Get Ahead Kids Magazine Vol. 2. No. 6. Nov/Dec 2010

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Vol. 2 • No. 6 • Nov/Dec 2 010

EDUCATING FAMILIES ON THE GO

®

Summer Learning Special Major NSW Boarding Schools’ Research Indoor Games for Summer Fun Holiday Fun... Don’t Be a Spectator!

University Students Summer Learning Activities Keeping a Holiday Journal

An Interview with

Andrew Daddo

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Nov/Dec 2010

Contents

This Month’s

FO R FA MILIE S O N T HE G O

Spotlight

®

4

Editorial

4

Your Letters News

5 11 6

An Interview with Andrew Daddo Get Ahead Kids® © MAP Marketing 2010 Publisher MAP Marketing ABN 38 003 493 007 Villa Franca, 2 Scott St. Newcastle NSW 2300 www.getaheadkids.com.au P: 02 4929 7766 Managing Editor Maria Charlton MAP Marketing ABN 38 003 493 007 Villa Franca, 2 Scott St. Newcastle NSW 2300 P: 02 4929 7766 maria@mapmarketing.com.au www.mapmarketing.com.au Graphic Design Katie Hurst MAP Marketing P: 02 4929 7766 Advertising Maria Charlton MAP Marketing ABN 38 003 493 007 Villa Franca, 2 Scott St. Newcastle NSW 2300 P: 02 4929 7766 maria@mapmarketing.com.au www.mapmarketing.com.au

Merger - The Mutual & Phoenix Credit Union Wenona Celebrates 125 Years Spotlight An Interview with Andrew Daddo Summer Learning

8

20 Summer Activities Under $10

9

Major NSW Boarding Schools’ Research

12

Indoor Games for Summer Fun

14

Keeping a Holiday Journal

16

Holiday Fun... Don’t Be a Spectator!

18

University Students Summer Learning Activities Health

20

Caring for Your Child’s Smile What Every Parent Needs to Know: Dental First Aid

22

Behaviour People in Focus

24

An Interview with Claudia Gray

26

An Interview with Derek Landy

28

Product Reviews New Driveway Warning Sign Prevent the Marks of Carrying Shopping Bags with Funky Ezihold™

29

Valued Gifts by Celia Berrell

29

Book Reviews

33

‘Can I Help My Child Learn?’ Book Giveaway

34

Advertisers Index

35

Activity Zone

Get Ahead Kids® is published by Marketing Advisers for Professionals Pty Ltd T/A MAP Marketing. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher does not accept responsibility for the opinions, errors or omissions.

www.getaheadkids.com.au

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Editorial Get Ahead Kids® aims to provide educational material to families without focussing on the Christmas hype.

Our November/December issue pays homage to Christmas with Celia Berrell’s poem ‘Valued Gifts’ and provides reviews of new books and products - wonderful gift ideas.

Happy holidays to all our readers.

The ‘Major NSW Boarding Schools’ Research’ demonstrates our continued commitment to offering our readers original surveys on educational areas of interest.

P: 02 4929 7766

Dear Maria,

I enjoyed ‘Studying For Exams’ by Dr. Joan Brien, as I struggled with study when I was in High School and this was a great insight as to what I should have done. I will use the things I have learnt from this article to support my children through their higher education years. Thank you for the great article.

issue of Get Ahead Kids®. I loved the interview with Mem Fox and all the inspirational magic it bestows.

‘Making Milestones’ by Aleesha Darlison was informative on infant/ childhood development and the sentiments of her message are relevant to us all.

BANANAS Babies and children often look a little bent over in a jelly bean or banana shape.

Sometimes this is the only sign of physical restrictions in the body. Others present with a concern: Difficult delivery Ear infections

Settling Slow to crawl or walk

Kim Wheeler, Bianca Oehme, Eleanor Fernon University trained, Registered Osteopaths, AOA Members WARNERS BAY OSTEOPATHIC CLINIC Suite 9, 478 The Esplanade, Warners Bay NSW 2282 P: 02 4947 3099| F: 02 4947 3088 E: info@osteopathicclinic.net.au www. osteopathicclinic.com.au

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Get Ahead Kids® Nov/Dec 10

Also a special thanks to bestselling author and media personality, Andrew Daddo for taking the time to provide us with his interesting insights!

This issue focuses on supplying a wide range of educational family activities for the summer holidays.

Thank you for another enlightening

JELLY BEANS AND

Get Ahead Kids® is privileged to offer 10 lucky readers a copy of ‘Can I Help My Child Learn?’ written by Dr. Joan Brien. This book is an essential literacy reference for every household.

Celia Berrell Science Rhymes - Scientific Poetry & Environmental Poems www.sciencerhymes.com.au

I loved reading about Mem Fox and think that her contribution to Australian literature has been phenomenal. As a proud Aussie myself, and one who grew up having her books read to me by parents, I have no hesitation whatsoever in also sharing her books with my kids. Her story which started from humble beginnings in Africa is an inspiration to all!!

N. Henderson, North Gosford NSW

Maria Charlton Managing Editor maria@mapmarketing.com.au www.mapmarketing.com.au

K. Fuller, Cooranbong NSW

‘Retaining Improving Water Skills for Your Toddler’ by Justin Norris was very relevant to us. It provided clear guidelines and practical advice for us to use with our daughter. It was easy to read, but full of good advice for parents or caregivers.

M. Sylvester, Balcolyn NSW

Please send letters and stories with your name and contact details to: Get Ahead Kids® Villa Franca, 2 Scott St. Newcastle NSW 2300 F: 02 4929 7827 maria@mapmarketing.com.au

News

Merger - The Mutual & Phoenix Credit Union Hunter-based financial institutions Maitland Mutual Building Society (The Mutual) and Phoenix Credit Union (Phoenix) have announced plans to merge in a move that will provide greater financial strength and increased competition in the region’s financial sector.

“We are both proudly local, member-based organisations, strongly committed to the communities in which we operate, and share a commitment to offering superior financial services for members.”

The Boards of both organisations have voted unanimously in favour of the merger, which, if approved by the members of Phoenix and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, will be achieved by a voluntary transfer of business from Phoenix to The Mutual.

Phoenix Credit Union’s Chairman, Stephen James, said the opportunity to merge with a like-minded, values-based organisation such as The Mutual was invaluable, and would create a business that could perform strongly in the regions competitive financial services market.

The Mutual’s Chairman, John Lane, said that the planned merger demonstrated a firm and clear commitment to mutuality by both organisations.

“The culture and values of The Mutual are very much like our own.” said Mr. James. “Both organisations are committed to their members, their staff and the community.”

“We are delighted with the proposed merger as it strengthens the merged entities position in the financial services marketplace as a clear competitive alternative for the Hunter region,” Mr. Lane said.

“The boards of both organisations have worked closely on the proposed merger and the interests of members, staff and other stakeholders have been the highest priority throughout the process.”

If successfully completed, the merger will provide a range of additional benefits to members of both The Mutual and Phoenix including access to an expanded branch and ATM access network, enhanced products and services, along with an increased capacity to meet the needs of members and communities we support.

More Information Glen M. Pearson Management Accountant Maitland Mutual Building Society Ltd 417 High Street Maitland, NSW 2320 P: 02 4934 0105 F: 02 4933 8996 glenpearson@mmbs.com.au www.mmbs.com.au

www.getaheadkids.com.au

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Spotlight

An Interview with

Andrew Daddo Which are your bestselling books and to what do you attribute their success?

Out of the 23 books I have written, 20 have attained a Australian best seller status. I aim for my books to appeal to both parents and their children.

Please tell us about your family.

What important messages do you want your books to convey to families?

My books have not been designed to be highly moralistic. I focus on telling a story but underneath each tale there is a moral. For example, a recurring message is if you do the right thing there are rewards and if you do the wrong thing there are negative consequences.

Please tell us about your book series ‘Skoz the Dog’

By Christmas there will be 4 books in the ‘Skoz the Dog’ series.

Skoz the Dog: All at Sea - Skoz has a fantasy day out at sea.

Skoz the Dog: Up in the Air - based on the falling dream - fabulously perilous situation that Skoz tries to survive.

Skoz the Dog: Ready, Steady...

Kaboom! - Skoz wakes up thinking he is in his kennel but is actually blown out of canon and ends up at the circus where there is lots of action and animals.

Skoz the Dog: Leader of the Pack Skoz wakes up in the pound but daydreams he is in Alaska as the main dog leading the huskies.

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Get Ahead Kids® Nov/Dec 10

I have 3 kids, a boy 11 and two girls 9 and 6 years old. My family is really normal. Our kids are involved in numerous activities including AFL, swimming, netball, soccer, basketball, band, ballet, jazz, and modern dancing.

What are your career highlights?

Having a job in the entertainment industry has many highlights including going to the Beijing Olympics. Getting 23 books published is a thrill, especially as most of my books are still in print.

What are your hobbies?

My wife and I are both working parents - my hours are flexible so we play tag with family activities - we share all household and family tasks but I don’t do as much washing. My hobbies are fishing, boating, golf, or doing family activities. I do not yearn for time alone or with mates as I am happy to spend time with my wife and kids.

What was your first job?

I was a barman whilst at Monash University studying for my Arts Degree, majoring in history and sociology.

What is your most unforgettable personal experience?

Getting married and being there for the birth of my 3 kids.

What is your favourite Australian destinations and why?

Uluru was an awesome moving experience and Port Stephens is like heaven.

What is your best overseas destination and why?

In 1991, I lived in New York for 1 year.

I met Ray O’Neal at a party, and we set off on a month - long motorcycle journey across the USA. That summer spent riding cross country with Ray forged a friendship that will be with me for the rest of my life. February 2004, Ray died in a work accident.

He left behind a wife and a young daughter, Rose. In the book ‘It’s All Good’, I wrote about that motorcycle journey, the people we met and the things we did, as a way of sharing with Rose some memories of her father.

Biography Born in 1967, Andrew wondered what he’d done to his parents to give him a middle name like Dugald. Then he thought about his twin brother James‘ middle name Beilby.

It was only later the two boys discovered that Dugald and Beilby were both special family names.

For Andrew school was normal.

There were broken arms and fingers, scrapes and scratches, girlfriends, hot chips and a football team that refused to win a premiership.

