues.

• The ability to conceive starts to fall around the age of 32 years.

• At age 30, chance of conceiving is around 20% each month.

• At age 40 it is around 5%.

SECONDARY INFERTILITY And it’s not just first-time parents that are experiencing these challenges. Because couples are leaving it later to have a first child, one-third of couples seeking fertility treatment are there due to secondary JULY / AUGUST 2018

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FERTILITY infertility – where the increase in age since having the first child has led to them not managing to conceive a second child naturally.

If you have any concerns about fertility, Dr Kettleton-Butler recommends seeing your GP as soon as possible. “Your GP is the first point of call to get the ball rolling. As the causes of infertility are often complex, it’s important to ensure there are no underlying medical conditions that are impacting on fertility,” says Dr Kettleton-Butler. “The GP can also organise a referral to a fertility specialist if needed.”

Dr Orford agrees saying, “Age is important.

If you are in your thirties, rather than keep trying past six months, seek help. You might spend three or four years trying, and in that time there is a decline in fertility. It may not lead to treatment or assisted reproduction, but it’s important to get that information and know whether there is a problem.”

WHAT IS ENDOMETRIOSIS? Endometriosis is a common disorder found in around 1 in 6 women that can cause pain and infertility. It is when the tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside the uterus.

Symptoms include pelvic pain, painful intercourse, excessive bleeding, urinary problems, fatigue. It can be treated with medication or with surgery, talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

Dr Nicola Kettleton-Butler is Practice Principal and co-founder of Saltwater Medical, Sunshine Coast. saltwatermedical.com.au Dr James Orford is IVF Medical Director and Obstetrician-Gynaecologist at Fertility Solutions Sunshine Coast, and Fertility Solutions Bundaberg. fertilitysolutions.com.au

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THE MENTAL HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF

Infertility There is significant literature available regarding possible causes of infertility and assisted reproductive programs available to address infertility, but what about the mental health implications for women who are unable to fall pregnant naturally?

Suzy is a 39-year-old female who has tried to become pregnant for 6 years. Her infertility has caused difficulties in the relationship with her husband, has caused her to withdraw from social circles and she has become avoidant of any situation that involves a pregnant person and a new mum with a baby. She tries to be happy for her friends who fall pregnant however, when she gets home she cries and finds it hard to get out of bed for a few days. Every IVF cycle she attempts, her depression becomes more severe. Sound familiar?

So, what are the psychological implications of infertility?

By definition, infertility can be identified only when it has lasted at least a year.

Unlike other adverse life events, which may have a clear resolution, infertility is regarded as uniquely stressful because it can last for many years and for many, will not be resolved. (Beaurepaire et all, 1994).

Infertility and its treatments, collectively known as assisted reproductive technology (ART), are psychologically demanding life experiences. Fertility difficulties often result in feelings of sadness, guilt, emptiness, and social isolation amongst women and men. Treatments with ART are physically demanding, at least for the woman, and accompanied by successive feelings of hope and despair, which is exacerbated when several treatment cycles are undertaken. Psychological distress is compounded by uncertainty about

treatment success and particular phases of treatment are associated with especially heightened needs for emotional support.

Infertility can also be about disenfranchised losses: loss of pregnancy, childbirth and the opportunity to be a parent and grandparent. Fertility difficulties can also exert a negative effect on quality of life, compromising planning and commitment to other activities.

So, what can we do to support men and women through fertility issues? Good clinical practice for fertility professionals working in this space involves much more than the essential biomedical and technical competence. It requires a set of acquired skills that promotes patients’ wellbeing and includes empathy, honesty, respect, effective communication, non-judgmental language, patient involvement, and emotional support.

Fortunately, psychological interventions, especially those emphasising stress management and coping-skills training, have been shown to have beneficial effects for infertility patients. Counselling with professionals trained in fertility, grief and loss and adjustment disorders can also be useful when experiencing infertility issues.

These professionals may use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or various other psychological strategies.

The importance though, lies in providing ongoing psychological care for women during and after fertility treatment.

Eliza Pike is a Clinical Social Worker and the Founder of Blackbird Counselling. She specialises in pregnancy and postnatal counselling, including fertility counselling, grief and loss, adjustment to motherhood and maternal mental health. blackbirdcounselling.com.au kidsonthecoast .com.au • kidsinthecit y.com.au

Prep Open Morning Friday 20th July 2018 9:00am

At NCC, we place enormous emphasis on creating the perfect setting for Prep delivering structure, learning and fun.

At our Prep Open Morning, you will have the opportunity to meet and chat with our Prep teachers. We will outline some simple ways to get your child ready for Prep to ensure a smooth transition.

PREP OPEN G MORNIN th ly Ju Friday 20 9:00am NAMBOUR CHRISTIAN COLLEGE 2 McKenzie Road, Woombye QLD 4559

Included is a tour of our Prep areas, followed by morning tea with staff, in our cafe (with a fully-fenced playground).

Bookings are encouraged www.ncc.qld.edu.au

Bookings are encouraged.

SECURITY. SUPPORT. SUCCESS (07) 5451 3333 | www.ncc.qld.edu.au

FOR THE KIDS

U

Face Painting Animal Nursery Glow toys Dunking Machine Showbags , Games: Prize Punch Crazy Hair, Quacker Wacker, Splat-a-Rat, Beanbag Bout, Balloon Bust, Fireworks RIDES FOR ’S 6:30pm NDER PREP

Super Slider des Mini Jeep Ri lls Hamster Ba Dartball stle Jumping Ca urse Obstacle Co Slot Cars

FOR EVERYONE

Delicious hot & cold food Cafe - coffee & cake Market stalls Books, Records, DVD’s Second-hand items n Silent & Cent Auctio Entertainment Pot plants Food hampers Fresh produce Conserves

Free Rides Offer for Under Prep’s We are offering your under Prep aged children FREE access to age-appropriate rides at our Carnival.

Present this flyer to the rides booth on the day, and you will be issued with a ride band entitling your child to ride free for up to 6 hours.

