Southside MamaMag Feb/Mar 2020 by MamaMag

SOUTHSIDE

mamamAg Feb/Mar 2020

WIN A Langham, Melbourne ChIldrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s themed hIgh tea & sleepover How I beat my bully Talking about school Port Douglas uncovered Lunchbox love The mothers

free Local fun for the Southside mum 1

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back to school Yep, that’s me, taking an unashamed selfie in the pool at The Langham, Melbourne! Summer holidays usually means a camping trip after Christmas Day, somewhere around Victoria, with my best friends and their families. But this year, through several combined circumstances, camping was not to be. At a loss as to what to do I decided the kids and I would instead have a staycation and explore our beautiful city. The Langham was the perfect choice. Not only a stunning hotel it’s perfectly positioned to explore all Melbs has to offer. So you can only imagine my excitement when they offered you (yes you!) the chance to stay there too and enjoy their kids’ high tea as well! How good is this issue’s cover competition!? Whilst Summer in Melbourne is awesome (did you make it to the kids’ Ballpark at the Aus Open?) there is still plenty to see and do in town, long after the hot nights have faded away. Besides the ridiculously fun sleepover we had at The Langham (with a buffet breakfast to die-for), our highlights of our little staycation were a trip on a Go Boat, the Yarra’s little electric boats you can hire and drive yourself, a visit to Summertime Social at Fed Square, which hosts vintage games and caravans, incredible food and fabulous drinks (this is open till April 5 so check it out), and a trip to the gallery to enjoy the KAWS exhibition. Back at home there were plenty of afternoons at the dog beach with our puppy Nova, glasses of rose with friends, and quite a few lonely nights when the kids were away at their dads. There were many tense moments as we all followed the bush fires, then feelings of relief and amazement as the world joined together in support. But now Summer is quickly passing us by and before I know the suntan lines will be fading and I’ll be back to making school lunches. My eldest Lachie is in grade 6 this year and while I’m excited about his opportunity to be one of the schools leaders, I can’t believe we are only a year off high school. How have 6 years passed already? Enjoy every moment mamas, they really do grow up so quickly. xxx

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Local fun for everyone • Northside • Eastside • Southside • Westside

WIN

Contents How I beat my bully

Worth

$2000

What to do at school

Talking about school

Why it can be hard

Parklife 12 The new Elwood Foreshore Playspace

Lunch box love

Sarah Todd’s tips and ideas

Turn the page

Mama’s top book picks

Port Douglas uncovered

Sarah’s trip to the tropical North

Mama can cook

Quick meals from Plan, Buy Cook

The perfect season to swim

Swimming past Summer

We love a mother

Sarah and Max from Little Sky

The Mothers

A book by Genevieve Gannon

Lunch list

Does your lunch box tick all the boxes?

Prep’ing for the stress

Surviving your first year of school

Colour to WIN

4 family passes to The Gruffalo’s Child

Theatre matters The live experience benefits kids

WIN a family ‘children’s themed’ high tea and luxury overnight stay with a glamping package at The Langham, Melbourne. You have the chance to win a family ‘children’s themed’ high tea at The Langham, Melbourne’s Aria Lounge plus luxury overnight accommodation for two adults and two children with a stunning glamping package. Entries are open to Victorian residents only. Competition starts Feb 1st 12.01am and closes Mar 10th 2020 at 11.59pm. Prize valid 24/03/2020 - 10/04/2020. Visit www.mamamag.com.au/competitions for full terms and conditions.

Enter at www.mamamag.com.au/langham Didn’t win? You can book your own glamping package starting from $610.

www.langhamhotels.com/melbourne MamaMag is published bi-monthly for the mums of Melbourne’s South by Grizzle Design Pty Ltd. ABN: 26 042 138 550. PO Box 8018 Brighton East 3187 Phone: 1300 771 446 Email: info@mamamag.com.au www.mamamag.com.au | www.grizzledesign.com.au

12,500 copies per issue distributed bi-monthly across Melbourne’s South with 50,000 copies in total across all four MamaMag areas: Bayside • Eastside • Northside • Westside. Editor in Chief/Creative Director: Sarah Cavalier: sarah@mamamag.com.au For advertising enquiries contact: Olivia Wilson: olivia@mamamag.com.au For distribution enquiries contact: info@mamamag.com.au Want to write for us or have an article idea? submissions@mamamag.com.au The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publishing staff. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without permission of the publishers.

MamaMag Feb/Mar 2020

Health related articles are designed to be informative and educational. They are not intended to provide specific medical advice or replace one-on-one advice from your health practitioner.

how I beat my bully What to do when your child gets bullied in primary school No parent wants their child to be bullied. And when it happens, we want our children to tell us, so we can help them deal with it. On the other hand, as parents, we need to be able to read the signs of bullying and know how to act when it happens. There are lots of aspects to bullying and there are many different types – verbal, physical, emotional, social, and cyberbullying. And not every argument, disagreement, little fight or act of aggression is bullying. According to Bullyingnoway, bullying has three main features: • it involves a misuse of power in a relationship • it is ongoing and repeated • it involves behaviours that can cause harm The statistics are appalling. Approximately one in four Year 4 to Year 9 Australian students reported being bullied every few weeks or more often. 84% of students who were bullied online were also bullied in person. Bullying can have a severe impact on the mental health and well-being of your child, let alone the simple childhood happiness they deserve. Frighteningly, bullying can sometimes lead to the situation where a child doesn’t want to live anymore. An unbelievable and horrific thought for any parent! One of the most important steps to take for children, is to discuss the bullying situation at home or with a trusted adult. However, this can also be one of the hardest steps for children, as they might feel ashamed or at fault. Therefore, it is important for caretakers and educators to

tune into any changes in behaviour and body language children might display. My grade three daughter got bullied at primary school recently. At first, I tried to assess how much of this harassment she could solve herself. As a mental toughness coach, I believe it is important for my children to learn how to navigate these situations, as they will come back later in life. However, the verbal and physical harassment kept going for multiple terms. When it started to impact her happy self and she started crying on our walk home from school, I acted. I informed her teacher and formalised a complaint in a letter to the principal, curiously asking what their bullying policy entails. This was what I learned during the research into my latest picture book about bullying. The mother of a bully victim told me that one thing she would have done differently is to write a letter to the school to formalise her daughter’s bullying situation. Formalising a bullying complaint means the school must document it, report on it and take action to solve it. I quickly noticed an increased focus to solve the bullying problem at my daughter’s primary school. The teachers pro-actively started to update me about the situation. My daughter and her bully had weekly catchups with the principal. The bully was disciplined when a teacher overheard his verbal harassment in the schoolyard. The principal called the parents of the bully to discuss the situation. The school is on top of it now and the situation is being managed. This wouldn’t necessarily have happened without a formal complaint.