Spotlight There was no gap between finishing school at Melbourne Grammar to starting university. Andrew’s friends noticed in the first year at university he spent a lot of time windsurfing.

During the second year things got a bit busier. Andrew took a job with Network Ten as the host of a kids’ afternoon TV show. The following year, Andrew moved to ABC Television to host its live national music show ‘The Factory’.

After working on American ‘MTV’, Andrew decided to leave the music industry behind and become an actor.

It was more out of necessity than anything else. In 1992 he scored the Plum role in the TV production of ‘Cluedo’. It was two seasons of slicked back hair and purple clothes and he’s kind of glad no one seems to remember it.

Andrew joined the Seven Network in 1995, as an all round network dog’s body. His first program was as co-host of ‘The World’s Greatest Commercials’ with Cane the Dog. This was the first of a long list of programs with the network over a fifteen year period that included the long running news program ‘11AM’, two Olympics, ‘Funniest People’, ‘Kidspeak’, professional travelling on ‘The Great Outdoors’ and various specials.

It was whilst presenting ‘11AM’ that the writing bug got into Andrew’s system.

It started badly with an unpublished book called ‘The Big Green Smiling Wobbly’. Happily for Andrew, the blow of his first rejected ‘manuscript’ was not enough to make him stop.

His second effort was eventually accepted and about a year and half after he started ‘Sprung!’ This is a book of stories about a boy called Fergus who could easily have been Andrew at the age of ten years but no one is admitting to that.

Andrew is now described, amongst other things, as an ‘accomplished author.’ He has written books for all ages - picture books, chapter books, short story collections, young adult novels and adult non-fiction.

Since the beginning of 2008, Andrew has been part of the team at ABC radio, hosting the Evening Program for 702 in Sydney and NSW as well as 666 for Canberra and the ACT. Andrew’s books are often included in the Premier’s Reading Challenge in a number of Australian states.

Andrew’s book ‘Goodnight, Me’ was selected for the 2006 National Simultaneous Storytime Book and ‘Cheeky Monkey’ was one of the 2008 Early Childhood Australia’s Best Picture Books of the Year.

He’s also very excited about some new stories he’s written and the next chapter in his own life that looks set to unfold.

More Information www.andrewdaddo.com

Skoz the Dog: Ready, Steady... Kaboom!

Author: Andrew Daddo Illustrator: Judith Rossell Skoz thinks he is in his kennel but the sleepwalking dog finds himself a star in a circus show - being shot out a cannon - jumping through hoops - avoiding the mouth of a big cat - riding a horse amongst Patagonian jumping snake taking part in a trapeze act.

This is a highly enjoyable tale accompanied with word sound effects, hilarious incidents, and black and white illustrations.

Great read out loud or taken home for an entertaining read!

Age Guide: 7+ Years Series: Skoz the Dog Extent: 96 Pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9780733327810 Price: AU$12.99 Publisher: ABC Books P: 1300 360 111 www.abcbooks.com.au

Andrew Daddo answering questions at Greta Public School, Greta NSW.

www.getaheadkids.com.au

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Summer Activities for Under $10 There is no excuse for kids’ boredom or spending unlimited amounts of money on school holiday activities. Councils, clubs, theme parks, shopping centres and private organisations have scheduled numerous activities to stimulate childrens’ senses, build their endurance and excite their imagination.

Activities Checklist

❑❑ Plant a herb garden

❑❑ Learn to navigate by GPS

❑❑ Conduct simple science experiments

❑❑ Take a sailing lesson ❑❑ Contact your local council/library for family activities ❑❑ Participate in gym fitness classes ❑❑ Discover family museum/ aquarium/zoo activities ❑❑ Take learn to swim or swim improvement classes ❑❑ Discover historical places ❑❑ Check out shopping centre holiday activities ❑❑ Explore rock pools & look for sea life ❑❑ Visit a farm & see all the farm animals

❑❑ Fly a kite on a windy day ❑❑ Take a tourist bus & ride around the city ❑❑ See the latest movie at the cinema ❑❑ Visit the beach to collect seaweed, shells & pebbles to make a collage. ❑❑ Go on a bushwalk & collect leaves & twigs for a collage ❑❑ Build a sandcastle or sand sculpture ❑❑ Get your face painted ❑❑ Take photos of family festivities & mount them in a scrapbook

New Kids Movies 2010 ❑❑ Megamind ❑❑ Tangled ❑❑ Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 ❑❑ The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage of The Dawn Treader ❑❑ Tron: Legacy ❑❑ Yogi Bear ❑❑ Gulliver’s Travels

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Get Ahead Kids® Nov/Dec 10

Summer Learning

Major NSW Boarding Schools’ Rese

arch

By MAP Marketing Abbotsleigh Senior School

Cranbrook School

Knox Grammar School

Primary & Secondary Girls Max.170 Boarders / 4 Boarding Houses Boarding Years: 7-12 Boarding Quality: Very High Contact: June Brown - Registrar 1666 Pacific Hwy, Wahroonga NSW 2076 P: 02 9473 7777 | F: 02 9473 7680 registrar@abbotsleigh.nsw.edu.au www.abbotsleigh.nsw.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------

Primary & Secondary Boys Max. 100 Boarders / 2 Boarding Houses Boarding Years: 7-12 Boarding Quality: Somewhat High Contact: Michael Atkins Director of Admissions 5 Victoria Rd, Bellevue Hill NSW 2023 P: 02 9327 6864 | F: 02 9327 7619 enrol@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au www.cranbrook.nsw.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------

Secondary Boys Max. 150 Boarders / 1 Boarding House Boarding Years: 7-12 Boarding Quality: Very High Contact: Colleen Fenn Enrolments Manager Pacific Hwy, Wahroonga NSW 2076 P: 02 9487 0122 |F: 02 9487 0186 enrol@knox.nsw.edu.au www.knox.nsw.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------

Primary & Secondary Co-education Max. 100 Boarders / 3 Boarding Houses Boarding Years: 7-12 Boarding Quality: Very High Contact: Roslyn Cox - Registrar 70 Eglinton Rd, Bathurst NSW 2795 P: 02 6331 3911 | F: 02 6332 2236 roslyn.cox@saints.nsw.edu.au www.saints.nsw.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------

Secondary Girls Max. 305 Boarders / 6 Boarding Houses Boarding Years: 7-12 Boarding Quality: Very High Contact: Joy Stewart - Registrar Range Rd, Mittagong NSW 2575 P: 02 4860 2000 | F: 02 4860 2020 frensham@frensham.nsw.edu.au www.frensham.nsw.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------

Secondary Girls Max. 70 Boarders / 1 Boarding House Boarding Years: 7-12 Boarding Quality: Very High Contact: Vicky Evens - Registrar Tenison Woods Ave, Perthville NSW 2795 P: 02 6337 6900 | F: 02 6337 2424 vicky@mkc.nsw.edu.au www.mkc.nsw.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------

Primary & Secondary Girls Max. 100 Boarders / 6 Boarding Houses Boarding Years: 6 -12 Boarding Quality: Very High Contact: Dea Richardson - Registrar 188 New South Head Rd, Edgecliff NSW 2027 P: 02 8356 7000 | F: 02 8356 7230 registrar@ascham.nsw.edu.au www.ascham.nsw.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------

Primary & Secondary Girls Max. 100 Boarders / 2 Boarding Houses Boarding Years: 6 -12 Boarding Quality: Somewhat High Contact: Tracy Mulligan Director of Enrolments 794 New South Head Rd, Rose Bay NSW 2029 P: 02 9388 6844 | F: 02 9371 8604 enrolments@kambala.nsw.edu.au www.kambala.nsw.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------

All Saints’ College

Ascham School

Barker College

Primary Boys & Secondary Co-education Max. 60 Boarders / 2 Boarding Houses Boarding Years: 10 -12 Boarding Quality: Somewhat High Contact: Elizabeth Harrison Dean Of Enrolments 91 Pacific Hwy, Hornsby NSW 2077 P: 02 9847 8399 | F: 02 9447 8210 elizabeth_harrison@barker.nsw.edu.au www.barker.nsw.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------

Calrossy Anglican School

Secondary Girls Max. 200 Boarders / 4 Boarding Houses Boarding Years: 7-12 Boarding Quality: Very High Contact: Miriam Knight - Registrar 140 Brisbane St, Tamworth NSW 2340 P: 02 6766 2965 | F: 02 67662439 admin@calrossy.nsw.edu.au www.calrossy.nsw.edu.au

Frensham

Kambala

Kincoppal - Rose Bay

Primary & Secondary Girls Max. 155 Boarders / 2 Boarding Houses Boarding Years: 7-12 Boarding Quality: Very high Contact: Michael Jones - Marketing & Communications New South Head Rd, Rose Bay NSW 2029 P: 02 9388 6000 | F: 02 9388 6001 jonesm@krb.nsw.edu.au www.krb.nsw.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------

Kinross Wolaroi School

Secondary Co-education Max. 330 Boarders / 7 Boarding Houses Boarding Years: 7-12 Boarding Quality: Very high Somewhat High Contact: Graham Jacques - Registrar 59-67 Bathurst Rd, Orange NSW 2800 P: 02 6392 0300 | F: 02 6392 0410 registrar@kws.nsw.edu.au www.kws.nsw.edu.au

MacKillop College

New England Girls School

Primary & Secondary Girls Max. 300 Boarders / 4 Boarding Houses Boarding Years: 5 -12 Boarding Quality: Somewhat High Contact: Belinda Hook - Enrolments Uralla Rd, Armidale NSW 2350 P: 02 6774 8700 | F: 02 6772 7057 enrolments@negs.nsw.edu.au www.negs.nsw.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------

Newington College

Secondary Boys Max. 50 Boarders / 1 Boarding House Boarding Years: 7-12 Boarding Quality: Very High Contact: Dr. Raymond Nobbs Director of Admissions 200 Stanmore Rd, Stanmore NSW 2048 P: 02 9568 9333 | F: 02 9569 0133 r.nobbs@newingtoncollege.nsw.edu.au

www.newingtoncollege.nsw.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------

PLC Armidale (Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Armidale)

Primary & Secondary Girls Max. 60 Boarders / 3 Boarding Houses Boarding Years: 6 -12 Boarding Quality: Somewhat High Contact: Fiona Mullen Enrolments Manager Crest Rd, Armidale NSW 2350 P: 02 6770 1700 | F: 02 6772 5697 enrolments@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au www.plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au