You can purchase additional ride tickets for other children if required. Loads of fun for the whole family. kidsonthecoast .com.au • kidsinthecit y.com.au

NAMBOUR CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

www.ncc.qld.edu.au

2 McKenzie Road, Woombye QLD 4559 (07) 2018 5451 3333 JULY |/ AUGUST

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Let’s have an honest conversation about motherhood.

Perinatal Counselling

Pregnancy Counselling

All issues relating to the emotional adjustment to conception, birth and motherhood, including postnatal depression and anxiety.

All issues relating to the adjustment to pregnancy, including health, relationship or parenting concerns.

Honouring the role of mothers and supporting them to thrive.

Individual Postnatal Recovery Plans to aid in the recovery from birth and support women in their transition into motherhood.

MEDICARE REBATES AVAILABLE

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FERTILITY

RIDING THE ROLLERCOASTER OF IVF Talk to any mother and each will have an incredible, unique and emotional story of their , many peppered with heartbreak.

Whether it’s multiple miscarriages, the challenge of trying to conceive for a long time, pre-natal depression, or a traumatic birth, each story is valid and deserves to be shared in its own way.

path to motherhood

One of the more difficult journeys to motherhood comes in the form of assisted reproduction. Angela Costi is one such mother, who battled through 22 attempts to finally birth her two children.

“I had 22 rounds of IVF to have my two girls, the last one is from an egg donation… our miracle child,” says Angela.

Falling for the same misconception many others do, she’d seen the stories in the magazines of mature-aged celebrities having babies and always presumed that it was possible.

“I stupidly believed the celebrity press – you see them having biological babies at 42 and think ‘I can do that too’. But then the reality of the statistics hit home, and I discovered that I only has a 1–2% chance of successfully falling pregnant after age 40.”

Starting IVF at age 38, it took seven rounds of full stimulation IVF cycles to successfully conceive their first daughter. “We started with a gentle stimulation, but quickly realised my egg count was too low; we were lucky to even get a transfer,” Angela remembers. ‘So, it was straight onto full stimulation. This comes with a range of implications – emotional and financial.”

After seven rounds, Angela managed to fall pregnant at age 40 and had her first baby at age 41. And soon after, the challenge to have a sibling began.

“We had another eight rounds of full stimulation IVF, and it still didn’t happen. At the end of every round I could increasingly feel something wasn’t right.”

Discovering she had developed endometriosis, once that was treated, they decided it was time to try something else, and they started to look for an egg donor.

After many more failed attempts, the couple were finally blessed with a second child via an overseas egg donor at age 45.

“The waiting is what I remember the most,” Angela says. “You do kidsonthecoast .com.au • kidsinthecit y.com.au

the injections, then wait for a scan to see how many follicles have grown. Then you have the egg pickup and are waiting to see how many eggs they could collect. Then they mix with the sperm and you wait and see how many fertilise. Then they grow in the culture and you wait to see how many you are left with after five days.

Then it’s the transfer, the lining must be right, the quality of the embryos must be right. And then it’s the two-week wait… which is the longest wait of all.

It’s like your whole life is permanently on pause.”

For Angela, the emotional rollercoaster of assisted reproduction was incredibly tough. “I think there is a level of resilience and some people cope with it better than others. But for me, it was terribly draining.

After each egg pick up – you go home with an empty feeling, your husband might say let’s go for dinner, but if that number is low, there was nothing that could mend that heartbreak.”

One thing she noticed amidst the ups and downs of IVF was there were no suitable gifts or ways to say ‘I’m thinking of you’ – whether IVF, surrogacy, adoption, or egg donation. “I found I really struggled for gifts – either for the egg donor, or for myself.”

So, she created Fertile Horizons. “It was something for me to put my focus into, and to provide women with something that can say what no words can say.”

The gift boxes are designed for any situation – for a loved one can give to a partner, a friend to a friend, a woman to a donor – and are created to help her relax and show your support or thanks. Includes pregnancy-safe tea, non-scented products, toxin free, all packaged with love.

The range now also includes a range of jewellery including wish bracelets, pendants and semi-precious gemstones for strength and hope.

Find out more at fertilehorizons.com.au.

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FERTILITY

ASK THE

EXPERT Dr James Moir: Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at The Fertility Centre Sunshine Coast and Queensland Fertility Group Sunshine Coast WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR COUPLES WHO MIGHT BE CONSIDERING FERTILITY TREATMENT? The journey should really start well before they see me. Couples can do many things to promote their own fertility: healthy diet, stopping smoking, stopping alcohol, exercise, and talk to your GP. If these things have been done and they’ve been trying naturally to conceive with no success after six months, they can always pick up the phone and call one of the IVF nurses at our clinics at QFG Sunshine Coast (54937133) and The Fertility Centre Sunshine Coast (53143500) to get some information. Fact finding is free of charge and it’s available any time. It’s worth exploring the various treatment options, as some aren’t nearly as expensive as they might think.

DO YOU FEEL SUBFERTILITY IS INCREASING? I think it’s the same number of couples today experiencing fertility problems as before – usually around 1 in 6. But what’s happening now is couples are leaving it later to have children, and more couples are coming forward to get treatment. Rather than just accepting their lot they look for options. And because places like IVF clinics exist, particularly with low cost options, it’s become much more affordable.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR THOSE STRUGGLING WITH RECURRENT MISCARRIAGE? Sadly, miscarriage is a natural part of the process of conception, which is more common in older women. Some women can have 4–5 miscarriages in a row and then go on to have a normal pregnancy.

If a woman has had two or more miscarriages, I’d suggest coming to see a fertility specialist, to find out if there are any causes such as deformity in the uterus, or genetic predisposition to miscarriage. And then see if we can support them through to a successful pregnancy.

DOES OBSTETRIC CARE DIFFER FOR IVF BABIES? No, not unless there is a specific concern or disease in the family. For

the average woman having an IVF baby, obstetric care is the same for those who conceived naturally, and there’s no reason they shouldn’t go on to have a natural birth with minimal intervention.