I keep on top of it too, as the bully is still in her classroom and teachers admit they can’t see or hear everything that happens in the schoolyard. We discuss it openly at home and I’m positive we can manage it from here. If you find yourself in a serious bullying situation with your child, make it your first action to formalise a complaint, so that the school must log it and act. However, also continue the conversation at home and find ways to mitigate the direct impact: • Tell them you love them and discuss their many great traits • Explore together why bullies do what they do and what drives them • Discuss how your child can stand up for herself in a constructive non-violent way • Help them to have play days and friendships outside the bully circle • Ask others to keep an eye out in the schoolyard to keep your child safe

There is no silver bullet to stop a bullying situation when your child is the victim. Having an open conversation at home, whilst working on your child’s self-worth, confidence, health, proper self-defence and emotional resilience, is surely of essence to manage the severity of the impact. More importantly, by doing this, we help them develop skills and traits that can last a lifetime. Because as adults we know that bullying is an unfortunate part of life and doesn’t just stop after primary school. Niels Van Hove is an author, mental toughness coach and founder of www.mentaltoughness. online. Niels lives in Melbourne with his wife and two daughters. His latest book; How I Beat My Bully, is available in Kindle version and paperback from Amazon and hardcover from Booktopia. For more information about Niels or his books visit www.mentaltoughness.online

• Make sure your child keeps active and enjoy their hobbies

Parklife elwood foreshore playspace Some of you will remember this used to be a quirky old playground hidden behind a giant brick wall with hand painted equipment and gorgeous drooping trees to climb on. We used to play here after kinder (Lady Forster Kinder is next door) all the time and grab pizzas from the now long-gone La Porchetta. But the wall was collapsing and council deemed the equipment unsafe (it was fun but this was hardly surprising). Sadly the pizza shop lies empty as well. Shaded by stunning She-oak trees, a brand new park has just arisen, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nice that they have put in such a natural looking play structure and ground cover in line with the beautiful nature of the trees and nearby beach.

But be warned, this play structure is not for kids too young. There are huge gaps between the rope bridge and other areas, so supervision is a must. It features a climbing wall, slide, bridge, unusual climbing ladder, and sky high beams to manoeuvre across. There is a separate slide for toddlers with lots of wooden stepping stones as well as a dry creek bed and sand pit to play in. Of course Elwood Beach is right next door so bring your togs for a swim or a scooter for some bike track action. My tip, grab some lunch at Elwood Bathers afterwards or head up to Ormond Road for coffee and food!

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Why talkIng about school Is hard ‘How was school?’ is a big question. To answer, your child has to sum up a whole day, and that’s hard for children (and even adults!) to do. A child might really want to say, ‘My day was so jam-packed with ideas and classes and social stuff that I don’t know where to start’. So it’s easier just to say ‘OK’. Some children feel their school experiences are private, so they might not want to share them. This is a normal part of school-age development as children start to shape their own identities and social worlds. But your child still needs to know you’re there when she’s ready to talk.

Why talking about school is important Talking with your child about the school day shows you’re interested in what’s going on in his life. This interest boosts his mental health, happiness and wellbeing. It can also have a very positive effect on your child’s behaviour and achievement. It shows your child that you value school and education, which encourages him to value it too. Talking together about school also helps you get to know more about what’s expected of your child at school, how she learns and how she handles challenges. It can help you understand when she’s feeling less interested in school or having problems. When you’re in touch with your child’s feelings about school, you’re more likely to see problems before they get too big. This way you can work on overcoming challenges together. 10

And talking about school issues – like school projects or friendship problems – is also a great chance for you to express your family values about things like teamwork, respect for self and others, friendships, relationships, problemsolving and so on.

Strategies for talking about school with your child Your child will probably be tired and hungry or thinking about other things when she first gets home. So easing the transition from school or after-school activities to home can help your child feel more like talking. It’s best to avoid asking him lots of questions straight away. You can just let your child know that you’re glad to see him, and talk about nonschool topics for a while. Younger children will probably also like unpacking their bags and going through any notes before you ask about school. Saving questions about homework for later on can also take the pressure off!

Every afternoon or evening will be different. Even if your child usually likes to share her day with you, there’ll be days when she doesn’t want to talk. Sometimes it’s a matter of sensing her mood and picking the right moment. Some days there might not be a right moment at all, and that’s OK. Simple, positive and specific questions about parts of the day can get your child talking. For example: • What’s the news from school today?

Your child’s behaviour and communication style might seem to change overnight when she starts school. Suddenly everything’s ‘awesome’, or she’s rolling her eyes at everything you say. She’s learning all kinds of new things from her friends and teachers, so this is part of her developing a unique identity.

Ideas for talking about school with secondary school children

• Who did you hang out with today?

As your child develops into the teenage years, he might want more privacy and time to himself, which can make it harder to talk about school. But this isn’t the end of your warm, close relationship – it’s just that getting some distance from you is how your child becomes a more independent individual.

• What subjects did you do today?

Stay connected

• What projects are you working on at the moment?

Staying connected to your child can help you balance respect for her independence and privacy with your need to keep in touch with her life.

• What was fun? • What did you like best at school today? • What does your classroom look like at the moment?

When you ask your child about his day, try to use open-ended questions. For example, you could ask questions like, ‘What did you do in class after recess?’ or ‘What topics are you working on in science at the moment?’ Questions like these invite answers that are longer than just ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘OK’.

Tips for talking about school with primary school children These tips can help you get a conversation going: • Make time to talk. This can often be when you’re doing something with your child. For example, your child might like to talk when you’re walking the dog or preparing dinner together. • Give your child your full attention if she wants to talk with you about her day. • Take seriously whatever your child tells you. For example, you can say things like, ‘That’s really interesting. Then what happened?’ or ‘And how do you feel about that?’ • When you talk about the school and teachers with or in front of your child, use respectful language. For example, ‘I can see that’s frustrating, but Ms Adams is your teacher and you need to speak respectfully to her’.

Ask about links between schoolwork and future plans At this age, your child might be more open to talking about the links between his schoolwork and what he wants to do when he’s finished school. For example, ‘How’s the webpage you were designing in information technology coming along? Are you still thinking you might want to get into web design after school?’ Look out for signs of problems Even if you usually have a good relationship with your child, she might not always tell you when she’s having a tough time. If she’s upset or nervous about discussing school or refuses to answer a question, there might be a bigger problem. Stay calm around tricky topics Conversations with your teenage child about school might bring up tricky topics. Try to stay calm – this is a great chance for you to be supportive and show your child that you value his honesty. From Raising Children. raisingchildren.net.au provides ad-free parenting videos, articles and apps backed by Australian experts. raisingchildren.net.au 11

Providing an education for life Established in 1914, St Leonard’s College is one of Australia’s leading independent coeducational schools. Located in the heart of Melbourne’s bayside suburb of Brighton East, it is here that young people are educated in a physically, emotionally and spiritually safe environment where they are genuinely known, nurtured and loved. The authentic values of the College reflect the community they serve. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning and for the active daily demonstration of the values the school instils. St Leonard’s students are welcomed into a warm, caring, connected community with an ethical culture founded upon a strong moral purpose – to develop genuine global citizens who respond to inequity, inequality and injustice. As global citizens, students are armed with the necessary skills, values and attitudes required to build an economic and social future in an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world. St Leonard’s recognises the centrality of developing intellect, building character and learning practical capabilities. There is a strong focus on the development of character and virtue which cultivates empathy and responsibility for all people, the planet and all life that exists. The school seeks to develop selfless citizens who understand that their education is not only about what it can bring to their lives, but through them what it can bring to the lives of others. The result is grounded and well rounded students who seek to make the world in which they live a better place for both themselves and others. St Leonard’s is unwavering in their commitment to developing the whole child – head, heart and soul. The breadth and depth of the cocurricular program encourages young people to explore their gifts and discover their passions to achieve excellence and fulfilment. Students enjoy access to outstanding facilities including an indoor swimming pool. 2020 will also see the opening of a world-class performing arts centre, systems engineering centre with two STEM laboratories, purpose-built year 12 centre and exam space. Through the diverse programs, advanced scholastic models, and brilliant teachers, St Leonard’s College students are developed to their full potential and believe in their ability to succeed if they give of their best. Consequently, students excel academically and St Leonard’s College is proudly one of Melbourne’s leading academic schools.

