PakMag Townsville - Winter Part II 2020 Issue 115

ISSUE: WINTER 2020 PART II

115

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PakMag's 13th Birthday! • Interactive Family Meals • Party Craft Huge Prizes • Best NQ Camping Spots • 13 Things to Unteach Your Kids

Welcome 4

STEAM For Our Oceans

6

13 Things to Unteach

Your Kids

9

Give Your Child the Best Start

to Their Learning Journey

11

All Things Health

15 Local Produce Recipes 17 The Thing Is with Bree James 18 Creative Ways to Get

Your Kids to Contribute

21 Friendships in Adolescence 23 All Things Tweens & Teens 25 MiniMag: Kids Activities 30 Interactive Meals for

Hello and welcome to PakMag’s birthday edition, can you believe we are quietly celebrating 13 years? I cannot believe my team have produced over 350 magazines and given away over 3.5 million copies during this time.

I am a C grade English student who had never worked in the print industry, had never sold advertising, I didn't like writing, and I didn't have kids…

I started a parenting magazine with no idea of what I was doing, or getting myself into because I wanted to help families.

It is a very tough industry, in a challenging regional area in Australia.

We've survived cyclones, floods, the GFC, the digital world waves, babies, staff challenges, business ups and downs and for now, a global pandemic.

Did I ever dream I'd be doing this for a living? Nope! I wanted to be a vet or marine biologist but my Maths teacher told me I wasn't smart enough.

I studied be a teacher for 3 years but felt I could impact more families by creating PakMag. So that's what I did and it’s been a tough journey, but one I am incredibly grateful for.

32 Party Craft for Kids

Thanks so much to everyone who has supported PakMag over the years, especially my team, our clients, and of course you, our readers, it's certainly been a crazy, wonderful ride!

34 Massive 13th Birthday

Enjoy this edition and don’t forget to tell everyone, you read it in PakMag.

Giveaway!

Bree

the Family

37 Classrooms of the Future 40 32 of the Best Camping

Spots in North Queensland

Bree James PakMag Founder and Editor-in-Chief Contact Us: p 4053 3331 e admin@m2f.com.au a PO Box 7433 Cairns Qld 4870 www.pakmag.com.au www.marketingtofamilies.com.au

43 What is a Grammar Education?

47 The PakMag Experts 49 Care Army

PakMag Founder and Editor-in-Chief Bree James

Creative Team Leader Clare Winter Graphic Designer Sara Williams

Digital Team Leader Lawrence Fox Content & Marketing Team Leader Bec Dent Marketing and Events Coordinator Alyssa Marino

Videographer & Podcast Producer Monique Saggers

Client Support Blair King

Content Creators Annamarie Booysen Jenna Galley

Marketing Assistant Emily Bremner

Accounts Trent Stievano

Our North Queensland Channels PakMag Townsville Parents of North Queensland pakmag_nq Parents and Kids of

North Queensland Our Global Parenting Channels PakMag Online pakmag_online PakMag The Give It A Go Group

For Parents The PakMag Parents Podcast PakMag TV

Disclaimer: No part of this magazine, including the advertisements within it may be reproduced, in part or in whole without the expressed permission of the editor. Whilst the greatest of care is taken to ensure that the information in the magazine is correct at the time of going to press, readers are advised to check details before visiting. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions.

The ideas expressed within PakMag are not necessarily the views of the publishers, but those of individual writers.

We have done our best to ensure all events and information was correct at the time of going to print. Please check with individual businesses and authorities during these uncertain times.

Net Distribution Per Issue 10,000. Most recent CAB Publisher Statement Conducted September 2019.

We encourage recycling. Please keep this issue for future reference, pass onto your friends and family, use for craft projects or place into the recycling bin.

families www.pakmag.com.au | Winter Part II 2020 3

STEAM

STEAM - for Our Oceans If the Earth had no water then there would be no life on it. All of us need water, including all plants and animals, making it one of the most important things that we have. We need fresh water to drink and keep our bodies functioning properly - even plants need to drink water to stay alive, but it’s also such a huge part of our daily lives in many other ways; we need water for cooking, washing our bodies, clothes and dishes, for our farms and recreation (a swimming pool would just be a hole in the ground without it).

Our salt water oceans are just as, if not more important.

They cover 72 percent of the Earth and supply more than half the oxygen we breathe and absorb much more carbon dioxide than our atmosphere does. The oceans help regulate our weather patterns and climate, including the temperatures and how much rainfall we have.

The ocean is our planet’s life support systema healthier ocean means a healthier planet and a healthier life and future for us all; but it’s in danger.

More than 40 percent of the ocean has been severely affected by global climate change, pollution, habitat destruction, invasive species and decreases in ocean fish stocks. This has led to a loss of jobs, food and environmental services.

To keep our oceans clean and healthy, we need to take better care of it and protect it from the threats it faces. Pollution and the impact of fishing needs to be reduced, protection areas for marine life need to be created and we need to work together to spread awareness.

The ocean’s health is our health- let’s look after it.

Get 15% OFF! Use code: PakMag15

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1. 4M Clean Water Science Kit - $26.95 - www.edresources.com.au 2. Engino STEM Hero Sea Exploration Kit - Includes parts to build five models with online 3D building instructions, a 44 page book to learn about history of sea exploration, boats, nautical travelling, tools of navigation and principles of floating plus access to online experiments and a quiz! - $119.95 (Get 15% OFF this price at www.engino.com.au by using code PakMag15) - www.engino.com.au 3. Mudpuppy Orca 48 piece Mini Puzzle - $9.95 - www.edresources.com.au

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Resources to Inspire and Educate Learn How to Craft a Coral Reef in Minecraft www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/oceans/lessons/coral-reef Coral reefs can be found all over the world and are one of the many parts of the ocean ecosystem.

This awesome, educational edition of Minecraft shows you how to code and design your very own reef. You can learn about different types there are, how complex and beautiful they can be, and what can be done to help save them. Combining games with learning has never been so fun!

National Geographic Kids www.natgeokids.com/au The National Geographic Kids website has an abundance of quizzes, facts, figures and more. You can learn about the wonders of the oceans, including the amazing life that exists in them, but also how plastic pollution is harming the marine life.

The information is fun and educational, making it a great platform for getting the important messages across to children. Do a search for “ocean” from the home page and enjoy!

The Big Book of the Blue

by Yuval Zommer Not only does this book bring the underwater animals to life with beautiful illustrations, it explains how they survive underwater and the different families they belong to. It also dives into the things that put these animals in danger and how everyone can do their part to help save sea life.

It’s perfect for inspiring young readers to be passionate about protecting such a vital part of our world.

www.pakmag.com.au | Winter Part II 2020 5

Parenting

13 Things to Unteach Your Kids STORY Dr Rosina McAlpine Any parent who has accidentally sworn in front of their child and then heard it come back at them wishes they could “unteach” their child the expletive. When you reflect upon some of the many things you’ve taught your children consciously or unknowingly - how many do you wish you could unteach?

Unteaching negative beliefs about money and instilling positive beliefs can make a positive difference in the way your children approach life and money.

3. Chores Aren’t Fun

Here are 13 things you may wish to consider unteaching your children:

Have you created a belief that “chores are no fun and simply have to be done?” Sure, that is one way to approach chores, but if you wanted to, you could unteach this by explaining to the kids that there’s a new rule in the house –that chores ARE fun. You can put on music and be together to get each job done in a creative, fun and cooperative way.

