FOR FAMIL IES ON THE GO
FREE
Vol. 1 • No. 4 • Jul/Aug 09
A n In te rv ie w w it h
Jackie French
Learning Innovations Special + Better Outcomes for Boys Toxic Playgrounds Touching Tales of School Bullying Increase your Family Wealth Peanut Allergy
BUILDINGS
New classroom? New home? Home addition? Granny flat?
ON THE MOVE
CTB CAN HELP YOU WITH: Material choice Colour matching Design plans Energy assessments Site positioning Construction Interiors & design One-to-one help & advice
CTB ADVANTAGES: Design to your unique specifications Guaranteed competitive prices Wide range of materials & products Save time as project is prefabricated Meet construction deadlines Enjoy quality inclusions Step-by-step individualised guidance & help Eliminate the torment of liaising with the building trades
Custom Transportable Buildings Pty Limited 64 Greenleaf Road Kooragang NSW Australia 2304 Ph: +61 (0)2 4928 2211 | Fx: +61 (0)2 4928 2222 W: www.ctb.net.au | E: info@ctb.net.au
Jul/Aug 2009
Contents
This Month’s
F O R FA M I LI E S O N T HE G O
Spotlight 6
4
Editorial Your Letters
6
Spotlight An Interview with Jackie French
An Interview with Jackie French
Get Ahead Kids® © MAP Marketing 2009 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 E: maria@mapmarketing.com.au P: 02 4929 7766 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 E: maria@mapmarketing.com.au P: 02 4929 7766 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.
Learning Innovations 5
Online Reading Program
8
Develop Great Essay Writing Skills
10
Better Outcomes for Boys
12
Flexible Learning
14
Australian Launch of Just BE You
16
Where does Reading Begin?
18
Web 2.00 Revitalises Research News
19
Touching Tales on School Bullying
20
Families are the Design Winners
21
St Philip’s Students Visit NASA
22
Green Issues Toxic Playgrounds
24
Business Increase your Family Wealth
26
Health Peanut Allergy
28
Activity Zone
29
Giveaways
30
Reviews
30
Subscribe to Get Ahead Kids
34
Advertisers Index
www.getaheadkids.com.au
3
Editorial One of my June highs was listening
After attending Susanne’s talk I
to an address given by renowned
went home and read I am Jack. This
Australian Author, Susanne Gervay
remarkable book needs to be read
at the Newcastle Regional Library.
by every family. I highly recommend this book be on the essential
Talking about her great book
reading list for every primary school
I am Jack, Susanne highlighted
to engage students in positive
that emotional engagement,
classroom discussions on bullying.
open family communication and commitment are essential for
Don’t miss the stage play I Am Jack
eliminating bullying.
that is coming to the Civic Theatre 2-4 September 2009.
She has personal experience in this because her son, James, was bullied
Maria Charlton
at school (see page 19).
Managing Editor P: 02 4929 7766 maria@mapmarketing.com.au
Maria,
It is very informative for busy mums.
Wow, thanks for the wonderful
R Delany
coverage! I was a bit stunned to see
Charlestown
myself on the front cover. I enjoyed the process, so thanks again, and all the best, John Marsden
I enjoyed ‘Technology & Child Development... From a Chiropractor’s Perspective’ as I was interested in current alternative
Please send letters and stories with your name and contact details to:
It certainly is a great way of educating parents further. It surely
options in terms of children and their development. The case study of Chris was also helpful in providing a
Get Ahead Kids
helps parents to understand better
Villa Franca, 2 Scott St
about the importance of planning
Newcastle NSW 2300
ahead for the better education
F: 02 4929 7827
of their children and for these
H Proudlock
maria@mapmarketing.com.au
very reasons I truly enjoyed the
Belmont North
practical view on the issues in the article.
magazine. ML Kincumber
A useful and informative magazine for parents with children of all ages. Nicely put together and great
Very informative and relevant articles on real subjects not the
S Howlett
usual advertorials.
Charlestown
Z Westley Cooks Hill
4
Get Ahead Kids Jul/Aug 09
looking format. Thanks.
Learning Innovations
Online
Reading Program ABC Reading Eggs makes learning how to read rewarding and enjoyable! It reinforces children’s love of using computers and offers individual, one-on-one lessons. This reading program can be used as a standalone program or to support what children are learning at school. It features interactive animations, fun games, great songs and numerous rewards. Every lesson ends with a new book and a new critter to add to the student’s growing collection.
❑❑ Repetition of visual letter students learn
patience with students, who are free to proceed at their own pace. This reading program focuses on the core reading curriculum elements of phonics and sight words, using skills and strategies that are essential for ongoing reading success. ABC Reading Eggs has 80 lessons for 4-6 year olds who are learning to read. It uses well-researched learning material, great graphics and internet technology to teach students how to read.
❑❑ Allows recognition & practice of ❑❑ The cartoon characters, sounds & visual effects are entertaining ❑❑ The songs & jingles are great ❑❑ The student needs to get 7
completion, students are rewarded with Golden Eggs
Enquiries ABC Reading Eggs info@readingeggs.com P: 02 8585 4020 www.readingeggs.com
correct responses to progress ❑❑ The lessons are of escalating difficulty to maintain interest ❑❑ Allows for word & picture matching ❑❑ Provides positive feedback for incorrect answers
Are you looking for quality education in a caring Christian environment? Limited places available for 2009
CALL 4979 8484
❑❑ Quizzes at the end of each map
Sound learning for each individual in an affordable, natural setting
help to recap reading skills ❑❑ Students get certificates when they have done great work at
literacy programs we have reviewed
the end of a level
Checklist of Reading Eggs Features
❑❑ Upon learning activity
letters by joining dot to dot
This is one of the best internet based to date!
of words & phonics
❑❑ Shows students how to write
uppercase & lowercase letters Best of all, computers do not lose
❑❑ The Letter Grid builds recognition
recognition & sounds help
❑❑ Students can leave incomplete lessons & come back to them ❑❑ Students are rewarded for lesson completion with the hatching of
shapes & words ❑❑ To fill the time gap in page loading students can play games ❑❑ Students can earn egg points that can be used to buy fun
a new cartoon creature ❑❑ Shows learning progress through graphs ❑❑ The vocabulary building activities
82468
❑❑ Helps students recognise letter
A Year K – 12 Anglican School in the Diocese of Newcastle 256 MINMI ROAD, FLETCHER • PO BOX 294, WALLSEND 2287
www.btac.nsw.edu.au
ensure that students know the words used
games
www.getaheadkids.com.au
5
Spotlight
An Interview with
Jackie French
What is your favourite Australian
education of kids?
destination and why?
How do you contribute to the
Mooching about the bush, studying
I’d like to give kids new universes to
wombats and other animals, and
Going for a walk to the gorge near
explore.
swimming in the creek whenever it
my house. The cliffs are so high
rains... it’s a bit hard to swim when
and the gorge so deep that when
it’s only a 3cm puddle.
you swim across the pools you feel
I’d like to give kids new ways to look at the history we thought we knew... but maybe got wrong. I’d like to give kids the tools to think
If you found you only had 6 weeks to live what would you do?
like you’re swimming through the clouds reflected in the water. There is no sense of time in the gorge. You
about the world, and how it could
Same as what I am doing now.
could be 10,000 years ago or 10,000
be different.
Watch the wombats and other
years in the future.
I’d like to give kids laughter, too. Where did you go to school? •
Camp Hill Primary
•
Somerville House
•
Brisbane State High
•
University of QLD
wildlife, write books, sit and talk and laugh with family and friends, walk up the mountain and watch the mist
Sitting in the caldera of Vesuvius, feeling the steam rise up between
What are your career highlights? I am on a high every time a new
I have a husband, 1 son, 2
What do you value most in life?
tailed wallabies. What was your first job? Washing dishes at the Mater Mother’s Hospital in Brisbane. I also learnt how to make great lamingtons and passionfruit sponge fingers.
Get Ahead Kids Jul/Aug 09
experience?
eat a lot more chocolate though.
book works!
37 wombats, 6 lyrebirds and 5 black
What is your best overseas
float down the gullies. I’d probably
Please tell us about your family
stepdaughters, 4 step grandchildren,
6
What are your hobbies?
my toes and fingers and knowing the volcano was rumbling underneath me. What do your books offer readers? My many books offer journeys to
I value my family, friends (including
other universes, including past
the fur and feathered sort), the bush
universes.
and books. What is your most unforgettable personal experience? This was the birth of my son.
Spotlight Jackie French Biography Jackie French’s writing career spans 16 years, 38 wombats, 125 books, translated into 23 languages, 8 genres, 3,721 bush rats, the odd award (well, actually, they’re not that odd), 6 somewhat insane lyrebirds, appearance in ‘Burke’s
Her Diary of a Wombat has sold
Jackie and her husband Bryan live
more than 100,000 copies in
in the Araluen Valley, a deep valley
hardback in Australia in the past
on the edge of the Deua wilderness
two years. It is based on the saga
area. Araluen is situated about 27km
of Mothball, the wombat who still
south of Braidwood on the South
lives under her bedroom, and who
Coast of NSW.
has been described as the most valuable animal in the district!