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Summer Learning PLC Sydney (Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Sydney) Primary & Secondary Girls Max. 65 Boarders / 1 Boarding House Boarding Years: 7-12 Boarding Quality: Very High Contact: Catherine Marvell - Registrar Boundary St, Croydon NSW 2132 P: 02 9704 5666 | F: 02 9744 0519 cmarvell@plc.nsw.edu.au www.plc.nsw.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------

Pymble Ladies’ College

Primary & Secondary Girls Max. 120 Boarders / 3 Boarding Houses Boarding Years: 7 - 12 Boarding Quality: Very High Contact: Vickii Scott - Enrolments Avon Rd, Pymble NSW 2073 P: 02 9855 7799 | F: 02 9855 7766 enrol@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au www.pymblelc.nsw.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------

Ravenswood School for Girls

Primary & Secondary Girls Max. 35 Boarders / 1 Boarding House Boarding Years: 7-12 Boarding Quality: Very High Contact: Nataleigh Bernal - Registrar 1B Cecil St, Gordon NSW 2072 P: 02 9498 9898|F: 02 9498 9999 enrol@ravenswood.nsw.edu.au www.ravenswood.nsw.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------

St. Catherine’s School

St. Joseph’s College

The King’s School

Secondary Boys Max. 750 Boaders / 6 Boarding Houses Boarding Years: 7-12 Boarding Quality: Very High Contact: Ross Tarlinton - HeadMaster Mark St, Hunters Hill NSW 2110 P: 02 9816 0900 | F: 02 9879 6804 sjc@joeys.org www.joeys.org ------------------------------------------------------

Primary & Secondary Boys Max. 430 Boarders / 9 Boarding Houses Boarding Years: 4 -12 Boarding Quality: Very high Somewhat High Contact: Bruce Hilliard - The Registrar PO Box 1, Parramatta NSW 2124 P: 02 9683 8555 | F: 02 9683 8488 enrol@kings.edu.au www.kings.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------

St. Paul’s College

Secondary Co-education Max. 225 Boarders / 2 Boarding Houses Boarding Years: 7-12 Boarding Quality: Very high Somewhat High Contact: Jennifer Golenberg - Registrar Klemke Ave, Walla Walla NSW 2659 P: 02 6029 2200 | F: 02 6029 2410 jennifer.golenberg@stpaulscollege.nsw.edu.au

www.stpaulscollege.nsw.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------

Snowy Mountains Grammar School

Primary & Secondary Co-education Max. 40 Boarders / 1 Boarding House Boarding Years: 7-12 Boarding Quality: Very high Contact: Joan Herringer - Registrar Kosciuskzo Rd, Jindabyne NSW 2627 P: 02 6457 1022 | F: 02 6457 1023 joan.herrinnger@smgs.nsw.edu.au www.smgs.nsw.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------

Primary & Secondary Girls Max. 60 Boarders / 1 Boarding House Boarding Years: 7-12 Boarding Quality: Somewhat High Contact: Bronwyn Ridgway - Director of Communications & Marketing 26 Albion St, Waverley NSW 2024 P: 02 8305 6200 | F: 02 9369 2470 stcaths@stcaths.nsw.edu.au www.stcaths.nsw.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------

Shore (Sydney Church of England Grammar School)

Tara Anglican School for Girls

The Scots College, Sydney

Primary & Secondary Boys Max. 240 Boarders / 5 Boarding Houses Boarding Years: 5-12 Boarding Quality: Somewhat High Contact: Melissa Capel Manager of Admissions Victoria Rd, Bellevue Hill NSW 2023 P: 02 9391 7624 | F: 02 9327 7584 m.capel@tsc.nsw.edu.au www.tsc.nsw.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------

The Scots School, Albury

Primary & Secondary Co-educational Max. 100 Boarders / 2 Boarding Houses Boarding Years: 7-12 Boarding Quality: Very High Contact: Heather Toth Development Officer Perry St, Albury NSW 2640 P: 02 6021 3233 | F: 02 6041 3210 development@scotsalbury.nsw.edu.au www.scotsalbury.nsw.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------

Trinity Grammar School

St. Ignatius’ College, Riverview

Primary & Secondary Boys Max. 200 Boarders / 4 Boarding Houses Boarding Years: 6 -12 Boarding Quality: Very High Contact: Mahdi Deaton - Registrar Blue St, North Sydney NSW 2060 P: 02 9923 2277 | F: 02 9922 2689 registrar@shore.nsw.edu.au www.shore.nsw.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------

Secondary Boys Max. 50 Boarders / 1 Boarding House Boarding Years: 7-12 Boarding Quality: Very High Contact: Craig Sandwell - Registrar 119 Prospect Rd, Summer Hill NSW 2130 P: 02 9581 6000 | F: 02 9799 9449 info@trinity.nsw.edu.au www.trinity.nsw.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------

Primary & Secondary Boys Max. 340 Boarders / 6 Boarding Houses Boarding Years: 6 -12 Boarding Quality: Very High Contact: Guy Masters Director of Boarding Tambourine Bay Rd, Lane Cove NSW 2066 P: 02 9882 8222 | F: 02 9882 8588 gkmasters@riverview.nsw.edu.au www.riverview.nsw.edu.au

Primary & Secondary Girls Max. 60 Boarders / 1 Boarding House Boarding Years: 5 -12 Boarding Quality: Very High Contact: Kath Marshall - Registrar Masons Drv, North Parramatta NSW 2151 P: 02 9630 6655 | F: 02 9683 6297 registrar@tara.nsw.edu.au www.tara.nsw.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------

Primary & Secondary Girls Max. 50 Boarders / 1 Boarding House Boarding Years: 7-12 Boarding Quality: Very High Contact: Lynn Siebels - Registrar 176 Walker St, North Sydney NSW 2060 P: 02 9955 3000 | F: 02 9959 4460 registrar@wenona.nsw.edu.au www.wenona.nsw.edu.au

10 Get Ahead Kids® Nov/Dec 10

The Armidale School

Co-educational to Yr 5, Secondary Boys Max. 250 Boarders / 5 Boarding Houses Boarding Years: 6 -12 Boarding Quality: Somewhat High Contact: Pip Warrick - Registrar 87 Douglas St, Armidale NSW 2350 P: 02 6776 5823 | F: 02 6776 5830 info@as.edu.au www.as.edu.au

Wenona

More Information Maria Charlton MAP Marketing P: 02 4929 7766 E: maria@mapmarketing.com.au Errors & omissions excepted.

News

Wenona Celebrates 125 Years Wenona School, established in 1886, is celebrating its 125th year anniversary in 2011. Now it has boarders from Scone, Denman and Muswellbrook, as well as from Hong Kong, Lord Howe Island, Shanghai and Germany!

Boarders are an important part of the Wenona School experience.

Although places are limited to 50, they broaden everyone’s experience, making all students more aware of the wider world.

Wenona School Boarder Takes up Bond Scholarship Former Wenona School boarder Kaya Conradsen has won a Collegiate Scholarship at Bond University where she is studying combined business and commerce.

Kaya began boarding at Wenona when she was in Year 7 and made the 2009 HSC honour roll for her excellent result in science.

“My grandmother lives in Cessnock. Because my parents both work internationally, I became a boarder,” said Kaya, who was quick to make many friends.

She became head boarder in her final years at Wenona School.

“I absolutely loved it at Wenona,” said Kaya, who enjoyed piano lessons and dance as well as her studies.

“It was the community feel at Wenona that I really loved. Everyone was so kind and willing to help. That was really nice.”

“I loved being with my friends. The support from the staff and other girls was great. It helped me become independent, and it has been a great pathway into university.”

More Information Wenona 176 Walker St. North Sydney NSW 2060 P: 02 9955 3000 registrar@wenona.nsw.edu.au www.wenona.nsw.edu.au

A day and boarding school for girls, K to 12, in North Sydney, since 1886.

Wenona’s friendly boarding community, where every girl is known and valued, offers a peaceful haven close to all the cultutral opportunities of a big city.

Find out about our vibrant learning environment, women of spirit and impressive results.

APPLY ONLINE FOR 2012 SCHOLARSHIPS

Visit www.wenona.nsw.edu.au, email registrar@wenona.nsw.edu.au or telephone us on +61 (0)2 9955 3000.

www.getaheadkids.com.au

11

Summer Learning

s e m a G r o o d In mmer Fun for Su

The six week school holiday period over Christmas and New Year is an important period for children to rest and revitalise after a year of academic pressures and requirements - yes, even for kindy and year one students! It is important for children to have timeout, to sleep in and to have fun! But fun and games need to be more than just time in front of a computer, television set or X-box, or with a game boy in hand. Ideally summer holidays are a time to get outside and be active, a healthy brain and body needs movement to grow and develop.

But outside play is not always possible - as we know, the Australian summer is not always dry… and some days are just so hot that the last place you or children want to be is outside sizzling in the sun. So here are a few ideas to help you stimulate your child’s body and mind while having lots of fun!

Importantly, parents, you need to be actively engaged in game playing with your children, or at least be involved enough to get the game rolling. Playing games with your children is the best way to help them build self esteem, imagination, communication skills, respect, friendship, co-operation, manners, courage and patience.

Here are a few summer games that are loads of fun and help your child develop some great skills.

12 Get Ahead Kids® Nov/Dec 10

By Dr. Jane Williams

Welcome Home (Self Esteem)

Funniest Home Videos (Humour)

If mum and or dad are still heading off to work each day, this is a great way to welcome them home! Kings and queens announce their arrival with trumpets and blasting. Why not have instruments for individual announcements at your front door: a set of bells, wind chimes or a xylophone would work well. Each person could make up their own melody that would be recognised upon entering.

Using your video camera think about things that might look funny on camera, or simply try to capture people doing things that are naturally funny. Older children are very good at coming up with ideas, so let them be directors. Once you have recorded the funny acts, sit in front of the TV or computer and watch them. It won’t matter whether they are funny or not, children as young as three will laugh watching themselves trying to be funny.

Each time a family member comes home from work, they play their song. (Young children could just hit the chimes or bang the drum).