1. Swear Words

4. Negative Attitude

It’s hard to unteach a swear word after your child has learned it, so the best way to move forward is to explain that it is not a nice word to use and mum or dad made a mistake when they said it. By trying not to use it again and offering a substitute word to use if the swear word comes, you might succeed in helping your child to “unlearn” it (but there are no guarantees it won’t come out when grandma comes over!)

Do you and/or the kids start the day with a negative attitude? If you say things like “I feel so tired”, “I’ve got so much on”, just remember that kids are always listening. If you want to unteach a negative attitude, start the day with a “good morning ritual”, like setting positive goals for the day.

It is important to recognise that sometimes we might inadvertently teach our children things we don’t really want them to learn, and then we need to “unteach” them.

2. Beliefs About Money Were you told emphatically that there was “no money” and that “money doesn’t grow on trees”? Have you passed those limiting beliefs on to your children?

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5. Technology Obsession From toddler to teenager, taking the screen away can result in a total meltdown. It’s hard to unteach an obsession with technology … as adults we know that ourselves! Unteach technology cravings by finding activities to do together that are screen free.

Parenting

6. Kitchens are Not for Kids

11. Practice Makes Perfect

Often we send kids out of the kitchen as it is easier, quicker and safer because parents can be time poor.

However, once we’ve taught our kids not to help – it’s hard to get them back when we’d love the help.

So unteach your children that kitchens are not for kids and get them involved with all aspects from menu planning to preparing and cleaning up. You’ll get the help you need and they’ll have skills for life – Win-Win!

We’ve all heard the phrase ‘practice makes perfect’ and we know that it’s virtually unattainable. It’s too stressful to strive for perfection all of the time and can result in challenging perfectionist tendencies, so try unteaching this phrase. Replace it with “practice makes personal bests”. The more we practice the better our personal bests get.

7. Just Do as You're Told “Respect your elders” “I’m the adult and you simply need to listen and do as you’re told” are words children often hear. Teaching kids to simply do as they are told may seem like a great thing, however sometimes a more beneficial approach is teaching your kids to consider why they’re being asked to do something. By getting children to follow their inner compass, it can help children make good choices and be safe.

8. Gender Stereotypes

12. Saying No Does your toddler or teenager say a resounding “NO!” to everything? Many parents find this really frustrating.

So perhaps you could start by considering how many times a day you say “no” to your child. When your child hears lots and lots of no’s you can bet you’ll get lots of no’s back. Instead, start saying more yesses and you might find you’ll get more yesses back. Here’s a short video on how you can do that without giving in to every request! Check it out in the online version of this edition at www.pakmag.com.au/drrosina

The world is filled with ways that children can learn unhelpful gender stereotypes. When parents become aware of their child’s unrealistic stereotypes like “mums should stay home while dads should work”, “football isn’t for girls, it’s a boy’s sport”, they can unteach these stereotypes by challenging them and offering a different point of view to support equality for all.

9. Being a Praise-Junkie It is not uncommon to hear parents praise their children TOO much. Kids can become reliant on praise from others for their self-worth. You can help your child unlearn the need for external recognition and praise to feel worthy and lovable by helping them to be more internally referenced, rather than needing external praise. For example, instead of offering praise, ask your children to reflect on whether they did their best, if they are happy with their work.

Watch Video in the Online Version of the Mag

13. Always Getting What They Want

10. Junk Food is a Treat

Often, it’s easier to let your child get what they want after they whine incessantly, as it will give you a break from listening to it. However, this can teach them that whining works, so there needs to be a balance between “No” and giving in. Otherwise, your child will likely realise that this works, and then continue to do it.

When we call junk food a “treat” we create conflict. For example, when we eat something we call “junk food”, it’s going in our body and our mind thinks “this junk food is bad for me!” Then if parents deny their children a sugary, fatty, processed food they call a “treat” – children feel like they’re missing out when parents just want them to stay healthy. Unteach equating junk food with a treat.

There are many things that parents do out of the goodness of their hearts or to reduce their stress when dealing with their children. These don’t always have the best effects on a child’s development however, and it is better to nip the bad habits in the bud while they’re still young. Remember to seek help and support when you feel overwhelmed with juggling the struggles of parenting.

Dr Rosina McAlpine is the CEO and creator of the Win Win Parenting program. Win Win Parenting practical and fun programs are delivered across a variety of organisations including early learning, school, corporate and government organisations in Australia, New Zealand and The United States. Dr Rosina is an internationally recognised awardwinning researcher and educator. www.winwinparenting.com

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Advertorial

Give Your Child the Best Start to Their Learning Journey The Catholic Diocese of Townsville initiated its kindergarten, Mary MacKillop, in 2004. This was under the management of Townsville Catholic Education, who wanted to provide high-quality, accessible and affordable education for Kindergarten children in an environment of lived Catholic values.

Sites were established on eight Catholic school sites in Townsville, Charters Towers, Mount Isa and Proserpine, with a ninth site established in the newly built St Benedict's Catholic School site at Shaw.

One of the greatest benefits of the kindy-school colocation is the continuity of learning. Our kindergartens provide children with opportunities to participate in the life of the Catholic school community. We do this by visiting the library, the local Catholic church, art/science programs, school sporting events, assemblies and special celebrations.

Mary MacKillop Childcare North Queensland’s newly appointed Executive Director, Carolyn Cousins, said the programs and curriculum have grown exponentially with the addition of the Outside School Hours Care and Holiday Programs on some sites.

“The service has grown and changed over the years to meet the needs of the local community and the families across North Queensland,” she said. “Our partnerships with local Catholic schools enable the Mary MacKillop

Childcare North Queensland centres to deliver quality education to families and provide a clear pathway for their child's educational journey.”

Throughout the Townsville Diocese, Mary MacKillop Childcare North Queensland are proud to offer a diverse range of learning environments that specifically enrich children's engagement in the kindergarten.

Our experienced teachers implement high quality educational programs in a stimulating, safe and supportive learning environment. This environment provides the best start to your child’s learning journey and transition to school.

“We believe children learn through the process of exploration within an educational, inquiry-based curriculum” Carolyn said.

Enrolments for 2021 are currently being taken for all services.

Centres are located at St Anthony’s Kindergarten Deeragun, St Clare’s Kindergarten Burdell, St Benedict’s Kindergarten Shaw, Ryan Kindergarten Kirwan, St Joseph’s Kindergarten North Ward, Columba Kindergarten Charters Towers, St Catherine’s Kindergarten Proserpine, St Joseph’s Kindergarten Mount Isa and St Michael’s Kindergarten Palm Island.

For more information contact us via email at enrolment@mmcnq.catholic.edu.au or call 4726 3299.

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Health

All Things Health All About Allergies Allergies are caused by a hypersensitivity of the immune system to substances in the environment that are typically harmless. The most common allergies are pollen, dust mites, mould, animal fur, insect stings and foods such as nuts, cow’s milk, shellfish, eggs and soy.

There are many causes and symptoms, and they are very common – affecting around one in five people.

