Kids on the Coast Magazine - Gold Coast - Issue 54

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

ISSUE 54 January/February 2015 GOLD COAST

WIN 2KOOL4SKOOL PACKS

Back to school!

G re et a t sc dy ing ho fo ol r

Don’t forget!

A handy checklist

d

R ai

s ig ing he ita a al lly t ch h ild y

The bell’s rung...

Now what?

Year 7

in detail

54 Contents ISSUE

January/February 2015

WIN

4

FROM THE EDITOR

6

THE SOCIAL GATHERING

8

WHAT’S NEWS

10 FEATURE: Raising a digitally healthy child 14 EDUCATION: On track for school success 18 CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Find out what’s happening on the Coast during January & February 20 CHECK THIS OUT

PACKS From our cover shoot*

22 THE P FILES: Helping your child prepare for school 26 TEENS: A Flying Start for Queensland students 28 SPECIAL FEATURE: Back to school checklist

Avril, 4yrs

32 CONVERSATION: Meet Morgan Parker 34 REVIEWS

School supplies 2Kool 4Skool www. 2kool4skool.com.au

Socks & boots Dance Edge Studios www.danceedgestudioscom.au

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS: SANDRA SMITH, MAXINE ARTHUR, DR KELLY BOWERS, RACHEL DOWNIE, NATASHA HIGGINS COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: VERVE PORTRAITS Printed with vegetable/soy based inks on paper supplied using pulp sourced from sustainable forests and manufactured to environmentally accredited systems.

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. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

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mother

WELCOME Can you believe it’s 2015 already? We welcome you to an INCREDIBLE new year and hope you had a wonderful Christmas and time over the past few weeks to relax, unwind and enjoy time with family and friends.

mothe

kids on the coast | in th

MEDIA PUBLISHED BY

The summer school holidays still have some time to run, and I’m sure by now your kids will have played with their new toys and maybe made a fort or an art masterpiece out of the boxes and packaging that came with their Christmas gifts. If you’re running out of ideas for activities to do over the rest of the holidays turn to our calendar in the centre pages for heaps of inspiration. You may even find something for the kids to do while you can relax.

Remember also to take a look at the summer eGuide on our website which has even more great events and activities listed (and some yummy iceblock recipes for you to try!).

Mother Goose Media PTY LTD PO Box 491, Eumundi QLD 4562 PHONE: 1300 430 320 FAX: 07 5442 7253 ABN: 86 473 357 391 WEB: www.mothergoosemedia.com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au

EDITORIAL / PRODUCTION PUBLISHER: Toni Eggleston

It’s also time to start thinking about getting the kids – and yourself – ready for heading back to school. For some this will mean going back to the same school to reconnect with friends and teachers; for others this year may mean starting a new school or perhaps starting school for the first time.

EDITOR IN CHIEF/DIGITAL EDITOR: Carolyn Tate

We've put together a great collection of back-to-school articles, with pages of invaluable tips for helping your child prepare for school, helping them settle in and then staying on track once the school year starts. There’s something for even the most seasoned school mum! I know I’m about to start working my way down the back-to-school checklist in our special feature section to get my daughters ready for school this year.

SOCIAL MEDIA: Eva Lewis

Our back-to-school buying guide features the latest school essentials you and your child will love, with plenty of fun, functional and affordable products from the coolest lunch boxes and laces to stylish and colourful supplies.

All editorial and advertising in Kids on the Coast and Kids in the City publications are published in good faith based on material, verbal or written, provided by contributors and advertisers. No responsibility is taken for errors or omissions and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. All material in Kids on the Coast is subject to copyright provisions.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Feedback/ comments/suggestions? Send to: editorial@ mothergoosemedia.com.au. We aim to reply to all correspondence but don’t guarantee to do so. Letters to the editor may be edited for length or clarity.

With the start of a new year, it’s a good time to review the ever-present discussion on our kids’ use of digital technology. We investigate the ins and outs of raising a digitally healthy child. Are your kids spending too much time on digital media? We take a look at the recommended limits and what you can do to ensure the safest and healthiest use of technology for your kids while still ensuring they benefit from the latest technology around us.

With Year 7 set to become part of high school in 2015, we’ve put together some useful notes on how the new system is set to work to help allay any fears at this important time.