Traditions like this create lasting memories of family life for children… and there’s no need to stop once the children return to school… they can have their very own announcement tune!

Dance the Feeling (Feelings) Clear a large space of furniture, and select a surface you can pretend is a drum. Taking turns drumming, let the drummer create rhythmic patterns that express one of the following feelings: joyful, scared, silly, somber, angry, tense, peaceful.

The drummer announces the chosen feeling, then everyone moves to the beat in the spirit of that feeling. Let everyone have a chance to drum, being creative in expressing all the possible emotions one at a time.

Cubby House (Confidence, Imagination & Construction Skills!)

Building a cubby house creates a sanctuary for children and lets them retreat from the busy-ness of life for a while. Provide sheets, blankets, towels that children can pull over tables and chairs to make the cubby.

It is best if they do it in their bedroom where it does not have to be packed up at the end of the day to allow people to sit at the dining table to eat dinner. In fact, dinner could be had by the whole family, inside the cubby! If the cubby is able to be kept up for a length of time, children will keep on developing new “home improvements” as they furnish their cubby to make it more comfortable!

Building a cubby house that does not collapse, and gives plenty of room to move, can be quite challenging, some children may need a little help from mum or dad, but encourage them to build the cubby using their own ingenuity if you can.

Summer Learning

A Photo a Day (Self Esteem)

may like to print out their photos and write a small story to accompany each one. Don’t forget to teach them how to handle the camera carefully. It’s a good idea to have a neck strap attached so that they learn to always hang the camera around their neck to prevent accidental dropping!

Digital cameras are so fantastic... children can take photos without the worry of expensive developing!

For this activity, have your child take one photo of something memorable every day of the holidays. At the end of the six weeks, they will have a lovely reminder of their summer.

This activity is particularly good at encouraging children to look carefully at what they are doing during the day and to look for something special even on the ‘boring’ days - it may be a photo of that burnt piece of toast that set of the smoke alarm, a cuddly pet or a smile from mum. Older children

More Information Rob Sassè Toddler Kindy GymbaROO P: 03 9817 3544 office@gymbaroo.com.au www.gymbaroo.com.au Dr. Jane Williams is a Director and

The first three games are from: ‘365 Ways to Help Your Children Grow’

by Sheila Ellison and Barbara Ann Barrett (available on-line).

General Manager for Research and Education, Toddler Kindy GymbaROO and Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Nutrition, James Cook University.

FIRST CLASS IS FREE FOR BABIES & CRAWLERS • Research based programs • Professional qualified instructors • Parent information & home activities • Movement, music & specially designed equipment • Encourage critical skills for early learning & literacy Over 30,000 Aussie mums, dads, babies and children enjoy Gymbaroo every week.

A 100% Aussie owned program leading the world and recognised by the world’s top experts in early childhood development.

Babies (2-12 months)

Toddlers (1-3 years)

Preschoolers (3-5 years)

www.gymbaroo.com.au Warners Bay (02) 4920 8033

Newcastle (02) 4955 9256

Maitland 1300 557 217

Gosford (02) 4339 1894

Central Coast (02) 4353 7765

www.getaheadkids.com.au

13

Summer Learning

Keeping a

Holiday Journal What to Include in a Holiday Journal Keeping a holiday journal is a fun and an accessible activity for the whole family. Whether you’re travelling over the summer break or not, this project will keep the whole family occupied and entertained.

The beauty of a holiday journal is that it can be implemented across all ages. Kids don’t need to be able to read or write because a journal isn’t just about writing. Keeping things visual will make journal keeping less work and more fun.

Tools to Start Your Journal Use items at home or buy some supplies. Here’s what you will need: ❑❑ A blank notebook or diary - visual art diaries are perfect & come in all shapes & sizes. They can be found in most newsagents. ❑❑ Pens, pencils, crayons & gel pens are perfect & come in loads of cool colours. Lead pencils will also come in handy for drawing. ❑❑ A camera - digital cameras are great because unwanted shots can be deleted off the memory card & photos can be printed instantly at home. ❑❑ Sticker packs - these are cheap & available from newsagents. ❑❑ Old magazines - to cut pictures out of. ❑❑ Glue sticks, glitter glue, scissors & sticky tape.

14 Get Ahead Kids® Nov/Dec 10

❑❑ Written entries about the day’s activities, places visited, thoughts, feelings, hopes & dreams ❑❑ Photos ❑❑ Drawings ❑❑ Stickers ❑❑ Feathers, leaves, unusual pebbles or things picked up on a nature walk ❑❑ Maps & tourist information from places visited ❑❑ Bus & train tickets, cinema tickets or fun park entry tickets ❑❑ Autographs ❑❑ Comic strips - from newspapers or self-drawn ❑❑ Favourite quotes or jokes ❑❑ ‘Special guest’ diary entries from friends & family members ❑❑ Lists are always popular, such as ‘My Top 10 Places to Visit’ or ‘My Top 5 Favourite Foods’

Inspirations for Journal Entries ❑❑ Go on a bushwalk - ask kids to collect objects to include in their journal. Take a photo of the objects from an unusual angle & glue it in the journal - very artistic! ❑❑ Visit a museum or art gallery - Let kids take photos of the paintings or sculptures they like best. Have them glue the photos in their journal then draw their own versions of the artwork.

❑❑ Go to the beach for a swim or surf encourage kids to collect unusual shells from the beach for their journal.

Ask them to write about what they did at the beach, what the weather was like, whether the water was warm or cold or what the ocean tasted like. ❑❑ Go camping - allow kids to take photos of the different types of birds they saw, name them & draw some of them. ❑❑ Get kids to write their own story & illustrate it. ❑❑ Find some baby photos for kids to glue into the journal - get them to record their birth date & time, birth weight, length & other interesting facts & anecdotes. ❑❑ Let kids Google their favourite subjects on the internet - print out images & information & have them paste this into their journal. ❑❑ Have kids cut out pictures from magazines - combine five or six together to tell a funny story. Help them glue the pictures into their journal & write captions beneath each. ❑❑ Visit a special lookout or landmark encourage kids to write down why it’s special. Get them to draw a picture of the area & find out more about it by borrowing a book from the library or researching it on the internet. ❑❑ If you’re on a road trip, get the kids to record how many STOP signs they see, how many semi-trailers they pass. Record funny or unusual number plates.

Summer Learning ❑❑ After watching a movie ask kids to record in their journal who their favourite character was & why.

Get them to draw their favourite scene from the movie.

Things to Keep in Mind • Create a journal title page that includes your child’s name, address & phone number so if they lose their diary, people will know where to return it to.

• Encourage kids to take the diary & a pen/pencil with them wherever they go.

• Always commence diary entries with the day, date & location.

This is particularly important if you’re travelling.

• Encourage kids to make an entry each day, even if it is a short one.

• Keep it light. Keep it fun. Never make it a chore.

Children’s Diaries in Literature

Biography

‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ - the modern take on American school life, with four books in the series and one movie to date, the world has been taken by storm by Jeff Kinney’s creation.

Aleesah writes picture books and novels for children. She also reviews books for The Sun Herald. Her first picture book, ‘Puggle’s Problem’, was released in July. Her series for girls aged 7+, ‘Totally Twins’, was released in September. The books are written in diary format and follow the adventures of identical twins, Persephone and Portia Pinchgut.

Sampler diaries for boys and girls based on the Totally Twins books are available from Aleesah’s website.

‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ - at the other end of the spectrum to ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’, this is the real-life diary of a young Jewish girl who, along with her family, hid from the Nazis in World War II Germany.

‘My Australian Story’ - each book in this series is written by a different author and features different characters. Their common theme is that they are all set around a major event in Australia’s history.

‘Totally Twins’ - a brand new series by yours truly features identical twins, Persephone and Portia Pinchgut.

While the girls look the same on the outside, they’re very different on the inside - which leads to fun, drama and a few misadventures.

‘Totally Twins’ is a readable and credible story that provides some gems of advice on how to treat identical twins and what it feels like to be the passive twin.

H IT E J E S S IC A W

WOVEN NAME TAGS

RED, BLUE or BLACK lettering woven into white tags.

Author: Aleesah Darlison Illustrator: Serena Geddes

This book is presented in a diary format and written by Persephone who reveals her innermost feelings on living in a family made up of her divorced mother and twin sister.

Aleesah Darlison aleesah@bigpond.net.au www.aleesahdarlison.com

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Identical twins Persephone and Portia Pinchgut may be identical in appearance but they are different in personalities. Portia is outgoing and confident, Persephone is introspective, detail orientated and often dominated by her twin.

More Information

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It is a quirky tale that abounds with emotional venting. The book focuses on the differences that separates, as well as the bonds that tie these 11 year old twins.

Age Guide: 10+ Years Series: Totally Twins Extent: 154 pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9781921042348 Price: AU$14.95 Publisher: New Frontier Publishing P: 02 9453 1525 www.newfontier.com.au

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www.getaheadkids.com.au

15

Summer Learning

Holiday Fun...

Don’t Be a Spectator!

Just as you were getting used to the weekly school routine and juggling school activities with other family commitments... along came the school holidays!

For many families this also means more social occasions, less structured eating, more television and computer games, ever-hungry children and more fast food...

Enough to have you reaching for a strong drink!

However, with a bit of thought and some planning, providing children with healthy, holiday activities can be just as much fun for the adults.

As any adult knows, school is the beginning of our lifelong journey of learning. School terms are packed with valuable learning experiences for children. However, the school holidays provide an opportunity for learning of a different kind, the value of which cannot be underestimated.

16 Get Ahead Kids® Nov/Dec 10

School holidays, with no homework, after-school activities, sporting events or costumes for school parades, mean there is more time for learning outside the classroom.

Sharing healthy activities with your children helps them build the skills and resources they need to lead a healthy and active life.

Research confirms what most people intuitively know that eating and physical activity habits develop early in life. Food experiences throughout early childhood are major predictors of food preferences and dietary variety later in life.

Similarly, parental attitude and participation in physical activity strongly influence their children’s enthusiasm for participating in activity. Parents who are active and who engage with their children in games and activities, are more likely to have children who are also physically active and enthusiastic about participating in physical activity now and in the future.

By Dr. Jane Watson

Additionally, parents that are good role models for healthy eating, are more likely to have children who also eat a wide range of foods.

