Get Ahead Kids Magazine - Vol 6, No. 4, July/August 2014

EDUCATING FAMILIES ON THE GO

Vol. 6 • No. 4 • Jul/Aug 2 014

Learning Innovations & Technology Special Blended Learning Prepares Students for the Future Print Books v E-books 80% of What We Learn We Forget The Non Discussed Money Conversations

An Interview with

Tom Williams July/August 2014 Subscription $6.60 AUD INC GST 01

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Jul/Aug 2014

Contents

This Month’s

Spotlight

F O R FA M I LI E S O N T HE G O

®

4

Editorial

6

Spotlight An Interview with Tom Williams Learning Innovations & Technology

An Interview with Tom Williams Photos Courtesy of Network Ten

Kids®

Get Ahead © MAP Marketing 2014 Publisher MAP Marketing ABN 38 003 493 007 Villa Franca, 2 Scott St. Newcastle NSW 2300 P: 02 4929 7766 www.getaheadkids.com.au 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 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.

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Reaching Kids with Stories so They Can Be All They Can Be with the ‘I Am Jack’ Books

10

Print Books v E-books

12

Blended Learning Prepares Students for the Future

14

80% of What We Learn We Forget

16

The Non Discussed Money Conversations

18

How Does Your Websites Rate?

Health

20

Milestones

22

Going Organic

24

Thalassaemia News

5

Boys Explore at The Scots College Early Learning Centre

26

New After Hours Medical Service Launched In Newcastle

27

Wenona is a Winner with Boarders

30

New Sizzling Hot Brazilian Actionwear

31

Celebrating 45 Years in After Hours Medical Services Giveaways

2

LeapFrog LeapPad 2 Power Pack Subscriber Giveaway

4

Hog’s Breath Cafe Family Meal Facebook Giveaway

25

Medikidz Thalassaemia Book Facebook Giveaway

28

The Australian Reptile Park Family Passes Reader Giveaway

29

Elmo’s World Tour Tickets Reader Giveaway

35

Taronga Zoo Family Passes Facebook Giveaway

32

Reviews

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Advertisers Index

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Editorial It’s been an exciting issue interviewing Tom Williams who shared his interests and experiences as a media personality.

The learning innovations issue provides interesting insights in print books and E-books. In an age of high tech learning, the kids’ engagement with the printed media still reigns.

Suzanne Gervay highlights the family engagement with books by discussing how a generation of readers have been reached by the ‘I Am Jack’ books.

Get Ahead Kids health articles continue to generate many positive

comments, so we provide a diverse forum for readers to discuss Thalassaemia, Milestones and Going Organic.

Check out the numerous giveaways for Get Ahead Kids Facebook followers, digital subscribers and readers. I extend my gratitude to all those who were generous in providing giveaways and especially the regulars; Medikidz, Life Like Touring, Taronga Zoo and The Australian Reptile Park.

Maria Charlton Managing Editor P: 02 4929 7766 maria@mapmarketing.com.au www.mapmarketing.com.au

Facebook Giveaway 1x Fa Me mily Vou al Giv cher eaw to ay!

Like Get Ahead Kids on Facebook to Win! www.facebook.com/GetAheadKids With special thanks to Hog’s Breath Cafe Newcastle, Get Ahead Kids has ONE $100 Family Meal Voucher for Hog’s Breath Cafe Newcastle to giveaway!

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Boys Explore at The Scots College Early Learning Centre On entering the Preparatory School and the exciting world of the Early Learning Centre at the age of three, each boy at The Scots College is an active explorer of his new world.

An innovative, colourful and adventurous curriculum informed by Reggio Emilia’s principles is designed to harness a boy’s natural curiosity and energy and to encourage each boy to explore and discover his world.

Each boy begins a journey to brave hearts and bold minds, experiencing the power of play and discovering letters and numbers, words and counting.

The Reggio Emilia philosophy facilitates a partnership with children, teachers and parents where learning occurs in a happy,

News

fun, caring and homely environment rich in opportunities for boys to discover and learn. This supportive and active learning environment allows each boy to explore new ideas with confidence.

Scots’ unique Brave Hearts Bold Minds Education Philosophy and adventurous curriculum inspires and excites each boy. New concepts fascinate and draw the boys into a style of learning and an area of interest whether this is Science, space or numbers.

As the boys move through Kindergarten to Year 1 and become more courageous and active, they discover and question cause and effect in the world around them together with their teachers and peers.

This paves the way for more formal schooling with writing, spelling and numeracy being a focus for learning.

With educational specialists in Music, Drama, Dance, Visual Arts, Academic Enrichment and Christian Studies on hand, every new skill developed increases the boys’ enthusiasm to learn.

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5

Spotlight

An Interview with

Tom Williams

The Daily Edition - Tom Williams, Sally Obermeder, Kris Smith & Monique Wright.

Photo Courtesy of Network Ten.

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Spotlight

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I suppose I wanted to be like my Dad, who was a lawyer. He dressed in a suit every day and took the ferry to work. I wanted to be just like him.

What was your favourite subject at School and why?

I loved Geography. I studied Three Unit Geography for my HSC. I loved learning about landforms, the oceans, agriculture and how the Earth responds to human beings.

What has been your most rewarding career experience?

That would definitely have to be travelling the world working for seven years. Travelling is like an education, you learn so much about other cultures and environments. It made me appreciate Australia so much and realise how lucky we are to live here.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?

My mates are my biggest inspiration.

We have been friends since we were little boys and we have always encouraged each other in our professional and personal lives. Treat your mates like brothers and you’ll have them for life.

What advice would you give someone seeking a career in the media/television industry?

Go for it! It’s a fun job that is constantly changing and always challenging you. Study hard and learn everything you can about the business to become an expert. Read newspapers and watch television programs that interest you. But most importantly, always be yourself.

Training to compete on Dancing With The Stars must have been intense. Please tell us your typical daily workout.

I would go surfing every morning then it was off to dance practice, and then more practice. This is another lesson for life - the more prepared you are, the better you’ll perform in your job. After dance practice I’d go to the gym then home to eat and sleep…and repeat!

What is your favourite technological device and why?

My iPhone. I’m not hugely into tech stuff besides GoPro cameras, but I can’t live without my mobile phone.

Tell us your most embarrassing onair moment Way too many to mention, but I do remember those tight dance pants I used to have to wear on Dancing With The Stars. They were embarrassing!

What is your favourite holiday destination and why?

I like Byron Bay on the far-north coast of NSW for its great waves and good people, and I love Hawaii for the ocean conditions and laid-back vibe. But right now I want to be in Fiji where the winds are blowing because I’ve recently become obsessed with kite surfing.

What is your most unforgettable personable experience?

he worked in construction whilst modelling part time. He spent several years snowboarding in Canada before returning to Australia where he continued his sporting pursuits, finishing as a finalist in the 2000 Australian and World Titles of Open Men’s Surf Boat Competition.

Tom’s media career began in July 2000 after he became a regular guest on radio personalities’ Merrick and Rosso’s Triple J radio show as ‘Tom the Chippy’. When the comic duo moved to Sydney radio station NOVA 969 in April 2001, Tom moved with them, running ‘The Chippy’s Driver Reviver’ every Friday morning.

As a snowboarding instructor, competitive surf life saver and keen surfer, he is definitely no stranger to adventure. Tom was offered a position to host on the long-running travel show ‘The Great Outdoors’ in mid 2001 - where he paraglided over the Switzerland Matterhorn, trekked through the dense Guatemalan jungle, explored an active volcano in Costa Rica and made it to Machu Picchu.

In 2002, Tom put his labouring qualities to use as the builder in the show ‘Room for Improvement’. In early 2005, Tom appeared in the second season of ‘Dancing With The Stars’, in which more than 2 million viewers watched as he was crowned champion of series two.

Getting married and having our first baby. That completely changes everything. Love and total responsibility, happiness and more purpose in life. Kids are the best!

Tom is also an ambassador for AFL team the Sydney Swans and likes to spend his downtime enjoying the sun, sand and surf all over Australia with Fashion Designer wife Rachel and their daughter Storm.

About Tom Williams

More information

Tom Williams was born on 16 October 1970 in Sydney, Australia.

Growing up, Tom always aspired to travel. After finishing high school

www.twitter.com/tomwilliams70

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7

Learning Innovations & Technology

Reaching Kids with Stories so They Can Be All They Can Be with the ‘I Am Jack’ Books

By Susanne Gervay Families are a mix-master lot these days, with stepparents, grandparents, single mothers, blends of all sorts. Kids and families manage with some wins, fun and games, and challenges.