She lives in a stone house Jackie and Bryan built that has a homemade
Backyard’ segments, radio shows,
Diary of a Wombat won most of the
waterwheel as well as solar panels to
newspaper and magazine columns,
kid’s choice awards, several awards
power their house (and computers).
theories of pest and weed ecology
in the USA, the 2002 Australian
and 27 shredded doormats.
Booksellers Association/Nielsen
These doormats are the victims of the wombats who require constant appeasement in the form of carrots, rolled oats and wombat nuts, which is one of the reasons for the prolific output - this pays the carrot bills. Jackie wrote her first children’s book Rainstones because she was desperate to earn $106.40 to register her car, while living in a shed with a wallaby called Fred, a black snake called Gladys and a wombat called Smudge. This book was described by the editor at HarperCollins as the messiest, worst spelt manuscript they’d ever received. The mess originated from Smudge the wombat, who left his droppings on the typewriter every night; the spelling was due to the fact Jackie is dyslexic. She recommends all beginning writers to misspell their first book with a wombat damaged
BookData of the Year, was 2003 Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year, plus a few other awards and will be galloping across the rest of the world this year and next. Other awards include; an Aurealis Book Award (sci-fi) for Cafe
Jackie describes herself as a ‘wombat negotiator’ and has spent about three decades studying the wombats in her valley, as well as pest predator relationships and other aspects of the ecology around her- these have featured in her many books.
on Callisto and ACT Book of the Year
Her latest books include: Rocket
for In the Blood.
Your Child Into Reading (A book on
Jackie is one of the few writers to win both literary and children’s choice awards. Hitler’s Daughter won the 2000 CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers, the UK Wow! Award and has been listed as a “blue ribbon” book in the USA.
reading difficulties) To the Moon and Back (a history of Australia and the journey to the moon), Tom Appleby Convict boy, The Goat Who Sailed The World - the true story of the goat who sailed with Captain James Cook, Macbeth and Son, Pharaoh, A Rose for the ANZAC Boys, How
Jackie doesn’t see any real
High Can A Kangaroo Hop, The
difference between fiction and
Donkey Who Carried the Wounded,
gardening writing - both involve a
and the forthcoming Lessons for
close study of the interrelationships
a Werewolf Warrior, the first in the
of the world, then forming them into
hilarious School For Heroes series.
patterns that might become stories or theories of weed ecology!
typewriter - at least that way it stands out in the pile! The renowned ANZAC story of Simpson and his donkey was The Donkey Who Carried the Wounded Author: Jackie French Age guide: 7+ years Extent: 224 Pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9780732288398 Release Date: April 2009 Price: AUD$14.99 Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers P: 02 9952 5000 www.harpercollins.com.au
launched at the Australian War Memorial 8 April 2009. The courageous digger and his donkey became heroes at Gallipoli for transporting the wounded to safety. Simpson has gone down in the ANZAC legends but few people know the story of the donkey. A heroic tale told from the heart.
www.getaheadkids.com.au
7
Learning Innovations
Develop Great
Essay Writing Skills
Whether you are a school, TAFE
4. Argumentative essay
or university student, you need to
For example “During recession
develop great essay writing skills.
it is prudent to have a deficit
Few are born with the creative
Federal budget”
leanings to be able to write topic relevant essays - this takes research, study, practice and more practice! Before you start an essay, ask
5. Narrative tale or story telling For example “My greatest career regrets” 6. Hypothesise & measure scientific
yourself what subject your essay is
results
on. The tone of your essay depends
For example “Cigarette smoking
on the topic for which you are
in movies encourages young
writing. It is no point writing in a
girls to take up smoking”
flowery style essay for business, law or accountancy essays.
By taking a critical look at the type of essay, you can determine the
What type of essay are you
area of focus, activities and the
expected to write?
writing style. For example, if you are
1. Compare & contrast For example “Compare the beauty of living in Newcastle with the Central Coast” 2. Describe what, why, how, when & where of a topic For example “Describe the advantages of living close to the beach” 3. Evaluate points of view, topics or events For example “Evaluate
asked to provide research data then you need to complete all your research prior to commencing the essay. The arguments you make need to be supported by evidence, research findings, studies, statistics or informed opinions. It is important to control the terseness and quality of the information. Stick to your essay plan and avoid rambling off the topic.
the success of the Federal
Many of you may find writing essays
Government one computer per
a time consuming and stressful
student initiative”
activity. However, it can be fulfilling and mind expanding once you know the basics.
8
Get Ahead Kids Jul/Aug 09
Learning Innovations Checklist for Great Essay Writing ❑❑ Read the essay topic ❑❑ Start chipping at the essay task ❑❑ Write down the type of essay ❑❑ Do your research ❑❑ Write an essay plan ❑❑ Review your essay structure ❑❑ Write an attention grabbing introduction ❑❑ Provide clear arguments ❑❑ Give informed examples ❑❑ Back up your points with research ❑❑ Give your personal conclusions ❑❑ Edit your draft essay ❑❑ Add acknowledgements ❑❑ Edit again after a few days ❑❑ Edit a third time after a week ❑❑ Package & submit the essay
Technology Hints • Invest in a style writer e.g WhiteSmoke 2008 • Buy Plagiarism software & run your essay through it
More Information www.newcastle.edu.au
HEAD START
IN LIFE
Children thrive in a happy, safe and secure environment – that’s why Newcastle Grammar School’s Junior Campus allows its Students to feel secure in their early years of primary education - from Kindergarten to Year 4. • The School offers a holistic approach to education including involvement in sport, music and arts.
• Small class sizes allow for individual attention and are coupled with the very best in technology.
• The Pre-school caters for children in the year before Kindergarten.
• After School Care and Vacation Care available.
Newcastle Grammar School p: (02) 4929 5811
w: ngs.nsw.edu.au www.getaheadkids.com.au
9
Learning Innovations
Better Outcomes for
Boys
Boys Education was a hot topic
Within the current Year 9 cohort, the
during the later part of the 1990’s yet
Humanities Faculty has opted for
in recent times has been ‘off the boil’.
a mixed ability ‘all boys’ class. The
This is not the case at Hunter Valley Grammar School (Ashtonfield) where programs are operating with the aim of improving academic outcomes for boys. There has been a great deal of research into gender specific classes over the years, and although this
class has just completed a semester of History. End of semester results, coupled with feedback from the boys themselves have highlighted how successful the initiative has been. There are several factors which are at the core to this success. They include; • Adopting changes to pedagogy
is not the place to write about the
that are specifically tailored to
findings of this research, it is widely
meeting the needs of boys, such
known that although the brains
as an activity based approach
of adolescent boys and girls may be physiologically similar, their development and ‘wiring’ can be poles apart.
• A teacher with an understanding of the needs of boys & how to build a relationship with them • Recognising the need for boys to
Hunter Valley Grammar School’s
have a sense of belonging to a
ability to tailor some classes to
group.
become gender specific has resulted in immensely positive outcomes for
Each time gender groupings have
both boys and girls.
been implemented at Hunter Valley
Tips to Achieve Successful Outcomes for Boys ❑❑ Make the environment an activities based approach ❑❑ Have a range of optional activities, choice will spark interest ❑❑ Build a strong relationship between the teacher & the student ❑❑ Recognise the need for boys to feel part of a group or gang ❑❑ ‘Chunk’ tasks and activities ❑❑ Provide scaffolding of tasks ❑❑ Provide clear boundaries ❑❑ Use formative assessment & recognise success progressively ❑❑ Use male staff & male student mentors ❑❑ Give short precise messages avoid being too wordy ❑❑ Try to create games or
Grammar School, the students Within Hunter Valley Grammar School,
competitions as boys often thrive
and staff involved are surveyed to
class structure is an important focus.
on competition
evaluate and refine the program.
Supporting boys in the right learning environment has been identified as a means of providing boys with the opportunity to achieve their potential. Research within the school community was conducted and subsequent gender split groupings were implemented across a variety of KLA’s particularly in Years 8 and 9.
Some of the boys in this class say… “We are all boys and work together well.”
comprehension
Enquiries Amanda King
“There are no distractions and you
Head of Business & Humanities
can relate to each other.”
Hunter Valley Grammar School
“My marks have improved.” “Being all boys, you can talk without feeling you look like an idiot.” “I really like being in the all boys’ class.”