Parents can use time spent on activity/exercise and the purchase and preparation of healthy foods as a medium to engage with their children. Clearly, parents play a critical role in the development of their children’s food preferences and attitude towards physical activity.

Holiday Activities Checklist ❑❑ Get in & Grow!

Growing vegetables can be an educational and fun way for children to experiment with new flavours and varieties. Children that participate in growing and preparing food are more likely to try new foods and eat a greater variety. Growing veggies gives children ‘hands-on’ experience with food, such as the crispness of fresh snowpeas, the

Summer Learning

sweetness of fresh strawberries and the tastiness of homegrown tomatoes. You don’t need a large garden to grow vegetables.

Many can be grown in pots or climb on fences. Even very young children can help with planting, watering and harvesting.

November and December is the time to plant beans, beetroot, capsicum, carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, lettuce, pumpkin, rhubarb, silver beet, corn, and zucchini. These summer vegetables thrive in just about any garden. ❑❑ Kids in the Kitchen!

When the days are too hot or the children need some less active time, why not get into the kitchen and cook! Cakes, muffins and desserts spring to mind, but maybe it’s time to re-think what we usually cook with our children. School holidays can be an opportunity to prepare some freezer-friendly meals for the busy school term. Do-it-yourself meals can also be fun for kids, such as tacos, wraps, pizzas and rice paper rolls.

❑❑ Take on a Physical Challenge!

Ever wanted to try something new but just haven’t got around to it? Maybe the school holidays are the time for you and the kids to give it a go. Think laterally and engage your children’s imaginations to come up with a novel ‘school holiday challenge’.

Choose something that matches your child’s ability and is realistic given your time and resources.

Some ideas include riding a skateboard, learning a new swimming stroke, learning to kick a football, going on a canoeing trip or riding a horse. Your willingness to take on a new challenge demonstrates the importance of just ‘giving it a go’, not to mention the fun of sharing some active time together.

❑❑ Be a Good Role Model!

If you turn your nose up at vegetables and sprawl on the lounge every night, your children will probably do the same! Parents need to model the behaviours they would like their children to have. If you are eating well and keeping fit, you are setting a powerful example to your children that will have lifelong benefits.

❑❑ Get Outside!

Time spent outside is usually far more active than spending time indoors. Watching television and playing (most) computer games are about as active as sleeping!

Encourage your children to do activities outside. Around the house, this might include climbing a tree, kicking a ball, jumping on a trampoline or watering the garden. Further afield this may include going for a bushwalk, visiting a park or going for a swim.

More Information

❑❑ Get the Whole Family Involved!

Choosing activities the whole family can enjoy can also be fun.

Swimming, playing tennis, playing soccer, as well as cooking together, are all activities that most families can do together. Children have an innate desire to connect with their parents and the benefits are mutual.

Dr. Jane Watson Ethos Health P: 02 4962 8700 www.ethoshealth.com.au

Baby Ballerinas is a unique pre-school dance program for 3-5 year old girls.

It guides them through creative imagery and develops an appreciation of rhythm & timing, music, movement, grace, gross motor & social skills.

Free Trial Classes • Morning Classes • Parents Able to Observe Classes.

Baby Jazz is ideal class for boys and girls 3-5 years Central School of Dance is for kids 6 years and after & provides RAD based exams and Eisteddfod Oakdale Studios, Unit 4, 9 Oakdale Rd, Gateshead NSW 2290 Ph/Fx: 02 4948 2953 • www.babyballerinas.com.au

www.getaheadkids.com.au

17

Summer Learning

s t n e d u t S y Universit g Activities Summer Learnin

For university students a three month summer break can dwindle into oblivion or boredom with nothing life-changing been accomplished.

Here are some ways that summer university breaks can become learning experiences.

Voluntary Work Experience The more work experience students get in their chosen field, the better their resume looks, and the more attractive they will appear to future employers. Work experience is a great way of gaining insights into particular working environments.

By taking unpaid work experience, students can gain a head start over other prospective job seekers when they complete their courses.

Summer Vacation Scholarships

Vacation Employment

Around 200 university students a year spend their summer holidays working with CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation) in Mathematics, Informatics and Statistics. The CSIRO offers Australian third year undergraduate students the chance to work on real research projects.

Some large corporations offer vacation employment to university students for 12 weeks over their summer holiday period between December and February each year. These programs give students the opportunity to gain experience in their field of study. Placements are limited and competitive and university students need to apply early in the third or fourth semester.

Even students that are not completing degrees in these subjects can participate in these research projects. Students completing CSIRO projects gain hands-on experience working on real-world problems under the supervision of a research scientist or engineer.

Online Courses Many TAFE institutes, Colleges and Universities offer online versions of their courses, allowing students to complete subjects, diplomas and degrees on the internet. The benefits of online courses include flexibility and the option of completing courses whilst holding a job or raising a family. Students can study wherever there’s a computer with an internet connection - at home, at work or even in an internet cafÊ.

Online courses provide qualifications identical to the ones received from on-campus study.

Plan a Trip Organise a group of friends, plan a trip to somewhere new, make travel arrangements and get started. These trips are a great way to building friendships, visiting new places and having life changing experiences. A number of universities offer Australian and international low cost travel packages.

18 Get Ahead KidsÂŽ Nov/Dec 10

Summer Learning

Samaritans’ Children’s Services

Our range of Children’s Services include: • Samaritans Early Learning Centre Newcastle • Samaritans Early Learning Centre Woodberry • Samaritans Family Day Care Singleton, Dungog and Cessnock • Samaritans In Home Care • Samaritans Out of Home Care / Foster Care • Samaritans Kinship Care • Samaritans Parents as Teachers • Samaritans Supporting Children with Additional Needs.

Summer Schools A number of Australian universities including the University of Sydney and Macquarie University attract students Australia wide as well as from overseas in their intensive Summer Schools offered from December to February.

The University of Sydney is the largest onshore provider of postgraduate and undergraduate summer courses.

Students take summer courses to accelerate completion of their courses, to graduate, to pick up a failed subject, balance their timetable or complete subjects of interest which are not offered in their degrees.

The University of Sydney advises cross institutional students to check that their Summer School subject will be credited to their home degree as well the credit level. Online registrations are now open.

More Information www.register.summer.usyd.edu.au

DEVELOPING TOMORROW’S

For information about opportunities to become a carer and available vacancies for your child Ph: 4922 1500 or email brunker@samaritans.org.au www.samaritans.org.au

Relax & Play on the Farm

• Feed the animals • Horse riding • Tennis court & BBQ • Trail bike tours Forest Lodge Farm Stay B&B Accommodation P: (02) 4997 4511 | F: (02) 4997 4732 E: info@forestlodgehorseriding.com.au www.forestlodgehorseriding.com.au

LEADERS

It has been widely recognised that creating a solid educational foundation in the junior years of schooling is fundamental to overall success in later years.

Due to the increase in demand for enrolments in 2011, additional classes have been added to various year levels.

CALL NOW Newcastle Grammar School p: (02) 4929 5811

w: ngs.nsw.edu.au www.getaheadkids.com.au

19

Health

Caring for Your Child’s Smile What Every Parent Needs to Know

Dental First Aid

By Dr. Helen Cornwell

Tooth Anatomy

Bone (Alveolar Process)

Gingiva Periodontal Ligament Pulp Dentine Enamel

Chipped Tooth

Splinted Tooth

Dental trauma is very common with 1 in 3 preschoolers having had a previous accident to the baby teeth and 1 in 15 high school aged children having damaged an adult tooth. Dental injuries can be very expensive with the loss of a permanent teeth costing $10,000$60,000 by the time treatment is completed.

Time is critical to ensure the best outcome and if you cannot see your dentist then seek care from an emergency dentist or the Accident and Emergency Department at your local hospital or if in Newcastle the John Hunter Hospital.

Baby Tooth Locate the tooth, but do not put it back in as this can damage the new developing adult tooth.

Keep the tooth and have your dentist check your child and the tooth as soon as possible to check for fragments left behind.

Discuss with the dentist about the space.

Adult Tooth Locate the tooth and try to minimize touching the root area.

Care of the mouth after trauma is also very important with antibiotics, antibacterial gels and mouth rinses often required.

Rinse any dirt off with patient’s own blood or saliva or milk. Saline eyewash can be used and can be stored in your first aid kit

This article aims to provide parents with a guide to dental first aid and should be kept with your first aid kit for easy reference.

Try to put the tooth back in. If unable to replace the tooth, store it in cold milk.

Cuts & Significant Bleeding from the Mouth Clean the area and try to stop bleeding with gentle pressure from a clean towel or handkerchief. If bleeding doesn’t stop within 5-10 minutes seek care from your dentist or hospital emergency department as stitches are often required for injuries to the mouth as well as antibiotics and tetanus injections.

Dog bites frequently happen to the face and mouth of young children and require urgent attention due to the high risk of infection.

20 Get Ahead Kids® Nov/Dec 10

Tooth Knocked Out

See your dentist or an emergency dentist as fast as possible for care.

The tooth will need to be stabilised so that it doesn’t fall out again and antibiotics and a tetanus injection may also be required.

Tooth Displaced (Pushed Back, Up or Loosened) Baby or Adult Teeth Gently try to reposition immediately.

See your dentist or an emergency dentist as fast as possible for care.

The tooth will need to be stabilized and antibiotics and a tetanus injection may also be required

Health Chipped or Broken Teeth Baby or Adult Tooth Try and locate broken pieces as they can be reattached in some instances and it is important to make sure they haven’t been swallowed, inhaled or are embedded in their lip or tongue. Store any collected fragments in water or milk.

Teeth can be very sensitive so use a straw if your child needs a drink prior to seeing the dentist.

Preventing Injuries Many accidents in young children are unpreventable, as they tend to be falls.

To minimise falls in the home: ensure your toddler has bare feet or non-slip footwear when on tiles, floorboards or other slippery surfaces; use guards on hard furniture such as coffee tables and non-slip mats in the bath or shower and ensure all interactions between pets and children are supervised.

Mouthguards & Helmets Helmets with face shields should be used for cricket and baseball when batting, keeping or when fielding close to the batter.

Mouthguards should be worn for: all stick and ball sports - hockey, minky hockey, lacrosse, soccer, football, basketball and all contact martial arts.