Leadership in Education

• St Leonard’s College has established professional learning partnerships with leading world universities including Harvard and University College London. • St Leonard’s College is also the only Australian school invited to engage in the OECD 2030 project – The Future of Education.

Curriculum

• Reggio Emilia Approach to Early Learning • International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) • International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) • Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) • Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Academic Extension • • • • • •

World Scholars Cup Tournament of Minds Future Problem Solving Maths and Science Olympiad da Vinci Decathlon Debating and Public Speaking

Cocurricular

• A rich and diverse cocurricular program offers over 100 options ensuring all students are catered for. • This dynamic offering includes clubs, competitions, domestic and international study tours, leadership councils and committees, bands, orchestras, choirs, musicals, plays, camps, and over 35 sports to choose from.

Bayside’s School of Choice Visit St Leonard’s College

St Leonard’s College is one of Australia’s premier independent co-educational schools, educating students from ELC3 to Year 12. Join us for a College tour to explore our outstanding facilities and to learn more about how St Leonard’s College can provide your child with an ‘education for life.’ Saturday 15 February 2020 Tuesday 25 February 2020 Thursday 19 March 2020 Tuesday 28 April 2020

Please visit our website to book a tour. 163 South Road, Brighton East VIC 3187

stleonards.vic.edu.au

lunch box love

Mums and dads across Melbourne are about to deal with the relentless dilemma of what to put in their children’s lunch boxes as the beginning of the school year approaches. With that also comes the challenge of creating lunch boxes that are filled with food that’s healthy, easy to prepare and affordable.

at school and discuss healthier food and drink choices. This will help you save time, and they won’t complain about what’s in their lunch boxes, because they put it there!

Melbourne mum Sarah Todd is a celebrity chef (you may remember her from season 6 of Masterchef!), ClickClack ambassador and mum to her son Phoenix. She said convenient foods are the easy option, but not always the cheapest or healthiest. Sarah provides us with her top tips on getting more bang for your buck when it comes to school meals.

If it’s a meal your kids love to eat, why not make a little extra? Pop leftovers into a ClickClack container and send it with them to school the next day.

Naked lunch boxes This is something my son and I have been doing for the last two years. Everything in Phoenix’s lunch box has absolutely no packaging. It’s something we consciously work on together.

Get the kids involved It’s all about getting your children involved. Encourage them to prepare their own lunches. Talk to them about what they would like to eat 14

Turn your lunches into dinners

Plan, plan, plan ahead Waking up in the morning and thinking ‘what am I going to pack for the kids’ lunches?’ is a recipe for disaster. On a Sunday morning, make some time to plan the week ahead. Write a shopping list that actually meets your needs and doesn’t result in food wastage.

Buy in bulk You don’t need to purchase the carrots that are already cut up for you…buy a bag of them and chop them up yourself. Same goes with prepackaged items like popcorn or crackers and even things like cheese and yoghurt.

Cook in bulk with a Sunday cook off

Phoenix’s cookie recipe

Every Sunday we make Phoenix’s cookies for the week. It’s become his signature. We create this together and use them throughout the week for school. We’ve even printed recipe cards out and given them to all of his friends.

180g unsalted butter, softened

Invest in good quality containers

2 cups (300g) plain (all-purpose) flour, sifted

If you had to add up how much you’re spending on plastic zip lock bags over the course of a year, you’ll quickly realise that investing in reusable containers is a brilliant idea, and it’s so much better for the environment too! I use ClickClack containers which offer a fantastic and helpful range to help make school lunches easier to pack and manage. They’re not only chic and stylish, but they’re also handy and versatile. They’re BPA-free, airtight, easy to stack and easy to open. www.clickclack.com

Ingredients 3/4 cup (135g) brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 eggs 1 teaspoon baking powder, sifted 150g dark chocolate, chopped Method Preheat oven to 180oC. Place the butter, sugar and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until pale and creamy. Gradually add the eggs and beat well. Add the flour and baking powder and beat until a smooth dough forms. Fold through the chocolate. Roll 1 tablespoon of the mixture into balls, place on baking trays lined with non-stick baking paper and press to flatten. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until golden. Allow to cool on the trays. Makes 24.

turn the page Penelope Perfect - Very Private List for Camp Success by Chrissie Perry Penelope Kingston wants to be perfect. But being a perfectionist can be superstressful! Sometimes, when things don’t go exactly to plan, Penelope can’t hold back her big feelings. It’s going to take a whole lot of fun, friendship and calming techniques for Penelope to be her best self. When Penelope thinks of school camp, she feels sick, sick, sick. She’s so nervous! So many things could go wrong. But she knows that being prepared makes everything better – so she writes the perfect list. Published by Hardie Grant Egmont. RRP $12.99.

How we got cyber smart by Lisa Rothfield-Kirschner This book addresses cyber safety for primary school-aged children. The information pulls from realistic online events as Lisa explains the dangers of the Internet in terms children will understand. It follows the adventures of two kids Olivia and Jack, as they navigate the online world and tells the story of how they became cyber smart and dealt with their online bully. It provides practical advice to parents and children in how to protect themselves online and look after their safety. This book is a helpful tool for all parents, caregivers and teachers of school-aged children to help start the conversation about online safety and safe online habits. owwegotcybersmart.com. Available from amazon.com.au, RRP $18.95.

The Easter Bunnyroo by Susannah Chambers Last week my dad found an orphan who needs our help. She has LONG ears and BIG feet and a BUILT-IN BASKET. He says she’s a joey but I know who she really is - THE EASTER BUNNY! Melbourne mum Susannah Chambers has created this very Australian Easter story about an understandable misunderstanding and an Easter Bunny who turns out to be an Easter Bunnyroo. Age 3-6. Published by Allen & Unwin RRP $19.95

The Chicken’s Curse by Frances Watts Felix and Livia are being pursued across the Roman empire, from the darkest, dampest corner of Gaul to the dry, desert sands of Tadmor. They must reach Rome by the Ides of April to rescue Livia’s brother before he is sent into the arena to do battle with lions - and perhaps a vicious ostrich or two! Along the way, the pair are helped (and hindered) by a selfish sacred chicken, a foolish camel and a grumpy magic carpet as they encounter bandits, a shipwreck and a false accusation. Will they save Livia’s brother in time, or will they all fall victim to the chicken’s curse? Age 8-12. Published by Allen & Unwin RRP $16.95 16

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PORT DOUGLAS By Sarah Cavalier @thecavalier-

As Summer slowly draws to a close, one can hardly blame me for thinking about where I can take the kids to escape what is inevitably going to be a cold wet Melbourne Winter. The exact thoughts were running through my head this time last year, so when a Jetstar sale popped up in my in-box I jumped at the chance to book some cheap flights to Cairns. The time had come to finally take my two kids to one of my favourite Australian destinations, Port Douglas. The climate of Tropical North Queensland is brilliant in our Winter months. We headed up over the Queen’s Birthday weekend last June to arrive to sunny 28 degree days. This was my 4th visit to PD, but my first with kids, so I jumped on portdouglasuncovered.com to find some new ideas that the kids would adore.