10 Get Ahead Kids Jul/Aug 09
❑❑ Encourage language
P: 02 4934 2444 registrar@hvgs.nsw.edu.au www.hvgs.nsw.edu.au
Learning Innovations
Increase TEEN Self Esteem Improve family relationships Create friendships Increase confidence & self esteem Reduce fear & stress Develop skills for tests & exams
Age s 12-1 Years 6-9
5
H hool Weekend & Sc
C ay olid
s ourse
www.freetobeme.com.au ftbm@africa900.com 02 4982 1840
www.getaheadkids.com.au
11
Learning Innovations
Flexible Learning Flexible learning is as powerful as
When you enroll in an online course,
classroom learning but you don’t
it gives you flexibility to complete
need to attend classes in person.
your lessons at a time, place and
If you choose flexible learning,
pace that best suits you.
you can usually access interactive
Similar to classroom learning there
lessons through DVDs, the Internet or
is a syllabus, assignments, learning
in paper form.
activities, exercises and assessment tasks that need to be completed. Online flexible courses may require you to physically attend an induction, tutorials and workshops. There are set times for accessing online courses to facilitate teacher and student interaction through chat rooms or online discussion boards. You can also communicate with teachers and other students by email.
TAFE NSW - Sydney Institute Recordkeeping TAFE NSW - Sydney Institute offers a single program of study by flexible learning, to provide you with Certificate IV qualifications in Recordkeeping. Taught by qualified industry specialists and practitioners, this program helps you to meet the professional requirements of records management within Australia. It spans over two years part-time via online distance education programs. When studying Recordkeeping, you are supported by course materials and study workshops. You are also provided with email and telephone support.
More Information Esther Aarons TAFE NSW - Sydney Institute P: 02 9217 3442 esther.aarons@tafensw.edu.au www.tafensw.edu.au
12 Get Ahead Kids Jul/Aug 09
Learning Innovations
THE LOCK-UP
Tocal Cotton e-Learning Part of the 2009 NSW e-Learning
Darren Bailey says “There is a high
Innovations Projects, this course
level of interest from the cotton
helps students develop an online
industry on the e-Learning products
skills audit system for cotton farmers
under development”.
and farm managers, with ongoing development of e-Learning systems
Darren Bailey
in skills and knowledge. It targets:
DPI Tocal College
supervisors & workers • Rural & remote communities • Rural youth • Indigenous communities
www.thelockup.info
More Information
that respond to the identified gaps
• Cotton farm managers,
CULTURAL CENTRE
P: 02 4939 8833 darren.bailey@dpi.nsw.gov.au
EDUCATION PROGRAMS The Lock-Up is a unique cultural institution in the heart of Newcastle’s heritage precinct. Visit the centre and explore changing exhibitions in the art gallery and museum and get the kids involved with our education and Little Architects program. Little Architects - Wed afternoons 4.00–5.30pm Little Architects school holiday activities Convict Era - Education program and school excursions. Call 4925 2265 for further details or email info@thelockup.info 90 Hunter St, Newcastle
Invitation
To Enjoy
Sp rt
School children & sporting groups you’re invited to participate! 2009 NIB Hunter Festival of Sport includes: • Coaching clinics & ‘Come & Try Days” to a variety of sports • Netball, rugby league & softball competitions for regional academies • Masters sports competitions • Coaches forums & workshops Dates: 11 - 26 July 2009 Venues: Hunter Sports Centre & Hunter Wetlands Centre
P (02) 4926 4892 | info@hunteracademy.org.au Applications forms www.hunteracademy.org.au
www.getaheadkids.com.au
13
Learning Innovations
Australian Launch of
Just BE You Teenage girls often face a crisis in
After 7 years of running the Just BE
This training helps girls learn the
confidence, making them open to
You Workshops and the Just BE You
basics of presentation skills and
serious issues that can have lifelong
Club in Switzerland, Gillian has now
making the most of themselves in
consequences.
brought these programs to Australia.
a comfortable and encouraging
Feeling confident and presenting
Overseas, these learning initiatives
a positive self-image isn’t an easy
were conducted not only in the
task for teenage girls who have the
public sector but were embraced
added pressure of looking good
by many reputable international
and wearing the ‘right clothes’ to be
schools like Le Rosey in Rolle and
Subjects covered include
cool.
Beau Soleil in Villars as a part of
communication, verbal and
their International Baccalaureate
non-verbal, body language, posture
program.
and deportment, life skills, healthy
The community need for initiatives to improve confidence and a positive
environment. Each participant is made to feel special – away from the harsh criticism and adverse influences of peer group pressures.
eating and exercise, skincare,
body image has been reinforced by
Another part of Gillian’s programs
the launch of the Australian Federal
were taken on by the Swiss
Government’s new Body Advisory
Government in a ‘Back to Work’
Group to which Sarah Murdoch has
scheme and by five Hotel
contributed.
Management Schools to enhance
Upon completion of the three
the employability of their graduates.
separate workshops, teenage girls
After 7 years of working with teenage girls in Switzerland, Gillian Lana knows that it’s not just an Australian issue!
Gillian explains:
then gain entry to the Just BE You Club that gives them the possibility
girls of all sizes and backgrounds! I
new found skills.
wanted to create something that would help teenage girls to ‘bloom’
do more than improve self-esteem
naturally and learn how to be
- it helps teenage girls to make a
comfortable in their own skin before
positive public statement.
making their mark on the world.
Gillian Lana, the Training Director of
My front office role in hiring and
Just BE You states;
training hospitality staff reinforced
They want to be recognised, to
presentation for the family.
to meet, develop and practice their
new learning program that aims to
affect teenage girls’ self-esteem.
techniques – all followed by a
“The Just BE You program is for
She has launched an innovative
“It isn’t only body image issues that
natural make-up and haircare
the importance of the acquisition of soft skills for teenage girls to succeed in life”.
The girls from the Club in Switzerland have participated in Fashion Shows and events with local shopping centres. Girls also create a different support group that helps to open up and widen their horizons. As the workshops and Club are firmly entrenched in Switzerland, Gillian would like to create a link between these and future Australian clubs
belong, be accepted and to feel
through video conferences and
confident enough to dare to be
possible exchange visits.
themselves!”
14 Get Ahead Kids Jul/Aug 09
Learning Innovations
The next workshops will start in
fantastic time! We have all made
images’. After this, Gillian embarked
Newcastle during the month of
such great friendships - we can all
on an 8 year career in the Hospitality
August.
talk without feeling any pressures -
World of Switzerland as Owner/
it’s always a pleasure to meet up.
Manager of a successful Hotel
It’s also very down to earth and
Restaurant alongside her Swiss chef
natural and that makes us feel at
husband. She spent a further 2 years
ease and boosts our self esteem. I
with the luxury cosmetic brand of
want this club to go on forever – all
Yves Saint Laurent before launching
these moments are etched in my
the Just BE You programs.
Just BE You is an important initiative as it develops the ‘soft skills’ for teenage girls that are now gaining acclamation from universities, colleges and businesses.
Club Members Have Their Say
heart and I will never forget all that this Club has done for me! Thank you
“In the beginning I was very shy - so
a million times!’ says Camille 18yrs.
the Club has helped me open up.
More Information info@just-be-you.com www.just-be-you.com
Since I started, I feel much better in my skin - and also much more attractive with all the beauty tips we receive! The activities we do are
BE Inspired BE Yourself BE Happy!
always fun and even as the time goes by they seem to get better and better...! It has also allowed me to make new acquaintances - all of them fabulous! A huge thank you to the organisers - and I sincerely hope that the Club will last a long time a very long time!” says Melissa, 14 years. “I did the workshops and have been in the Just BE You Club right from the beginning - and it is a DREAM for me! I have gained so much selfconfidence thanks to all the diverse activities that we do - dance, gym, make-up, theatre, communication, photos, fashion shows! I have learnt so much through positive recognition and encouragement. It’s a dream club which makes you feel motivated and we just have a
About Gillian Lana Founder and Training Director Just BE You Club & Workshops Gillian’s diverse background is the main key to the success of the programs. She left her native England at the age of 18 years travelling for 10 years and negotiating the International Fashion Meccas of New York, London, Tokyo, Paris, Hamburg as a Fashion Model. She worked with reputable photographers, graphic designers, make-up artists, editors
Dare to BE You with the Just BE You Workshops & Clubs • Find natural beauty • Increase self-esteem • Present yourself with confidence • Enhance well-being • Prepare your future Girls from 13-18 Years Next Newcastle workshops start August. Limited Places.
BE
BE
Just You Enrol: www.just-be-you.com Enquire: info@just-be-you.com
and marketing companies to ‘sell
www.getaheadkids.com.au
15
Learning Innovations
Where does
Reading Begin?
By Nicole van Wyk
How do we learn to read? Literacy
Because these teachers, parents
Students with poor visual memory
begins with speech. Speaking
and students are supported in
need first to focus on sight words
and listening helps children to
their journey, positive attitudes
such as ‘was’ before a common
understand sentence structure and
towards reading results. Open
word like ‘went’ which follows sound
build vocabulary.
communication between home
conventions.