YOU ARE JUST ABOUT TO HEAD OVER TO TANZANIA TO HELP WITH A VERY WORTHWHILE CAUSE! Yes, I’m lucky enough to have travelled to Tanzania every year for the past three years through an organisation (Midwife Vision Global) founded by Jan and Chase Becker from the Sunshine Coast. Jan is heavily involved in a training programme for local midwives, Helping Babies Breathe, all about looking after babies in the first minute or two of life. Their organisation also provides funding for maintenance and renovations to Amana Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and I go along and help out in the maternity department for two weeks every year. They deliver between 30–100 babies per day at Amana, and have seen every possible obstetrics complication that you are ever likely to come across. So, I’m not there to show them how to do anything, I’m just there to help out! It’s an amazing experience.

YOU OFFER LOW-COST IVF, TELL US ABOUT THAT! Yes, we have a clinic that provides low-cost IVF, we’ve been doing that for a couple of years now. This clinic takes those couples where the solution is clearly straightforward IVF, for which the care can be overseen by a specialist and managed by the nurses in the clinic.

As well as the low-cost IVF treatment, we provide comprehensive fertility assessments, consultations and treatments all in one location.

This means everything from very basic fertility support right up to the more complex issues and IVF. We also offer advanced testing services such as embryo biopsy, screening for specific diseases and chromosome problems – only a few centres in the country offer this level of testing.

But it’s not all about IVF, rather fertility as a whole. So, we also assist with the basics such as ovulation management, ovulation treatment to create regular cycles, and artificial insemination.

You can find James Moir at: moirmedical.com.au, (07) 5444 0799

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BUY ONLINE AND SAVE

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PREP OPEN

MORNING Experience the adventure

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very, wonder lled with disco

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a. Cnr Schubert & Kiel Mtn Rds, Woombye p. 5451 3600 | suncoastcc.qld.edu.au/prep

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JULY / AUGUST 2018

Faith Diligence Love

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PLAY

BRINGING PLAY BACK TO NA T U R E nature play

With its roots in the forest schools of Europe, has been steadily gaining kudos across Australia. And now this trend is being assimilated into play space design, with an increasing number of childcare centres and schools across the region ditching the brightly coloured metal and plastic playground for a custom-designed nature play space.

Though it might look like a simple scenery of timbers and rocks, these progressive play spaces are incredibly well-thought out constructions, designed to blend into the environment and provide children with the maximum opportunity for natural open-ended play.

We chat to the owner George Davidson of GDL Nature Play Spaces who is leading the way in nature play space design and construction in southeast Queensland, to find out more about this essential side of early childhood and discover how you can bring a little nature play into your own backyard.

WHAT IS A NATURE PLAY SPACE? Everyone interprets it differently, but for me a nature play space uses natural products such as rocks, timber and plants, creating a natural setting for children to explore but in a controlled environment. True nature play is out in the wild, but with urbanisation today not all children have regular access to such free play anymore. So, a nature play space offers children a version of this natural style of play within a kindy or school environment.

Being landscaped based, we create a play area as an entire space – with areas to explore and sensory paths that connect various nooks, so everything flows. So, it’s not so much a playground as an entire natural play area. To complement this, we aim to use trees for shade rather than shade sails whenever we can, which adds a whole new dimension to the space. kidsonthecoast .com.au • kidsinthecit y.com.au

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A NATURE PLAY SPACE? A nature play space can be a lot more calming for children. Rather than bright colours and harsh metals, there are more soothing colours, pastels and natural textures.

A nature play space also teaches children to take more risk, with children making their own way through the equipment and finding their own way to play.

And most importantly, in a nature play space, children get to see more nature, as the plants that are incorporated into the space encourage butterflies, caterpillars and all the little bugs that kids love.

WHAT ARE THE KEY ELEMENTS THAT MAKE A GREAT NATURE PLAY SPACE? A great nature play space should be multipurpose – with constructions that offer opportunity to develop motor skills, as well as plenty of challenges in problem solving, team work, and starting points for imaginative play.

Water is one of the key things we aim to include – with handpumps, natural water channels, maybe a creek bed that children can dam up and play with. Water walls are also popular – where water runs through adjustable bamboo channels. And a sandpit is also always great to include, as is a mud kitchen.

We also always try to build in cubbies and nooks with areas that will grow, and herbs along paths for added sensory experiences.

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PLAY

A nature play space

offers so much more than straightforward play!

Yet one of the key things we incorporate in all our designs is ensuring that the space isn’t structured for one use. Instead, these spaces are a starting point for creative, imaginative play. We don’t build a boat that’s only a boat – instead we create an area that could be a castle, a fort, a plane… dependent on what is happening that day in that child’s imagination!

HOW DO YOU KEEP IT FEELING NATURAL WHILST ALSO MEETING ESSENTIAL SAFETY REGULATIONS? Our play spaces are all designed around the Playground Standard guidelines and each is assessed individually. Generally, however, what we build is below regulation height to meet soft-fall requirements.

Instead of high equipment, we create challenging obstacles – with solid balance structures surrounded by plants. Garden beds and plants provide the perfect soft-fall, so we sometimes use those around climbing areas to keep everything as natural as possible whilst still always ensuring all safety requirements are met.

WHY DO YOU FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SPACES TO HAVE A NATURE PLAY SPACE? A nature play space offers so much more than straightforward play!

Amidst the play, these spaces educate children about the natural environment. As the plants grow, kids learn to respect plants and take care of them.

As well, they offer open-ended play where everything isn’t black and white – children can create their own worlds. If the educators are on board, the kids can really have fun with some extra loose parts: a teepee covered in fabric or plants become a cubby, logs become plane seats, sticks and stones can be a myriad of things!

These spaces also encourage children to work together to solve problems. How will they get the water from one end to the other, or how will they break down the ramparts of the castle?

From my experience, these natural spaces offer a much more satisfying style of play than the mainstream playgrounds ever can.

ADD A LITTLE NA T U R E PLAY

TO YOUR OWN BACKYARD!