Our hotel: Of course the first thing to consider is accommodation. On one of my earlier visits to PD (pre-marriage and with my now exhusband!) we spent two nights at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort. At the time this was all we could afford, and we schlepped the other three nights in a budget place in town, but our minds were blown. This was ‘incredible’ and worth every penny. Today the Sheraton is surprisingly 18

quite budget friendly, considering how fabulous it is, and is in my opinion simply the BEST place to take kids in Port Douglas. Part of the impressive Marriott Bonvoy group, the resort is set on 147 hectares of lush tropical gardens running along Port Douglas’ famed Four Mile Beach, with the centre piece undoubtedly being their almost 5 acres of lagoon-style pools. These pools were hands down the kids’ favourite part of the hotel and we were lucky enough to have a swim-up balcony so the kids could practically roll out of bed and into the water! I could go on all day about the amazing features of Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, so you know what, I will. There are some important things to consider when deciding where to stay in Port Douglas. The main town centre is set on a little peninsular divided by the sea and Packers Creek. There are lots of great little hotels through out the town centre, but the majority of the big resorts are located at the other end of Four Mile Beach. Sheraton on the other hand is located about mid way meaning access to all the restaurants, cafes and tourism hubs is so much easier with kids, and totally walkable. We took a gorgeous stroll back to the hotel along the beach after dinner one night, but a word of warning, don’t leave it too late as the tide comes right in at night and the beach disappears. We made it back just in the nick-of-time! If walking is not your thing, there is however a very handy bus.

Another benefit of the resort being set on 147 hectares of

land is it’s huge, so beach access to the North and South of the resort is very limited. Besides people taking long walks along the beach, you don’t get anyone but hotel users on this section of the beach. The winter months are outside stinger season so the beach is a perfect place to swim and play. The beach is lined with draping palms trees, making you instantly feel like you are on a luxurious tropical holiday (you are!) and my kids had a ball making cubbies with dropped palm fronds and playing with coconuts. Each morning I’d get up early and go for a walk on the beach. Sunrise through the trees is simply stunning and even walking through the grounds of the resort, whilst so many are still in bed, was so nice with the beautiful morning light filtering through the palm trees. Once the kids were up it was coffee time and time to hit the breakfast buffet. There were so many choices, much to the kids’ delight, and it was the perfect way to fuel up for the day’s adventures. marriott.com.au

The Daintree: Of course one of the most famous things in Tropical North Queensland is the Daintree Rainforest, the oldest continually surviving tropical rainforest in the world. Along the coastline north of the Daintree River, the forest grows right down to the edge of the sea. We hired a car (there are heaps of places in town) and set off early to go check it out. After passing sugar cane fields and the town of Mossman the drive quickly turns to one of beauty. Stunning beaches to the right, equally stunning mountains to the left. Access to Cape Tribulation is made via a ferry crossing of the Daintree River which is great fun. There are lots of river cruises available on the Daintree River where

ulation

Cape Trib

you can go crocodile spotting, but we had a lot planned for our five day stay and decided the crocs could wait for another time.

Happy

Beyond the river you can stop in at the Daintree Ice Cream Company. Ice cream, gelatos and sorbets are handmade on site using classic artisan methods with exotic fruit organically grown and farmed in their orchards. Flavours change daily based on what fruits are in season, but expect some surprises like black sapote, rollinia, mangosteen and soursop as well as more expected mango, pineapple, coconut and macadamia. daintreeicecream.com.au

faces!

Once we arrived at Cape Tribulation we took a walk out to the stunning beach. Crocodiles are very common up here, so swimming is off the cards, but a quick stroll in the shallows of this crystal clear water, where the forest meets the sea, is truly memorable.

The Great Barrier Reef Of course no trip to Port Douglas is complete without a trip out to the reef. There are two main options here. The outer reef or the Low Isles. The outer reef is incredible, especially if you want to scuba dive, but for a family day out I can’t recommend the Low Isles enough. Being island based, not a floating pontoon in the middle of the sea, there is so much more for the kids to do beyond just snorkelling. Whilst there are plenty of big operators leaving the marina daily, but the boats are busy and the queues for lunch crowded, so we opted for a more personalised tour for our day at the Low Isles.

Exploring th e Low Isles

Bretto from Wind Swell is a one-stop-shop for all your water adventures in PD, offering snorkelling, standup paddle boarding, wakeboarding, foilboarding, tube riding and even spear fishing. Bretto’s private charters on board his fast boat are the perfect way to enjoy the day as a family as you get the whole boat to yourself. Upon arrival we spotted a family of small tiny reef sharks frolicking in the shallows. These creatures are harmless but provided some great entertainment to start our adventure. Next we were given a quick snorkelling lesson where the kids were provided pool noodles to help them float better, then we were off. Bretto led the way and knew exactly where to go to find turtles, stunning fish and also where not to go to help avoid other tour groups on some bigger boats. After some fresh fruits and delicious rolls Bretto led us on a tour of this tiny islands. He knows plenty of its history and I couldn’t help thinking “I bet no one else gets this experience on with their reef tours”. Afterwards it was time for some SUP to get a different view of the reef. Gently gliding

e! That’s m t! Our boa

my board over turtles swimming below was simply incredible. The waters surrounding all islands of this magnificent coastline boasts 150 different species of hard coral, which is dominated by 15 species of soft coral. Swimming amongst them are colourful tribes of parrot fish, angelfish, damsel fish, clown fish, trevally, rabbit fish, sweetlip, moon wrasse, fusiliers, giant 60-year-old clams and resident turtles- just to name a few! For the afternoon, you can customise your itinerary and choose to do more SUP and snorkelling or opt for a session of adrenaline-fuelled water sports, choosing from wakeboarding or tubing. If you are an experienced kiteboarder, equipment will be on board for you to use, but Bretto gave Lachie a quick lesson on how to fly the kite from shore with a small trainer kite which was super fun! windswell.com.au

Shaolin The stunning

Sunset cruise There are quite a few boat operators in PD that offer sunset cruises, the perfect way to spend an evening. If you’ve got pirate loving kids, you can’t go past The Shaolin, an authentic sailing junk boat. This boat is gorgeous, in all her wooden glory. The cruise takes you from the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, along Port Douglas waterfront and out into the Coral Sea. Once at sea the views of the local mountains with the sun setting behind are fabulous. The captain gave an entertaining commentary along the way as we sat out the front on the wooden bow and snacked on delicious Yum Cha and drank wine (well the kids had juice!). The first drink is included but more drinks can be purchased along the way. The Shaolin sails daily, leaving the marina at 5pm for a 1.5hr cruise. shaolinportdouglas. com.au

Back Country

Bliss

River rafting We were almost going to cancel this tour as by day four I had a really nasty head cold (I know, fancy getting a cold in the tropics), but I’m so glad I pushed through because this was honestly the highlight of my trip. Winding though the Daintree Forest is the Mossman River, and being too cold for the crocodiles it provides the most safe and picturesque location for some river rafting. Run by Back Country Bliss, this is an adventure like no other called ‘river drift snorkelling’. Think floating down through an ancient rainforest in the clearest, freshest water, on board an inflatable lilo, whilst also dipping under for some snorkelling adventures to find fresh water fish and turtles. backcountrybliss.com.au