If we start with the sounds in words, children can take what they know of language and use this to help them read. Early childhood programs that focus on phonology (sounds) before phonics (letters) are getting great results. Research by Earnshaw & Seargeant (1995 – 2000), shows that if students can hear all the sounds in words, and they can understand how words are put together, they are more effective at decoding, reading and spelling.
and school, reporting classroom difficulties and finding a solution, enable students to succeed in their literacy lessons and individualising programs where necessary are all key elements.
Pre-school is the perfect time to concentrate on sounds! Sounds can be practised anywhere that speaking and listening occurs. Using songs, pictures, rhymes and themes are creative ways to think about
Literacy education theory went from
sounds. Children won’t even know
phonics to whole words and now
they are learning they will just have
uses a blend of the two theories. We
fun! Any speech, hearing and sight
need both. Our language is made
concerns should be identified and
up of 26 letters, but there are around
managed before children start
44 sounds. Learning letter sounds
school. This will minimise any effect
is not enough to acquire sound
on their literacy development.
reading skills! Students need to be comfortable with sounds like ‘air’
Phonics programs are taught in the first three years of schooling.
The government study ‘In Teachers’
and ‘or’ as well as the letters and
Hands’ concluded that innovative
sight words. There are words in our
teachers show how language
language where sounds cannot be
works and explain skills effectively.
blended. These sight words need to
They are also committed to
be learned through repetition and
educate parents, and help them
use. A differentiation needs to be
A mother of a struggling reader told
to support literacy development.
made between common words and
me her advice would be: Ask your
sight words.
child’s teacher lots of questions
Students learn how the letter is written, how to recognise it in words, the sound it represents and words that start with that sound.
and if necessary seek professional advice early. Speech pathologists, occupational therapists, child psychologists, educational psychologists, teachers and tutors are all great sources of information. Games are the best way to learn. Children can play around with sounds by making up silly words, matching things with the same first sound, writing rhyming poems and finding the odd sound out from a group of objects. Other activities
16 Get Ahead Kids Jul/Aug 09
Learning Innovations include creating their own alphabet
new confidence with reading. It is
charts, making a picture dictionary,
an exciting thing to watch.
writing sound stories and writing songs to put to music. If students are familiar with the sounds, they will pick up reading and writing more easily. We speak
Top Reading Tips
letter names ❑❑ Play games like ‘I Spy’ to develop first sound
attention to the sounds in words
understanding
put the sounds together. Reading becomes less foreign and scary! Programs at ‘I Can Read’ start from three years old with sound training. Programs are game based, fun and interesting. More importantly they work! I Can Read gets great results with many students reading before they start school. Struggling readers
child-led ❑❑ Introduce basic sight words at the same time as letters
❑❑ Introduce letter sounds before
words every day! Turning our gives students more confidence to
❑❑ Where possible make activities
❑❑ Play rhyming games to isolate sounds that are made up of multiple sounds
❑❑ Be creative as reading is not just about sitting down with a book ❑❑ Find material that the children enjoy & make it a positive experience ❑❑ Be patient & encouraging ❑❑ Provide enough support to avoid students becoming frustrated
❑❑ Break up words to hear the sounds ❑❑ Use pictures to represent sounds as well as letters ❑❑ Make learning fun, interactive &
Nicole van Wyk P: 02 4365 4428 jvanwyk@bigpond.com www.icanreadsystem.com
hands-on
catch up to their class and gain a
INFORMATION NIGHT 7pm in ‘Kindyland’ Tuesday 18th August 2009
Charlton Junior School Offers • Daily participation, with fully trained staff in the neurological ‘Learning Connections’ program • Exceptional & highly dedicated staff with a heart for pastoral care • Innovative & hands-on programs and resources • An effective home & school partnership • Engaging technology
Love, Integrity, Faith, Empowerment 2010 Kindergarten enrolments & entry assessments are being taken now. Charlton Christian College K-12 Non-Denominational Christian College
office@charlton.nsw.edu.au Visit our new website at www.charlton.nsw.edu.au
43 Fassifern Rd, Fassifern NSW 2283 P: 02 4959 9111
www.getaheadkids.com.au
17
Learning Innovations
WEB 2.00 Revitalises
Research
In an explosive age of information,
Mrs Judy Anastopoulos, Head of
College ‘wiki’, which allows them to
where electronic research and
the Information Resource Centre St
compare websites and resources
touch button information are the
Phillip’s Christian College says:
and to share with each other in the
norm, it is becoming increasingly important to teach students how to research effectively. Teaching staff at the Information Resource Centre, St Philip’s Christian College, Waratah Campus have responded to the challenge of providing instruction in information literacy by working in a partnership with the classroom teachers through programs across the Key Learning Areas. Powerful partnerships are forged between class teachers and librarians as they plan and teach units of work which embrace information literacy skills. The collaborative partnership is given emphasis through a ‘Scope and Sequence of Information Literacy Skills’ structured and organised to meet each learning stage of the students.
“An engaging Library needs to
research process.
have an Information Literacy
Web 2.00 is a powerful tool for
Program which is both effective and
sharing information and connecting
accountable.
with research in a revitalised way.
Someone needs to take responsibility for teaching kids how to research. We can all teach research but unless the skills are documented in a checklist and marked off then no-one really takes responsibility.” The Information Literacy Program assists students through the provision of a ‘pathfinders’, which is designed by the teacher - librarian and technical staff. ‘Pathfinders’ guide the students on their research journey. They direct students to credible websites, data bases and other electronic or printed resources
Publishing in a ‘blog’ completes the research process and provides great opportunities for students to provide comments about their research task. ‘Blogs’ revitalise the research process and take the students into a whole new dimension which is productive and fun! Partnerships in learning are essential and when the teacher librarian and classroom teacher collaborate in the teaching of information and literacy skills, then the students have everything to gain!
More Information
to help students with research tasks.
Annette Anastopoulos Teacher Librarian
Students can work at school and
St Philip’s Christian College
at home through ‘pathfinders’
Waratah Campus Newcastle
and then present their work in the
annette.anastopoulos@spcc.nsw.edu.au P: 02 4960 6622 www.spcc.nsw.edu.au
18 Get Ahead Kids Jul/Aug 09
News
Touching Tales on
School Bullying At the invitation of Newcastle Regional Library, acclaimed Author Susanne Gervay gave a series of addresses on bullying to about 600 school children, years 4-6 and some adult audiences from 23-24 June 2009.
As a mother of a son who was
It is also important to empower
bullied at school, and a specialist
leadership; kids to take initiative to
in child growth and development,
say don’t do that, come and join my
Susanne wrote I Am Jack. This book
group”.
is an emotional and whimsical journey as Jack moves from a victim of bullying to a victor. Susanne said: “Bullying is about power imbalance, it destroys the victim’s heart and
Bullying Checklist ❑❑ Starts when children are 9-10 years when adults are not there to intervene ❑❑ Victims are usually sensitive
About Susanne Gervay Susanne is second child of Hungarian immigrant parents. Born in Sydney, she attended the University of Sydney, married and became a teacher. She has two
❑❑ Victims are usually loners
children James and Tory, who
❑❑ Victims do not belong to a group
inspired many of her books. She
attends school late and hides in the
❑❑ Victims often fear for their life
holds a Master of Education and a
library.
❑❑ Victims engage in avoidance
soul. The victim is frightened for his/her life. The victim is often sick,
Bullies want to feel good and they do not think of the victim’s feelings. The victims are often anonymous to them.
behaviours ❑❑ Victims do not feel they have a voice ❑❑ Bullying generates fear on bystanders
Boy victims are usually late developers, loners, sensitive and shunned by school groups. Bullying is very serious and if it isn’t resolved, both the victim and the bully can take the negative behaviours into adult life.
❑❑ Bullies are after power & feeling good ❑❑ If bullying is not resolved behaviours are taken to adult life ❑❑ Bullying intervention needs to be in primary school needed to change bullying
in primary school when teachers
❑❑ Kids need to be encouraged to
and parents have more power to
develop “hero” or leadership
change things.
traits
total commitment of all parties are needed to eliminate bullying. Children can be engaged by stories and emotions, not by moralising.
As a divorced mother raising her two young children and a cancer survivor, she has pursued her two dreams - the creation of the Hughenden, a literary and arts hotel in Sydney and becoming an author. She is an acclaimed author of literature about children and young adult issues. Her books are not just stories - they are commitments to life’s truths.
❑❑ Emotional engagement is
Bullying interventions need to be
Emotional engagement and
Master of Arts.
❑❑ Teachers & parents need to encourage open communication on bullying ❑❑ Bullying takes away moments of happiness ❑❑ Bullying & teasing are not the same
www.getaheadkids.com.au
19
News
Qanta
s A380
FamilDieessign are the Winners
Econo
my Se
Australian International Design Awards 2009 Stephanie Watson, Program Director
BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Synergy
Oticon Dual Hearing Aid
of the Australian International Design
Designed By BabyBjörn AB
Designed By Oticon A/S
BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Synergy
Oticon Dual is a modern, high-tech
is designed to carry babies from
hearing device designed for people
newborn (3.5kg) to 12kg. The
with hearing impairment.