The ‘I Am Jack’ books take young people, parents and teachers into a real home, real neighbourhood and right through the school gates.

Everyone feels in familiar territory as Susanne Gervay invites readers inside Jack’s life.

Inspired by her son, and her own mix-master family with a ‘rough diamond’ stepdad who blows up the barbecue, a waddling Nanna, a sister who loves dogs, a star-jumping Mum who’s doing her best to manage, and then there’s Jack.

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Get Ahead Kids® Jul/Aug 14

Jack’s your kid, friend, neighbour.

He’s the boy who plays soccer, football or surfs with your children.

He tells terrible jokes like many dads, uncles, brothers, takes great photos and helps his sister with her endless dog projects.

Life shifts as Jack faces the hurlyburly of relationships, expectations, family changes.

Relating to a story, being emotionally engaged can facilitate empathy, understanding and open pathways to positive life choices.

The ‘I Am Jack’ books invite children to engage in story, empathising with situations that they may not have experienced; providing reassurance that other people experience the same problems; opening discussions with family; as they journey with Jack, his family and community.

Author Aleesah Darlison - Review Sun Herald states: “How does Gervay deal with so many issues in relatively short children’s books? The answer is that she treads lightly. Jack is Gervay’s vehicle for spreading words of wisdom but at no time does she preach. Eternally, Jack and his story remain wholly believable. Readers will not only empathise with Jack but love his sensitive introspection and his wisecracks designed to alternately entertain and annoy his family. “ ‘I Am Jack’ navigates bullying, blended families, literacy, the cyber world and the many challenges in life. ‘Being Jack’ is the final book in the ‘I Am Jack’ series. It takes Jack from victim to victor to the kid who stands beside others.

Learning Innovations & Technology Confident readers will read the books alone. For reluctant readers, a parent reading aloud captures their attention and engenders excitement about the following chapters and story.

Young people read differently to adults. They will read and re-read books they relate to, bookmark favourite sections and re-visit them again and again. Jack and his mix master community become fellow travellers with readers as they search for answers; question situations; develop critical thinking; and make choices.

The ‘I Am Jack’ books use humour and identifiable family, school and community situations to involve young readers with problem solving and life skills as they enter adolescence.

In a special Benefit for Room to Read which takes literacy to the children of the developing world, there will be a performance of ‘I Am Jack’ the play and launch of ‘Being Jack’ at 5- 7 p.m. Saturday 23rd August at Darling Quarter Theatre Darling Harbour.

About Susanne Gervay OAM An educational consultant and acclaimed children’s author, ‘Susanne Gervay is rare in her ability to place common problems for children within the spectrum of normal family life. … she makes it OK for the children to talk about them.’ The Weekend Age, Literary Review Section. The ‘I Am Jack’ series published HarperCollins include: ‘I Am Jack’, ‘Super Jack’, ‘Always Jack’ and ‘Being Jack’ to be released for Book Week 2014.

More Information www.roomtoread.org

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Learning Innovations & Technology

Print Books v E-books Research Summary Researchers at the Joan Ganz Cooney Center studied how advances in technology affect parent-child storytelling, otherwise known as co-reading.

The QuickStudy compared print books, basic E-books, enhanced E-books and was conducted by Cynthia Chiong, Jinny Ree, Lori Takeuchi, and Ingrid Erickson.

E-books include those designed for the iPad, Kindle Fire, and NOOK Color.

These have evolved from platforms displaying simple digitized versions of print books (basic) to tools that can support highly interactive, multimedia experiences (enhanced).

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32 pairs of parents and their 3 - 6 year old children were asked to read a print book and an E-book together. Half of the pairs read a basic E-book and the other half read an enhanced E-book.

Parent Child Conversation The basic E-book brought out similar levels of content related actions from the children and parents as its print counterpart, whereas the enhanced E-book drew out fewer content related actions than its print counterpart. Both types of E-books, especially the enhanced E-book, prompted more non-content related actions from children and parents than the print books.

Findings included that enhanced E-book was less effective than the print and basic E-book in supporting the benefits of co-reading because it prompted more non-content related interactions.

Story Comprehension Children who read enhanced E-books recalled significantly fewer narrative details than children who read the print version of the same story.

Across all book formats, children performed nearly equally when asked to explain a critical element in the story.

Enhanced E-book was found to be less effective than the print and basic E-book in supporting the benefits of co-reading because it prompted more non-content related interactions.

Engagement When measuring overall engagement; a composite of parent-child interaction, child-book interaction, parent-book interaction, and signs of enjoyment, 63% of the pairs were as engaged reading the print book as they were when reading E-books.

Learning Innovations & Technology

About 6% of the pairs were more engaged with the E-book than the print book, compared to the 31% of pairs that were more engaged with the print book than the E-book.

When measuring child-book engagement (e.g. direct attention, touch), more children showed higher levels of engagement for the E-books than the print books, though a majority were equally engaged by both book types.

Children also physically interacted with the enhanced E-book more than when reading either the print or basic E-book.

The finding indicated that print books were more advantageous for literacy building co-reading, whereas the E-books, particularly the enhanced E-book, were more advantageous for engaging children and prompting physical interaction.

This QuickStudy made two major recommendations: For Designers Exercise caution when adding features to enhanced E-books, especially when those features do not directly relate to the story.

E-book enhancements should

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also be designed in a way that allows parents to access and control settings to customize the co-reading experience with their children.

For Parents & Educators Parents and preschool teachers should choose print or basic E-books to read with children if they want to prioritize literacy-building experiences over ones intended “just for fun.”

More Information www.joanganzcooneycenter.org

About Joan Ganz Cooney Center The Joan Ganz Cooney Center is an independent research and innovation lab that focuses on the challenges of educating children in a rapidly changing media landscape.

It conducts original research on emerging education technologies and collaborates with educators and media producers to put this research into action. The Center also aims to inform the national conversation on media and education by working with policymakers and investors.

Its programs address the literacy’s that all young students need to succeed in the 21st century, including reading, writing, science and math, and mastery of communications technologies. The Center is particularly interested in how children (especially those who are struggling) learn

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11

Blended Learning

Prepares Students for the Future

By Jennifer Banks

Blended learning is a phrase you might have heard academics and teachers use while describing their teaching methods. Although some may think it’s a teaching fad, blended learning is an approach that is being widely adopted by businesses, universities and schools around the globe.

By gradually introducing blended learning activities into classrooms such as interactive quizzes, podcasts, discussion forums, blogging and digitised readings, the critical thinking skills of students and their experience with technology are increased.

Blended learning activities allow students who are interested in a topic or concept to further their knowledge by linking the activity

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to other online resources. Students who are not comfortable with a concept can also use the resources and activities to strengthen their understanding and familiarity with a topic.

Adoption of blended learning increases the ownership of the learning process for students, and teachers are able to provide material that is engaging and relevant.

In primary schools and high schools, teachers are introducing blended learning activities into their classrooms. The adoption and use of technology can determine success, so the blending of traditional teaching approaches with new technologies makes sense.

It’s important to point out that blended learning will never replace teachers in a classroom. These activities should enhance the classroom environment and enrich face-to-face time that students and teachers share.

Blended learning activities can also be used by parents at home when faced with a challenging assignment or topic your child isn’t interested in. Discover an element your child likes about the topic and then expand on it with the aid of technology. If they enjoy games why not create a quiz with them on a smart device that enables them to identify the correct and incorrect answers?

Learning Innovations & Technology

There are lots of apps and resources available to parents, that teachers are happy to recommend. The most important aspect to consider before using blended learning activities is whether they are appropriate and worthwhile.

Teachers are encouraged to ask three simple questions.

1. Does the activity enhance the teaching & learning of the classroom?

2. Does the activity allow students to extend their knowledge & skills?

3. Does the activity empower students who are passionate about the topic to follow their passion?

As an educator I will always continue to use and challenge new pedagogies (instructional methods) that will enhance the classroom environment. For me, the most important element blended learning offers is the skills it teaches and develops within students. Although

students can rote learn the answers to a test, they can never rote learn the skills needed to find the knowledge that allows them to succeed at university and in their careers.

About Jennifer Banks Jennifer is the Program Manager of Foundation Studies at UTS:INSEARCH. She has a Masters of Applied Linguistics and has worked in the tertiary education sector for over fifteen years.