When the body comes in contact with an allergen, the eyes may start to water, the throat may become sore and the skin may develop eczema or hives. These are usually treated with antihistamines or nasal sprays, and by avoiding the allergens that trigger symptoms. While most allergic reactions are mild to moderate, a small number of people experience a severe reaction known as anaphylaxis which requires immediate lifesaving medication.

Interesting Facts About Hair The average person has 100,000-150,000 strands of hair.

On average, you’ll shed about 50-150 of these each day.

A single hair has a lifespan of about five years.

It’s possible for anyone to develop an allergy. Some develop them early in life, while others do as they age. They are among the most common chronic conditions globally and are often hereditary. If your doctor suspects an allergy, they may refer you to an allergist who specialises in the treatment of allergies, for testing.

Marios Range Echinacea When it comes to Echinacea, the plant species used, part of the plant used and the quality of the preparation is really important. That’s why you want to leave it to a trained Naturopath or Herbalist to carefully select an Echinacea preparation that can support your immunity.

Marios Range of immune tonics contain the highest quality of Echinacea with standardised alkylamides. These constituents activate macrophages and increase the number and activity of natural killer cells – the immune system’s first responders – helping your body to overcome viral infection swiftly and effectively which may shorten the severity and duration of colds & flu. Ask in store at Calanna Wholehealth Pharmacy today about which Marios Range Tonic is best for you.

Hair grows slightly faster in warm weather. This is because heat stimulates circulation and therefore encourages hair growth. Hair is the fastest growing tissue in the human body, just after bone marrow.

Always read the label. Use only as directed.

If symptoms persist consult your healthcare professional. Vitamins and minerals are supplementary to and not a replacement for a balanced diet.

In 1950, only about seven per cent of people coloured their hair.

Nowadays, it has gone up to about 75 per cent.

Consult your local health practitioner, doctor or pharmacist for advice on these topics first to ensure the best health outcomes.

Hair is made up of mostly keratin, the same protein that animals’ claws, horns and hooves are made out of.

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Health

All Things Health Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes Sweet potatoes are popular root vegetables - delicious in many different forms and meals. They are most commonly orange in colour, but can also be white, purple or yellow.

High in antioxidants – Sweet potatoes, especially the orange and purple ones, are high in antioxidants which help protect your body from free radicals.

Helps promote gut health – The high fibre and antioxidants are advantageous to gut health. Sweet potatoes contain both soluble and insoluble fibre – neither of which your body can digest, meaning they stay within your digestive tract and provide a variety of health benefits.

Natural Remedies for Cysts Cysts are hard lumps under the skin usually filled with yellowish, foul-smelling liquid. Glamorous.

They may be alarming when discovered, but rest assured, they are usually nothing to worry about and can be treated at home.

May support healthy vision – They are high in beta-carotene (which is also what turns them bright orange). When ingested, your body converts it to vitamin A which helps form the lightdetecting receptors inside your eyes.

May support your immune system – The vitamin A in orange sweet potatoes is critical to a healthy immune system. Eating them regularly can even help prevent vitamin A deficiency.

Sweet potatoes happen to be very easy to add to your diet.

They are delicious baked, mashed or even spiralised. They are also very yummy added as a side to a roast dinner, in a curry or in veggie burger patties.

Warm compress – Use a sterile washcloth soaked in warm water and press against the cyst. You can repeat this as often as you’d like.

Tea tree oil – Mix two or three drops with some water and apply directly to the cyst several times per day.

Apple cider vinegar – Mix equal parts water with apple cider vinegar and apply the dilution directly to the cyst several times per day. The antimicrobial properties of the mixture may help reduce cysts.

It’s important to remember that if the cyst is growing rapidly, causing pain or causing you problems, it’s a good idea to get them checked out by a doctor who can provide further treatment or remove it..

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Consult your local health practitioner, doctor or pharmacist for advice on these topics first to ensure the best health outcomes.

Advertiser Feature

Local Produce Recipes

Chicken Piccata RECIPE Lenard's Chicken

Spinach and Green Pea Pesto Pasta

Ingredients

RECIPE Matthew Calanna

1kg Lenard’s Skinless Chicken Breast (Butterflied and halved) ¼ cup plain flour 60g butter Salt and pepper 2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 cup chicken stock ½ cup lemon juice 1/3 cup capers Cornflour Chopped parsley

Method Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cover chicken in flour- shake off excess. Heat ½ the butter in a pan over medium heat. Cook in the pan until browned, then put aside. You may need to do this in batches, depending on how big your pan is.

Ingredients 350g seashell pasta Salt 1 cup green peas 1 garlic clove, crushed 2 Tbsp oil 4 cups spinach ½ cup sunflower seeds ¼ cup parmesan cheese 1 lemon, freshly juiced Method

In the same pan, heat the rest of the butter over medium heat. Add garlic and capers and cook for two minutes.

Cook pasta in a large pot of salted, boiling water, until tender. While the pasta is cooking, add the peas, garlic and 1 Tbsp of the oil in a pan over medium heat. Cook for five minutes, seasoning with salt and pepper.

Stir in chicken stock and lemon juice. Slowly add in two or more teaspoons of cornflour if you want the sauce to be thicker.

Set pasta aside as well as 250ml of the water it was cooked in.

Add chicken back to the pan and simmer for 10 minutes, turning it over in the sauce a few times to evenly coat it.

Serve once sauce has thickened slightly, sprinkling parsley over it.

Meet the Local Owners: Visit Lenard’s Chicken in Redlynch and say hello to local owner Allison, or head on down to Lenard’s Chicken in Raintrees and speak to local owner Suria.

Lenard's Redlynch, Shop T32 Redlynch Central Shopping Centre, 20 Larsen Road, Redlynch Q 4870 Lenard's Raintrees, Shop T2 Raintrees Shopping Centre, Alfred Street, Manunda Q 4870

Use a food processor (or a blender) to mash and mix the spinach, the rest of the oil, lemon juice, sunflower seeds, the garlic and half of the peas, as well as cheese.

Add the pesto, pasta and remaining peas to the pan.

Put the pan on medium heat and begin mixing in with pesto to coat all of it. Slowly add cooking water until the sauce reaches desired creaminess.

Sprinkle with Parmesan to serve (if desired).

Calanna Whole Health Pharmacy www.calannapharmacy.com.au

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The Thing Is

The Thing Is with Bree James It’s an interesting moment when you make the decision to not have any more children. As a mum of two boys nearing 9 and 11 years old, people still ask me if I am going to go back to try and have a girl. Now as much as my ovaries get excited when I see a gorgeous baby, the rest of my body gets chills at the thought of going through parenthood from the beginning again.

The Thing is, as much as I feel completely blessed and honored to be a mother, I am pretty happy the days of having a baby hanging off my boobs all hours of the day, the sleepless nights, the constant nappy changing, the tantrums and not being able to know what they are crying about is all behind us (well mostly!).

My eldest asked me the other day about periods, and being a mum that over educates and answers questions, I told him all about them and how he will need to be a supportive boyfriend one day, and how he has to be gentle with the girls at school who may be experiencing them. The cutest thing he said was, “Mummy it must be so sad though, getting a period knowing it could have been a baby”. Before the “Hell no” came out of my mouth as I have experienced 2,184 days of them, I stopped, and thought about it. I shared that yes, many ladies are sad if they are trying for a baby, but many are pretty excited when they get their period as it means no babies.