• Get the kids involved in a herb garden, Certain herbs can create little mazes; others are wonderful sensory experiences.

• Rather than use a plastic sandpit, build a timber one that blends into the garden. This can then become a planter once it’s no longer used as a sandpit. Add an old colander, bucket, or garden hand tools to provide equipment to dig and create.

• Dig out old pots, bowls, spoons, and baking tins (or pick up from the charity shop) and set aside a small area as a mud kitchen. You just need a large trough (or build it into a ‘bench’ space if you are feeling handy!), some soil and a water source.

• Use natural materials to make games such as tic tac toe.

Sticks can make the lines; rocks can make the markers.

• Collect sticks to make a small wig-wam cubby, and cover in fabric or leaves. It doesn’t have to be permanent.

(Just check it is stable before any small people climb inside!)

• Collect large logs to make stepping stones.

• Use bamboo to make a water wall or a marble run for small round stones.

• Collect shells and rocks to make collages and patterns in garden beds.

HOW DO THESE SPACES EXTEND BEYOND PLAY? We’ve had a lot of feedback from schools where we’ve constructed a nature play space and older children now use these spaces for science, maths, problem-solving projects, which is fabulous to hear! One school even had the older children working on an engineering project, building a zip line and pulley system to get sand from A to B! And for the younger children, they are also used for team building and nature projects – caring for plants, diverting water, looking for caterpillars, searching for particular coloured rocks.

We’ve also created amphitheatres, yarning circles and outdoor decks that can then be used for classes or display spaces. So, they’ve all grown to become real multifunctional learning spaces. Every space we design has something new in it; we always try to push the boundary a little and create something that can be used in many ways.

A great nature play space develops and morphs a little as it grows, adapting to fit the personality of each centre without them even realising!

To find out more about GDL nature play spaces, head to gdlnatureplayspaces.com.au

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NATURE PLAY SPACES AND LANDSCAPING

LET NATURE PAVE THE WAY! GDL Nature PlaySpaces creates custom nature inspired play spaces and landscaping. We work closely with you and gain inspiration from the children’s ideas to design the best possible solution to your space and budget to bring your concept to life. GDL Nature PlaySpaces caters for early learning centres, schools and public spaces.

Request a consultation

GDL

Our nature inspired play spaces and landscaping: • incorporate natural materials and elements such as water, sound, movement and balance • encourage unstructured, adventurous open ended play, exploration and experimentation in a natural outdoor setting • develop physical awareness along with fine and gross motor skills • build confidence • enhance the imagination and inspire self-designed play, creativity, learning and socialising

Nature PlaySpaces

0410 863 756 • info@gdlandscaping.com.au • www.gdlandscaping.com.au

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FOOD

Wholesome bites for frequent snackers

By Paediatric Nutritionist, Mandy Sacher Kids love to snack! If you have a frequent nibbler who is always full come dinnertime, these wholesome bites are the ideal solution.

Chock-full of goodness, you know that they are getting the nutrients they need in bite-sized portions. Perfect for lunches or on-the-go goodies (and freezable too!), snacktime just got a whole lot easier!

LUNCHBOX-FRIENDLY MUESLI BARS Healthy homemade muesli bars make for an excellent in-between snack and are lower in sugar than most store-bought versions. Plus, they contain no nasties.

PREP TIME: 10 MINS 10 mins prep

20-25 mins

10 bars

Ingredients 2 cups (240g) rolled oats 2 tbsp chia seeds ¼ cup (40g) pumpkin seeds ½ cup (10g) puffed quinoa ⅓ cup (35g) oat meal pinch sea salt ½ tsp baking soda 1 tsp vanilla extract ¼ cup (60ml) coconut oil, melted ⅓ cup (80ml) maple syrup

Instructions • Preheat oven to 160°C and line a 20 x 30cm baking dish with baking paper.

• Place oats and seeds in a food processor and process until a fine consistency is achieved.

Add remaining ingredients and process until it forms a gooey mixture.

• Place mixture into the prepared baking dish and press down firmly and evenly over the base of the dish.

• Bake for approximately 20-25 mins or until golden brown. The mixture will harden as it cools. Cut into slices and serve.

• Serving and storing leftovers: Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 4 days, refrigerate for up to 14 days or freeze for up to 4 months.

ZUCCHINI SCONES 20 mins prep

30 mins

16 scones

combine. Add butter and use your fingertips to rub it into the flour mixture until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.

• Place the zucchini in a clean tea towel and squeeze out any excess liquid. Place in a bowl and add yoghurt and herbs. Mix to combine.

• Add zucchini mixture to flour mixture and mix the dough until combined, using your hands or a wooden spoon.

• Place about 2 tbsp of dough into each mini muffin hole, sprinkle with some cheese and bake for 30 mins or until golden brown and cooked through.

Serving and storing leftovers Serve immediately, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 4 months.

Tip: You can also use finely grated carrots instead of zucchini.

Ingredients 1½ cups (210g) wholemeal spelt flour ½ tsp baking soda ½ tsp baking powder pinch sea salt 60g unsalted cold butter, finely cubed ½ cup (125g) natural yoghurt 225g zucchini, finely grated 1 tbsp fresh herbs, finely chopped ¼ cup (20g) cheddar cheese, grated Instructions • Preheat oven to 180°C and grease a mini muffin tin with some olive oil.

• Place the flour, baking soda and baking powder in a large bowl and whisk to

Mandy Sacher is a Paediatric Nutritionist, mum to two small children, and author of Wholesome Child. More than just a recipe book, Wholesome Child is a complete nutrition resource that aims to clear the confusion, arming parents with a comprehensive guide that will make meal-times far more enjoyable and nutritious for the whole family. The book incorporates a simple 8-step family nutrition program and covers everything from dealing with fussy eaters, the psychology of eating, meal plans and over 140 nutrient dense and delicious recipes. Wholesome Child is available in bookstores, on iTunes or at wholesomechild.com.au.