Her career includes extensive experience in regional universities in the Northern Territory and Queensland teaching in and managing pathways programs, tailored programs for Indigenous learners on and off community, and teaching undergraduate communication, sociology and academic literacy subjects.

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13

80%

of What We Learn We Forget

Teaching and learning have mostly been a cognitive process; the transfer of and the thinking about information. Cognitive theory relies on rote learning and repeated examinations for information to be retained. Relying on just the logical input and retention is very inefficient as we only remember approximately 10% of what we read, 20% of what we hear.

It’s only when the student interest is aroused and their imagination engaged that true and longer lasting learning takes place. In fact learning and retention increase upwards of 80% when the student is immersed in the experience.

Two methods that ensure that this happens are the improved learning styles of Experiential Learning and Problem Based Learning.

Experiential Learning (EL) is a holistic method of learning where the student becomes part of the learning and not just a learner.

People are mainly emotional, with a makeup of about 82% emotions and only 18% logic. Hence it’s important that they are emotionally engaged.

Experiential learning hinges on immersing the students’ emotions in

14 Get Ahead Kids® Jul/Aug 14

By Alan Stevens

the subject being covered, hence enriching the learning experience.

Problem Based Learning (PBL) goes a step further and has the potential of 95% long term retention of information. It goes beyond Experiential Learning in that it generally requires consultation and discussions with other students.

Often in groups of 6 to 10, teams are established to work on problems and tasks while the teacher guides the students more than by just teaching them.

One of the interesting outcomes of PBL is that it stimulates the cognitive process, where relying just on the cognitive process without raising the students interest. Cognitive Learning alone has the reverse effect with students often tuning out or retaining information long enough to just pass exams.

That brings us to another issue; that of personalities that impact on the group’s dynamics. For a team to work cohesively and efficiently it is advisable to match the team member’s personalities to circumvent clashes within the team.

So far very little has been done to address this issue in PBL.

An opportunity arose when a teacher in the United States was faced with the difficult task of motivating year 12 students to improve their reading skills – she found a way to peak their interest. Finding that they all had an interest in reading people, she introduce the mobile apps ProfileMe and ProfileMatch, firstly as an Experiential process and secondly as a PBL opportunity.

The theory was: ❑❑ The students, while focussed on being able to profile each other, would be more likely to apply themselves to reading the instructions on how to read a person’s personality traits. ❑❑ They would also look forward to reading the reports their profiling generated.

Added advantages included: ❑❑ Each student would understand their own personalities, including why they react to situations the way they do ❑❑ They would have a greater appreciation of the other students resulting in a positive effect on reducing bullying.

Learning Innovations & Technology What I didn’t point out to the teacher, but left for her own discovery, was that she would also have a greater understanding of each students personality.

Information that would go a long way to building the right teams for maximum study and PBL results. It was a great way to bring learning innovations and technology together.

About Alan Stevens

Newcastle NSW. He has developed Social Emotional Learning programs for school teachers and corporations including programs to recognise what other people are not telling you, what they are concealing, and how they are likely to behave in any situation. His programs are delivered locally in schools and businesses and internationally through the internet.

He was described by the Newcastle Herald as “The Mentalist meets Dr. Phil meets Dr. Cal Lightman from Lie To Me”, and his passion is to share these skills throughout the community. To find out how other people see you and how to recognise what makes other people tick, contact Alan now.

More Information Alan Stevens, the Face Profiler, is a coach and trainer in the Art of Reading People, based in

www.alanstevens.com.au

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Learning Innovations & Technology

The Non Discussed Money Conversations

By Natasa Denman

Money is the root of all evil. Money doesn’t grow on trees. Money can’t buy you happiness.

If you grew up as a child of the baby boomer generation, I am sure you have heard all of these sayings before. So… how is your relationship with money these days?

I grew up on television and movies where the ‘rich’ characters were all evil; think of Montgomery Burns from The Simpsons or Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol.

There are more relationship breakdowns and fights about money than anything else, even more than infidelity. It just goes to show how our own beliefs and lack of education about money can affect us in our role as parents.

I had to do a lot of work on my money beliefs over the last few years. Going from a ‘job’ where I was earning $35 an hour to suddenly having to charge $150 (which is now $550 an hour) was a mind-blowing experience. The doubts crept in and I imagined I could hear people (mainly my friends and family) saying, “Who does she think she is?

Thinking people will pay her that kind of money.”

We live in a country where we don’t support and champion those who are successful. We love the

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classic ‘Aussie Battler’ who has just got enough to live the ‘Australian Dream’. Heaven help us if that ‘battler’ does even better and becomes wealthy. All of a sudden we look for reasons why they have become one of those ‘rich people’.

In schools, we are taught so little about money. Sure, there is economics and business studies in high school however, by then we already have been exposed to our parent’s beliefs about money which depending on their own level of education and personal development could be very little.

If you talk about money in a negative tense, your children will grow up believing all the common misnomers that abound around money. Even if you are facing challenges around money, always look for ways of making it about you, rather than about money. You don’t need money to be happy but having money doesn’t make you unhappy. Especially if you know how to use it and give back where you can.

Talk to your kids about philanthropists like Bill Gates who although have billions of dollars are the most generous and giving people who are humble, caring and know that they can give back to so many

people. If you do need to have tough conversations about money, it is advisable that you educate yourself and your partner about the best ways to handle these money conversations.

Whether you have 50 cents or $50 to give your children as pocket money or as we call it, future money, your child’s education around money should start from as young as 4 years of age. This begins their imprint period where they will form their beliefs about money for the rest of their impressionable years.

Talk to them about separating their money into savings, ‘pay yourself first’, and spending money. With my 5 year old I even talk to him about donating 10%. The more your child knows about money, the more their relationship with it will be great.

I like to think of our relationship with money like this. If we are in a relationship and we constantly say bad things about our partner and get angry with them all of the time, they would eventually leave us wouldn’t they? If we treat money the same way, it will not want to stay around us for very long. Educate yourself and then pay it forward with your children to make the next generation more money savvy than we were.

Learning Innovations & Technology

Ultimate 48 Hour Author Author: Natasa Denman

About Natasa Denman Natasa Denman is the next generation business mentor and product generator specialist. She is the author of Ultimate 48 Hour Author, a book writing mentorship program as well as The 7 Ultimate Secrets to Weight Loss, Ninja Couch Marketing and You Can Live the Life of Your Dreams.

More Information book@ultimate48hourauthor.com.au www.ultimate48hourauthor.com.au

Most families have at least one member or a friend who has a burning desire to be an author.

The Ultimate 48 Hour Author provides you with the advice, templates and tools to achieve this goal.

Natasa Denman maintains that becoming an author is also the fastest way to build credibility and exposure for your business.

Highly recommended for budding authors, this book provides an invaluable tool for planning, writing and promoting your book.

Age Guide: Adult Extent: 158 Pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9780992357689 Price: AU $30.00 Publisher: Busybird Publishing P: 03 9434 6365 www.busybird.com.au

Open Day Newcastle Grammar School will be holding an Open Day on

Wednesday, 13 August 2014 from 8.00pm to 10.30am

Tours by our Students

Book your spot today on our Open Day microsite www.ngsopenday.com.au Newcastle Grammar School PO Box 680, Newcastle NSW 2300 Email. office@ngs.nsw.edu.au www.ngs.nsw.edu.au

NewcastleGrammarSchool

Park Campus

Hill Campus

Cnr. Union St & Parkway Ave Cooks Hill NSW 2300

Cnr. Church & Newcomen St’s Newcastle NSW 2300

Phone.

Fax.

Phone.

Fax.

+61 2 4925 2121 +61 2 4925 2454

+61 2 4929 5811 +61 2 4926 2976

www.getaheadkids.com.au

17

Learning Innovations & Technology

How Does Your Websites Rate?

School websites are an invaluable communication tool between schools and their stakeholders that include: • • • • • • •

Past, present & future parents Past, present & future students Government authorities Tertiary institutions The media Suppliers General public

An increasing number of schools are investing significant time and resources to building and maintaining websites to strengthen branding and communicate to significant stakeholders.

The MAP Marketing Research of Hunter and Central Coast Private Schools and Major NSW Boarding Schools websites indicated that the schools websites varied in content, functionality, and information depth and design quality.

Methodology MAP Marketing rated private and boarding school websites using a 16 point criteria.

For each criterion the school website was allocated a score ranging between 0 and 5.00.

The highest possible score for each category was 5.00 and the lowest was 0. A score of 2.50 was considered the average.

The final internet rating for each school website was derived from the average of the 16 category ratings.