Sure, I understand that a man’s member is literally like having another human being in the house that has needs that have to be tended to. And I know that men have a huge attachment to this area of their body way more than women do with their own bits.

I acknowledge that this is a big surgery for a man to have psychologically. He is really worried about “King Richard” and “the twins” and I am trying to be sympathetic. But as anyone who has witnessed childbirth knows, a vjay jay goes through so much more during childbirth, and can results in a lot more stitches.

My eldest said, ‘Daddy is getting de-sexed’ which made me laugh so hard I nearly wet myself, but it’s certainly not helping calm his nerves… Now I am sure it will all be fine, and we will celebrate once it’s all over, I think it’s only fair that if we celebrated having a baby, we should celebrate not having any more too and thank our bodies for their service.

As they say, the swim team may have been cut, but the coach will never retire and I am sure like childbirth, he will forget all about this trauma to the family jewels in a few days. He will look at his two amazing children and thank his dad bod for its service to our family, and when they are fighting over something stupid, or he sees a toddler being really naughty, or a parent struggling with their infant, he will realise getting the snip wasn’t so bad after all.

It’s a big decision to have kids, and I think it’s a pretty big decision for some of us to say the uterus is closed for business. I’ve still got most of our baby stuff “just in case we had an accident”. But now I am hitting 40 this year, my husband and I had to have the talk about no more babies.

He decided that it’s time he gets the snip - which I fully support if he is happy to do it (even though the reality that this part of my life is over makes me a little sad).

Bree

Now, my husband is as nervous about this procedure as I was about giving birth to our watermelon sized children.

www.breejames.com www.myvisionbook.com.au

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Feature

Creative Ways to Get Your Kids to Contribute to the World Around Them STORY Bec Dent No one wants to be ‘that guy.’ No one wants to raise ‘that guy’ either.

And, as much as we could debate nature vs nurture for hours, we can all concede, it’s a little of column A and B and we all want to hedge our bets and do everything we can as parents to ensure our kids lead happy, healthy lives and become the best possible versions of themselves.

My Mum always said, ‘you can’t water a garden, without getting wet yourself.’ You grow, by helping others grow. Bringing joy to someone’s life, only increases your joy. As kids develop a habit of helping people, with no expectation of reward, they learn selflessness and will discover the reward is in the action itself - by filling another’s cup, their cup becomes full too.

But, how can we do that? How can we help them become socially responsible and positive contributors to the world?

Travelling through Africa, I discovered an African Philosophy called ‘Ubuntu.’ It is often translated as "I am because we are," or "humanity towards others.” This has become my favourite word and way to live my life.

Like anything, leading by example is a great place to start. Be the kind of adult you want your kids to grow up to become. Include them in activities that will build those positive characteristics, like service projects to help children to learn and get in the practice of doing good for others. Point out to your children the results of positive choices, not just from the actions they/you have taken, but ones you may notice other people doing.

When children link actions to positive outcomes, and notice that they too ‘feel good’ for doing something nice for someone else, they will want to experience that feeling more often, leading to more positive choices.

In Desmond Tutu’s book: No Future Without Forgiveness, he explains Ubuntu as ‘the very essence of being human.’ If someone has Ubuntu, they are generous, hospitable, friendly, caring and compassionate. They share what they have. “A person with ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed, or treated as if they were less than who they are.”

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Feature

In a world which is becoming more and more individualistic, the concept of interconnectedness is so important to learn. Imagine a world where everyone lived by this principle?

Here’s a bunch of ideas to help develop these positive characteristics in yourself and your children.

To develop kindness – you can design your own or use our PakMag ‘Kindness Cards’ or ‘Neighbourhood Notes’ to sprinkle kindness around your neighbourhood.

You could also decorate ‘kindness rocks’ (painted with positive messages) in random locations and walking paths around the neighbourhood to bring a smile to someone’s face. Random acts of kindness are also great. Everyone loves a surprise and a ‘kind surprise’ is even better.

Perform a daily good deed - Big or small, doing something for someone else daily, teaches children to think about others. This could be for a family member, friend or neighbour. Talk about your “daily deed” at the dinner table at night.

Plant a garden – Children can learn to be their own Lorax…taking care of the trees, (and fruits and veggies) they will grow. Respect and kindness isn’t just for people, nature deserves it too.

Teach your children about other kids who are making a difference and remind them that they can make a difference too. Belief in oneself is a powerful force. No matter the age, everyone can make the world better.

In the words of Tim Minchin from Matilda the Musical "even if you’re little you can do a lot, you mustn’t let a little thing like ‘little’ stop you." Think of an ant, it’s super small, but it can lift 10-50 times their body weight. That would be like an average adult human giving a cow a piggy back! Everyone has limitless potential.

Kids can champion a cause. Kids are like ‘injustice detectors’ with a strong sense of right and wrong. They may see the news or be aware of the struggles others experience in the world and want to do something about it. If your children have an allowance or earn money from doing odd jobs, they can donate to a charity they want to support. A little can go a long way.

Volunteer. Service projects give us an appreciation of how much we have to be thankful for. When you spend time trying to make someone else’s life better- yours automatically improves too. Clean up a beach, pick up litter on a walk, plant some trees, deliver meals-onwheels. Kids doing something real, for real people will show them they can make a real difference.

Help children to become conscious consumers and teach them about living sustainably. "There is no such thing as “away”. When we throw anything away it must go somewhere.” – Annie Leonard. Recycle, sort through clothing/ toys to donate to a shelter or charity shop.

Learn how to sew and mend broken items.

Be a good neighbour. If you haven’t done it yet, introduce yourself to them. Smile and wave every time you see them. Find out about them, see if they need any help or assistance. This could be bringing in the bins, walking their dogs or even a card and meal if they’ve had a surgery.

Set an appointment daily to show gratitude – it could be around the dinner table taking turns to share what each family member is grateful for that day. Write letters to people you are grateful for, this is a powerful exercise (for both the reader and the writer). You could also download our ‘PakMag Gratitude Guide’ and write down the things you are grateful for and place it where you will see it daily to remind you of all ‘the good’ in your life.

Making friends can be harder for some people more than others, particularly when kids are shy.

The most important thing a child can learn is to become the kind of friend they want in their own life. Listen, share and care about others feelings, be reliable, use kind language and do nice things for others. It’s always nice to teach your children to look out for the lonely kids, and include everyone. A friendship circle always has room for more.

All PakMag downloadables mentioned in this feature can be found at www.pakmag.com.au/downloadables

Did You Know?

• People who give more to charity were 43 per cent more likely than non-givers to say they were “very happy” about their lives.

• Those who volunteered were 42 per cent more likely to be very happy compared to non-volunteers.

• A study showed giving to others activates regions of the brain associated with pleasure, social connection and trust, creating a “warm glow” effect.

• A recent study found that expressing gratitude strengthens our sense of connection.

• Researchers found evidence that volunteers had a 20 percent lower risk of death than non-volunteers. In addition, volunteers had lower levels of depression, increased life satisfaction and enhanced well-being.

www.pakmag.com.au | Winter Part II 2020 19

All Things Tweens and Teens

Let’s Hang Out: Friendships in Adolescence STORY Kalisha Fitsch As your child becomes a teenager, friendships will become more important to them. They enjoy spending time with their friends and having fun, but friends become almost like a personal support group during adolescence.