Food and fun in town My kids highly recommend the cane toad racing at the Iron Bar. Racing daily, these hilariously named 22 toads, like Camel Toad, Jerry Springer and Pidgeon

Cane toad racing

INSPIRING LITTLE LEARNERS QUALITY EARLY EDUCATION

• Individualised learning programs • Qualiﬁed and experienced educators • Tailored learning and curriculum for each age • Indoor and outdoor play based experiences • Safe, exciting and fun learning environments • Nutritious meals

BLACKROCK 173 Bluff Rd Black Rock VIC 3193 Ph 03 9598 4103 blackrock@shel.edu.au OPENIN NOBLE PARK FEB 202G 0 61-63 Chandler Rd Noble Park VIC 3174 Ph 1300 786 794 noblepark@shel.edu.au

SPRINGVALE SOUTH 808-814 Heatherton Rd Springvale South VIC 3172 Ph 03 9540 9479 springvalesouth@shel.edu.au

CHELTENHAM 337 Bay Road Cheltenham VIC 3192 Ph 03 9553 9971 cheltenham@shel.edu.au CLYDE NORTH 1-3 Selandra Blvd Clyde North VIC 3978 Ph 03 5999 0697 clydenorth@shel.edu.au

1300 786 794 www.shel.edu.au

LYNBROOK 10-12 Northey Road Lynbrook VIC 3975 Ph 03 8768 7564 lynbrook@shel.edu.au

Let your child’s early learning story begin with us

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mama can Cook! Fettuccine Carbonara

Prep 5 min | Cook 10 min| Serves 4

Ingredients

Method

2 eggs, beaten

Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil.

1 cup grated parmesan

In a bowl, combine the egg, parmesan, some pepper, parsley and rocket and set aside.

4 flat-leaf parsley sprigs, leaves picked, chopped 1 cup rocket 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 garlic cloves, bruised 500g fettuccine 200g bacon, diced 2 tablespoons white wine

Heat the oil in a large frying pan, add the bruised garlic and cook until fragrant and golden. In the meantime, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the packet instructions until al dente. Remove the garlic from the oil, then add the bacon and fry until cooked to your liking (crispy or slightly softer). Once cooked, add the wine to the pan then remove from the heat. Strain the pasta in a colander (keeping Âź cup of the cooking liquid aside in case it is needed for the sauce), then place the frying pan back over a medium heat. Add the strained pasta to the pan and toss to combine with the bacon. Add the egg mixture to the pan and immediately turn off the heat. Stir the egg mixture through the pasta and bacon, adding a splash of the cooking liquid if you need it to help stir through the egg. Serve immediately.

There are some nights when you just need a meal on the table in 15 minutes. While many recipes finish this dish with cream, traditionally it is made without it. We add some rocket for a bit of extra zing. Dinner done. 24

Photographer: ÂŠ Bec Hudson

This is an edited extract from The Plan, Buy, Cook Book by Jen Petrovic and Gaby Chapman published by Hardie Grant Books $29.99 and is available where all good books are sold.

Bean Quesadillas Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil 1 onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed or grated 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 × 400g tin diced tomatoes 2 × 400g tins red kidney beans, drained and rinsed 8 tortillas Cheddar cheese, grated (optional) Lime wedges, to serve (optional) 1/2 cup yoghurt or sour cream 2 slices pickled jalapeño chilli Salsa: 100g corn kernels 1 shallot, finely diced 1 tomato, chopped 8 fresh coriander sprigs, leaves picked, chopped

Prep 15 min | Cook 50 min | Serves 4

Method Heat the oil in a saucepan and cook the onion and garlic over a medium heat for 10 minutes. Add the cumin and coriander, stir and cook for 2 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon water if needed to stop the spices burning. Add the tomatoes, kidney beans and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. The mix needs to be quite dry. If doubling up the recipe, split the mixture in two and allow the extra meal to cool to room temperature. Refrigerate overnight before freezing for later use. Heat a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Place a tortilla in the pan and spread a few tablespoons of the bean mixture on top. Add the grated cheese, if using. Place another tortilla on top and press down with a spatula, turn over and cook until golden. Alternatively, use a sandwich press or the oven grill. If cooking under the grill, flip to crisp the other side. To make the salsa, combine the corn, shallot, tomato and coriander, then set aside. To serve, cut the quesadillas into quarters, transfer to a plate and top with salsa, yoghurt and jalapeño chilli. Serve with lime wedges, if desired. 25

The perfect season to sWIM As summer sadly comes to an end, we say goodbye to family beach days and pool parties with friends. But as the weather cools, Kingswim Mornington Centre Manager Clare Connelly is urging parents to capitalise on the valuable skills learnt over summer.

In addition to capitalising on your child’s excitement and experience in the water, continuing swimming year round will provide higher fitness levels and a stronger immune system that make kids more resilient to stress and illness.

“After a big summer of swimming, kids are better placed than ever to continue building their skills and confidence in the water,” she says.

While some parents withdraw their children from swimming classes when the temperature drops believing it will help avoid illness, children who swim throughout autumn and winter are actually far less likely to catch colds and flu.

Children who put their skills from lessons into practice in different environments such as the ocean or rivers come back from summer holidays excited, confident and hungry to continue their lessons.

By the time your next holiday rolls around, you’ll be able to see and celebrate all the hard work from year-round lessons paying off, have peace of mind, and enjoy an even safer and more fun summer in the water together.

This is why autumn is the perfect time to start or stay in lessons. Let your child’s swimming teacher know how their summer holiday went, what they enjoyed most or struggled with in the water. This will help their teacher understand their swimming ability and how to best help them moving forward.

For more information on Kingswim programs and the benefits of year-round swimming, please visit kingswim.com.au

After a big summer of swimming, kids are better placed than ever to continue building their skills and confidence in the water

At its heart, learning to swim is about fun. We learn as children so we can spend a lifetime safely and confidently enjoying all that water has to offer.

Book your FREE introductory lesson today!*

*T&Cs apply

kingswim.com.au

Book a free trial Enrol now

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Brighton Rec Centre Pre-school Programs

3 year old Kinder Tuesday 9am-2pm. Enrolments taken any time during the year once your child turns 3. A fun and stimulating program for the creative and adventurous 3 year old.

Occasional Care Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9am-2pm or 9am-12pm. For children aged from 6 weeks old. Offering both casual or permanent places and up to 15 hours per week is available.

Gymnastics Classes held Monday to Saturday. Discover our fun and physically active gymnastics program for pre-schoolers, to learn the fundamentals of all types of movement. For more information about our pre-school programs or to book into a class visit www.brightonrec.com.au Email: enquiries@brightonrec.com.au 93 Outer Crescent, Brighton. Phone: 9592 3033

Hampton parents Max and Sarah Shatkhin are the new owners of Brighton’s coolest (literally) Gelateria, Little Sky, which opened in January. From its stunning interior to their house-made, all natural gelato, this little store is a total winner! But starting a gelato store from scratch is no easy feat, especially whilst juggling jobs, life and two kids. We chat to Max and Sarah about bringing their gelato dream to life. Firstly, quickly tell us a bit about yourself and your two kids.

Tell us about the ingredients you use and where they come from.

We’re locals who love living in Bayside. We have two girls aged 5 and 8.