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Caring for women through all stages of their life

DE BABIES & DE TOTS BALLET & JAZZ MONDAY & FRIDAY FROM 9AM OUR FAVOURITE MORNINGS OF THE WEEK @DANCEEDGESTUDIOS

Term 3 starts Monday 16th July.

New enrolments welcome free trial.

B ABY CLASSES $100 PER TERM

Providing services at Buderim Private Hospital

For information on 2018 afternoon classes for all ages including boys only Hip Hop & boys only Acro message or email 0401 046 882 info@danceedgestudios.com.au

Suite 18, Building B, Nucleus Medical Suites, 23 Elsa Wilson Drive, Buderim, 4556 Phone 5444 4433 info@drkylieisaacs.com.au • www.drkylieisaacs.com.au

VISIT OUR NEW EARLY LEARNING SPACES!

Growing people

to make a difference

Pacific Lutheran Early Learning encourages children to grow through connections with people and places. Co-located on the Pacific Lutheran College campus, our centre provides an inspiring environment where your child can explore their interests and flourish.

Core focus on relationships

New flexible learning spaces

CONTACT Chris Henschke, College Registrar P 5436 7321 A Woodlands Boulevard, Meridan Plains 4551

FROM

2 Yrs +

Specialist early childhood staff

Kindergarten program within a long day care model

VISIT US ON ANY WEEK DAY!

pacificlutheran.qld.edu.au

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LOCAL LIFE

SHARE ABODE Following her own struggles in finding rental accommodation and the isolation of single parenthood, decided to BE the change.

Through , she is now on a mission to make a significant difference in the social, emotional and economic lives of in Australia. We chat to this inspirational mama to find out more.

ShareAbode

Willo Ford

single parent families

WHAT WERE THE EMOTIONS AND CHALLENGES ATTACHED TO SUDDENLY BECOMING A SINGLE MOTHER WITH TWO CHILDREN? I made a conscious choice to become a single parent and it was a very difficult choice. Not because I would have had to become the financial, emotional or logistical be all and end all in my children’s lives, but because of the stigma associated with single mums by society.

I was very isolated where I was, which was not ideal for the loneliness of nights and nap times, and I felt like no one else understood what I was going through. I tried to come to peace with this by keeping busy with a million different visits to the beach, park and shopping centres so we were all active and occupied. I paved new relationships with family members that I hadn’t spoken to since high school but lived in the same state, and through this I gradually created family for my children and routine and known faces for all of us.

I am the role model for my children and I want them to model responsibility, self-worth and caring for others and I only could have got to that point had I taken the steps I did.

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE SHAREABODE CONCEPT? ShareAbode was founded by my own experiences of hardship renting in the early days of my single parent journey. I got rejected time and again for rental properties because the owner wanted a traditional family unit in their home (seriously, were we not a family?), and with my inability to show proof of rental recommendations in the past or current income it was a very challenging time. I had no rental history because I had owned and lived in my own home for 10 years prior, and I had sold my business along with that home (living off the savings from that) so I didn’t have a regular income either. I didn’t look good on paper at all!

In the end, it took my mum saying she was going to be renting and I was just living wither her for a real estate agent to say ‘yes’.

I remember thinking how much it sucked and that I wanted to make a difference, and that’s when I thought of creating something that would make it easier for single parents and help them help each other.

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I R R I TA B L E B A B I E S | F E E D I N G I SS U E S | S L E E P I N G D I F F I CU LT I E S D E L AY E D C RA W L I N G / W A L K I N G | N E C K PA I N | B AC K PA I N | H E A D A C H E S

DOES YOUR CHILD SUFFER WITH HEADACHES, NECK PAIN, BACK PAIN OR IRRITABILITY?

“With over 961 thousand single parent families and two thirds of them in poverty, this platform has the opportunity to really shake up those figures and help those struggling out of poverty and those wanting more to get more.”

HOW CAN CHILDREN OF SINGLE PARENTS BENEFIT FROM SHAREABODE? Children can benefit in many ways, especially if they are only children and the sharing parents have kids of similar ages. It’s like having an ‘unofficial’ sibling, and they can establish a relationship which is not just dependent on the one parent but also on the other parent and their child or children. Through watching their single parent and another single parent build a relationship, children from previously negative home situations can also re-learn, gaining valuable life skills such as conflict resolution, negotiation, compromise, and sharing in a healthy way. They may not have ever experienced these things before with their parents so they are getting a good opportunity to grow and expand.

HOW CAN PEOPLE CONTACT YOU FOR FURTHER INFORMATION? The service is totally free. You can sign up and create a profile listing as a home sharer (share your home) or home seeker (seeking a home) at shareabode.com.au and I am available at any time by email at admin@ shareabode.com.au and we are also on social media: Facebook at facebook.com/shareabode and Instagram @shareabode. kidsonthecoast .com.au • kidsinthecit y.com.au

Y s! k ur R m As t o NTA Mu ou E for ab LIM ult P M ons CO l C tia

ShareAbode works on the principle that two single parents raising children together, sharing resources, rent and living expenses together can achieve more than one going it alone. If rent and expenses are halved then savings will be doubled and financial obligations for a single parent would be less stressful. A less stressed parent is a more capable parent. The benefit emotionally is there too, because single parents have each other to lean on through the tough times dealing with kids, past partner problems or general everyday downs.

It’s also easier to rent with two incomes showing as pre-qualified candidates, and this is another aspect of ShareAbode – we connect people that would get along and we also help with paperwork and documents saving them time, stress and easing the load.

I don’t think we are meant to go life alone and this creates a little village for a tribe that really needs it.

i In

HOW DOES SHAREABODE WORK?

If your child is uncomfortable with neck or back pain then this may result in them being unhappy, having sleep issues, irritation, frustration or having poorer concentration.

How Neck pain occurs in kids?

Falls (off their bike, out of bed etc), poor sleep positions (tummy sleeping), poor posture, using ipads, computers.

Why chiropractic for your child’s neck/back pain?

Chiropractors have 5 years university training and are one of the most qualified professions to examine and treat your child for neck and back pain.