Friends give teenagers a sense of belonging and security, a feeling of being valued, and a way to experiment with different identities, roles and values.

Who knows, these friendships may eventually lead to their first relationship, which is another big milestone.

As a parent, you want your teen to build healthy friendships they can rely on. It can be difficult to see your child struggling to make friends, or encounter problems in existing friendships.

Helping your Teen Build Friendships Social skills – teach your teen how to have a good conversation. Get into the habit of chatting about topics they find interesting, whether it be TV shows, music or sport. Learning how to make small talk will be useful when it comes to meeting new people.

Support them – not everyone likes to socialise in the same way, so if your teen prefers to socialise over a yummy meal, during a walk or online, support that.

Remind them that a good friendship takes time to develop, and show support if they are experiencing problems with their friend.

Encourage them to spend time with friends – if your child is asking to have a friend over after school, say yes. When the friend is over, be welcoming and friendly, and ensure siblings don’t barge in on them.

Get into the community – encourage your teen to volunteer or find a part-time job. Working in a place with other young employees or volunteers can help your child find friends and build job skills for the future.

Go through your own experiences – think back to your own teenage years. How did you make friends?

Did you encounter any problems during those friendships? Explaining your own experiences to your teenager can give them a bit of insight.

Where to Make Friends School – this is an obvious one. Most teenagers spend at least six hours per day at school, so it’s a great place to start.

Extracurricular activities – an after-school activity can help your teenager meet others with similar interests, whether it be dance, sports or an art class.

Clubs – many schools offer a variety of clubs, usually meeting after school or during lunch breaks.

Common options include those in STEM, music or visual art. Your child’s school may also offer a yearbook committee or book club.

Online – given that they are being safe while they are online, internet friends can be great for your teen.

Forums, online gaming and social media groups can help your teen find friends online.

All these sudden changes in adolescence can be just as confusing to your child as they are to you. While teens gravitate more towards their friends during their teenage years, remember that they still need you; even if they don’t necessarily show it.

www.pakmag.com.au | Winter Part II 2020 21

All Things Tweens and Teens

All Things Tweens & Teens Being the New Kid

Dealing with Toxic Friendships

Changing schools in the middle of your teenage years can be challenging.

Suddenly being in a new environment with different students and teachers and trying to make new friends while keeping your grades up can all be a bit difficult.

Some teens welcome the change with open arms, while others struggle being away from the friends they’d made at the previous school.

Sometimes in life, friendships turn toxic; your teen may suddenly realise that this ‘friend’ isn’t making them feel so good. A toxic friend may put you down, manipulate you, leave you out or behave in other mean ways.

If your child is having problems with a friend, remind them that it’s completely normal to argue or disagree from time to time.

However, if they keep coming back with the same problems, have a chat with them whether this friend is really behaving like a friend. Remind your teenager that good friends will care about

You can help your teen adjust to their new school in a variety of ways. Point out opportunities that the new school offers, recall a similar experience of your own (if you have one), listen to your teen’s concerns, learn about the new school ahead of time and encourage a fresh start.

Keeping an overall positive attitude will make the transition easier.

them, include them in activities and look out for them. This may help them figure out their situation.

If a toxic friendship has been identified, they can attempt to talk it out and resolve any issues, but make sure your teen is prepared for the fall-out or ending of the friendship. Should this happen, remind them that they will always be able to find new friends who care about them.

WIN a My Mia's Eczema Relief Kit! My Mia’s was created by a mother for her daughter’s severe eczema. 100 per cent Australian owned and made, organic, natural, toxic free and suitable for babies (3+ months), toddlers, children and teenagers. For more information check out their website www.mymias.com Their eczema relief kit, contains four products and assists you with each stage of your eczema recovery: Step 1: Clean and clear your skin with the gentle Eczema Relief Bath Salts. Step 2: Repair and regenerate your skin with organic and natural Level 1 and 2 Eczema Relief Creams Step 3: Hydrate and protect with the Skin Repair & Barrier Cream WIN a My Mia's Eczema Relief Kit worth $112.00!

Visit www.pakmag.com.au/win for your chance to win!

www.pakmag.com.au | Winter Part II 2020 23

Food

'Sharing is Caring' Interactive Meals for the Family There are many benefits to sharing a meal with your loved ones, and interactive meals give extra bonuses. It’s a chance to communicate, connect and check in with each other as you construct your dinner at the table, engaging in conversation as you interact passing ingredients to each other or giving advice on how to make the meal. It also lengthens dinner time so you have more opportunity to spend time together.

There are many great interactive meal options, from many different places around the world. The thing that makes them interactive- is the ability to assemble the meal at the table (with the exception of pizza) where everyone can spend time in the kitchen making their own, and then baking them. But eating a pizza, is also interactive in that you ‘share it’. Have fun connecting and of course eating these delicious meals with your family.

For full recipes of these tasty delights, visit www.pakmag.com.au and check out the 'Food' section of our Blog

Tacos

Rice Paper Rolls

Forget the cutlery and bring Mexico to your table with this traditional dish consisting of a small hand-sized corn or wheat tortilla, stuffed with fillings. Even if some members of the family don’t like some ingredients, it’s perfect because they can add whatever they want into their own.

A healthy and inexpensive meal the kids will love.

Traditionally called Gõi cuõn, this is a Vietnamese dish consisting ingredients wrapped in rice paper to create a cold roll. Perfect for hot weather and a sneaky way to get kids to eat salad willingly.

Sushi

San Choy Bow

The possibilities are endless with this traditional Japanese dish. There really is no right or wrong ingredients, but there are a few simple steps everyone will need to follow to make it. You can work together as a family to create everyone’s own personalised, delicious sushi.

Otherwise known as ‘Chinese lettuce wraps’, these are a family favourite and a way to get veggies in their diet without fuss. Super tasty and healthy, it’s fun, a little messy and incredibly easy for cooks of all ages to help make in the kitchen, before assembly at the dinner table.

30 Winter Part II 2020 | www.pakmag.com.au

Food

Pizza

Hot Dogs

What started out as simple flatbread in Europe, now can have so many different, delicious toppings, that can be made to suit different dietary needs.

Pizza bases can also be bought or made at home so you can go that extra mile to experience that great homemade taste.

Originating in Germany and loved right around the world, Hot Dogs are a favourite for old and young because they’re simple, yet so tasty. The family can easily put together their own hotdogs, adding sauce, cheese, mustard, relish or any other condiments and garnishes you want to get creative with.

Crepes

Fondue

Originating in France, crepes are easy to make at home and are super delicious. They are like thin pancakes, which you can eat- sweet or savoury. Simply add the toppings eg. fruit, berries and whipped cream and wrap them up. Get the family to gather around and choose what they want to eat with the crepes.

Fondue comes from the French word “fondre”, which means “to melt”. It started out as dipping bread into melted cheese, but is often used as a dessert by melting chocolate. You can use fruits for a healthier dessert or use marshmallows and biscuits to step up the sweetness.

“I’m Hungry!”

Free "I'm Hungy" Snack Guide!

This snack guide is a great way to help your kids make healthier food choices, while also reducing the amount of time you might discuss with them on what they can or can’t eat. Instead of letting them look in the fridge or pantry for options and finding what they want, simply fill out the guide with them and stick it on the fridge. This provides them with clear, easy snack and lunch options that they can then choose from.