It takes a little community to create amazing gelato. Wherever possible, we source our quality ingredients from people who believe in what they do and we are always looking at ways to improve our supply chain and it’s carbon footprint. Our gelato is made daily, completely natural and we never use those off-the-shelf factory powder mixes. We use seasonal fruit, milk from Schultz Organic Dairy and Heilala vanilla (organic and sustainably sourced). Our chocolate is from Ratio Cocoa who make their chocolate, from bean to bar, in Brunswick.

What were you both up to work wise before the idea for Little Sky came about? Max was in the cabinet making industry (hence the attention to detail in shop fit out!) and after selling his business he was looking for a fresh start. We always wanted to take the kids to a local ice-cream place that didn’t use artificial colours or flavours, and that we wanted to hang out in. We had ideas about running the most environmentally sustainable business as possible that also had an element of giving back to the community. I works in marketing which I loves and I’ve kept my day job, while Max’s focus is now 100% on running Little Sky.

Max, you travelled to Italy to learn the true art of gelato. What was this experience like? After thinking we’d be making ice-cream after some investigation we landed on getalo. It turns out gelato has less sugar and fat compared to ice cream. Gelato also has a more intense flavour than ice-cream, and because gelato is served at a lower temperature it feels smoother in the mouth. Max stayed for a month near Turin, Italy learning how to be a gelato chef with people from all around the world – it was a truly great experience.

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Being environmentally responsible is also a priority for Little Sky. Tell us what you are achieving here and how? We think it all adds up, no matter how small the action. We minimise waste by re-using, recycling or composting (in-house) and making choices that will have the least impact on the environment, like choosing green power. Reality is that means we make less money but we are totally ok with that. Climate change is a massive issue for us all and we think we all need to do our bit wherever we can.

Tell us about your link with the Royal Children’s Hospital? Our youngest daughter got viral meningitis when she was just one week old. This led to myocarditis (which is unusual, the virus moved into the heart and inflamed the heart muscle) and a stay at the RCH for some time. It was

WE LOVE A MOTHER

and haer! fat

a scary period in our lives and we are forever grateful that we live in a city that has a hospital like the RCH. So we decided that we’d give a proportion of the shop income to the RCH, plus help any local community organisations as best we can at the time. It goes back to the theory, no matter what the size of the contribution, it all adds up.

It took a long time to find your shop. What happened? We naively thought that finding a shop would be the easy part seeing how there are quite of lot of empty shops around Bayside. 10 months later we finally, finally, found the right sized shop in the right location. And the best part . . . it’s owned by these two lovely Italian guys (yes, seriously, Italians!). It was a match made in gelato heaven.

So you’ve got your building, what happens next? Part of what we wanted to achieve with Little Sky was to create a place that people felt good in. It had to feel welcoming, friendly and be a great place to hang out. We knew that interior design had a critical role to play in creating this so we teamed up with the talented designers at Ewert Leaf. When it came to the building part we did some of the work ourselves but most of it was left to the professionals. The exciting part is seeing it all come together!

What do the kids think about owning a gelato store? To quote them “GREAT!”.

What’s your fave thing about being a parent? The cuddles, the laughs and the refreshing honesty.

What are your favourite go-to’s in Bayside for food and fun? Il Forno in Hampton Street (the best pizza around – we take it away), Y14 in Sandringham and Zepplin Café in Bay Street, Brighton. For fun, Thomas Street park and Rickett’s Point beach are always winners!

Finally, where can we find you? Little Sky Gelateria Brighton. 332 Bay Street Brighton littleskygelato.com.au

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ALL TICKET

CLASSIC KIDS

Peer Gynt MONDAY 6 APRIL / 12pm Melbourne Recital Centre Dance your way through an interactive musical adventure! A friendly, fun-filled amble through the famous melodies from Grieg’s mystical music for Peer Gynt. Perfect for young explorers aged 5 – 10 and their families. Book now / mso.com.au / 03 9929 9600

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the mothers It was a perfect baby, slippery and pink. Its legs and arms were tucked into its body and its head was bowed as if sleeping, or praying, like a tiny pious monk. Smooth and compact, shiny and hard, it seemed to be made of resin and sat on the sort of wooden display stand that might hold a Fabergé egg, or a football trophy. But it is a sort of trophy, isn’t it, Grace thought, reaching out towards it. ‘Oh!’ As soon as she made contact, the baby toppled off his wooden stand. His? Hers? Grace couldn’t tell, but she sensed that knocking the model baby across the examination room shelf did not bode well for their appointment. ‘What have you done?’ Dan asked, his voice teasing. ‘I’m so tense.’ She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. ‘Why doesn’t it get easier?’ He took her hand in his bearish paw and squeezed it, giving three short pumps in place of a platitude about how everything would be fine. Grace tried to return the baby to its upright position in the display stand but it was topheavy and refused to stay in the base, which bore the label Twenty-six weeks. She stared at the baby’s face, which appeared peaceful and somehow wise. She could scarcely believe that a hot-blooded version of this creature could ever grow inside her, and for a moment she wanted to scoop up her handbag and pull Dan out the door before they caused themselves any more heartache born of false hope.

‘We have to live our lives.’ ‘I thought we were putting all our energy into this. I don’t want to give up.’ ‘I’m not giving up. I just think we need a holiday.’ ‘What’s keeping Doctor Li?’ Grace asked, looking back to the closed office door. A cable of tension stretched from the base of her skull all the way down her spine. She rolled her head back until she heard a satisfying crack. The motion gave her a sweeping view of the Empona consultation room— the bottles of hand sanitiser, the mauve and violet décor, the poster showing the cross-section of a woman’s torso that looked like a piece of meat, eerily congruent with the disposable cover that had been pulled across the examination bed like butcher’s paper. The door opened and Grace whipped her hands away from the broken baby model. ‘Hello, Doctor,’ she said hastily. ‘Hello, Ardens,’ Doctor Li replied. ‘I suppose you don’t want me to say it’s good to see you again,’ she said with a wry smile.

‘I asked if you wanted me to book those cheap flights to Tokyo. You’re staring at that baby like it leaked the final exam answers to your maths students.’

Despite the boxy skirt and prim, tightly buttoned shirt she wore under her white coat, Doctor Li looked breathtaking, as always. Before their first appointment Grace had thought Doctor Ashley Li could not possibly be as attractive as the photos of her in magazines, when in fact, the pictures had scarcely done her justice. Were it not for her plain clothes and her purple rubber Fitbit, Doctor Li could be from the distant future when aesthetic imperfections, such as weak jaws and dry skin, had been bred out of the species altogether.

This is how they spoke to each other at the clinic: with careful, pointed cheer.

‘How are you today?’ she asked, pert and professional.

Her husband inched closer to her. ‘You’re doing it again,’ he said, sweeping back the stray hairs that fell in pale wisps around her face. ‘Sorry, what did you say?’

Grace’s brow creased as she focused on righting the baby, but its slick finish meant she couldn’t get any purchase on the varnished stand. ‘I don’t want to book anything while we’re having treatment.’