Awards 2009, said the Qantas A380 Economy Seat exceeded all judging criteria to win the prestigious award. The Australian International Design
breathable material and innovative
Awards, a division of Standards
design keeps baby and the wearer
Australia, recognises and rewards
cool while providing maximum
product design and innovation
carrying comfort.
excellence. Of the 73 finalists, nominees for the Australian International Design Award were: Qantas A380 Economy Seat Designed by Qantas Airways, Marc Newson Ltd, Recaro Aircraft Seating
Cochlear™ Hybrid™ System Designed By Cochlear The Cochlear™ Hybrid™ System seamlessly blends cochlear implants and hearing aids - for individuals with severe to profound high frequency
RØDE Blimp Microphone Windshield Designed By RØDE Microphones The RØDE Blimp is a protective windshield and shock-mounting accessory for directional shotgun microphones, which are particularly vulnerable to wind noise. Sports-Haler Asthma Puffer Designed By DelvTech International
Focuses on ergonomics and
hearing loss, who maintain their low
Sports-haler is the next generation
comfort, has borne a number of
frequency hearing.
asthma puffer; providing safer
new features including: • A single beam seat design that optimises living space • A seat base that moves in conjunction with the seat recline • Seat cushioning that has been custom designed to suit the seat • Innovative and unique netted ‘footnet’ leg support to optimise comfort
20 Get Ahead Kids Jul/Aug 09
Izona CookSurface Designed By Fisher & Paykel The CookSurface is a revolutionary design that has removed traditional, awkward gas hobs with an elegant, flush, easy clean design that fuses the best of gas and ceramic technology together.
portable and hygienic delivery of medications.
More Information www.designawards.com.au
at
News
St Philip’s Students Visit NASA The world is the stage for St Philip’s
The combination of video
St Philip’s has been a leader in the
Christian College students! A new
conferencing and smartboard
adoption of new technologies for
initiative to consolidate this school’s
installation has facilitated multi-
over 10 years. It started a student
position has been the students’
campus interactive classes to be
laptop program back in 1999 and
virtual tour of NASA.
conducted at Newcastle and
was one of the first schools to use
Gosford campuses simultaneously.
Toshiba tablet PCs in 2005. Over 400
This virtual tour of Houston Space Centre USA integrated computer
Students can answer questions by
technology into the fabric of
writing on the smartboard and these
College life in a new and engaging
answers are visible at the other
way. The science and physics
locations.
students were involved in the two virtual excursions on 18 June and the 19 June 2009. These tours expanded the students’ frame of reference, stretched their imagination and enlarged their understanding of our cosmos.
Graeme Irwin, Executive Principal for the St Philip’s group of schools said;
part of their everyday schooling. Founded in 1982, the College is an independent, non-denominational Christian school that has over 2,500 students spread over five campuses in the Hunter, Port Stephens and
the leading edge integrating
Central Coast.
computers in education at the College. Our NASA virtual tour, new video conferencing and smartboard installations have taken the College
Phillip’s has been on the forefront
to a new level”.
technologies.
the College’s wireless network as
“We have always tried to be at
As well as the NASA virtual tour, St in adopting other teaching
of its students now use laptops on
In addition to these achievements, St Phillips topped the MAP Marketing Private Schools Website Ratings 2009, with an average rating 4.83 out of a maximum 5.00. Visit www.getaheadkids.com.au
Enquiries Brian Rennie P: 02 4960 6600 www.spcc.nsw.edu.au
www.getaheadkids.com.au
21
Green Issues
Toxic
Playgrounds Children spend many of their formative years in schools and childcare centres. Your child can be exposed to dangerous hazards in these environments.
Potential Hazards Contaminated Land Some schools or childcare centres may have been unknowingly built
Maintenance & Renovations
Art & Stationary Materials
Maintenance and renovations can
These materials are used to create
introduce hazardous and volatile
wonderful works of art, but some
chemicals into the indoor air from
pose a risk because they contain
sources such as paints, varnishes,
chemicals, which are hazardous,
stains, treated timbers, glues and
particularly to children. Glues,
sealants, particle board and
paints, felt tip pens, stains, dyes,
carpets.
varnishes, photographic chemicals,
Pest Management
glazes, plastics and resins are some examples of materials that
on contaminated land. Previous
Pest management is important,
need to be examined for their
gasworks, petrol stations or industrial
but a lack of understanding
risks. Correction fluids can be very
factory sites may not have been
about pesticides has led to the
hazardous to children.
properly decontaminated and
excessive use of highly hazardous
may present risks to children. If the
and residual chemicals in schools
schools are located near a main
and childcare centres. Not only
Because schools use a large
road, this may increase the risks of
are the active ingredients in many
number of chemicals in science
exposure to petrol by-products such
pesticide formulations of concern
classes, there have been initiatives
as lead, benzene and particulates.
to children’s health, other so-called
to remove many older, highly
inert ingredients in the formulations
dangerous chemicals from schools.
can also be harmful.
Schools need to be thoroughly
Building Materials Many building and interior fitout materials emit toxic vapours from
Cleaning Products
Science Chemicals
audited as their chemical supplies may still contain banned chemicals.
insulating materials, plastics, paints,
Cleaning products are a source of
sealant and finishes, particle boards,
potentially hazardous chemicals
carpet, vinyl, foam furnishings
including antimicrobials, solvents,
An increasing number of children
and treated timbers. Vapours
fragrance, and surfactants. Cleaned
have sensitivities to synthetic
emitted from building materials can
surfaces can retain hazardous
fragrances and solvents commonly
significantly increase the levels of
residues and volatile ingredients may
found in a range of personal
indoor air pollution to which children
be released into the air contributing
care products including soaps,
are exposed. Lead contamination
to indoor air pollution.
shampoos, perfumes, deodorants,
Personal Care Products
is also of concern and can be
hair spray, or clothes detergent.
introduced from old painted
Consideration must also be given
surfaces and contaminated dusts in
to the use of some sunscreens and
roof cavities.
insect repellants which may contain hazardous chemicals.
22 Get Ahead Kids Jul/Aug 09
Green Issues
Food & Water
❑❑ Are school cleaners using
An overlooked area of chemical exposure is the food and water children take in. Food may have been grown using pesticides, antibiotics and fertilisers and their chemical residues can remain for a long time. Processed foods may contain artificial sweeteners, preservatives and colours, some of these have been shown to
environmentally friendly cleaning products? ❑❑ Are art & stationery supplies eco friendly & child safe? ❑❑ Have the science lab chemicals been audited? ❑❑ Are personal care products child safe? ❑❑ Is canteen food free of
dramatically affect the health and
dangerous pesticides &
wellbeing of children.
preservatives?
Checklist
More Information
❑❑ Is the school or playground
The Toxic Playground: A Guide To
located on a contaminated site? ❑❑ Is the school located near a major highway? ❑❑ Are the interiors covered with lead based paints? ❑❑ Are roof cavities filled with contaminated materials? ❑❑ Are pest sprays free of hazardous
Reducing The Chemical Load In Schools & Childcare Centres Author: Jo Immig
Great Book Giveaway We have 10 Copies of The Toxic Playground (RRP $23.00 each) courtesy of The Total Environment Centre to giveaway!
Extent: 104 pages (Paperback)
Visit www.getaheadkids.com.au,
ISBN: 0947360166
follow the giveaway link and fill
Price: AUD$23.00
in your details for your chance to
Publisher: Total Environment Centre
win.
P: 02 9261 3437 www.tec.org.au
* Limit one per school or family.
chemicals?
OLE If you see a hole, don’t think you’re a mole, walk in the opposite direction and report your detection.
24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE PHONE 1800 248 083 www.minesub.nsw.gov.au
82507
M MAURIE A HAS
Putting service and the needs of people first.
www.getaheadkids.com.au
23
Business
Increase Your
Family Wealth There are three ways to increase
You can increase family wealth by
your family wealth - increase
making better use of your money
income, spend less or make better
by wisely investing or by earning
use of your money.
a greater return from existing
The first lesson on wealth creation comes from Alice in Wonderland. Alice is lost and asks the Cheshire Cat for directions. The cat asks
real estate allow you to control and increase your wealth through rents and capital gains.
where she is going. Alice says she
Earning passive income is another
doesn’t know, and the cat replies,
way of wealth building. You can
“if you don’t know where you are
increase wealth by doing something
going, anyplace will do.”
once and generate ongoing
Sadly many people plan for their wealth creation in the same way! The key to wealth building is to track your progress by determining your current net worth (your assets minus liabilities). Once you know where you are then it becomes easier to go forward.
income streams - write a song, sell insurance, mortgage loans, licence a product or business. Wealth accumulation is a lifetime decision. Hence contributing as much as you can to your super fund over and above the 9% contributed by your employer, is a great strategy. This attracts government
A major factor in increasing family
contributions, tax benefits and
wealth is to increase your income
increases your retirement wealth.
above your unavoidable bills. This can be done by: •
•
•
$50, $100, $200 dollars each payday to a dedicated bank account adds
per hour - from $15.00 - $25.00
to savings and curbs your spending.