There is also a range of other free handy resources on the PakMag website including a printable kitchen conversion chart, a lunchbox planner and more!

Get them at www.pakmag.com.au/downloadables

I COULD EAT lunch

snack

Every Day:

2 pieces of fruit & lots of water MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES!

www.pakmag.com.au | Winter Part II 2020 31

Craft

www.tellloveandparty.com

www.handmadecharlotte.com

Party Craft for Kids

Cheetah PiĂąata What You Need

Pom Pom Party Hats

Paintbrushes Cardboard Balloon Ribbon Scissors Rope Hot glue gun Newspaper (torn into strips) Mod Podge Matte (or make your own by searching paper mache paste on the internet) White, yellow (or orange) and black Acrylic paint

What You Need Round sponge Elastic String Hot Glue Gun

www.handmadecharlotte.com

Party Hats Pom Poms Acrylic Paint

www.tellloveandparty.com

Method Inflate the balloon. Rest in a bowl to help keep it stable as you use mod podge and newspaper strips to cover it.

When it is dry, cut* around the tied end of the balloon, making a small neat opening (for filling). Save the little circle disc you’ve cut out for reattaching later.

Cut ear shapes out of the carboard and glue them onto the paper mache. Paint the mache to look like a cheetah.

Cut a very small hole at the top of the mache. Feed the rope through to the hole at the base, then tie a knot so that it cannot exit the top hole.

Fill the pinata with lollies and small prizes. Glue the disc back into the base of the cheetah. You can glue ribbon onto the patch to help disguise it. *Parental help required.

32 Winter Part II 2020 | www.pakmag.com.au

Method You can either buy party hats or create your own.

To make your own, cut a circle in large thick paper/ cardboard. Then cut a narrow triangle from the outside of a section of the circle to the centre. Fold the paper to make a cone shape by overlapping the two corners of the triangle, either gluing or stapling it together. Cut two small holes on either side of the base of the hat and tie the elastic string between them.

To create the dots in the image, place a small round sponge into paint, then stamp onto the hat. Use the hot glue gun to stick pom poms around the base of the hat.

You can make these before your party for all of your guests or make it a fun activity to do with them during the party and your guests can personalise them.

www.handmadecharlotte.com

Craft

www.chalkacademy.com

Rainbow Party Cups

3D Cupcake Birthday Cards

What You Need

What You Need Craft glue White pom poms

Cardboard Cotton balls Cupcake baking liners Craft glue

Method Cut the pipe cleaners into different lengths for the rainbow. They don’t have to be perfectly even because the pom poms will cover the ends.

Scissors Ruler Tooth picks Yellow paper

www.chalkacademy.com

www.handmadecharlotte.com

Rainbow coloured pipe cleaners Paper cups Hot glue gun

Method Cut a rectangle piece of cardboard out to whatever size you want. Use the ruler to measure them out evenly before cutting.

Bend the pipe cleaners into the rainbow shape, according to the picture. To do this, bend the purple pipe cleaner into a small arch. Then bend the dark blue pipe cleaner on top of it, and so on. Use the glue to stick the rainbow on each cup.

Fold the cupcake liners in half, tucking in the edges to form a C shape. Glue the cotton balls onto the cardboard, then glue the cupcake liner over half or two thirds of the balls.

Take two or three white pom poms and glue them around the base of the rainbow, covering the ends of the pipe cleaners. These will be the clouds.

Glue a toothpick onto the cardboard as the candle.

Cut a flame out of the yellow paper and glue this above the toothpick.

Fill the cups with your favourite party snacks!

To go a step further, cut a rectangle out of the yellow paper that fits into the middle of the cardboard.

Glue the paper onto the other side of the cardboard and write a special message on it!

You can use these for a lolly buffet or even as your guests’ take home party favour.

www.pakmag.com.au | Winter Part II 2020 33

Massive 13th Birthday Giveaway!

Visit www.pakmag.com.au/win for your chance to win!

1

2

5 4

1. Pop the Pig - $39.95 - www.crownandandrews.com - Pop! The Pig keeps everyone on their toes. Simply spin the die, pop a hamburger into the pig’s mouth, and if he eats too much, he will suddenly pop! Suitable for 2-6 players aged 4+ 2. Spaza’s Set of Four Food Covers - $49.00 - www.buxtonhanley.com Spaza, a range of plastic-free breathable covers for food that are reusable, machine washable, and will adjust to cover different sizes and shapes of dishes.

3. Click A Tree - $36.50 per tree - www.clickatree.com - “Trees for entrepreneurs” is a unique project by Click A Tree in Central Ghana. Every planted tree supports the local entrepreneurship school. Trees fight climate change, create habitat for endangered animal species and jobs for local communities. 4. High Chair Food Catcher and Tipper Toy Mat - $100.00 - www.mummaslittlehelpers.com.au - The High Chair Food Catcher solves meal time messes when feeding baby and is waterproof and machine washable for your convenience. The Tipper Toy Mat is great for quickly packing toys back into the box. There is no drawstring which means this mat is safe at all times when baby is around. 5. Young Living’s Lavender Calming Bath Bombs - $42.60 - www.youngliving.com.au - Made with lavender essential oil, renowned for its soothing and calming aroma, make these perfect for unwinding after a long day.

34 Winter Part II 2020 | www.pakmag.com.au

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6. AirFly Pro - $89.95 - www.jbhifi.com.au - A wireless headphone adapter that lets you use your favorite wireless headphones in places that only have a headphone jack - like airplanes and treadmills. AirFly Pro lets two people listen to the same soundtrack, podcast, or music with their favorite headphones. 7. Baby Mealtimes Subscription - $99.00 - www.babymealtimes.com.au - Baby Mealtimes is an online subscription used by parents who are feeling overwhelmed by introducing their baby to solid foods. Dr Kyla, paediatric dietitian, supports you to introduce your baby to the world of food through photos, videos and Q&A. 8. Capilano Choc Honey Pack (Choc Honey, Manuka MGO 100+, Low GI Honey and Phoebee soft toy) - $57 per pack - www.woolworths.com.au - Capilano Choc Honey is great on sandwiches, in milkshakes and smoothies, as icing on baked goods, or even as a snack straight off the spoon! 9. Project PARGO - 950ml Insulated Water Bottle & 355mL Insulated Cup - $79.00 www.projectpargo.com - Every PARGO provides a person in need access to clean water for 5+ years. 10. Globber OneK E-Motion - $400 - www.globber.com.au This award-winning scooter can reach 12kms/hr. Simply start scooting as you normally would and the motor will kick in, allowing you to enjoy the ride. This scooter comes with both a rear brake and an E-ABS brake, making it really safe. Perfect for kids 8+ right through to teens (up to 50kgs). www.pakmag.com.au | Winter Part II 2020 35

Education

Classrooms of the Future STORY Sarah Rowan, Head of Junior School – Peace Lutheran College Long gone are the ‘chalk and talk’ days that framed old ideas of teaching and learning. Today’s schools are focused on designing and providing the best possible environments for successful learning.

When parents think ‘classroom,’ our minds often think back to the old days of sitting in rows at individual desks, facing the front and letting the teacher fill us with knowledge. Then we sat an exam to test our recall skills.