Dan straightened his back. ‘Excellent, Doctor, just excellent.’ He always turned into a prize student in the presence of their doctor, as if he were expecting her to reward his good behaviour by pulling out a vial of magical fluid with a secretive grin and the preamble, ‘I only give this to very special patients . . .’ Doctor Li walked purposefully across the room to the sink where she squirted antibacterial gel into her palm and rubbed her hands together before seating herself at her desk. ‘So,’ she said. ‘We’re going to try again?’ ‘We should get a loyalty reward card,’ Dan said. ‘Every tenth round is free, right?’ Doctor Li opened the Ardens’ file. ‘Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.’ ‘Doctor,’ Grace said, pulling a folded newspaper article from her handbag, ‘I wanted to know what you think about trying dehydroepiandrosterone.’ She pronounced the compound carefully. ‘I’ve been reading about a maverick fertility specialist in London. This article says he has the highest success rate in the country. Double the national average.’ She held out the clipping as evidence. Doctor Li gave a reassuring smile. ‘Grace, I assure you, you’re getting the very best care here. Everything that can be done will be done. Studies have not been able to demonstrate any real benefit to taking DHEA.’ Grace silently refolded the article and returned it to her bag. Doctor Li was as compassionate as a patient could want, but every time she scuffed into the room in pastel-coloured ballet flats to deliver bad news with her standard chaser ‘Sometimes it just takes time’, Grace wanted to shake her and shout, ‘Easy for you to say!’

She looked at him now, her shrewd, caring, grizzly bear of a husband, and felt a surge of gratitude and love. She squeezed his knee and he rewarded her with a smile. Her heart lurched. He would make such a good father. ‘As this is your sixth round of treatment I feel I should take you through the statistics again,’ Doctor Li said. ‘We know the odds,’ Grace said... What if you gave birth to someone else’s child? A gripping family drama inspired by a real-life case of an IVF laboratory mix-up, The Mothers follows the story of two couples, one baby. An unimaginable choice. Grace and Dan Arden are in their forties and have been on the IVF treadmill since the day they got married. Six attempts have yielded no results and with each failure a little piece of their hope dies. Priya Laghari and her husband Nick Archer are being treated at the same fertility clinic, and while they don’t face the same time pressure as the Ardens, the younger couple have their own problems. Priya is booked for her next IVF cycle the same day that Grace goes in for her final, last-chance embryo transfer. Two weeks later, both women get their results. A year on, angry and heartbroken, one of the women learns her embryo was implanted in the other’s uterus and must make a devastating choice: live a childless life knowing her son is being raised by strangers or seek custody of a baby who has been nurtured and loved by another couple. The Mothers by Genevieve Gannon is published by Allen & Unwin.

In three weeks she and Dan would celebrate their second wedding anniversary. The happy event had taken place within a year of their meeting on Grace’s fortieth birthday and it had given her a glimpse of the dream she had all but given up on: blanket forts in the lounge room; homemade playdough cooked over the stove on a rainy afternoon; piggyback rides; fairy bread; and bedtime stories told with all the voices. These were things she had always wanted but feared had slipped the noose — until she met Dan.

lunch-lIst The start of the school year heralds the start of making the school lunch boxes. Kids need lots of different nutrients to make sure they are getting the most out of their school day and whether it’s your first year or your last year, making sure they have a selection of foods that cover these bases can be a challenge. A well balanced lunch box should include:

Carbohydrates: Utilised by the body to provide energy for body and mind these are found in a number of food sources. Not all carbs are created equal and while sugary items are often the most popular for little ones, complex carbohydrates are best for sustaining them through out the day. Sources of carbohydrates are (opt for brown or multigrain) foods like bread, pasta, rice, crispbreads, crackers and wraps or vegetables. Protein: Protein is another one of those

important nutrients for kid’s lunch boxes; it is required for growth, learning and many metabolic processes. Protein can help little tummies feel fuller for longer and can work as a filling for sandwiches or prepared into a salad. Meats like beef, lamb, chicken. Eggs, fish (like tuna) and cheese are other examples. If you prefer a non animal based protein, then beans, lentils, tofu and tempeh are great options.

By Bec Talia, Melbourne mum and owner of Bec The Naturopath. www.becthenaturopath.com

Healthy Fats: Healthy fats are involved

in brain development and growth and are essential component of our kid’s diets. They also have a role in sustaining energy levels and helping your child feel fuller for longer. Foods such as avocado, oily fish like tuna or salmon, eggs, seeds and dairy can be incorporated into a salad or sandwich or on their own for those who like to graze.

Fibre: Fibre helps keep kid’s bowel motions regular and can take a while to digest helping our kids feel fuller for longer. It may also assist in maintaining energy levels by balancing blood sugar - this will aid in concentration and focus. Fibre is also beneficial for our microbiome which is the good bacteria found in our gut. Fruits and vegetables are a great source - they also contain a range of vitamins and minerals. These are perfect foods to give for snacks or “brain food” times. Other good sources are wholegrains, beans and lentils.

Drinks: Learning is thirsty work and making sure a child is well hydrated enhances their ability to concentrate and learn. Water is the best drink to offer - it is essential for life and keeps kids hydrated. It has the added bonus of acting as an ice block to keep food cool if you freeze it overnight and add it to the lunch box.

Remember, it can be easy to get discouraged when food comes back in the lunch box or your child will only eat a vegemite sandwich (been there!). Don’t worry too much – sometimes children are too busy they can forget to eat or they like to take their time over their meals. It is just one meal and we can make sure the other meals in a day are balanced. Happy New School Year!

LEARN TO SWIM

IT’S A SKILL FOR LIFE – AND COULD SAVE YOURS AT PAUL SADLER SWIMLAND Survival Skills are the foundation of our LEARN TO SWIM program

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Paul Sadler Narre Warren 101 Seebeck Drive, Narre Warren (03) 8790 5540 narrewarren@paulsadlerswimland.com

Free Events February

2020

March

2020

Keep up-to-date with events in Stonnington

THE CLASSICS

Global Rhythms

What’s On Stonnington

Opera

Saturday 14 March 5pm – 8pm Prahran Square, Prahran

@whats_on_stonnington

Puccini’s Tosca Saturday 1 February 7.30pm Victoria Gardens, Prahran

Broadway

‘S Wonderful with Jack Earle Big Band Saturday 15 February 7.30pm Ardrie Park, Malvern East

Pets in the Park

STONNINGTON.VIC.GOV.AU

Sunday 22 March 11am – 4pm Central Park, Malvern East

Symphony

Stonnington Symphony with Archie Roach Saturday 22 February 7.30pm Malvern Gardens, Malvern

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ILA AVA

O P E N 7 DAY S Mon-Sat 10:00 - 5:00 Sunday 11:00 - 4:00

904-908 North Rd Bentleigh East, Vic 3165

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Enrol now for Year 7, 2022

We invite you to visit our College in Mentone to explore the quality education and programs that your daughter will experience as a Kilbreda girl. Register today at kilbreda.vic.edu.au or phone 9581 7766

St. Columba’s Primary Open Days 16 March, 24 March, 16 April and 20 April The community spirit of justice and compassion have remained steadfast at our little school in the heart of Elwood for 100 years. Today students are offered a first class, contemporary education while remaining true to these original values. We recognise the unique qualities of each and every student, striving to create a learning environment that stimulates academic excellence whilst providing a sense of security and wellbeing.

There’s a whole other world beyond our front door

We look forward to showing you around our little school with the big heart at any time that suits you. Simply call 9531 6560 for an appointment. 24 Glen Huntly Rd Elwood | www.stcolumbasprimary.org | Enrolment enquiries to principal@scelwood.catholic.edu.au

“Comprehensive high quality General Practice and Allied Health services for all ages”

Women's & Children's Checkups GP Breastfeeding Consultant Skin Cancer Checks Travel Medicine Mental Health 328 Bluff Road Sandringham Phone 9598 6244 www.bluffroadmedical.com.au 40

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prep’ing for the str Kids starting prep this year? Here’s how to survive the stress. Do you know that fleeting moment of ‘feeling on top of your routine when it comes to childcare? As working mum for a very short moment, I felt like I had it all figured around the third term of Kinder – that is until we attended the first information session for prep late last year. Suddenly there is a morning drop off at a time when you are supposed to be in the office already. Now there is a 3 pm pick up, every day – you know that parallel universe that exists that you miss out on? Yes, that’s the one.