As trauma to baby teeth can damage the developing adult teeth, mouthguards should be worn as soon as children are entering organised sport.

A mouthguard made by your dentist is going to be the most comfortable, best fit and give the teeth the best protection. Whilst some parents may be concerned about the price of a mouthguard when compared to the cost of a damaged tooth it is very small.

Dental First Aid Checklist ❑❑ Try to put a knocked out adult tooth back in or store in milk ❑❑ Never put a baby tooth back in the mouth ❑❑ Gently reposition displaced adult teeth and have patient bite on a clean handkerchief ❑❑ Most accidents require an emergency visit with your dentist as soon as possible after the trauma

Newcastle Paediatric Dental Specialist dentistry for infants, children, adolescents and special needs Dr Helen Cornwell BDS, MDSc, FRACDS (Paediatric Dentist) Dr Thuy Nyugen BDSc, D.Clin Dent (Paediatric Dentist) Heather Hawes RN, BSc, BOH (Hygienist)

KidsSmile

P:4962 7300 40 Brown Rd, Broadmeadow 2292 www.kidssmile.com.au

❑❑ Keep your dentist’s phone number in a handy place to call in case of an emergency ❑❑ Mouthguard and face helmets are the best way of protecting your child’s smile & face from trauma Dr Helen Cornwell is a Paediatric Dentist and Conjoint Senior Lecturer at the University of Newcastle. She is the inaugural president of the Australian and New Zealand Society for Sport Dentistry and Trauma and has lectured internationally on the subject of dental trauma in children.

More Information Dr. Helen Cornwell BDS(Adel), MDSc(Melb), FRACDS Paediatric Dentist Conjoint Senior Lecturer University of Newcastle 40 Brown Rd. Broadmeadow NSW 2292 P: 02 4962 7300 www.kidssmile.com.au

www.getaheadkids.com.au

21

Health

Behaviour

By Dorte Bladt

Oppositional Defiance Disorder is a childhood behavioural problem affecting 1 in 10 Australian children under 12 years, which is twice as common in boys. We recognise the behaviour from the “Terrible Twos” and early adolescence, when it is a normal neurological development.

The first time I saw Zack in my practice it was a challenge. He obviously did not want to be there.

However, when you are 5 years old, sometimes you just have to do as you are told. And that was exactly Zack’s challenge.

He was determined to make it very clear that he did not want to be there, that he did not like me and that he was not going to be helped in any way. He sat with his arms and legs crossed, head turned away from me. Lips pressed together, he refused to answer any questions.

“This is the way he is.” explained Zack’s mum. “When he doesn’t get his own way, he gets really cranky.

He will not listen to reason and he is driving me crazy. He upsets his brother and really doesn’t seem to make friends with anyone”.

Zack had been brought in to see me, screaming and kicking so to speak, because his teachers at preschool felt he may be suffering from ODD, Oppositional Defiance Disorder.

22 Get Ahead Kids® Nov/Dec 10

However, in ODD, the behaviour is persistent.

Symptoms include: • Easily irritated, frustrated & angered • Frequent temper tantrums • Refusal to obey rules • Deliberate aggravation of others • Blaming others • Constant arguing with adults, especially familiar ones such as parents & teachers • Low self-esteem The cause of ODD is unknown and treatment often consists of family counselling or medication.

ODD can have significant long term effects considering the damage it can do to future relationships, career possibilities and quality of life. Oppositional Defiance Disorder may lead to the more severe Conduct Disorder in which the child displays more aggressive and delinquent behaviour such as lying, law breaking such as vandalism or stealing, or being physically or sexually abusive.

Talking to Zack’s mum revealed a little bit of what may have been bothering him. His birth had been very long and difficult, ending in forceps and a bruised face. Zack was unhappy from the start of his life, not feeding well, not sleeping well day or night and suffering lots of colic. He cried most of the time as a baby, and was unhappy and challenging as a toddler.

Hearing this, I expected Zack to have problems with the movement of the vertebrae in the top of his neck, affecting the nerves that go to the abdomen as well as back into the head.

When we checked him, he was unable to turn his head to the left properly and he also found it really difficult to balance, especially with his eyes closed. When we started giving Zack some gentle, safe adjustments to his upper neck and head his behaviour improved dramatically both at home and at preschool.

It was fantastic to observe as Zack improved and seemed to be happier and had more confidence and fun.

It was also amazing to see the improvement in the family relations; the way they communicated, trusted each other and enjoyed each other’s company so much more.

Health

Every child can have challenging behaviour on occasion. They are not all ODD. You might find these few tricks helpful in dealing with the kids when they are in a mood.

1. What is in it for me? (WIIFM) Your child’s room is a mess, and you would like her/him to clean it up.

Saying: “Will you please clean your room.” or “I want you to clean your room right now.” seldom works. If you turn it around and make it a benefit to your child, it may be a little easier: “It will be so great when Pete comes over to play after school tomorrow. Are you excited? What do you think you’ll be doing? If you want to play Twister it will probably fit better on the floor if there were not so many toys. How about we move some of them to the cupboard?

We can maybe do that when your favourite show is finished. And then to be ready and fighting fit for tomorrow, how about you have an early night? I will come and tuck you in.”

3. Three yes’ When your brain is on to a pattern, it is more likely to stay on the pattern.

“Did you love the ice cream we had for dessert tonight?” answer obvious: “Yes” “Is The Simpsons your favourite TV show?”

“Yes” “Would you like to get ready for bed, when the show is over, please?”

“Yes” Working smarter, not harder is the trick, whether your child has behaviour challenges or not.

Think these sentences through beforehand and be amazed at how well they work. Kids really do want to please, but sometimes them before us.

More Information

2. Stress the positive “It is great to see your school bag half packed. Well done. And you already have your undies on.

Fantastic! Then you only need to put on your shirt and your shorts.” And when that is done: “Excellent work”.

“You look fantastic! Now to the socks and shoes and we will be on time to leave in 10 minutes! Thanks for being such a great helper!”

Dorte Bladt Doctor of Chiropractic Family Chiropractic Charlestown 2 Lincoln St, Charlestown P: 02 4942 4842 famchiro1@optusnet.com.au www.familychiropracticcharlestown.com.au

Ref: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Oppositional_defiant_disorder

Family Chiropractic Centre Charlestown

Perform at your Peak

MAITLAND CHRISTIAN

MAITLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL SCHOOL Do all God’s glory Do all forforGod’s glory

Maitland Christian School, nestled away in the middle of Metford, is a great place to educate your children.

With 570 students from Kinder through to Year 12, at Maitland Christian School you won’t get lost in the crowd!

The school’s mission is to work in partnership with families and churches by offering a sound Christ-centred education which encourages the fullest possible development of the spiritual, academic, physical and social characteristics of each child.

www.maitlandcs.nsw.edu.au Ph: (02) 4933 7633

Maitland Christian School

75-81 Chelmsford Drive Metford NSW 2323

www.getaheadkids.com.au

23

People in Focus

An Interview with

Claudia Gray Background I was always the weird kid who liked ghosts and vampires as long as I can remember. I had a very atypical schooling and life. I grew up in the town of Marks, Mississippi that had a population of 1600. There were 200 in my school K-12, the 28 students who were in Kindergarten were the same 28 that graduated school with me.

I yearned for a different high school something Gothic, romantic and filled with mysterious boys. It is hard to think a boy I played Lego with at Kinder as either romantic or mysterious.

At the beginning I did not understand the law of the land when it came to publishing books, but my agent recognised the market for the paranormal in 2005 when I wrote ‘Evernight’.

If you are writing on vampires you need to limit reading of other vampire novels.

Vampire books are metaphor for immortality, outsider, and mystic of powers. They depict the feelings of being an outsider to life, change and to the past.

24 Get Ahead Kids® Nov/Dec 10

Characters are defined not by who they are, but what they do.

My education had nothing to do with writing - I am a history and law graduate and I practised as a lawyer for a few years.

What was your first job?

Disc jockey-announcer.

What are your career highlights?

Getting stories published for the first time.

What important messages do you want to convey to families?

What are your favourite US travel destinations?

I don’t write anything with messages in mind but focus on writing a thrilling and enjoyable story. Inevitably, the message that comes through is the importance of thinking for yourself - the vampire and vampireslayers in my books need not follow a predestined path but take fate in their own hands.

New York is my favourite for the fast life - New Orleans for great food.

How old are readers for your books?

12-18 years is the main target group and it is interesting to see how these readers connect with the different characters in my books.

What are your hobbies?

I write stories for fun and have just taken up kayaking. I love travelling and have already travelled USA, Australia, Spain, Mexico and Italy.

Where sights do you plan to see whilst you are touring Australia?

I am travelling to Uluru, Cairns and Sydney for fun.

What is your most unforgettable personal experience?

Finding my books have been bought by readers after nearly losing hope they would be successful.

Claudia is the author of four paranormal books; ‘Evernight’, ‘Stargazer’, ‘Hourglass’ and ‘Afterlife’. ‘Afterlife’ will be published in Australia in February 2011.

More Information www.claudiagray.com

People in Focus

#1 Evernight Author: Claudia Gray If you are interested in fantasy and vampires, then this series is for you!

The first installment in a series of four books, ‘Evernight’ vividly describes the story of Bianca Olivier, a teenage girl relocated to an exclusive but eerie gothic boarding school.

Readers know that this book features vampires from the synopsis on the back cover, however it appears Bianca is like any other teenage girl struggling to fit into a new school with ‘perfect’ students. It is not until halfway through the book that vampires are mentioned and the confusion and questions created at the beginning of the novel are explained.

If you think that this book is purely another tale about a vampire falling in love with a human then you would be wrong. The story gets better as you continue reading, revealing more fascinating characters and elements. The book contains unexpected twists that will completely blow readers away.

Age Guide: 12+ Years Series: Evernight Extent: 336 pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9780732289676 Price: AU$19.99 Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers P: 1300 551 721 www.harpercollins.com.au ‘Stargazer’ and ‘Hourglass’ reviews are also available to read at www.getaheadkids.com.au

TICKING ALL THE BOXES Quality Learning Caring Christian Environment Strong Academic Programmes Low Fee Structure New Facilities Transport Options Independent School Education Kindergarten to Year12 School Tour

ENROLMENTS CLOSING FOR 2011 256 Minmi Rd, Fletcher 2287 ph: (02) 4979 8484 www btac.nsw.edu.au office@btac.nsw.edu.au

Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College

www.getaheadkids.com.au

25

People in Focus

An Interview with

Derek Landy

How do you contribute to the education of kids?