Why visit Children’s Sunshine Chiropractic?

Our chiropractors treating children have completed another 2 years post graduate studies in chiropractic paediatrics and have children themselves.

Don’t wait any longer give us a call and have your child assessed today!

5491 7743

BABIES, CHILDREN, ADULTS & PREGNANT MUMS

Our Caloundra practise now offers: counseling, acupuncture and massage.

CALOUNDRA 85 Bowman Road, Caloundra BUDERIM Shop 3-4 86 Burnett Street, Buderim Mall

C H I R O P RACT I C FO R T H E E N T I R E FA M I LY. T E A M O F 6 C H I R O P RACTO RS W H O T R E AT T H E E N T I R E FA M I LY F R O M B A B I E S , K I D S , P R E G N A N C Y, A D U LTS A N D T H E E L D E R LY TO O .

Create a special day for your little fairy The Fairies Toadstool Birthday Tea Parties bring beauty, sweetness and the magical touch of fairies to any child’s special day.

Ignite the magic of fairies and pirates in your child and create many happy moments and memories for you and your children to share.

• Each birthday package includes fairy games and prizes, fairy dust making, fairy make up and tattoos along with party bag for each guest.

• Parents can relax and enjoy the special occasion, whilst the children are transported to a world of dreams and make-believe.

MOBILE FAIRY GROTTO FILLED WITH BUTTERFLIES, FLOWERS AND TOADSTOOLS.

Becky O’farrell 0414 942 400 www.fairyteaparties.com.au

OUR ONLINE STORE STOCKS A MAGICAL RANGE OF FAIRY DRESS UPS, TOYS, BOOKS AND ACCESSORIES.

THE FAIRIES TOADSTOOL IS THE HOME OF FAIRIES, PIRATES AND FAIRY BIRTHDAY TEA PARTIES JULY / AUGUST 2018

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Forest Glen

FREE

ballet shoes for every new enrolment

$10 Only erson er p

The Sunshine Coast’s most loved introduction to Classical Ballet for toddlers & preschoolers

Programs

Locations

p

• Cherubs 16 months – 2.5 years • Mummy and Me 2.5 years – 3.5 years • Kinderballet 3 years – 5 years • Next Steps 5 years – 8 years • Babies Jazz and Cheer 3 years – 5 years • Junior Jazz and Cheer 5 years – 8 years

Book your Party Or visit as a day guest and feel like you’re on a holiday!

Warana, Maroochydore & Peregian Beach.

Ph 5476 6646

Fun & imaginative classes • No uniforms/costumes to make or buy Limited class sizes • Affordably priced • Make-up classes available

• Heated pool & spa • Waterslide • Indoor cinema • Playground • BBQ’s

NO ENROLMENT FEE

0405 478 909 www.danceempiresunshinecoast.com.au miranda@danceempiresunshinecoast.com.au

www.forestglenresort.com.au

investigate

Family owned and operated Early Learning Centres established 2003 Highly qualified & engaging educators to encourage children to explore, create, imagine and grow

CREATE

Creative play spaces and exceptional resources designed to enhance a love of learning and fun Embedded programs in sustainability, music, dancing, art and multiculture High focus on developing children’s life and self help skills

nurture

Kindergarten programs run by 4 Year Qualified Early Childhood Teachers

Healthy als Nutritious Me Provided

imagine

Specialist dance tuition include for all Kindergarten Children

Beerwah Aroona Chancellor Pk Brightwater 5494 0833 5438 1414 5476 9777 5493 9797

www.bellagrace.com.au 54

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CLASSIFIEDS ART CAKES AUSTRALIA P: 0434 115 694 E: artcakesaustralia@gmail.com W: facebook.com/artcakesaus

RAINBOW FUN W: rainbowfun.com.au P: 0456 239 966 A: Shop 2, 16 Sunshine Beach Road, Noosa Heads

Pastry Chef and Cake Designer, Ana Gatis, creates designer cakes, cupcakes and cake pops for any occasion.

From birthdays to weddings, jungle animals to delicate florals, cake design is her passion, and her unique creations will be the perfect addition to your special occasion. Now located inside South Tweed Sports Club, Tweed Head South.

Rainbow Fun are passionate about children learning and exploring their potential with creativity and imagination. We have handselected and curated some of the best brands in wooden toys, eco-friendly toys, educational toys, games, puzzles, craft activities, imaginative and role play toys from around the globe. What will you create today? Shop online or find us at our new store in Noosa!

ALIVE & KICKING MEDICAL PRACTICES

GARDEN SPARKLE

Are you looking for a doctor that really REALLY cares about you and your family? We offer the finest healthcare on the Sunshine Coast, with 16 GPs across our three clinics supported by excellent nursing and admin staff.

Visit our websites to learn about our clinics, doctors and allied health services.

Book online 24/7. Urgent sick kids always squeezed in!

W: gardensparkle.com.au S: @gardensparkle A: 54 Shields Street, Cairns City Create a Fairy Garden with Heart!

Nurture imaginations and delight the young at heart. Choose from Fairy Kate's hand-picked range of designer fairy garden kits, magical fairy houses and miniature accessories. Shipping Australia-wide & internationally. Afterpay + Zippay available. Fast and friendly service with lots of sparkle. School Holiday workshops and parties. Visit our gift shop next time you're in Cairns!

BUBBA SLEEP

GOLD COAST DENTAL & DENTURE CENTRE

W: AliveAndKickingMedical.com.au P: (07) 5444 2666 A: Mooloolaba • Brightwater/Mountain Creek • Parklands/Currimundi

W: bubbasleep.com.au P: 0406 690 002 E: info@bubbasleep.com.au

W: gcdentalcentre.com.au P: (07) 5532 4168 A: 268 Ferry Road, Southport, QLD 4215

You don't have to go it alone.

Offering professional, supportive, non-judgemental help with sleep associations, routines, naps, night waking, early waking and more!

With many years' experience working one-on-one with families, I evaluate each situation on a caseby-case basis to get to the bottom of why your little one isn’t sleeping and work with you to restore sleep to your household.