However, modern research and observations of the way students learn show us that this is no longer considered best practice.

Understanding how children learn has inspired many administrators to rethink and redesign classrooms. Learning in the 21st century is underpinned by teaching methods and spaces that are engaging and challenge our traditional view on classroom teaching and learning. Referred to as flexible learning, it uses spaces and evolving pedagogies to provide environments for creative and energised students and teachers.

Karl Fisch, who was behind the video Shift Happens, states that, “We are currently preparing students for

jobs that don’t exist, using technologies that haven’t been invented, in order to solve problems we don’t even know are problems yet.”

If this is true then it is reasonable to say that the way children are being educated now should be very different to how it was done in the past. Schools for tomorrow need to be focusing on core skills for life: collaboration, creativity, critical thinking and communication.

Flexible classroom environments are outfitted with appropriate furniture that allows teachers and students to adopt Professor David Thornburg’s archetypal learning spaces, such as:

The "Campfire" A space where students can gather to learn from an expert or guru.

The "Cave" A quiet and reflective space where students can activate their diffuse thinking and shift their learning from external knowledge to internal belief.

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Education

The "Watering Hole" An informal space where students can collaborate, as well as share both information and discoveries.

They can bounce off each other, thereby it serves as an incubator for ideas.

These are all different ‘zones’ that have specific displays or purposes within flexible classroom models.

In a typical flexible classroom, you could expect to find: • Students who are active participants in their learning rather than passive vessels, who are challenged to think and do more.

In his study, Herman Miller (2008) revealed that “Giving people some control over their surroundings adds to their sense of well-being.” (www.Psychologytoday. com). Barrett Et Al. (2015) also supports that 28 per cent of classroom design factors that drive student engagement also relate to ownership and flexibility.

Technology plays an integral part in the success of these modern learning spaces, with interactive whiteboards, iPads and laptops all being common place. With new advances in technology, new opportunities for engagement and learning are created. Augmented and virtual reality tools are already available to students, enabling them to experience looking at the Mona Lisa in the Louvre from their classroom in Cairns, fly through the Amazon Rainforest or engage in a submarine expedition.

• A design that promotes a sense of enquiry, wonder and excitement.

• Teachers delivering flexible lesson content in either lecture-style, group-style, presentation-style or activity-style.

• Moveable desks and furniture that accommodates different needs and different activities.

• Areas that promote student and teacher communication and collaboration.

These classrooms provide students with a choice of where they undertake their learning tasks. Stadium seating, community booths and standing desks enhance connectedness.

Movable furniture such as wobble stools, ottomans and carpet mats provide students with the sensory input they need without distracting themselves or others from learning.

In a research study by Castellucci, Arezes, Molenbroek, de Bruin and Viviani (2016), it was found that characteristics such as high furniture, sit-stand furniture, tilt tables and seats had up to a 64 per cent positive effect on students’ physical responses and/or their performance The benefit of a flexible classroom is its ability to provide an environment where students are motivated to do their best work and allows them to express their knowledge in diverse ways; an environment that has been strategically built and designed to promote curiosity and one that offers students the freedom to engage with content in the way that suits them best.

Each child has their own strengths and limitations, so a flexible model seeks to allow a ‘way in’ for every student - one that they may not have had in a more traditionally designed classroom.

38 Winter Part II 2020 | www.pakmag.com.au

Schools that wish to provide classrooms of the future will need to be constantly evolving to embrace these changes.

It is suggested that today’s learners will have between 10 to 14 jobs before they reach the age of 40. Take a step back in time… the first text message was sent in 1992, today the number of text messages sent and received each day exceeds the world’s population. There are 600 tweets sent per second. If Facebook was a country it would be the third largest in relation to population size. So with this in mind, just what are the future possibilities? Who knows how much schools will have to change as we head into the unknown possibilities the world will present to us.

The introduction of flexible classrooms in relation to space is just the first step, closely followed by flexibility in pedagogy, understanding and assessment, presentation of knowledge and the development of core skills.

Schools will need to continue adopting best practice by analysing research from around the world and constantly adapting their learning environments.

This will ensure that every student has the opportunity to do their absolute best.

Explore

32 of the Best Camping Spots in North Queensland After so many weeks of being stuck at home, many of us can’t wait to take our families on an adventure.

One of the best things about living in North Queensland is that you don’t have to travel far to find an amazing camping spot. We are truly spoilt for choice; choose to camp on the beach and wake up to a sunrise over the ocean, sleep under the rainforest canopy in the Daintree or opt for a farm stay experience to see a different side of life. There isn’t much in life that beats going to sleep beneath the tropical night sky and waking up in paradise. Here are some of North Queensland’s best camping spots.

Cairns and Surrounds

9. Russell Island, Frankland Islands – Bush camping is

1. Daintree Rainforest Village – Camp in one of the

available on High and Russell Islands, both of which are part of the Frankland Islands group.

most beautiful areas in the world, in the middle of the Daintree Rainforest.

2. Ellis Beach – North of Palm Cove, Ellis Beach offers a location relatively close to Cairns while not being too touristy.

3. Lake Tinaroo – A number of campsites are available around the lake. If you love watersports, you’ll love Lake Tinaroo. Lake Tinaroo Holiday park is a great option if you don’t want to rough it too much!

4. Granite Gorge Nature Park - just 12 Kilometres from Mareeba, relax in self-contained cabins or comfortable bush camping sites and explore their trails amongst the huge boulder landscape and handfeed a wild colony of Mareeba rock wallabies.

5. Eureka Creek, Dimbulah – Free camping area beside Eureka Creek.

6. Upper Davies Creek, Tablelands – Offering camping spots along Davies Creek in tall open forest, great for swimming.

7. Woodleigh Station, Ravenshoe – Sitting on the border of civilisation and the outback, camp on a working cattle farm at Woodleigh Station.

8. Undara Lava Tubes – Explore a delicate ecosystem.

The lava tubes were created when lava spilled through into the river many years ago, making for a spectacular sight to see.

40 Winter Part II 2020 | www.pakmag.com.au

10. Babinda Boulders, Babinda – Free camp area located near the beautiful Babinda Boulders, ideal for swimming.

11. Malanda Falls – Malanda Falls Caravan Park is located right by the beautiful Malanda Falls and fringed by rainforest.

12. King Reef Resort, Kurrimine Beach – Camp in a stunning location just steps from the beautiful Kurrimine Beach.

Townsville and Surrounds 13. Wallaman Falls – Camp nearby the spectacular Wallaman Falls, Australia’s highest permanent singledrop waterfall. Adjacent to Stoney Creek, which is great for swimming.

14. Crystal Creek – A gorgeous camping spot in the middle of the rainforest, popular for swimming.

15. Lake Paluma – Lake Paluma is a drinking water storage and offers unique opportunities in a diverse rainforest environment.

16. Balgal Beach, Rollingstone – This free beachside camping area is located next to an estuary, popular for fishing.

17. Magnetic Island – camping at Bungalow Bay Koala Village offers the perfect base to explore Magnetic Island. Spend your days snorkelling, lazing by the beach, spotting koalas or hiking.