My books do not pander to any age group. They deal with unusual people, events and vocabulary.

Each page is an imagination expanding experience.

How did you get into writing?

Since I was young, I was always writing and drawing. Then I went to art college for a year and was expelled for non performance. I decided to take writing seriously and write screenplays. Then I applied these skills to writing novels.

How big in terms of worldwide sales are your books?

Your books are set in Ireland-what is it about this country that makes it a perfect backdrop for the supernatural genre?

Valkyrie Cain, Skulduggery Pleasant & Co are unlikely heroes. Do these characters appeal to male or female readers?

When I began writing I had a choice of a vague country or Ireland. I chose Ireland because it has a great tradition of mythology. Valkyrie lives in the village in which I grew up in. Ireland is a land of contrasts between densely populated towns and desolate countryside. The mists and fogs provide a great backdrop for myths and mystery.

The characters appeal to both the male and female audience. Boys and girls love action, horror and jokes.

Within the blogs and social pages girls dominate but at book signings there are equal males and females.

At which age group are your books targeted?

9-13 years originally but now the age groups are expanding.

I have finished four books and there will be nine novels in total.

Your characters vacillate between villains & heroes, could you please comment.

My characters reflect the mix of good and evil in each and every human being. Readers find all good or all bad characters highly unbelievable.

Villains and heroes will change positions within my series of books.

This vacillation between good and evil adds to the horror, suspense and uncertainty.

About one million and expanding.

Below: Derek appears at Dymocks, Melbourne during his Australian visit.

Above: Derek talking to students from St. Patrick’s College, Sydney.

The cliff-hanger ending of your current book suggests there is another novel.

Please tell us about your family.

I am 1 of a family of 6 that consists of 2 brothers and 2 sisters. I am the second eldest and currently single. My father is a market gardener and my mother an English lecturer at an arts and design college.

What are your hobbies?

Writing is my passion and hobby and I also collect statues and memorabilia.

26 Get Ahead KidsÂŽ Nov/Dec 10

People in Focus What was your first job?

I worked on the family farm every summer and holidays since I was young. After I was ousted from college, I worked on the family farm for 7 years and promised myself to do something else.

Skulduggery Pleasant #5:

Mortal Coil OUT NOW!

What are your career highlights?

Get Your Copy Today!

I got a buzz when my screenplay ‘Dead Bodies’ was made into a film and the Skullduggery books were picked up by HarperCollins.

www.harpercollins.com.au

What is your best overseas travel experience?

I am not much of a traveller. If it were not for the current series of book launches I would probably never have left Ireland.

Skulduggery Pleasant #4: Dark Days

This is your first Australian tour - how do you find Australia?

It’s the fourth Skulduggery Pleasant adventure! Skulduggery Pleasant, the bony detective, is lost on the other side of a portal, with some evil spirits that have disassembled his bones and the future looks bleak.

I love the sunny days and the idea of wearing a T-shirt. People are happy and easy going. Australia is a cool place!

What will you be doing whilst you are here in Australia?

I will visit the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

More Information www.harpercollins.com.au www.skulduggerypleasant.com

Author: Derek Landy

Can Valkyrie and Co save him and overcome a variety of other fantasy creatures who have joined forces to destroy Valkyrie and her friends.

This is a thrilling adventure that will capture the imagination of teenagers and adults. It is a sassy tale that features whimsical and amusing dialogue. It is a tribute to Derek Landy’s story telling skills.

Age Guide: 12+ Years Series: Skulduggery Pleasant Extent: 320 pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9780007325955 Price: AU$19.99 Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers P: 1300 551 721 www.harpercollins.com.au

www.getaheadkids.com.au

27

Reviews

NEW Driveway Warning Sign According to Kidsafe more than one third of pedestrians aged under 6 years old are killed in off road vehicle accidents in yards, carparks and driveways.

As a response to these alarming statistics, the Driveway Warning Sign was invented to increase play area safety for children.

This product is not designed to replace adult supervision but to increase driver awareness of children in the area and increase safety in the play areas and cul-de-sacs.

The Driveway Warning Sign simply unfolds and pops up after it is unzipped. It is multipurpose and doubles as storage for toys when not used as a safety device. It may need to be weighed down during windy conditions.

The dimensions are 64cm (H) x 51cm (W).

More Information Dream Baby P: 02 9386 4000 sales@tee-zed.com.au www.dreambaby.com.au

Prevent the Marks of Carrying Shopping Bags with Funky Ezihold™ The Funky Ezihold™ handles are made from polypropylene and each holds up to 10kg of plastic, fabric and eco-friendly bags. Each handle fits comfortably in your hand and allows a free hand for your keys, umbrella, or to hold a child’s hand.

Although this is a relatively simple product it is convenient and makes carrying shopping bags easier.

Most committed shoppers will want multiple numbers to keep in their handbag and the car.

28 Get Ahead Kids® Nov/Dec 10

A relatively inexpensive item, you can purchase these products online in packs of 3 handles for $14.50 which includes postage and handling fees.

More Information Funky Ezihold™ P: 02 9327 1953 F: 02 9327 5597 info@funkyezihold.com www.funkyezihold.com.au

Reviews

VALUED GIFTS

Everlasting Memories

by Celia Berrell Perhaps the most enduring gifts

Pet Memorial Plaques

from Christmas-tide festivities are not the items bought in shops but things that make prized memories.

From moments filled with laughter at some zany fun activity to having simply helped someone through using our proclivity.

Your Grandma will delight in any art or craftwork made by you.

The Twelve Cats of Christmas Author: Kevin Whitlark Based on the 12 Days of Christmas this is an entertaining and funny book, that is great for reading or singing to young children.

They’re cherished in fond memories

This is a recommended book for an early Christmas present (at least 12 days), for preschools, early entry and every household.

The vibrant coloured drawings and whimsical rhyming verse will delight young children.

Much more than any merchandise.

Age Guide: 2-6 Years

Our love and personality are captured in the things we do.

Our presence time and talents shared Are valued gifts both rich and wise.

Science Rhymes - Scientific Poetry & Environmental Poems www.sciencerhymes.com.au

• Badges • Signage • Photo Plates

• Shingles • Wax Seals • Housenames

Newcastle Photo & Art Carol & Steve Clima P: 02 4950 2794 E: npa@tpg.com.au www.newcastlephotoart.com.au

Extent: 28 Pages (Hardback) ISBN: 9781741696240 Price: AU$15.99 Publisher: Scholastic Australia P: 02 4328 3555 www.scholastic.com.au

Need to talk?

interrelate

family centres Strengthening Family Relationships

...since 1926 This is a rhyming tale that promotes the unique features of the Australian Christmas. An enjoyable book that is great for reading out loud to young children.

Age Guide: 2-6 Years

� Relationship Support Programs � Parenting Groups � Relationship Counselling � Employee Assistance Programs � Family Dispute Resolution

Extent: 32 Pages (Hardback) ISBN: 9780732290603

True Blue Santa Author: Anne Mangan Illustrator: Kim Fleming

Price: AU$14.99 Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers P: 02 9952 5000 www.harpercollins.com.au

364 King Street

Newcastle

4016 0550 1300 736 966

w w w. i n t e r r e l a t e. o r g. a u

www.getaheadkids.com.au

29

Reviews

Get Ahead Kids® Partners

Over 30,000 Aussie mums, dads, babies and children enjoy Gymbaroo every week.

www.gymbaroo.com.au

Dorothy the Dinosaurs Rockin’ Christmas Author: The Wiggles It’s Christmas time, Dorothy’s favourite time of year, and she’s determined to give her friends the best Christmas ever.

A hardback picture book based on the DVD, Dorothy the Dinosaur’s Rockin’ Christmas uses photographic images.

This is a fun, expressive and colourful book that will be enjoyed by Wiggles enthusiasts.

Pilates, Brass Band, Choir, Chess, Table Tennis, Judo, Akido Kickboxing Boxing, Gymnastics, Circus, Dancing, Fencing

P: 4961 4493 | www.pcycnsw.org

A rhyming verse based on Waltzing Matilda, Santa Koala is filled with Australian animals including kangaroos, platypus, koala, emu, kookaburra, and cockatoo.

This is a hilarious book that stars a happy-looking Koala Santa. With the help of a bonus CD recording it provides a merry sing along for families, schools and preschools.

Age Guide: 2-6 Years Extent: 28 Pages (Hardback+CD)

Extent: 24 Pages (Hardback)

ISBN: 9781741696929

ISBN: 9780733328855

Price: AU$19.99 Publisher: Scholastic Australia P: 02 4328 3555 www.scholastic.com.au

The First Noel Author: Jan Pienkowski This wonderful Christmas story of the night baby Jesus was born, is beautifully designed so that once open it forms a star. The silhouettes will entertain young children.

It is also a great Christmas decoration.

Age Guide: 5+ Years Extent: 5 Pages (Hardback) ISBN: 9780744557800 Price: AU$24.95 Publisher: Walker Books P: 02 9517 9577 www.walkerbooks.com.au

30 Get Ahead Kids® Nov/Dec 10

Author: Colin Buchanan Illustrator: Glen Singleton

Age Guide: 2-5 Years

Price: AU$12.99 Publisher: ABC Books P: 1300 360 111 www.abcbooks.com.au

TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT THE NEW

Santa Koala

Reviews

Similar to the first book, this text adopts a multicultural, problem solving approach and uses case studies, discussion topics, summaries and activities.

It is an essential reference for: • Day Care Centres - Study & Teaching • Child Care Workers - Training

Where are You Baby Roo?

• Australian Textbooks/​Coursework

Author & Illustrator: D.K. Jacobs

• Child Care - Study & Teaching

• Child Care, Child & Youth Welfare

Birth to Big School Author: Karen Kearns This is an award winning textbook written for the Community Services National Training Package CHC02, and to assist students in attaining the skills and knowledge required to achieve a Children’s Services qualification in Australia.

‘Birth to Big School’ focuses on development in early and middle childhood. It is an easy to read, engaging textbook that covers the appropriate curriculum and its strong supporting teaching and learning pedagogy. It is a visual feast with photography, diagrams, graphics, and highlighted text.