Increasing the number of hours
You may also like to consider an
you work - from 30 - 40 hours
eBay income to sell surplus products
Increasing the value of your by seeking a higher value
•
By transferring fixed amounts such as
Increasing the amount you get
contribution to your workplace
24 Get Ahead Kids Jul/Aug 09
investments. Investments such as
or to sell products such as crafts, books, electronics, jewellery or accessories.
position - more responsibility &
To prune your spending you can
accountability
opt to budget or look through your
Generating passive income
bank statement and prioritise your
from interest, dividends, rents,
spending pattern. If you opt to
licenses, commissions or
budget make sure you budget for a
repetitive product sales
surplus.
Business It isn’t what you spend but what
Brand
Type
Pack QTY
Pall Mall
Red
20
$8.75
Horizon
Red
20
$8.80
Review your addictions whether
Holiday
Blue
20
$8.80
these are smoking, drinking, or
Longbeach
Original
20
$9.00
process additions such golf, gym,
Super Kings
Rich Blue
20
$9.00
and impulse shopping with the aim
Peter Jackson
Supreme
20
$9.25
of cutting down or eliminating them.
Winfield
Sky Blue
20
$10.00
For example the average price of a
Malboro
Menthol Flip
20
$10.20
packet of 20 cigarettes in Newcastle
Benson & Hedges
Smooth
20
$10.35
is about $9.58. By cutting out 20
Dunhill
Premier
20
$10.35
cigarettes per day you save about
Peter Stuyvesant
Classic
20
$10.60
Average
$9.58
you keep that adds to your family wealth.
$3,496.70 pa. Work out which expenses you can minimise or cut out. Avoid buying
Price
Source: Foodworks Newcastle East, Friday June 19 2009.
magazines you never read, coffee you half drink and bring your work
For example which of the below can
Once you have chosen a
lunches from home.
you prune and how much would
compelling reason to increase
you save by doing it?
your family wealth, you need the
Learn how to avoid or minimise bank charges and ATM fees. The general rule is cut out what you don’t use. Focus spending in aspects of your life that truly enrich it.
Pruning Spending Checklist: ❑❑ Mobile Phones ❑❑ Paid Television
determination to succeed regardless of the challenges you encounter. If you have a lapse, don’t give up; get back to your wealth creation plan.
❑❑ Club Memberships
More Information
For example, if improved fitness is
❑❑ Magazine Subscriptions
www.mindyourownmoney.com.au
one of your priorities you have the
❑❑ Smoking
option of buying a great pair of walking shoes, walking gear and a
❑❑ Alcohol
raincoat for about $350 or joining a
❑❑ Betting
gym for about $750 pa. The choice
❑❑ Eating Out
is yours, so get in tune with what
❑❑ Takeaway Food
you enjoy doing and your spending priorities. The most difficult part of spending is delaying gratification.
❑❑ Impulse Buying ❑❑ STD Telephone Calls ❑❑ Cleaning Services ❑❑ Dry Cleaning
This replaces mindless spending
❑❑ Lawn Maintenance
with purposeful spending. Teach
❑❑ Credit Card Spending
your children to delay gratification and practice this yourself with the ultimate aim of increasing your family wealth.
DOES YOUR
PROPERTY HAVE DEVELOPMENT
POTENTIAL??
You need a compelling reason to become wealthy - a stronger reason than just making money. Your compelling reason may be; freedom to stay home to raise your kids, freedom to retire, freedom to travel, freedom to write a book,
0448 88 3838
www.nexusgroup.com.au
freedom to write a song or freedom to develop a software program.
www.getaheadkids.com.au
25
Health
Peanut
Allergy
Peanut allergy is a reaction which
In China, the major peanut
Although there are no definite
occurs soon after exposure to
producer, peanut allergy is less
answers for this, there are some
peanuts or peanut products due to
common as peanuts are boiled or
theories:
an allergy reaction against peanut
fried compared to Western countries
proteins. An allergic reaction occurs
where they are dry roasted.
when the immune system overreacts and releases chemicals into the blood. Peanut allergy is a reaction to the proteins but not the oil in the peanut. Some studies indicate that refined peanut oils may be safe, but cold pressed peanut oil needs to be avoided. The peanut is a bean vine plant that grows underground and is related to peas, lentils, soy beans
Signs of Peanut Allergy Signs of mild peanut allergies include:
• Peanuts are given to children too early in their development • Increased use of soy in formula & other processed food • Increase in the use of roasted peanuts in food
• Hives around the mouth
• Lowered immune systems
• Hives on other parts of the body
because we live in cleaner &
• A runny nose
healthier environments
• Tingling in your lips or tongue • Abdominal pain • Vomiting More severe allergic signs include:
and chickpeas. The proteins in peanuts are different to those in tree
• Coughing
nuts such as almonds, brazil nuts,
• Low blood pressure
cashews, hazelnut, macadamia
• Lowered immune function due to increased antibiotic use & vaccinations Type of Exposure for Peanut Allergies Type of Exposure
No.
Swallowed
%
297
92
Skin Contact
40
11
• Wheezing
Unknown
11
3
• Difficulty breathing
Inhaled
7
2
So children allergic to peanuts may
• Hoarseness of the voice
Skin & Eye Contact
4
1
not be allergic to ‘tree nuts’.
• Loss of consciousness
Eye Contact
4
1
In Australia peanut allergy is the
• Life-threatening anaphylaxis
362
100
nuts, pecans, pistachios or walnuts.
third most common food allergy in children, after milk and egg allergies. In the Middle East, sesame allergy is third, after milk and egg allergies as sesame seeds are more commonly used relative to peanuts.
Possible Reasons for the Increase in Peanut Allergies Studies show that there has been a sharp increase in peanut allergies over the last decade, particularly in children in the US, the UK and in Australia.
26 Get Ahead Kids Jul/Aug 09
Total
© 2002 Velencia Soutter, Anne Swain & Robert Loblay
More Information Allergy Unit, RPA Hospital P: 02 9565 1464 F: 02 9519 8420 allergy@email.cs.nsw.gov.au
Health Checklist for Treating Peanut Allergies ❑❑ Keep children away from all peanut products ❑❑ Do not overindulge in peanut eating when breastfeeding ❑❑ Avoid kissing children after eating peanuts or peanut butter ❑❑ Avoid using cold pressed peanut oil in food preparation ❑❑ Avoid massaging children with peanut based preparations ❑❑ Carry safe food when travelling anywhere especially on planes ❑❑ Ask restaurants whether peanuts are added to food ❑❑ Diagnose peanut allergy by skin prick test or a blood test
New Botanical Drug Could Treat Peanut Allergies
being conducted at Mount Sinai
A new study found that a botanical
efficacy on multiple food allergies
drug could provide the key to new treatments for peanut allergies. Lead Author Xiu-Min Li, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Director of Center for Chinese Herbal Therapy for Allergy and
to evaluate its safety and early including peanut, tree nut, fish and shellfish. Mount Sinai Newsroom New York 2009 NewsMedia@mssm.edu www.mountsinai.org
Asthma at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and colleagues, found Food Allergy Herbal Formula (FAHF-2 ) produced more than 36 weeks protection following treatment against peanut-induced anaphylaxis in mice. FAHF-2 has received investigational new drug approval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and currently human clinical trials are
❑❑ Use adrenaline injector for severe peanut allergies
FREE Value Guide with coupons & tips. Available at the Concierge Desk or in-centre stands.
www.getaheadkids.com.au
27
Activity Zone
Rhyme Time
Find two words that rhyme and have the same meaning as the phrases below. Example: heavy kitty = fat cat
1. Enclosure Anger 2. Smear Cot 3. Steady Bench 4. Tidy Chair 5. Octopus Child 6. Circular Noise -
Visit www.getaheadkids.com.au for all the activity answers
7. Escape Ocean 8. Right Hint 9. Consume Grain 10. Take Novel 11. Unwanted Cloth Pack 12. Man Applaud 13. Great Exam 14. Cold Tablet -
Amazing Performances For All Ages Parties & Occasions Schools & Preschools
15. Coin Offence 16. Lawn Lesson 17. Behind Panic 18. Pale Curls 19. Carry Rope 20. Distant Transport -
28 Get Ahead Kids Jul/Aug 09
Call Now 4942 3593 www.jd4magic.com Professional, Affordable & Fun
ENTER &
WIN New my BagTag® These products belong to the luggage identification and security industry. The Australian made design range is extensive (over 200 designs) and caters for all ages including children and family members. my BagTag® allows you to easily identify luggage in the crowded carousels filled with dark suitcases or to identify your school bag in classrooms or daycare centres. To avoid unauthorised people gaining access to your contact information, your details are concealed.