These 16 categories were: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

Overall Quality Currency of Information Image & Photo Quality Language & Content Quality Online Enquiries Information Quality Ease of Finding Information Aesthetics Location Map Search Bar Function Loading/Que Time Student Portal Parent Portal Calendar of Events Curriculum Outline Mobile Website

Research Results Major Hunter & Central Coast Private School Website Rating

2011 (Max 5)

2012 (Max 5)

2013 (Max 5)

2014 (Max 5)

Central Coast Grammar School

4.33

4.67

4.38

4.31

Newcastle Grammar School

4.37

4.47

3.97

4.28

Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College

2.93

3.98

3.59

4.22

Green Point Christian College

3.53

3.50

3.63

4.06

Avondale School Cooranbong

3.70

3.48

3.56

4.00

Lakes Grammar - An Anglican School

3.20

4.40

4.06

3.94

Macquarie College

4.13

4.45

3.81

3.84

Hunter Valley Grammar School

4.33

4.02

3.28

3.80

Central Coast Adventist School

3.87

4.55

4.19

3.77

Maitland Christian School

3.57

3.70

3.88

3.75

2.67

4.03

3.72

Singleton Christian College St Philips Christian College

4.40

4.15

3.50

3.44

Hunter Christian School

3.70

3.63

3.28

3.38

Wyong Christian Community School

3.67

3.82

3.59

3.33

Medowie Christian School

3.80

3.92

3.41

3.13

The Coast Christian School

3.47

3.17

3.31

3.13

Scone Grammar School

2.93

2.53

3.41

3.00

Charlton Christian College

3.80

4.07

2.88

2.63

Belmont Christian College

3.10

3.63

2.88

2.58

Heritage College Cooranbong

3.47

3.13

2.28

2.13

Brightwaters Christian College

1.43

1.62

1.91

2.13

18 Get Ahead Kids® Jul/Aug 14

Learning Innovations & Technology

2011 (Max 5)

2012 (Max 5)

2013 (Max 5)

2014 (Max 5)

Kinross Wolaroi

4.03

4.42

4.72

4.59

The Armidale School

3.13

3.67

3.28

4.56

The Kings School

3.30

4.65

4.66

4.47

Tudor House School

3.90

4.43

4.34

4.34

Barker College

4.00

4.13

4.28

4.31

Sydney Church of England Grammar School (Shore)

4.13

4.57

4.53

4.30

Newingtown College

3.73

4.37

4.41

4.28

Kambala

3.07

2.82

4.16

4.27

New England Girls School

3.20

3.68

2.94

4.22

Knox Grammar School

3.77

4.08

4.28

4.19

The Scots College Albury

4.43

4.52

4.19

4.13

Cranbrook School

3.67

3.95

4.16

4.13

Ravenswood School for Girls

3.77

3.90

4.09

4.13

St Joseph’s College

4.30

4.55

4.09

4.09

Kincoppal – Rose Bay

4.20

4.52

4.47

4.06

Abbotsleigh Senior Campus

3.30

3.30

4.09

4.06

Tara Anglican School for Girls

3.57

4.18

4.03

4.03

Pymble Ladies College

3.50

3.88

4.00

4.00

Ascham School

2.90

2.95

4.03

3.98

Presbyterian Ladies College

4.47

4.65

4.16

3.91

St Ignatius College Riverview

3.80

4.10

3.97

3.84

Wenona School

4.10

4.53

4.19

3.80

The Scotts School Sydney

4.10

4.43

4.09

3.78

Trinity Grammar School

3.87

3.80

3.78

3.78

Calrossy School

4.00

4.02

3.91

3.76

Snowy Mountains Grammar School

1.87

3.65

4.00

3.72

Canberra Girls’ Grammar

3.30

3.23

3.66

3.58

Frensham

2.63

3.53

3.31

3.39

All Saints’ College

3.30

3.35

3.41

3.30

St Catherine’s School

3.80

3.92

3.25

3.22

PLC Armidale

3.17

3.60

3.63

3.16

Mackillop College

2.63

2.73

3.06

3.16

St Paul’s College

3.07

3.35

3.22

3.09

Major NSW Boarding Schools Website Rating

More Information Maria Charlton, Managing Director MAP Marketing | P: 02 4929 7766 | maria@mapmarketing.com.au | www.mapmarketing.com.au

www.getaheadkids.com.au

19

Health

Milestones

By Dorte Bladt

I am introduced to my new stepnephew, a bright and cheerful eight year old, Michael. Within five minutes he has defined himself to me: ‘I am the best reader in the class. I am number one for spelling, number two in maths. I am the fourth fastest runner in my year and the sixth fastest swimmer. I am not very good at playing soccer or singing’.

‘OK’ I think – at least I know how he thinks.

As parents, especially of very young kids, we are forever warned against comparing our sons and daughters to other children, siblings or not. Whether it is their size, looks, abilities, thought processes, speech or whatever, our children are individuals and will have different strengths and interests and different speeds of learning. This is what we are told. And it is correct, of course.

However, what to do when my little one is struggling learning to walk, and all the other kids in my mother’s group are running like speed demons around the park?

20 Get Ahead Kids® Jul/Aug 14

I start thinking about all the possible reasons for my child’s trouble: ‘Joey is so much bigger and heavier than the other kids’ ‘I wasn’t very coordinated when I was a child’ ‘He has been carried too much by his grandparents’ ‘He is scared because we have floorboards and he hurts himself when falls over’ ‘He is lazy’ ‘He gets there faster when he crawls’ Interestingly, when we assess children’s health and development, much of what we do is compare compare the individual child to the general population of children of the same age with regards to length, weight, head circumference, holding up the head, rolling, crawling, cruising by holding on to furniture, walking, running, talking, teething, finger grasping, chewing, and toilet training.

By looking at this information we get a feel both for the overall development of the child and the development in particular areas. The reason for this is that although we are all individuals with different interests and strengths, we all develop following similar patterns. We call these patterns ‘Developmental Milestones’.

A milestone is what we expect a child to do at a certain age, and of course these milestones keep moving as we get bigger, stronger and smarter.

The milestones of what the body can do, represent a window into the development of the brain and the nervous system, and we can use this information to: ❑❑ Find out how your child is going ❑❑ How he or she is progressing ❑❑ What you can do to help him along if need be What is so awesome and exciting is that the movements of the body and the development of the brain and nervous system are interrelated.

We are born with (pretty well) all the nerve cells we will have for life as well as an amazing capacity for living.

Health

From birth we know how to breathe, feed, feel, hear, see, smell and taste, and communicate clearly when we are hungry, cold or uncomfortable.

Right from birth we have particular patterns of movements of our bodies and limbs against gravity which ensures that our brains are being stimulated to grow, make pathways and connections - billions of them!

Very quickly we gain control of these reflex movements and can start choosing how we move in gravity – we learn to hold our heads up, to keep our eyes level, to roll over and to purposefully move from A to B. The brain is built like a pyramid from the bottom up, where the initial focus is on movement, then balance and emotional control and lastly cognitive learning such as reading, writing and maths.

If for some reason the initial movement patterns were not laid down as solidly as they should be, as in missing a milestone or reaching it too quickly, the child may not be able to perform as well as possible when it comes to emotional control or learning later on. Alternatively, if a child reaches several milestones late, it may indicate that there is an overall delay in the way the brain processes information, and this may predict possible learning difficulties later on.

Comparing your child to others may not be very good for your anxiety levels and may be best left to professionals. However, the great news is that if you find that your child does not reach his/her milestones as easily as their peers, or speeds through them too fast, you can help!

Going through the early movement patterns later in life will actually still help develop the pathways in the brain and encourage the brain to build from the bottom up.

This is what neuroplasticity, the buzzword that everyone is talking about, is all about – helping the brain change and improve by developing new pathways and creating superhighways out of the ones it already has. So you as a parent have the power to help your child build a better, stronger brain from the bottom up, and help them be as healthy and successful as they can be.

About Dorte Bladt

We

ll Adj usted Kids

Safe, gentle and effective chiropractic for optimal functioning and wellbeing for the whole family.

P: 02 4942 4842 2 Lincoln Street, Charlestown

www.familychiropracticcharlestown.com.au

Family Chiropractic Centre Charlestown

Our Family Cares for Your Family Dorte has a special interest in paediatric spinal and nervous system health. She checks your spine to assess if the bones, muscles or ligaments are working properly and will gently, safely and naturally correct it to allow the body and the nervous system to function better.