• Business Studies The text covers the topics: • Introduction to Child Development

Mother Roo has lost her Joey. She asks a variety of Australian bush animals where her baby might be.

The wise Kookaburra helps Mother Roo discover where her Joey can be found.

This book will delight young children with its expressive animal illustrations, flaps and heart warming storyline. It is excellent book for reading out loud. Every home & preschool should have one!

• Moving • Thinking & Talking • Socialising • Playing • Documentation Category: Child Welfare Series: Working in Children’s Services Extent: 360 Pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9781442511415 Price: AU$60.95 Publisher: Pearson Education Australia P: 02 9454 2222 www.pearson.com.au

Age Guide: 0-3 Years Extent: 24 Pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9781921042713 Price: AU $14.95 Publisher: New Frontier Publishing P: 02 9453 1525 www.newfrontier.com.au

Enrolment: Rolling enrolment! Begin anytime!

Time: Tuesday Evening Class - 6.30pm - 8.30pm Duration: 1 year, 1 evening per week + distance education study + workplace experience Certification: CHC30808 Certificate III in Education Support Venue: ICCC, 146 Lambton Rd, Broadmeadow NSW 2292

www.getaheadkids.com.au

31

Sheep With Boots Author: Maritgen Matter Illustrator: Jan Jutte Wolf’s stomach is rumbling with hunger and goes out in search of a meal. He finds Sheep in a lonely barn and salivates at the idea of fresh mutton. But an unusual friendship develops between the two. Can a wolf overcome his natural instincts and curb his hunger?

This is a moralistic story of the lethal dangers of friendships and the naivety that surrounds the urgent need to be friends. It unveils feelings of sorrow and triumph against all odds.

Age Guide: 7+ Years Extent: 40 Pages (Hardback) ISBN: 9781877467424 Price: AU$19.99 Publisher: Gecko Press P: +64 (0)4 801 9333 www.geckopress.com

Confessions of a Liar, Thief and Failed Sex God Author: Bill Condon Neil Bridges is a 16 year old boy who is discovering that growing up isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Throughout this book Neil takes a journey on a hormonal rollercoaster in which he discovers love, betrayal, death and mateship.

Neil must learn one of life’s biggest lessons, that every decision has consequences.

This is a book of hope and healing, and for Neil learning how to become a man.

Age Guide: 12+ Years Extent: 218 Pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9781741664546 Price: AU$18.95 Publisher: Woolshed Press P: 03 9730 4280 www.randomhouse.com.au

Pearl Verses the World Author: Sally Murphy Illustrator: Heather Potter This is an award winning verse novel about a girl dealing with isolation at school, with her grandma’s illness at home and the grief of her granny’s death.

Pearl Verses the World is an emotional rollercoaster that evokes feelings of sadness, grief, happiness and acceptance.

A great book for reading out loud!

Age Guide: 6+ Years Extent: 80 Pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9781921150937 Price: AU $14.95 Publisher: Walker Books Australia P: 02 9517 9577 www.walkerbooks.com.au

More great reviews at www.getaheadkids.com.au Surf For Your Life: Grommets’ Edition Authors: Mick Fanning & Tim Baker

32 Get Ahead Kids® Nov/Dec 10

‘Surf For Your Life’ is a biography of the two-timed world champion Mick Fanning. It is a grommet’s guide to being able to walk the walk and talk the talk of being a surfer. Mick talks of his life story of overcoming all odds to become one of the world’s best surfers.

Anything a grommet would want to know is in ‘Surf For Your Life’.

This book is full of Fanning’s words of wisdom on travel tips, how to train correctly, knowing your board, how to score, deep carves, tubes and most importantly what he learnt on and off the tour.

Extent: 127 Pages (Paperback)

An added feature of this book is the profile of three-times women’s world champion Stephanie Gilmore.

Age Guide: 12+ Years ISBN: 9781864718232 Price: AU$19.95 Publisher: Random House Australia P: 03 9730 4280 www.randomhouse.com.au

10 to G

iveaw

ay

Can I Help My Child Learn?

A Parent Guide Written in Plain English Author: Dr. Joan Brien B.Sc., Dip.Ed., PhD

The Glasshouse Author: Paul Collins Illustrator: Jo Thompson Clara lives in a glasshouse and grows perfects pumpkins. But her preoccupation with flawless, disease-free pumpkins isolates her from other people and her pumpkin buyers.

This is a complex parable that has different levels of messages for different age groups and even adults.

One of the lessons for parents is the isolation that can be an unwelcome outcome of perfectionism.

This book is splashed with vibrant colours and stunning illustrations.

Age Guide: 7+ Years Extent: 32 Pages (Hardback) ISBN: 9781921665042 Price: AU$26.95 Publisher: Ford Street Publishing P: 03 9481 1120 www.fordstreetpublishing.com

This is an excellent book that parents can use to help their kids acquire literacy and numeracy skills. It is written is a simple factual way so that parents can add value to classroom teaching and help their kids to understand their schoolwork. The topics include prereading, reading, writing, spelling, comprehension, story writing and basic mathematical concepts.

It is a great instructional book that provides specific examples and strategies that can be used and adapted to assist kids of all ages and even adults with literacy issues. This is an essential reference book for all parents, carers and grandparents.

Dr. Brien currently operates a clinic that helps children and adults with a visual perceptual dysfunction called Irlen Syndrome/Scotopic Sensitivity, which can result in reading difficulties. Dr. Brien can be contacted on 0412 629 924 or brien@optusnet.com.au or you can visit www.irlendyslexia.com.

Age Guide: Parents Extent: 180 Pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9781921791031 Price: AU$24.99 Publisher: Bookpal P: 1300 769 998 www.bookpal.com.au

10 Books to Giveaway!

With a special thanks to Dr. Joan Brien, Get Ahead Kids® has 10 copies of ‘Can I Help My Child Learn?’ valued at $24.99 each to giveaway!

Visit www.getaheadkids.com.au and click the giveaways link for a chance to win this excellent book.

“It does not cost any more to help our environment at NCP Printing.”

This is a delightful book for bedtime reading to your baby from the time they are born to 2 years.

Age Guide: 0-2 Years

Hoot’s Lullaby Author: Giggle & Hoot Jimmy Giggle and Hoot the Owl sing your child into sweet dreams with this simple lullaby.

Extent: 18 Pages (Board Book) ISBN: 9780733329333 Price: AU$12.99 Publisher: ABC Books P: 1300 360 111 www.abcbooks.com.au

17 Arnott Street Newcastle West NSW 2302 Tel: 02 4926 1300 Fax: 02 4926 5557 Email: sales@ncp.com.au Web: www.ncp.com.au

Cert no. SGS-COC-005911

www.getaheadkids.com.au

33

Index

Article Themes 2011 January/February

Advertisers Index

Back to School - Susan Gervay Ad Booking Deadline Nov 5, 2010 Editorial Deadline Nov 12, 2010

March/April Physical Education - Shannan Ponton Ad Booking Deadline Feb 2, 2011 Editorial Deadline Feb 11, 2011

May/June

Alphabet Street

30

Baby Ballerinas

17

Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College

25

Family Chiropractic Centre Charlestown

23

Forest Lodge Farm Stay

19

Get Ahead Learning

15

GymbaROO

13 & 30

Hunter Wetlands Centre

8

Languages & Communications -

I Can Read System

30

George Calombaris

INParenting

30

International Child Care College

31

Editorial Deadline Apr 15, 2011

Interrelate Family Centres

29

KidsSmile

21

July/August

Lifestyle Solutions

25

Learning Innovations & Technology -

Maitland Christian School

23

Dr. Chris Brown

Maitland Mutual Building Society

5

Ad Booking Deadline Jun 3, 2011

Metroll Newcastle

2

Editorial Deadline Jun 10, 2011

NCP Printing

33

Newcastle Grammar School

19

September/October

Newcastle Permanent Building Society

36

Study & Assessment - Mark Bouris

Newcastle Photo & Art

29

Ad Booking Deadline Aug 12, 2011

NSW DII Tocal

27

Editorial Deadline Aug 19, 2011

PCYC

30

Samaritans

19

November/December

Susan Walton Optometrist

21

Summer Learning - Layne Beachley

Warners Bay Osteopathic Clinic

4

Ad Booking Deadline Oct 7, 2011

Wenona

11

Editorial Deadline Oct 14, 2011

Woven Labels Direct

15

Ad Booking Deadline Apr 8, 2011

EDUC ATIN G

For more advertising information please contact

THE GO FAMI LIES ON

FREE

® Vol. 3 • No. 1

• Jan/Feb 2 011

Maria Charlton | maria@mapmarketing.com.au | P: 02 4929 7766

Advertisers media kit & booking form at www.getaheadkids.com.au

Celebrity Spotlight Susan Gervay Author of ‘I am Jack’ Back to School Issue out

DEC 2010 34 Get Ahead Kids® Nov/Dec 2010

Activity Zone

Pocket Change 1. What year was decimal currency introduced in Australia?

2. Which Australian coin features the lyrebird?

3. What year were the 2c and 1c coins phased out?

What colour do you think the Get Ahead Kids® piggy bank should be?

4. The current $2 coin replaced the $2 note in 1988?

True  False  5. Which famous Australians are featured on the $100 note?

6. Can you name 10 currencies used around the world?

7. Name 4 countries that use the dollar as their main currency?

8. Which country was the first to use paper money?

9. How many country’s bank notes does Queen Elizabeth II appear on?

10. How many different portraits of the Queen appear on Australian coins?

$ymbol Match Can you match the popular currency used around the world to their symbols?

$

Yen

€

British Pound

£

US Dollar

¥

Euro

11. Who is the richest person in Australia according to the 2010 Forbes Australia Rich List?

12. What world ‘first’ did the Australian banknote issue of 1992 establish?

13. In which aspect is the 1966 50c piece different from all subsequent issues?

14. What is the most widespread currency used around the world?

15. Which metal makes up more than 50% of all Australian coins?

Did You Know?

The Royal Australian Mint only produces the coins we use. The notes are printed by Note Printing Australia in Melbourne.

Visit www.getaheadkids.com.au for the answers. www.getaheadkids.com.au

35

Here for good.

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