HOW T
O ENTE
R
Go to www.g etahea dkids.c Follow om.au the giv eaway s link & fill in yo ur deta ils.
The Travel Tips card contains useful information for travelers. To easily claim lost luggage, The Lost Luggage cards are kept in your wallet ready to hand to baggage handlers. Each my BagTag® pack contains 2 full colour bag tags made from polypropylene, 2 luggage loops, 1 lost luggage card and 1 travel tips card. The vinyl luggage loops are durable and won’t come off in transit.
20 to Giveaway!
Price: AUD$15.00 Available from: CK Brands Pty Ltd
Visit www.getaheadkids.com.au
P: 03 9500 9656
Fill in your details for a chance to win.
info@mybagtag.com.au
Thank you CK Brands Pty Ltd for these
www.mybagtag.com.au
fantastic giveaways.
Study Skills Author: Evian Gutman
“It does not cost any more to help our environment at NCP Printing.”
Study Skills contains special study techniques that can help improve your exam marks, as well as help in understanding and remembering your work. This book is written by an author that finished the High School Certificate in 2001, with a UAI of 99.55. Evian received the 2001 Premier Award for All Round Excellence and the 2001 Australian Students Prize. ISBN: 0958602417
2 to Giveaway!
Extent: 96 pages (Paperback) Published: 2004 Price: AUD$22.00
Visit www.getaheadkids.com.au
Available from: Get Ahead Learning
Fill in your details for a chance to
Product Code: B00003
win. Special thanks to Get Ahead
P: 02 4946 7277
Learning for providing these great
www.getaheadlearning.com.au
giveaways.
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. SCS-COC-001371
www.getaheadkids.com.au
29
SUBSCRIBE Receive a Hunter Food & Wine Book Free
Reviews
RRP $55.00 It’s easy to order! Go to our website www.getaheadkids.com.au or Complete the form below and attach payment (if applicable) and post to Get Ahead Kids, Villa Franca, 2 Scott Street, Newcastle NSW 2300 of fax to (02) 4929 7827. Yes, please register or renew my subscription of Get Ahead Kids starting with the NEXT AVAILABLE ISSUE: Me
Gift
Elly: My True Story of the Special Tenth Anniversary Edition Holocaust The Gruffalo Author: Elly Berkovits Gross Elly Gross narrates a detailed autobiography of her life
RATE 1yr - 6 Issues:
$27.00
2yrs - 12 issues:
$47.00
MY DETAILS
First published in 1999, The Gruffalo
of how, by a chain of miracles, she
has sold over four million copies,
survived the horrors of the Holocaust.
translated into 30 languages, won
At the age of 15, Elly was separated
Address
from her mother and brother by the
Post Code
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
experiences and informs the reader
Mrs/Ms/Miss/Mr (Name)
State
Author: Julie Donaldson
literature prizes, and has been made into stage plays around the world.
Germans. Elly never saw her family
This is a rhyming tale of a crafty
alive again. She was forced to work
mouse that outwits a fox, an owl, a
as a slave in a German factory
snake, and even the Gruffalo.
Phone ( )
and witnessed groups of people
Fax ( )
continuously lead away to their
The book is splashed with greens,
death.
browns and golds that perfectly
AND/OR SEND A GIFT SUBSCRIPTION TO:
Elly has retold her life story in such
jacket is a fitting ornament for this
Mrs/Ms/Miss/Mr (Name)
detail that you almost feel you were
time honoured favourite.
there. The photos included of Elly,
Address
State
depict its forest setting. The gold dust
Post Code
PAYMENT DETAILS Cheque/Money Order
her family and of the concentration
A witty enchanting story great for
camps illustrate the poor living
reading out loud at home and
conditions. This autobiography is
school!
a real eye opener, a sad but very informative reality insight of the physical and emotional pain of the
Please make cheque payable to MAP Marketing. Send to: MAP Marketing, Villa Franca, 2 Scott St, Newcastle NSW 2300
Holocaust.
Direct Deposit
Extent: 144 pages (Hardback)
Please use name/company as reference. Account Name: MAP Marketing BSB: 804050 Account Number: 101 20 992
Age Guide: 9-12 years ISBN: 9780545074940 Release Date: April 2009 Price: AUD$16.99 Publisher: Scholastic Inc P: 02 4328 3555
Please photocopy coupon for additional gift subscriptions. Offer ends 31.12.09 Please tick if you do not wish to receive marketing offers from Get Ahead Kids and its sponsors.
30 Get Ahead Kids Jul/Aug 09
www.scholastic.com.au
Age Guide: 3-5 years Extent: 32 pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9780330507417 Release Date: March 2009 Price: AUD$14.99 Publisher: Pan Macmillan P: 02 9285 9100 www.panmacmillan.com.au
Reviews Our Senior Pick
What’s Happening to Our Girls? Too Much Too Soon. How Our Kids Are Overstimulated, Oversold and Oversexed Author: Maggie Hamilton Backed by qualitative research and expert opinions, this is an essential read for parents of girls 0-21 years.
Age Guide: Parents
Often it is mind exploding as the author deals with topics of tweens and teenagers overstimulated by media, unduly influenced by peer pressure and unleashed by loose parental boundaries.
Extent: 312 pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9780143010647 Release Date: June 2009 Price: AUD$26.95
The advice for averting the social evils affecting our girls is instilling a sense of
Publisher: Penguin Australia
worth and high self esteem.
P: 03 9811 2400 www.penguin.com.au
Read it and don’t delude yourself that you know what your girls are up to.
Multiuse Rainwater Tanks Metroll Rainwater Tanks Are Made From AQUAPLATE® Steel: Are long lasting & easy to maintain Come in a variety of Colorbond ® colours Have fire & UV resistant qualities Provide superior corrosion resistance Come with matching rainwater accessories Can be warranted for up to 20 years Built to rigorous Australian Standard AS 2070
FREE Quote Use Online Enquiry Form www.metrollnewcastle.com.au email@newcastle.metroll.com.au
P 02 4954 5799
The Traditional, Slimline & Modular Shape Tanks Can Be Used For: Family drinking water Family washing Livestock & animal drinking water Bushfire protection Gardening Commercial uses Community water supplies Newcastle
Metroll
Rainwater Tank Rebates: Federal Govt Rebates of up to $500 NSW Govt Rebates up to $1500 Schools Rebates of up to $2,500
www.getaheadkids.com.au
31
Reviews Our Junior Pick
Crime Time Author: Sue Bursztynski Introduction: Kerry Greenwood Illustrations: Louise Prout Crime Time - Australians Behaving Badly is a collection of famous Australian true murders and crimes. Spanning the years from 1600 to 2000s, the short profiles cover the adventures of murderous bushrangers, serial killers and
Skeleton Creek #1 Author: Patrick Carman Skeleton Creek is the story of Ryan and Sarah and their investigation into how their town became known as Skeleton Creek. The story is presented as Ryan’s handwritten journal, which he writes while recovering from a near fatal accident at a mining dredge just outside of town. Sarah, who is forbidden to see Ryan due to the accident, continues their
fraudsters to high-profile present day criminals such as the Moran Family
This well researched, easy to read
and Carl Williams.
book is recommended for those
Scattered through the book at the end of each short profile are ‘Did you know?’ boxes. These boxes provide some extra interesting trivia
fascinated by action and real crime allowing the reader to delve into some of Australia’s famous and not so famous dark historical offences.
such as the current Australian Prime
Age Guide: 11+ years
Minister, Kevin Rudd’s, criminal
Extent: 209 pages (Paperback)
ancestry. Although graphic depictions of violence have been avoided, this book is not highly recommended for younger readers.
ISBN: 978187642765 Price: AUD$16.95 Publisher: Ford Street Publishing P: 03 9481 1120 www.fordstreetpublishing.com
joint investigation through writing emails to Ryan and recording her findings on video. Readers can plunge deeper in to the thrilling mystery by visiting
Sarah’s Heavy Heart
Sarah’s website and using passwords
Author & Illustrator: Peter Carnavas
from the book to gain access to her video diaries, as she hunts down clues at the ghostly dredge.
Most pages of this poignant tale are dominated with Sarah’s huge red heart. The size of Sarah is relatively
This is one of those books that will
small compared with this large heart
not only leave you hanging and
that is weighing her down in every
wanting more, but will persuade you
aspect of her life, day and night.
to read it over again, just in case you missed any vital clues. Age Guide: 9+ years Extent: 186 pages (Paperback) ISBN: 9781862917958 Price: AUD$16.99 Publisher: Scholastic Inc P: 02 4328 3555 www.scholastic.com.au
32 Get Ahead Kids Jul/Aug 09
One day she meets a light hearted boy and together they walk towards
Age Guide: 3-10 years
town.