The most significant pain point for working mamas is the juggle of both work, school dropoffs and pickups. Below are some practical tips for working mamas (and dads) with prep kids to help ease the stress of juggling work and your child’s first weeks and months at school.

1. Ask for a flexible work arrangement If your employer is okay with you having to work shorter hours on some days so you can drop off and pick up your child, then that would be a perfect way to manage your time. Or work from home so you save the travel time to work and can handle the pick-up hours that way. Your partner should try to do the same – if possible.

ress 2. Make friends with fellow mamas at school If you can wing it; you may want to take a few days off/ or hours each day from work so you can take your time getting to know fellow working mamas and make real connections. Trust me; it will be worth it if you still have no networks among other parents. You will usually find a fellow mama who either lives right across the street from your house or around the block. Try and create a win-win scenario – and negotiate a pickup and drop off schedule. By now you will know which of your child’s friends from childcare and kinder friends are joining the same prep class or at least school.

3. Connect via social media You will naturally gravitate to each other once prep starts, so find a group of mamas online who can relate to what you’re going through and can give tips on how to make it work. Making friends with the mamas in your child’s class will also help you get included in an exclusive group chat for working mamas – if you can’t find one, create one yourself. As mentioned earlier, you can share pick-ups or drop-offs once you can make friends with parents at the class. If you can find a holiday program in your area, you can also send your child with a friend on days that you won’t be able to pick him or her early.

4. Get support If you are not lucky enough to have relatives helping you out, hosting an Au Pair might be a great alternative. What is an Au Pair? Au Pairs are young people, who come to Australia to experience the Aussie culture and improve their language skills while living with a family as a family member in exchange for free board and food plus some pocket money.

Au Pairs can help you with all things childcare for 20-35 hours per week. That’s your school drop off and pick up sorted! All you need is a spare furnished bedroom and the willingness to share your home with a ‘new family member’ and genuinely include them in your family as you would let’s say your husband’s niece. The little things they do to help a working mama like you are a huge time saver, potentially money saver and your mental load can go down tremendously. They can help you with packing lunches, drop-offs and pickups from school/childcare, prepare snacks for kids after school, help with homework, cook simple dinners, get the kids to bed, and even help with child-related housework (i.e. kids laundry). On top of that, you’ll feel much better when you know you have another adult in the house helping to look after your little ones. And if you have a toddler at home as well – an Au Pair is even better as you could save a few days on the ever-increasing childcare costs. These tips might seem a bit tricky, but, once you establish a routine, it gets easier. Find what works for you and your family so you can finally focus on the very first milestones your precious little one is about to take. Being a first-time preppy mama myself, I would love to hear from you and your tips as well! By Irene Becker, mama of two and founder of 99aupairs.com®. www.99aupairs.com

www.wildaction.com. au

PH 0419 385 245 44

LI VE Di AN re I Yo ct MA u! To LS

THE PERFECT WAY TO CELEBRATE YOUR NEXT CHILDREN'S BIRTHDAY PARTY!

WIN

One of four Family Passes to The Gruffalo’s Child Live on stage!

One wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s Child ignores her father’s warnings about the Big Bad Mouse and tiptoes out into the deep dark wood. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist... does he? The team behind The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom and The 13-, 26-, 52-, 78- and 91-Storey Treehouses return with The Gruffalo’s Child, bringing together physical theatre, music and puppetry to deliver songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged 3 and up, and their adults… Simply colour to win!

Pick a location: The Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne

The Frankston Arts Centre

Post to: MamaMag Gruffalo Comp, PO Box 8018, North Road LPO, Brighton East 3187 by Mar 15.

Child’s name:

Age:

Parent’s name:

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theatre matters Do you remember your first theatre experience? In a digital world, it is vital to offer children access to live experiences. With an abundance of quality kids content online, via streaming services and on television, as a parent it can be hard to factor in the importance of also giving your child live arts experiences. Going with your child to see live theatre can inspire them long after the curtain has gone down. Whether it be a large scale musical, a circus performance, or a theatre piece created especially for kids, live experiences not only enchant and entertain but also fire up the imagination and encourage skills, curiosity and creativity. Emerging research shows the benefits that school-age students can gain from trips to the theatre. Not only do they gain a greater understanding of a story, which they may have only had a chance to read or hear before attending; they also develop skills of empathy and understanding. Something special happens when students share a live theatre experience together – it is not unlike our family and friends when we sit down to share a meal. We sit at the table – we share stories, some menial, some funny, some sad. We take moments to understand each other better and take time to disagree or empathise. The same thing happens in a theatre audience and it is very different to any other experience. Seeing live theatre appears to make students more understanding and accepting of different people. In recent research by American researcher by Jay Greene; ‘That’s the tolerance and social perspective taking results that we’re seeing… the result of students being exposed to something outside of their narrow world. And by being exposed to something outside of their narrow world they gain some greater understanding of and acceptance of that broader world.’

If you are looking for information about the best shows to introduce your child to theatre, we’re here for you. Many Australian performing arts companies, venues and community spaces support parents in providing their children with an opportunity to engage with the arts as a form of expression, a career choice, or as an audience member.

Something special happens when students share a live theatre experience together With an increased focus on STEAM subjects in Australian schools, arts curriculums across the country support live theatre experiences – it is creative, not just analytical, minds that are needed now more than ever. The vibe and the hum of our venue on a day when we have a 600 strong audience of 6 – 10 year olds, is something spectacular. Students learn life skills from the moment they leave the classroom – travelling together, asking questions of people around them, navigating different and new spaces and sharing with their peers. The live theatrical experience is more than just “sitting in a show”; it is much more than that. We believe that theatre creates a well-rounded individual. One who gains perspectives from all over the world, believes that creativity is inherently important in their everyday life and looks for new ways of understanding the world around them. If we get more children watching and enjoying theatre, it is possible that they are more likely to grow into adults equipped with skills to understand the world we live in and perhaps change it for the better – to bring stories and people, from all walks of life, together. By Heidi Irvine, Programming & Engagement at Frankston Arts Centre, has previously worked in education for Queensland Theatre Company and has ten years’ experience in teaching drama to kids. artscentre.frankston.vic.gov.au

hampton

1.5 -6 years

SCLIFF

QUEEN

4-5 APRIL

Also in Oct & Jan

EASTER WEEKEND 2020 Good Friday Train Rides

Proceeds donated to the RCH Appeal

Easter Bunny Specials Easter Saturday & Sunday

Heritage Train Service

Easter Saturday, Sunday & Monday,

Visit website for details & bookings

www.bellarinerailway.com.au

3 x t r ia l c la s s package other classes include:

PREPS ONLY combo class; ballet, tap, jazz SCHOOL AGE; creative ballet, tap, jazz, acro, musical theatre, private lessons ADULTS; ballet, tap, broadway jazz

0419 641 477

alanna@atads.com.au

www.atads.com.au

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