Dorte also provides advice on which exercises would be beneficial as well as which position to sleep, stand and sit in for the best possible posture.

More Information Dorte Bladt Doctor of Chiropractic Family Chiropractic Centre Charlestown 2 Lincoln St, Charlestown NSW 2290 P: 02 4942 4842

Pre-school

Catering for 4 year olds in the year before Kindergarten. Allowing children to explore, experiment, create, discover, connect, contribute and communicate in a safe, fun and challenging environment.

ngs.nsw.edu.au

Farm Haven for Families

info@familychiropracticcharlestown.com.au www.familychiropracticcharlestown.com.au

Nestled in the Broken Back and Myall Ranges, the Cedar cottages offer a relaxing retreat, where kids can feed the farm animals. Nearby adventures include: Bushwalking, Horse riding, Fishing, Hot Air Ballooning & Hunter Vineyards.

Myalls Away Farm Cottages Off Sandy Creek Rd, Quorrobolong NSW P:(02) 4998 1103 / 0417 221 086 www.myallsaway.com.au

www.getaheadkids.com.au

21

Health

Going Organic

By Bianca C. Ross

The humble grocery shop has become quite the task these days, particularly when it comes to the shopping of fruit and vegetables.

Rumours abound as to the origin and freshness, and many of us end up feeling bewildered as we stand gazing at the waist-high array of “fresh” produce.

Throw organic into the mix and panic ensues as we do a per kilo price check. Why are they so expensive? We sigh as we hold each piece of fruit delicately and reluctantly return it to the individual cardboard mould. Or if it does make it into our trolley, we agonise over the decision until we reach the till.

And by that time, we’re so over the whole experience; we don’t care if we’ve broken the bank on one piece of fruit.

But what does “organic” actually mean? In relation to food or farming methods it means produced or involving production without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides or other artificial chemicals.

22 Get Ahead Kids® Jul/Aug 14

Organic fruit and vegetables are as close to nature as possible. And perhaps this is why that, for a long time, organic fruit and vegetables shared close ties with “greenies.” But now this is not the case.

Organic produce is no longer a topic reserved for greenies, but rather it has entered the conversation of work colleagues, families and gym goers. Even at the bar, one can order an Organic Lychee Martini. As to whether it delivers one an organic hangover, no conclusive evidence is available … yet.

We don’t have to handcuff ourselves to trees to appreciate organic produce. Our bodies give all the thanks we need when we consume food that is as close to nature as possible. But at times, it’s difficult to go organic.

As well as the pesty price tag, bugs are part of nature and something that those at the coalface of growing food know well. Our farmers deal with conditions so harsh that it’s

difficult for us to understand. While most of us love endless sunshine and complain when it rains, we need to remember where our food comes from and what it needs to be able to grow. For farmers, weather dictates their livelihood, and drought as well as flood can destroy in days what families have built for generations.

And so we begin to see that if there’s a way our farmers can rid themselves of at least one threat, it’s understandable they will take action.

And one way to do this is to use pesticides to keep moths, flies and insects away, and fertilizers to get crops growing.

So yes, there is a dilemma. Yes, we should be eating the purest of foods but that means we’ll be paying more. Why? Because there will be more adverse conditions to decrease more of the crops that are growing, which means less food for us.

Health

Organic produce is the tailormade shirt. It’s beautiful, it’s the best and it’s what everyone wants. And we have to pay for it. So what can we do? We can look to buy selected organic produce. Go organic on the fruits and vegetables where the skin is eaten. Buy in season organic produce. Use every part of the produce where possible to make our money go further.

And where possible, we can grow our own fruit and vegetables at home. It doesn’t matter whether we have a windowsill, a tiny balcony or a big backyard. Just like we live in apartments, houses and farms, plants can make a home for themselves anywhere. They just need the right conditions and some love and attention. With organic soil from the local nursery and some compost, larger they’ll grow. We’ll soon appreciate the time and effort our farmers put in to what we are lucky enough to enjoy eating.

Relating to living matter is something all of us need to do more often, be it to our food, but especially to ourselves. If we are mindful of what we put into our bodies, we’ll enjoy good health. And that is what “Going Organic” really is about.

Herbert Peabody and His Extraordinary Vegetable Patch Author: Bianca C. Ross Illustrator: Tabitha Emma Bray Herbert is a farmer who loves to grow his own fruit and vegetables and wants to encourage others to do the same, as it’s both rewarding and fun.

His niece and nephew come to stay during the holidays and they show no appreciation for fresh food. Herbie tries to inspire the pair to get outside into the veggie patch; however the children prefer to watch TV.

About Bianca C. Ross Bianca C. Ross is the author of Herbert Peabody and His Extraordinary Vegetable Patch, published by Farinet Pty Ltd.

More Information www.herbertpeabody.com

It is not until Theo Knead-a-lot’s famous bakery is under threat of closure from a lack of fresh fruit and vegetable suppliers, that the children discover the connection between growing produce and how it can affect their lives and the community.

Suitable for 4+ years, this book series is aimed at inspiring readers to grow and prepare their own fruit and vegetables.

The supporting website includes additional fun activities with colouring sheets and garden information.

Age Guide: 4-9 Years Extent: 120 Pages (Hardback) ISBN: 9780987595508 Price: AU $18.95 Publisher: Fairnet Pty Ltd P: 02 8445 2300 www.woodslane.com.au

www.getaheadkids.com.au

23

Health

Thalassaemia

By Dr. Shen Satkunarasa

Thalassaemia belongs to a group of conditions called inherited blood disorders. Overall, 5% of the world’s population have some form of an inherited blood disorder.

What does the blood usually do?

Your blood does many different jobs, one of which is to transport oxygen to every part of your body. Red Blood Cells (RBCs), carry the oxygen in your blood, and for this they need haemoglobin. Oxygen sticks to the haemoglobin so the RBCs can easily carry it around.

RBCs are made in your bone marrow. When they are old and worn out they are replaced by new RBCs and your spleen destroys the old ones. Your body recycles useful leftover parts such as haemoglobin.

What happens when you have Thalassaemia?

In Thalassaemia, the instructions, or genes, for making haemoglobin contain a mistake. This means that haemoglobin is incorrectly made, and so oxygen cannot stick to it.

As a result, your RBCs cannot carry oxygen around your body.

Not having enough normal haemoglobin is called anaemia.

24 Get Ahead KidsÂŽ Jul/Aug 14

How does it affect you?

Lack of oxygen makes you tired and breathless.

Your body tries to correct the anaemia itself, but this can actually make things worse. For example, your bone marrow starts working harder to make more and more RBCs. This causes overcrowding in the bone marrow and can even change the shape of your bones and make them weaker.

The new RBCs spill out of the bone marrow into the bloodstream before they are fully grown. This means they are smaller than normal RBCs. Your spleen thinks these small RBCs are unhealthy and destroys them. Since your spleen has to work harder to destroy the small RBCs, it gets bigger too, just like your bone marrow.

Once the smaller RBCs are destroyed, the leftover parts make their way back into the bloodstream. There are lots of leftover parts and they can get stuck in different places in your body.

What treatments are there for Thalassaemia?

If you have severe Thalassaemia, you will need extra blood. A blood transfusion will give you fully-grown red blood cells through a tube that goes straight into your arm. You will need the transfusions regularly, around once a month. Blood transfusions contain iron, which adds to the iron you already have in your blood. Lots of transfusions can overload your body with iron, which can cause problems for your liver and heart.

To stop this from happening, you will need medicines called iron chelators.

They mop up the extra iron and come as an infusion, a pill or tablet that you dissolve in juice or water.

If your Thalassaemia is not so severe, you will only need blood transfusions now and again.

You might also need folic acid. Folic acid helps your body make new RBCs to replace the ones your spleen has been destroying.

If they get stuck in your skin or eyes, The only way to cure Thalassaemia is they can appear yellow. If they get with a bone marrow transplant. This stuck in your gallbladder they can form gallstones, which can be painful. involves replacing some of your bone marrow with healthy marrow from someone else. The new bone marrow contains the correct instructions to make normal haemoglobin.

Facebook Giveaway

If your spleen gets too big it may need to be removed. This operation is called a splenectomy. Since your spleen also helps you fight germs, after a splenectomy you may need medicines to help stop infections.

If you have gallstones, your gall bladder might also need to be removed. Many people have had their gall bladders removed and are fine without them.

Doctors are working on new treatments to cure Thalassaemia.