Extent: 32 pages (Hardback)
This is a touching story of being
Price: AUD$24.95
weighed down by heartbreak, and
Publisher: New Frontier Publishing
the inspiring finale when Sarah’s
P: 02 9453 1525
load is lightened upon meeting a
www.newfrontier.com.au
friend.
ISBN: 9781921042058
Reviews
Don’t
Leave Home Without It! By Cherie Faulder
Cherie came up with the idea after
All the work was done by Cherie
a conversation with her mother and
without any knowledge of the
discussions with one of her nieces
industry. Even now when a publisher
Leaving Home A Survival Guide
who needed advice.
has picked up the book, Cherie is
Authors: Cherie Faulder &
doing the majority of the work.
Cherie states:
A 20 year old who left home in
The next day she thought; “How many kids out there must be like her, always asking for help,
“If you believe in something so
calling home wanting to find out
passionately, then you will always be
this or that whether it be a money
determined to do the very best you
problem or down to cooking a
can.
decent meal.”
So many people have said in these
Cherie approached Carol about her
tough times the Australian dream
idea not sure it was a good one.
is over, but two ordinary women
Carol said that it sounded fantastic and she was prepared to help her. So the process of research started then the writing, illustrations, printing, cover image, to the book binding. Publishers said it wasn’t their area or thing, they only accepted solicited manuscripts, and then literary agents said the same. They were even turned down by distributors.
Carol Graham
January 2009, found the following very useful: • Handy household hints • Checklists of items that you need when you leave home • Simple & easy to follow recipes • Cooking terms glossary
armed with nothing but a Year 10
• Personal case studies
high school education, a life time
• Chapter summaries
of experience, doing something
• Ideas on how to approach
extraordinary with their lives.” “Leaving Home, A Survival Guide” is now available at Big W, Kmart, Large
difficult personal issues such as when your housemate uses your personal items
Target Stores, Angus & Robertson,
This book is an essential reference
Dymocks & QBD book shops.
for anyone who wants to leave
More Information
home. With hints, rules and checklists included throughout, it’s easy to
M: 0408 643 700
understand and use.
Cherie’s mother, now 85, said the
cheza10@hotmail.com
book would have been wonderful to
www.leavinghome.com.au
Leaving Home covers the basics
have when she left home, it was too
you need to know from cleaning and hygiene, cooking and money
good not to have on the market so
matters right down to finding the
she loaned Cherie the money to do
perfect house and dealing with the
the first print run of 1,000 books.
neighbours.
This made Cherie more determined
Age Guide: General
to get onto National TV here and
Extent: 145 pages (Paperback)
in New Zealand, to a point when
ISBN: 9781741786415
they had Publishers offering them a
Price: AUD$19.99
contract.
Publisher: Five Mile Press Pty Limited M: 0408 643 700 cheza10@hotmail.com www.leavinghome.com.au Photo: Carol (left) and Cherie (right).
www.getaheadkids.com.au
33
Index
Get Ahead Kids
Advertisers Index
2009
Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College
5
Charlton Christian College
17
January/February
Custom Transportable Buildings
2
Back to School
Free To Be Me
11
Ad booking Deadline Dec 12 Editorial Deadline Dec 19
Get Ahead Learning
36
Hunter Academy of Sport
13
March/April
JD’s World of Magic
28
Languages
Just BE You 15
Ad booking Deadline Feb 20 Editorial Deadline Feb 27
The Lock-Up Cultural Centre
13
Metroll Pty Ltd (Newcastle)
31
Mine Subsidence Board
23
Feature Article Themes
May/June
Technology
NCP Printing 29
Ad booking Deadline Mar 30 Editorial Deadline Apr 6
Newcastle City Council
35
Newcastle Grammar School
9
Nexus Property Group
25
July/August
For more advertising information please contact Maria Charlton MAP Marketing maria@mapmarketing.com.au P: 02 4929 7766 Advertisers media kit and booking form also available www.getaheadkids.com.au
Learning Innovations
Smallprint 19
Ad booking Deadline Jun 1 Editorial Deadline Jun 8
St Philips Christian Education Foundation 21 Westfield Kotara
27
FREE
Vol . 1 • No . 5 • Sep /Oc t
09
September/October Exams
Ad booking Deadline Aug 3 Editorial Deadline Aug 10
Issue 4
November/December
Features: Exams
Ad booking Deadline Oct 5 Editorial Deadline Oct 12
Spotlight:
To contribute an article email maria@mapmarketing.com.au
Prime Television’s Popular Mascot
Summer Learning
Prime Possum
Next Issue Out Sept 2009 34 Get Ahead Kids Jul/Aug 09
Ride, paint, climb or juggle the school holidays away There are plenty of things to keep busy minds active during the July school holidays. Newcastle libraries, Blackbutt Reserve and L!vesites Kids have organised activities. For all the details visit the school holidays page on Council’s website www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au L!vesites presents
Newcastle Region Library
L!vesites Kids
July animal fun
Newcastle Permanent/Blackbutt Reserve
Junior Rangers
L!vesites Kids have organised a jam-
Junior bush rangers will follow the bush
packed program of all day activities. Week
walking tracks and explore the reserve,
one of the holidays will be held in the
build shelters using branches and leaves
Hunter Street Mall. Become a rock star
and spot native animals.
with Rosie’s School of Rock, be a drama
Dates: 14,15,16 & 21,22,23 July
queen or king with Tantrum Theatre or be
Cost: $15. Starts 9.30am at Richley
crafty with Ken O’Regan.
Reserve (off Freyberg St). BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL ON 4904 3344
Week two activities will be at Honeysuckle and include movie making with Delmarco Arts, sports mania with ex-Knights player Justin Ryder or circus skills with Circus Avalon. Cost: $45 per child per day Times: 8.30am - 5.30pm including before and after session child minding. Activities run from 9.30am to 4.30pm. BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL call 4929 1977 OR VISIT WWW.TICKETEK.COM.AU
Every day Newcastle region libraries will host animal themed activities. There are two hour Animal Art workshops at Wallsend, City and New Lambton libraries, a one hour Crocodile Encounters show at Adamstown, Wallsend, Beresfield and City libraries, JD’s World of Magic at Hamilton and New Lambton and a one hour balloon animals workshop at City and Wallsend libraries. Some activities are FREE, others have a small cost per child. BOOKINGS AND PREPAYMENT ESSENTIAL CALL 4974 5300
Promote your event
About 3,000 people visit Newcastle City Council’s online events calendar every month! That’s the difference between a few people at your event and 100s. Getting your event online is easy. Go to the events calendar on www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au and add your event.
There will also be junior coaching clinics at
Westfest 2009 also has plenty of FREE
Beresfield Golf Course on Tuesday 21 and
activities organised for 12 to 15 year olds.
Thursday 23 July and discounted tunnel
Visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au for the full
tours at Fort Scratchley.
school holiday program.
Best Value Speech Therapy Services Proven Results • Professional Speech Pathologists • Personal Attention
Have you noticed your child... Has trouble expressing their needs and thoughts? Is not speaking like other children of the same age? Does not appear to listen carefully? Is struggling to keep up with literacy skills at school? Uses different sounds in place of the correct ones? Has not yet developed appropriate social skills? Stumbles or repeats sounds in words?
Testimonial “We are happy with the progress Gabby has made this year and this reflects on her improvement both at school and socially. She is a more confident and happy little girl.” Kathy & Glenn Taylor Ashtonfield 19/1/09
We can help you with... Speech sounds Language - expressive & receptive Social skills Phonological awareness Attention & memory Literacy Processing & comprehension Oral muscle exercises Apraxia of speech
Ask about... Health Care Rebates Helping children with Autism Family discounts No referral & no waiting list Part of a multidisciplinary team participating in the Medicare Allied Health Initiative Formal assessments Report at no extra cost Individual or group therapy School/preschool visits Community visits
Phone 1300 657 220 speech@getaheadlearning.com.au
Also Available... New Best Start Kindergarten Assessment Preparation Mrs Penn’s School Readiness is designed to assist Preschool children make the best transition from Preschool to Kindergarten. Enrol today!
English Essay Writing Experts High school to University Level. Enrol Now for Term 3. Limited vacancies. More kinder to adult programs available.
New Language Classes Beginning Soon! You are never too old to learn a language for pleasure, business or travel. Gain a skill for life. Enrol Now at our Charlestown Centre for new beginners, Italian & Japanese language classes.
FREE INFO PACK PHONE 4946 7277 enquiries@getaheadlearning.com.au | www.getaheadlearning.com.au East Maitland Centre - Suite 18C, 121 Lawes Street | Port Stephens Centre - 91 Stockton Street, Nelson Bay Charlestown Centre - 53 Dickinson Street - Opposite Council Pool | Eleebana Centre - 20 Anglers Place
Speech Therapy • School Readiness • K to Adult Programs • Languages • Products