18. Saunders Beach, Bluewater – A small beachfront camping area north of Townsville. There is a playground nearby.

19. Keelbottom Creek, Hervey Range – Camp beside a creek lined with paperbark trees, providing plenty of shade.

20. Alligator Creek – Alligator Creek has it all, from gorgeous views to swimming spots and camping, too.

21. Broadwater Creek – This camping area provides a large, open grassy setting surrounded by tall, open eucalypt forests.

Mackay and Whitsundays 22. Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island – Camp at one of the most beautiful beaches in the world – the dreamy Whitehaven Beach, which has some of the whitest sand in the world.

23. Oh Deere Farm Stay – Stay on a beautiful working cane farm and learn all about sugar cane farming.

24. Cape Palmerston – Cape Palmerston Holiday Park is adjacent to a secluded beach, providing a unique getaway isolated from the hustle and bustle of the city. Spend your time away exploring the national park.

25. St Helen’s Beach – Camp on a beachfront location at the beautiful St Helen’s Beach. picnic tables, barbecues and fireplaces are available for use, as well as toilet and shower facilities.

26. Lake Elphinstone – A free campground great for boating, fishing and bird watching.

27. Keswick Island – Camp on a gorgeous island surrounded by beautiful flora and fauna.

28. Smalley’s Beach, Cape Hillsborough – A shady campsite just a stone’s throw from the beach. Keep your eyes peeled for wallabies and kangaroos.

29. Ball Bay Camping Ground, Cape Hillsborough – Offering secluded camping on a small grassy campground, with the beach close by.

30. Broken River, Eungella – Camp by the gorgeous riverside. You may even be able to spot a platypus!

31. Orkabie Downs, Sarina – Spend the night at a family owned working cattle farm. Give the kids a taste of the farm life by helping collect the eggs and feed the chickens, pig and sheep.

32. BIG4 Whitsundays Tropical Eco Resort – Only a few minutes’ drive from Airlie Beach, this location offers a swimming pool, obstacle course, jumping pillow, kids’ playground and regular family friendly activities.

Camping Tips Pack for all kinds of weather. Ahh, North Queensland – a place where it can be bucketing rain, and clear blue skies ten minutes later. Bring a variety of clothes, including rain gear, jumpers and singlets.

Before you leave home, check the park alerts. Closures are sometimes in place, and weather conditions (such as lots of rain or fire risk) can make camping potentially dangerous.

Check the www.parks.des.qld.gov.au website for the latest information. You can also check www.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au for traffic info and www.bom.gov.au for weather info.

www.pakmag.com.au | Winter Part II 2020 41

Advertorial

What is a Grammar Education?

Developing young people of character - beginning in Pre-Prep and Prep.

Children as young as four years of age can begin their learning journey at Townsville Grammar School and start receiving the benefits of a Grammar education.

The Pre-Prep and Prep programs are designed to give children a strong foundation to learning which supports them throughout their schooling years.

What is a Grammar Education?

Townsville Grammar School has a long-standing reputation as the leading academic school in North Queensland, however, the Grammar experience is far wider, with academic learning as the foundation.

Principal of Townsville Grammar School, Mr Timothy Kelly, said Grammar Schools offer a particular style of education that focuses on values and developing young people of character - young people who are encouraged and supported to strive for personal best, and who develop a mindset of service and giving back.

Personal Best “We use the term “personal best” because it encapsulates our Grammar experience,” said Mr Kelly.

“Personal best means something different to every child, and does not mean getting an A. It is a mindset of always striving to do your best, which is an attitude that is vital in all facets of life."

“We are focused on educating our students in a culture that is values-based, where respect for others and respect for self is paramount,” said Mr Kelly. “Our students know they are supported and encouraged every day to try their best, to learn from mistakes and to celebrate their wins. In doing so we are developing young people of character, which is what a Grammar education strives to achieve.”

Benefits of Starting at Grammar in Pre-Prep and Prep Starting early sets the foundation for the Grammar approach to teaching and learning – where the concept of striving for personal best begins. Children in Pre-Prep and Prep are the youngest Grammarians – they wear the uniform, they join in wider school events and develop an early understanding of the culture and values of Grammar. Children also benefit from the successful Pre-Prep transition program, ensuring they are ready and confident to start Prep in a familiar environment.

Want to Know More?

We have several opportunities to experience and visit our Junior Schools in Term 3 – see our advertisement.

Parents are welcome at any time to book a personal family tour of our Junior School Campuses at Annandale and North Shore.

www.pakmag.com.au | Winter Part II 2020 43

Expert Advice

The PakMag Experts Cassandra Chiesa

Dr Ramaa Puvvadi

Helping Hands - Hand, Wrist & Arm Clinic

Townsville Paediatrics

Dear Cassandra, What services are covered by the NDIS?

Dear Dr Puvvadi, My child has been coughing more than usual lately. When should I be concerned?

If you are experiencing any pain or functional loss of your arm or hand/s then our specialised team of hand therapists are here to help. We work with you or your support person to identify which of your goals on your NDIS plan would benefit from our individualised assessment and treatment plans. We can help NDIS participants by treating upper limb joint pain, joint contracture and spasticity management including serial splinting/ casting, pre/post Botulinum Toxin A (BoNT-A) treatment, strengthening grip, and improving fine motor skills, to help work towards living a more independent life.

Cough is a protective reflex to clear the airways. Cough affects about 30% of children at any given time with majority occurring due to respiratory tract infections. Coughs are expected to resolve in 1-3 weeks following most respiratory illnesses. When a cough is dry or brief without respiratory distress or feeding difficulties, no further treatment is required.

4755 2337 www.helpinghandsclinic.com.au

4427 5817 www.townsvillepaediatrics.com.au

Further investigations and/or treatment is required when there is any respiratory distress or cough is moist for greater than 4 weeks, does not respond to treatment, if the child has a fever, feeding difficulties or noisy breathing.

Matthew Calanna

Jana Gorski

Calanna Whole Health Pharmacy

Naturopath - Calanna Whole Health Pharmacy

Dear Matthew,

Dear Jana,

I have a lot of bloating and I’m going to the toilet a lot. How can I get to the ‘bottom’ of this?

I suffer from heartburn and have been taking antacids for years but I’m concerned about their long-term effects. Are there any alternatives?

The digestive system has many functions and works with our gut bacteria. Together, they absorb nutrients from our food, excrete wastes, defend against pathogens and support our immune system. Issues can present as symptoms such as changes in bowel habits, bloating, abdominal pain, heartburn, vomiting and nausea.

Firstly, see your GP about any concerns you may have.

Our naturopaths are also available to support your gut health and provide diet and lifestyle advice to assist your gut health and provide a personalised approach to improving your health and wellbeing.

Antacids are effective in neutralising gastric acid and therefore your symptoms but they also interfere with your absorption of minerals and neutralise digestive enzymes which help you break down your food.

A tablespoon of Mario’s Slippery Elm powder in 200mL of water after meals may provide you with relief. Make sure you take any medications you are on at least one hour before taking Slippery Elm. Digestive enzymes may also be beneficial. Ask your Naturopath or Nutritionist to recommend a suitable product.

Calanna Whole Health Pharmacy www.calannapharmacy.com.au

Calanna Whole Health Pharmacy www.calannapharmacy.com.au

www.pakmag.com.au | Winter Part II 2020 47

Advertorial

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www.pakmag.com.au | Winter Part II 2020 49