One of these is called gene therapy, which aims to give your body the right instructions for making haemoglobin.

Having Thalassaemia can be tough.

Regular transfusions mean you have to spend time in the hospital and miss hanging out with friends. Taking lots of medicines every day can be hard too. Sometimes you might feel angry or frustrated.

What’s up with Haaris Medikidz - Explain Thalassaemia Authors: Dr. Kim Chilman-Blair &

Ian Shawn deLoache Haaris spends his time indoors doodling and is too tired and out of breath to play sports such as football. His friends are under the impression that he is making excuses not to join them in outdoor sports.

But the five Medikidz superheroes are aware that Haaris has Thalassaemia and whisk Haaris off to Mediland – a planet shaped like the human body – to explain all about this blood disease and its treatment paths.

Remember, you are not alone and there are lots of other children who are going through the same things as you. Talking to your family, friends and teachers, and sharing your feelings, can help you and them understand what having Thalassaemia is like for you.

Remember

❑❑ You are not alone - there are many other people all over the world living with Thalassaemia

About Dr. Shen Satkunarasa (MBBS) Dr. Shen Satkunarasa is a medical writer at Medikidz, an organisation that provides children with informative, accessible and fun comics to help them understand health and illness.

❑❑ Thalassaemia is a condition that affects your blood

More Information

❑❑ It happens because there is a problem with haemoglobin, which your body needs to carry oxygen

www.medikidz.com

❑❑ Thalassaemia can make you tired and breathless, change the shape of your bones and make your spleen bigger. It can also make your skin and eyes appear yellow

3XB

ooks to Give awa y!

❑❑ Treatment for Thalassaemia depends on how severe it is. ❑❑ Thalassaemia is caused by a fault in your genes which are instructions for making things in your body, like haemoglobin

This graphic (cartoon) novel offers a light-hearted, easy to read journey in the bloodstream. Later Haaris writes his own comic book to explain Thalassaemia to his friends.

What’s up with Haaris is an adventurous guide to Thalassaemia.

It’s a highly recommended reference book for your home, school and medical library.

Age Guide: Open Extent: 32 Pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9781906935177 Price: AU $16.00 Publisher: Medikidz Limited P: +44 (0) 207 376 6630 www.medikidz.com

Like Get Ahead Kids on Facebook to Win! www.facebook.com/GetAheadKids With special thanks to Medikidz Limited, Get Ahead Kids has 3 copies of ‘What’s up with Haaris?

Medikidz - Explain Thalassaemia’ valued at $16.00 each to giveaway!

Visit www.facebook.com/ GetAheadKids, LIKE the page, find the Medikidz book giveaway post and follow the instructions for a chance to win!

www.getaheadkids.com.au

25

News

ew NAfter Hours Medical Service Launched In Newcastle A new medical service, Doctor to Your Door Newcastle, was launched in Newcastle on 1 May 2014. This after hours medical service provides Doctors directly to patients’ homes.

The services were founded by Dr. Dominic Bannerman who has been running an identical service in Queensland for the past two years.

Doctor to your Door Newcastle provides a new level of after hour medical service for people in Newcastle.

Dr. Bannerman explains; “Our service in Queensland has become highly valued by people who are unwell, outside of the normal operating times of their local GP’s. We start visiting patients from 6pm weekdays and practically all weekend. The free bulk-billing

26 Get Ahead Kids® Jul/Aug 14

until midnight makes the service accessible, especially for families.

We work closely with local GP’s and other medical service providers wherever possible. We are a complementary medical service specifically for people who are unwell and require medical attention after hours.”

Dr. Bannerman explained that its primary focus is to ensure a high level of service delivery to patients in Newcastle. Its catchment area is from Newcastle to Swansea and Toronto, and now Maitland.”

Doctor to your Door Newcastle will be donating 50% of its profits to charity. The philanthropic element of the service is very important to Dr. Bannerman, his wife and the entire team. The service in Queensland donates a proportion of profits to

charity and a significant donation was made to the Fred Hollows Foundation earlier this year.

Dr. Bannerman looks forward to growing the service and employing more Hunter based staff. In particular, he is looking for Doctors with over two years postgraduate experience to join the team, drivers and administration staff.

More Information P: 1300 968 736 www.doctortoyourdoor.com.au

Wenona is a

Winner with Boarders Wenona b oarding frie nds Jemim Scone (left a Morgan ), Anthea M of cDonald o Laura Keir f Dubbo an of Kempse d y in the We nona library .

Wenona Year 8 boarder, Laura Keir of Kempsey, knew her parents had boarding in mind for her when her older brother went to Shore to board.

weekend excursions to other parts of Sydney, and catching up with her family on some weekends, she said she finds that time flies.

“It was a family decision to choose Wenona,” Laura said. “Two of my aunts and a cousin had boarded at Wenona.

Wenona Year 11 boarder, Anthea McDonald of Dubbo, threw herself into many activities when she started boarding at the start of Year 10.

“I like the atmosphere,” she said, adding that the other boarders are like sisters of all ages, and that she has made friends with many day girls as well.

“My mum grew up in the country, and she wanted me to have all the opportunities that she didn’t have,” Anthea said.

“It’s a good learning environment. I love having the view of the garden from almost every room. The IT is really good, and teachers come into the library to help us with homework every afternoon.”

So far, Laura’s favourite subject is Textiles. “We used a laser cutter last year to create jewellery stands, and this year we teamed up to make a model of a house with the proportions of a shipping container.

Now we are working with dyed cloth.”

Laura also enjoys playing water polo and netball for Wenona. Along with

“I was told to get involved in as much as I could as it would help me settle in, and I haven’t been homesick once!

“I’ve done lots of different sports, such as water polo and soccer. I dance, I was in the rock concert last year, and I am now in the dance ensemble for Wenona’s musical this year.

“I’ve really enjoyed meeting a whole bunch of people from different places. I like the way there is no division between day girls and boarders. We are all in it together.”

Anthea’s mother Mrs Yvette McDonald said the family was thrilled with Anthea’s experiences at Wenona.

“It’s not just about academics,” Mrs McDonald said. “It’s about broadening her horizons and exposing her to so much more than she could see here. She has matured so much. The boarding has been fantastic and she seems to have made lots of friends.”

Anthea said she enjoys Wenona’s learning environment. “Going to Wenona’s Evening Study Centre every evening makes you want to really try your best.”

Wenona is a global learning environment, educating and empowering young women to serve and shape their world. Non-selective and non-denominational, it was established in North Sydney in 1886 with the motto ‘Ut Prosim-that I may serve’.

More Information P: (02) 9409 4440 to arrange a tour registrar@wenona.nsw.edu.au www.wenona.nsw.edu.au

Join our global learning community, educating and empowering young women to serve and shape their world.

Residential Program

Find out about our all-round opportunities, caring culture, Evening Study Centre and family-style accommodation. Wenona is a non-denominational day and boarding school established in 1886 with the motto Ut Prosim, that I may serve. With just 50 boarders, girls make life-long friends with fellow boarders and day girls. Apply early to avoid disappointment.

Please telephone the Director of Enrolments on (02) 9409 4440 or email registrar@wenona.nsw.edu.au to arrange a tour.

Wenona School, 176 Walker Street, North Sydney. NSW 2060. www.wenona.nsw.edu.au @Wenona_School

www.getaheadkids.com.au

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Reader Giveaway

Conservation Month at the Australian Reptile Park It’s Conservation Month at the Australian Reptile Park these holidays and there are stacks of cool conservation animals and activities on offer!

The Australian Reptile Park is home to over 100 vulnerable, endangered and critically endangered animals including the Southern Cassowary (about 1,500 remain in the wild), Mountain pygmy possum (about 500), koala ( about 100,000) and of course the Tasmanian devil (about 25,000).

The insurance breeding centre, Devil Ark, which is largely funded by the Australian Reptile Park, is currently in its fourth successful breeding season and there are now over 150 devils at the Ark. The Park spotlights the Tasmanian Tiger or Thylacine, once Australia’s largest carnivorous marsupial, which became extinct in 1936. Its head is like a wolf, has a striped body like a tiger and it has a backward facing pouch like a wombat.

A special display will showcase this marsupial and raise awareness for its cousin, the Tasmanian devil, now listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List and heading towards extinction in the wild due to a transmissible cancer.

28 Get Ahead Kids® Jul/Aug 14

Our special Conservation Show will run daily and educate visitors on the threatened species, including the Woma python, Purebred dingo, Yellow foot rock wallaby, Burmese python, Koala, Greater bilby, Green and golden bell frog, Pig nosed turtle and Alligator snapping turtle.