Family owned Gold Coast Dental and Denture Centre has the only dedicated area and special program for children with nonnutritive sucking habits (thumb and dummies). Additional services include: tongue tie assessment and release with laser, Oral Myology – developing good oral habits around correct breathing and swallowing, and pre-orthodontic treatment with the Myobrace system.

WITTACORK Farmstay

Funky Monkey Bars

W: wittacork.com.au P: (07) 5494 4369 A: 286 Tesch Rd, Maleny Stay on a real working dairy farm!

With 150 acres of pristine rainforest to explore, children can milk cows, feed calves, pigs, goats and chickens, and collect eggs. Our self contained two-bedroom cottages are set on a ridge overlooking Lake Baroon and the Kondalilla National Park and are surrounded by rainforest. We also have the farmhouse, a three-bedroom workers cottage available.

Australian online outdoor play store, Funky Monkey Bars, has launched a new Ninja and Fitness range that can be added to its popular play equipment. The new range includes Ninja Grips, Boxing Bags, Jungle Rope and Roman Rings. Delivered direct to your door, its frames are modular and free-standing, yet so strong and sturdy, and you can continue to add and change equipment as the kids grow.

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W: funkymonkeybars.com S: @funkymonkeybars P: 1300 912 198

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CLASSIFIEDS FROZEN SUNSHINE

IDDY BIDDY BOO

W: frozensunshine.com.au E: info@frozensunshine.com.au A: Across Sunshine Coast, Brisbane & Gold Coast

W: iddybiddyboo.com.au P: (03) 9013 0437 E: rochelle@iddybiddyboo.com.au

Keep summer alive all year round with Frozen Sunshine handcrafted iceblocks. Made on the Sunshine Coast with all natural ingredients including organic coconut milk and fresh Aussie fruit, these dairy free, gluten free, egg free and nut free iceblocks are an allergyfriendly and vegan treat the whole family can enjoy. Now available in 4-packs. Check website for a stockist near you.

Unique, boutique and simply gorgeous! Iddy Biddy Boo’s beautiful range of personalised children’s wares is full of colour and long lasting. Their super-soft towels come in 10 colours with 60 cute designs to choose from and are perfect for a new bub, or your own family!

From aprons and bibs to art smocks and Santa sacks - they’re open 24/7!

KIDS LOVE IT!

GDL Nature Play spaces

W: gymbaroosunshinecoast.com.au P: 0452 512 327 FB: @GymbarooSunshineCoast “GymbaROO is the best part of our week!”

A fine and gross motor skill development focused program that includes an age-appropriate indoor obstacle climbing course, dancing, ball skills, music and rhythm.

Children learn to roll, crawl, climb, walk, jump and problem-solve.

Nominated finalist for the Sunshine Coast Business Awards 2017.

Contact us for a FREE TRIAL

W: gdlnatureplayspaces.com.au P: 0410 863 756 A: Across the Sunshine Coast Specialist in the design and construction of nature-based play spaces. We can offer custom-made spaces that bring your ideas to life. From early learning centres, schools, public spaces and private.

We use our concept plans, work closely with you and gain inspiration from the children’s ideas to bring the best possible solutions to your space and budget.

LITTLE SEED THEATRE COMPANY

CAKE YARD CAFE

W: little-seed.com.au P: 0407 87 32 32 E: jo@little-seed.com.au

W: facebook.com/cakeyard P: 0478 682 363 A: 17 Glenview Road, Glenview Cake Yard Cafe is a place where you can have your cake and eat it too! Providing great coffee and delicious desserts in a tranquil environment.

The cafe is a great spot for ladies high tea, kids’ tea parties and fun cupcake decorating, and the venue offers ample space for private functions and meetings.

Cake Yard specialises in custom design cakes to suit any occasions.

Little Seed Theatre Company is proud to present:

WICKED THE MUSICAL This is a Sunshine Coast First.

Playing at the j Noosa Show Weekend.

September 7 & 8.

2pm and 6.30pm.

Tickets via www.thej.com.au

DRAGONFLY's EARLY LEARNING W: www.dragonflys.com.au P: (07) 5471 6500 A: 41-45 Springfield Ave, Coolum Beach QLD 4573 Dragonfly’s Early Learning Centre offers the highest level of quality care and education for children from 6 weeks to 5 years, With a stunning indoor-outdoor environment, stacks of stimulating experiences catering for each child’s individual development, and daily organic and free-range meals provided daily, Dragonfly’s offers your little one the perfect start to their learning journey.

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Photograph: Ilsa Wynne­Hoelscher Kidd

THE MILK PANTRY W: milkpantry.com.au S: @themilkpantry E: sales@milkpantry.com.au The Milk Pantry’s extensive range of lactation products for busy breastfeeding mums includes cookies, brownies, shakes and hot chocolates. Options for those with food allergies are also available such as gluten free, dairy free and vegan options. Each product is lovingly hand-crafted and designed to nourish the body, taste great and includes special ingredients that target breast milk production. kidsonthecoast .com.au • kidsinthecit y.com.au

CLASSIFIEDS Dandelion Clinical Psychology

ZoE Clark Cakes

P: (07) 5452 9804 W: dandelionpsychology.com.au E: info@pikkistreet.com

P: 0499 546 181 A: www.zoeclarkcakes.com E: info@zoeclarkcakes.com

Dandelion Clinical Psychology is a dedicated children’s psychology practice for all emotional and behavioural difficulties and challenges, for children 0-12 years.

Including family relationships, parenting and developmental disorders. We believe with early intervention we can achieve happy, resilient and sucessful teens and adults. Irlen Syndrome screening is also available.

Award-winning cake artist Zoë Clark specialises in creating beautiful cakes and confectionery for all occasions. Based on the Sunshine Coast, Zoë Clark Cakes provides a highly professional and personalised service, producing unique customised designs to suit your event. Everything is made completely from scratch, using only the finest ingredients to ensure they taste as stunning as they look.