Our Kids 2 Keeper workshops run throughout the school holidays, with an emphasis on conservation.

Kids can learn about conservation and get their hands dirty at the same time!

Australia’s crankiest crocodile, Elvis, is massive at 5 metres and will leap for his lunch in a spectacular display at 1.30pm every day. Hugo the giant Galapagos tortoise will take his walk through the Park at 12 noon and visitors have the rare opportunity to get up close to animals when our rovers roam with reptiles and mammals every day between 11am – 2pm.

More Information The Australian Reptile Park P: 02 4340 1022 www.reptilepark.com.au

With special thanks to

5x Pa Fam Giv sses ily ea to wa y!

The Australian Reptile Park, Get Ahead Kids has 5 family passes to The Australian Reptile Park valued at $75.00 each to giveaway!

Each pass allows a family of 2 adults and 2 children (3-15 years) a wildlife experience at the Australian Reptile Park.

Visit www.getaheadkids.com.au and click the giveaways link for a chance to win this fantastic prize!

The Sesame Street Gang Returns Down Under Life Like Touring, the non-profit educational organisation behind Sesame Street is thrilled to announce the return of SESAME STREET PRESENTS ELMO’S WORLD TOUR. Toddlers and pre-schoolers all around Australia will have the thrill of seeing their favourite Sesame Street friends appear live on stage.

In SESAME STREET PRESENTS ELMO’S WORLD TOUR, the Sesame Street gang Abby Cadabby, Big Bird, Grover, Zoe, Cookie Monster and Elmo use the letters of the alphabet to navigate a voyage through imagination that sees them visiting China, Zambia, France, India and Australia!

Elmo and his friends have fun learning how people sing, dance and say hello from all over the world. However, things don’t go to plan when Cookie Monster

Reader Giveaway 1x F Pa amil Giv ss t y ea o wa y!

eats the letter “C”. Can Abby Cadabby find the right magic spell to help?

With special thanks

Along the way, audiences will hear a sensational tale from The Count, help some travelling rubber- duckies find a place to stay with Bert and Ernie, and see the Sesame Street gang make a new friend; the gorgeous, gregarious, globe-trotter from the Gold Coast – Lady Baa Baa – proving it’s more fun to be mutton than lamb. Featuring a bunch of classic songs alongside catchy new tunes, SESAME STREET PRESENTS ELMO’S WORLD TOUR will entertain, educate and delight Sesame Street fans of all ages.

1 Family Pass (4 tickets) to the

Tickets on sale Australia wide Thursday 12 June 2014.

Show Time: 12.30pm

More Information

and click the giveaways link for a

www.sesamestreetpresents.com.au

chance to win this fantastic prize!

to Life Like Touring, Get Ahead Kids has

Cessnock ‘Sesame Street Presents Elmo’s World Tour’ show valued at $200.00 to giveaway!

Tickets are for 4 people. Children under 12 months are free as long as they sit on a parent/guardian’s lap.

Please note the tickets apply to: Venue: Cessnock Performing Arts Centre, 198 Vincent St, Cessnock NSW 2325 Show Date: Sat 11, October 2014

Visit www.getaheadkids.com.au

www.getaheadkids.com.au

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News

Women’s actionwear is growing at twice the pace to women’s fashion.

The NEW Hunter grown So Active brand is positioned to be the best in its class in design, construction and fabric quality.

The first So Active concept store has opened at Westfield Kotara and shoppers were in awe of the sizzling hot designs, great fit and Brazilian fashion flair.

With its dazzling designs that include So Danca and Trinys, So Active is styled to turn heads and allow women to flaunt the results of their workouts.

After all what’s the good of spending hours at the gym or in a dance studio if you cannot flaunt the results?

Alex Rosen, So Active CEO states: “We are excited to locate the first concept store at Westfield Kotara as its shopper demographics align perfectly with the type of person that appreciates the So Active uniqueness and superior quality.

The So Active retail experience showcases Brazilian designs at their best - colourful, distinctive and striking.

30 Get Ahead Kids® Jul/Aug 14

So Active is supported by a new online store and active social media that includes Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.”

Women and young girls adorned in So Active will be proud to be seen at the gym, shopping, meeting friends or picking up the kids from school.

The huge selection of eye catching actionwear is created for comfort and good looks. Soft and flexible, So Active has the perfect balance between stretchability and body fit.

The new fashion stories on display include wild animal prints and floral prints splashed with colour.

So Active has a singular purpose of helping women and young girls to look great on their quest towards a healthy and active lifestyle.

Launched with a colourful new logo and the advertising tagline “Look Good on the Move”, So Active promises customers that once they wear its products, they’ll simply refuse to buy anything else.

More Information & Online Sales www.soactive.com.au

News Providing House Calls for 45 Years

DOCTOR TO YOUR HOME AFTER HOURS DOCTOR HOME VISIT SERVICE

ALL VISITS BULK BILLED

Celebra ting

45 Years in After Hours Medical Services

The After Hours (Newcastle) Medical Service now celebrates more than 45 years of service to patients throughout Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.

The service is provided to patients at their residence (or wherever a doctor is required) including nursing homes, retirement villages, private hospitals, hospices, refuges, hotels and even police stations.

As an accredited medical deputising service, it is an ideal service for families and their mature aged relatives.

The majority of patients are bulkbilled and each patient is assessed by a triage* nurse. Some are referred to hospital, some are in need of immediate treatment, some are non-urgent and in a few cases, ambulances are called.

Monday to Friday 4pm - 7am Saturday 11am to Monday 7am 24 Hours on Public Holidays Calls Taken For Visits 2 Hours Prior to Opening Times

P: (02) 4943 6666

Get Ahead KidsÂŽ Partners

Patients are visited by a fully qualified doctor in a vehicle which has been setup for home visits with two-way radios and a driver escort.

Often after hours patients in need are given samples of medication to be used until a script can be obtained or they see their own GP. The After Hours (Newcastle) Medical Service also operates an afterhours surgery at the Broadmeadow Medical Centre 6pm - 9.30pm Monday-Friday, noon - 9.30pm Saturday, 9am - 9.30pm Sunday & public holidays.

hey dee ho music runs music programs for 1- 5 year olds. There are franchise opportunities in the inner Sydney suburbs & the northern suburbs of Adelaide.

Franchise Enquiries: (03) 9786 3104 | jenny@heydeehomusic.com.au www.heydeehomusic.com.au

*Triage is the process of deciding the priority of patients’ treatments based on the severity of their condition.

More Information www.nahms.com.au

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Hootie The Cutie Author: Michelle Worthington Illustrator: Giuseppe Poli Hootie, a small owl who lives in the enchanted woods, longs to show everyone she’s just as brave despite her size. Hootie gets the chance when she squeezes through a tiny gap into an abandoned cave to solve the mystery of the strange noises.

The charming illustrations bring to life the story of this courageous little owl.

The story encouraging readers to believe in their own unique abilities and shows that heroes can come in any shape or size.

Age Guide: 3-6 Years Extent: 32 Pages (Hardback) ISBN: 9781921928000 Price: AU $24.99 Publisher: New Frontier Publishing P: 02 9453 1525 www.newfrontier.com.au

Violet Mackerel’s Helpful Suggestion

Karana: The Story of The Father Emu

Author: Anna Branford Illustrator: Sarah Davis

Author: Uncle Joe Kirk Illustrator: Sandi Harold

Violet Mackerel is very excited for her next door neighbor and best friend Rose, who is going on a trip to Japan! Violet is going to miss her terribly, although she doesn’t want to come across unexcited for Rose. The tale of the two clever girls’ motives and means of communication is clever and heartwarming, as we follow Violet on her quest to come up with a perfect plan and a very helpful suggestion.

A father emu, Karana patiently waits and cares for his young chicks, teaching them everything they need to know about survival in the Australian bush.

Age Guide: 5+ Years Extent: 112 Pages (Hardback) ISBN: 9781922244369 Price: AU $19.95 Publisher: Walker Books Australia P: 02 9517 9577 www.walkerbooks.com.au

diets, Eleanor developed a simple, clean and wholesome way of eating, noticed a positive change in their health and lifestyle.

My Petite Kitchen Cookbook Author: Eleanor Ozich Eleanor was motivated to keep track of recipes when her daughter Izabella was diagnosed with Gut and Psychology Syndrome (an imbalance of bad gut bacteria causing toxins).

By eliminating grain, sugar, additives and preservatives from their family

32 Get Ahead Kids® Jul/Aug 14

Most families are now into healthy eating and this book is remarkable because the recipes are simple and tweaked up versions on everyday cooking with sensational outcomes. Splashed with colour the recipes are inviting, tasty with extra crunch and texture.

Age Guide: Adult Extent: 240 Pages (Hardback) ISBN: 9781743362914 Price: AU $39.99 Publisher: Murdoch Books P: 02 8425 0100 www.murdochbooks.com.au

This beautiful Australian Indigenous story explores the important roles of fathers and their guidance offered to their children through their journey to adulthood. The rhyming tale and rich earthy illustrations make this an ideal book for fathers to read aloud with their children.

Age Guide: 3+ Years Extent: 24 Pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9781743623138 Price: AU $15.99 Publisher: Scholastic Australia P: 02 4328 3555 www.scholastic.com.au

Where’s Wally? The Totally Essential Travel Collection Author & Illustrator: Martin Handford The seven sensational ‘Where’s Wally’ books come together and form this handy travel sized companion.

A perfect idea to keep children entertained on holidays, this edition also features postcards so the fun in searching for Wally can be shared.

Age Guide: 6+ Years Extent: 172 Pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9781406333527 Price: AU $24.95 Publisher: Walker Books P: 02 9517 9577 www.walkerbooks.com.au

A Tale of Two Titties

Toddler Taming

Crossing

Author: Dr. Christopher Green

Author: Catherine Norton

Author: Tanya Curran Brown

Toddler Taming provides easy to read practical advice for parents with toddlers. With 30 years of practical experience Dr. Green offers an invaluable reference on raising happy and well disciplined youngsters.

The Wall has been erected, separating two towns. Ava lives with secretive parents and a highly gifted sister in a town of food shortages, high security and enforced rules.

About 1 in 8 women will develop Breast Cancer in their lifetime as it is currently the most common cancer affecting women today.

In this new edition of Toddler Taming he shares his secrets for: sleep solutions, tantrums, toilet training, screen time, healthy eating, discipline preschools and how to make a parents’ life easy.

To add to the reader enjoyment, Dr. Green adds case studies, question and answer, and problem solving approaches. This book is a must have handbook for parents of toodlers.

Age Guide: Adults Extent: 395 Pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9781742759418 Price: AU $34.99 Publisher: Random House Australia P: 1800 222 444 www.randomhouse.com.au

Life changes when Ava meets Cara, a teenage girl bought up in the country who is skilled with a bow and arrow and questions the governments authority.

This is an interesting read, reminiscent of what life may have been like throughout history for those living in a walled off community with a yearning to escape their restrictive lifestyle.

Age Guide: 10+ Years Extent: 192 Pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9781742990286 Price: AU $16.99 Publisher: Omnibus Books P: 02 4328 3555 www.scholastic.com.au

A ‘Tale of Two Titties’ is an autobiographical story of Tanya’s journey with the disease and her wit, strength and courage on her journey to remission.

What makes this quirky story different is the Tanya’s humour and chutzpah in dealing healing and surviving the disease and the relationships around her. It’s also an endearing motherdaughter love story and a mother’s determination to see her daughter reach adulthood.

Age Guide: Adults Extent: 224 Pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9780992307004 Price: AU $24.99 Publisher: Love & Write Publishing P: 02 9327 7150 www.loveandwrite.com.au

For more great reviews visit www.getaheadkids.com.au

How To Get To Rio Author: Julie Fison A pick-a-path series giving the reader the chance to make the decisions, and choose how the story goes! For months Kitty MacLean has been crushing on Rio Sanchez - who is probably the

cutest boy in the world. But it looks like she might never get a chance to hang out with him until...1. Kitty goes camping with her best friends like she promised them, and finds out Rio just happens to be staying not too far away. But should she meet up with him? Or is a grubby camping holiday not the best time to meet up with your mega crush?

2. Kitty breaks her promise to go camping with her besties and goes to Paradise Point with popular-girl Persephone instead. The offer is sweetened with a promise they’ll

definitely get to hang out with Rio. But would Kitty really ditch her friends to hang out with a cool girl? And will Rio even like Kitty? Follow your heart right to the end, or go back and choose all over again.

Age Guide: 10-14 Years Extent: 256 Pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9781742977744 Price: AU $14.95 Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont P: 03 8520 6444 www.hardiegrant.com.au

www.getaheadkids.com.au

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Index

Article Themes 2014 January/February

Advertisers Index

Back to School - Curtis Stone

AGJ Business Pty Ltd

13

Ad Booking Deadline Nov 22, 2013

Doctor to Your Home

31

Editorial Deadline Nov 27, 2013

Doctor to Your Door Newcastle

26

Family Chiropractic Centre Charlestown

21

March/April

Go4Fun

Physical Education - Hayley Lewis Ad Booking Deadline Feb 7, 2014 Editorial Deadline Feb 14, 2014

9

hey dee ho music 31 Hog’s Breath Cafe Newcastle

36

Hunter Valley Grammar School

13

May/June

Hunter Wetlands Centre 13

Language & Communication -

I Can Read System

Ita Buttrose

KidsSmile 11

Ad Booking Deadline Apr 11, 2014

Lake Macquarie Dental Practice

15

Editorial Deadline Apr 17, 2014

Life Like Touring

29

Myalls Away Farm Cottages

21

NCP Printing

11

Newcastle Family and Sports Podiatry

15

Newcastle Grammar School (Preschool)

21

Newcastle Grammar School (Years 5-12)

17

July/August Learning Innovations & Technology Tom Williams Ad Booking Deadline Jun 13, 2014 Editorial Deadline Jun 20, 2014

31

Schoolchoice.com.au 31

September/October

So Active Actionwear & Dancewear

Study & Assessment - Jessica Mauboy

The Scots College

Ad Booking Deadline Aug 8, 2014

Wenona School

30 5 27

Editorial Deadline Aug 15, 2014

November/December Summer Learning - James Mathison

For more advertising information please contact Maria Charlton | maria@mapmarketing.com.au | P: 02 4929 7766

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

Ad Booking Deadline Oct 10, 2014 Editorial Deadline Oct 17, 2014 EDUC ATIN G

THE GO FAMI LIES ON

® Vol. 6 • No. 5

• Sep/Oct 2 014

2014 September/October GST $6.60 AUD INC Subscription 01

9

771839

149000

Celebrity Spotlight Jessica Mauboy Australian Singer & Actress Study & Assessments Issue out

September 2014 34 Get Ahead Kids® Jul/Aug 14

www.facebook.com/GetAheadKids

Facebook Giveaway

Winter Baby Boom At Taronga Zoo There’s a very exciting mob of joeys at Taronga during the school holidays.

Keen-eyed visitors should be able to spot a young Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat joey. Also, Taronga features the first Tree Kangaroo joey born in over 20 years and three little Koala joeys.

The wombat joey, named Sydney, is only the second Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat joey to be born at the Zoo in 30 years. At nine months old, Sydney is now out of her mother, Korra’s, pouch and can be seen in the Backyard to Bush children’s environmental adventure exhibit.

Born in September, Tree Kangaroo joey, Nupela, meaning ‘new’ in PNG language tok pisin, has emerged from mother Kwikila’s pouch.

In the wild, Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroos are endangered and there are just under 50 in human care, so this little one is a pretty vital addition to the Zoo. Three Koala joeys emerge from last year’s breeding season. The two females, Sydney and Milli, along with the male Tucker have been enjoying their own exhibit due to their similar ages at the Koala Encounter.

At the Koala Encounter area, guests can have their photos taken with Koalas and speak with a keeper to learn more about one of Australia’s most iconic species that is under serious threat from habitat destruction and fragmentation.

Don’t miss Winter at the Zoo with over 20 free keeper talks and presentations including the Seal Show.

More Information Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman NSW 2088 P: (02) 9969 2777 www.taronga.org.au

5x F Pas amily Giv ses to eaw ay!

Like Get Ahead Kids on Facebook to Win! www.facebook.com/GetAheadKids With special thanks to Taronga Zoo, Get Ahead Kids has 5 family passes to Taronga Zoo valued at $112.20 each to giveaway!

Each pass allows a family of 2 adults and 2 children (4-15 years, under 4 years free) a wildlife experience at either Taronga Zoo Sydney or Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Visit www.facebook.com/GetAheadKids, LIKE the page, find the Taronga Giveaway Tab and follow the instructions for a chance to win!

www.getaheadkids.com.au

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