NOOSA KIDS & BABY MARKETS W: noosakidsmarket.com.au // FB & IG: @noosakidsmarket P: Kristy 0438 390 999 / Heidi 0410 639 973 A: Sunshine Beach State School, Sunshine Beach Held on the 2nd Sunday of the month, 8-12pm, you'll find preloved kids & baby items, local business stalls, wellness stalls and pre-loved fashion.

• Free bounty bags • Free kids activity tables • Free toddler jumpy castle • Food & coffee!

Head to noosakidsmarket.com.au to book a stall. Rain - hail - shine!

Put your business DIRECTLY in front of our readers!

Contact your Business Development Manager today to secure your Classifieds spot:

HEALTH NATURALLY CHIROpractic P: (07) 5451 1121 S: @HealthNaturallyChiropractic A: Unit 7, 2-6 Beach Road, Maroochydore Have you even been curious about Chiropractic care for your family? Come and visit us for an Initial consult, Pre-care appointment and Report of findings – ON US – to see if we can help in any way.

Give us a call on 07 5451 1121 or visit our office on the corner of Ocean Street and Beach Road.

We look forward to seeing you.

Regards Sam and Natise.

SUNSHINE COAST - BRISBANE - GOLD COAST

WINTER SCHOOL HOLIDAY GUIDE KIDS ON THE COAST / KIDS IN THE CITY

Sunshine Coast: 0424 577 706 / helen@shoremedia.com.au Brisbane: 0468 868 087 / brisbane@shoremedia.com.au Gold Coast: 0438 316 185 / goldcoast@shoremedia.com.au

SPECIAL OFFER: BOOK 5 ISSUES AND GET THE 6TH FREE!

kidsonthecoast .com.au • kidsinthecit y.com.au

JULY / AUGUST 2018

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REVIEWS CLOUD CONDUCTOR

You can catch Sunshine Coast author Emma Middleton out and about with her giant Bear in her free storytelling and live The Bear in our Backyard performance. Head to emmamiddleton.com to find out more.

By Kellie Byrnes, Illustrated by Ann-Marie Finn RRP $24.99 Frankie loves to just sit and watch the clouds. She conducts symphonies in the sky and listens to the melodies that only she can hear. As the seasons pass, Frankie is taken away from her bedroom on the tales she creates. Even when illness means she can’t leave her bed, Frankie can escape to the beach with shimmering waves or the outback with thundering horses. The latest title from Buderim author Kellie Byrne, Cloud Conductor is a picture book that encourages children to have their head in the clouds and use their imagination to deal with any challenges that pop up in their lives. Ages 5–8.

THE BEAR IN OUR BACKYARD

by Emma Middleton, illustrated by Brioney Stewart RRP $24.99 Does she sleep? Shall we peak? Is it really a Bear? Shall we sneak outside and see if Bear is really there? Tom and Tilly search for the bear who lives in their backyard. Will she come out and play? Perfect for families expecting a new baby bear, The Bear in our Backyard is a rare tribute to the small and magical moments that mums create every day.

CHICKS AT TH E FLICKS ADVANCE SCR EENING

SCAREDY BOOK

By Devon Sillet, illustrated by Cara King RRP $24.99 Book lives at the library and desperately wants to go outside, but is intimidated by all the things that might happen ‘out there’. A page might get torn. Book’s cover might get dirty.

Book might never be returned to the library!

Then book meets Emma and learns how to be brave!. Together they move out of their comfort zone to try new things, meet new people, and enjoy a few quiet adventures. Along the way, they discover that ‘out there’ needn’t be scary if you just take it one step at a time. Ages 4–8.

BANDIMAL iPhone & iPad $5.99 The follow-up to YATATOY’s 2015 award-winning music app Loopimal, Bandimal is a fun and intuitive music composer full of beautifully crafted animations and sounds. Bringing the fun of making music closer to little hands, you can write melodies and choose from a variety of instruments and mix organic beats. There is no right or wrong, so children will not experience the feeling of failure but instead jump right into the great world of composing music.

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JULY / AUGUST 2018

JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM (M) In cinemas 21 June Four years after the destruction of the Jurassic World theme park, Owen Grady and Claire Dearing return to the island of the Isla Nublar to save the remaining dinosaurs from a volcano that’s about to erupt. They soon encounter terrifying new breeds of gigantic dinosaurs while uncovering a conspiracy that threatens the entire planet. Starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Pratt, BD Wong.

SPECIAL SCREENING Sunday 8 July. 10am family fun activities, 10.30am film Gather the family for a fun morning out to see your favourite characters and dinosaurs at the special screening of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom at select Event Cinemas locations. Every child ticket will receive a bonus Jurassic World mini dinosaur – while stocks last.

Tickets are on sale now at eventcinemas.com.au

MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN (CTC) In cinemas 19 July An all new-sequel going through Donna’s young life, experiencing the fun she had with the three possible dads of Sophie. Sophie is now pregnant. Like Donna, she will be young when she has her baby. This is where she realises she will need to take risks like her mother did. Starring: Meryl Streep, Lily James, Amanda Seyfried.

Time to bust out those ABBA classics with the girls at the special Chicks at the Flicks advance screening of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again at Event Cinemas on Wednesday 18th July. Chicks at the flicks is a fabulous night out at the movies with fabulous pre-film festivities and lucky door prizes and each guest receives a gift bag filled with goodies. Tickets are on sale now at eventcinemas.com.au kidsonthecoast .com.au • kidsinthecit y.com.au

Anything is Possible Children learn at their best when their education is enriched by memorable experiences.

At Immanuel Lutheran College, we give students the ability to explore and discover not only in the classroom, but also with nature.

OPEN MORNING

immanuel.qld.edu.au

23 AUGUST

Come and explore the extensive opportunities for your child at one of our Principal’s tours. Hear from our leading educators and discover how Matthew Flinders Anglican College can offer your child an education for excellence in learning and life.

Primary School tour: 31 July, 8:45am Secondary School tour: 28 August, 8:45am To book your spot, visit www.mfac.edu.au