We would love to hear what you think. All of our articles are online and we welcome you to comment and discuss the topics on our website and Facebook page. We add topical news stories daily as well as blogs, new articles and reviews on products, movies, books and apps.

Do you have something that you want to share? Please feel free to contact our team via Facebook.com/ kidsonthecoast, our website or email. Don’t forget to sign up for our What’s On eNews that comes out weekly at www.kidsonthecoast.com.au.

PRINT EDITOR: Natasha Higgins ADMIN: admin@mothergoosemedia.com.au PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT: Alana Falk production@mothergoosemedia.com.au GRAPHIC DESIGN: Michelle Craik & Alana Falk PRINTING: Print Works, 07 3865 4433

DISTRIBUTION Distributed directly to parenting hotspots across South East Queensland.

Kids on the Coast (Gold Coast edition) is a free publication circulating over 18,000 copies from Tweed Heads to Coomera, including hinterland.

Separate editions cover Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

Enjoy the rest of the summer break and see you again in March!

Natasha Higgins, Editor

WIN

Kids in the City (Brisbane edition) is a free publication circulating over 20,000 copies from North Lakes to Springwood and covering all suburbs to Jindalee.

Kids on the Coast (Sunshine Coast edition) is a free publication circulating over 20,000 copies from Caloundra to Noosa, including hinterland.

For distribution enquiries phone: 1300 430 320 or email: admin@mothergoosemedia.com.au

ADVERTISING Call 1300 430 320 or email your Sales Account Manager.

GOLD COAST Nicole - gc@kidsonthecoast.com.au

PACKS From our cover shoot*

BRISBANE Joanne - advertising@kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au SUNSHINE COAST Jo - advertising@kidsonthecoast.com.au

To enter visit: www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

* Each prize pack includes a pencil case and an assortment or pencils, pens and stationery supplies.

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

- on the coast

- in the city www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

5

The social gathering Daily conversation, inspiration and information

Kids on the Coast Magazine - Gold Coast

@kidsonthecoast

kidsonthecoast_goldocoast

Let's get

SOCIAL in 2015!

FACEBOOK Do you have a question? Let our community offer their help and advice.

If we find something funny, we'll share and make you laugh. Memes, quotes, links to cool websites - we'll have it all! And we want to hear from you too.

Share your pics, your stories and help other parents by answering their questions or simply just share a message of support.

Because we hear you. "It takes a village to raise a child"

INSTAGRAM We'd love to see what you're up to on Instagram.

Hashtag #kidsonthecoastmagazine and you could feature in our next issue.

PINTEREST We've been busy pinning away... arts, crafts, ideas, words and everything else we find that we just love - and think you will too!

Visit www.pinterest.com/kidsonthecoast

Visit our website

We want to meet you so let's get social

KIDS on the Coast/in the City

issuu.com/kidsonthecoastmagazine

{From our blog…}

Family fun in Caloundra

By Toni Eggleston I'd heard a lot about Oaks Oasis Resort Oaks Oasis Re – word travels fast when a local resort sort has the ultimate water park, not to mention the fact that you can buy a day pass that will keep your kids entertained for the entire day. I was curious to see what all the hype was about, so I paid a visit – just me and my three kids.

I was pleasantly surprised when I got to Oaks, feeling as if I'd stepped in to an overseas, tropical oasis-style resort, set with beautiful palm trees dotting the grounds.

The room was so comfortable and, above all, CLEAN. That is a holiday in itself for me! Just being able to walk from one area to another, no school uniforms on the floor, no dirty dishes .

I envisioned a late, leisurely stroll to breakfast, but instead, my lot were up ready to hit the buffet at 6am. Nothing speaks 'holiday' like a buffet breakfast, but this buffet breakfast's highlight was their super-duper, whiz-bang, pancake machine.

The millisecond [the waterpark] opened, the pancakes were ditched, and the kids made a run for the gate. [My teenage daughter] enjoyed it just as much as the little ones, lounging around reading her book, listening to music and drinking slushies while the younger two were in water park heaven.

I would definitely recommend Oaks Oasis if you’re heading to the Sunshine Coast or if you're a local and just want to feel like you're on holidays – either to stay or for a day visit to the water park.

To read Toni’s blog post in full, visit www.kidsonthecoast.com.au /_blog/Our_Blog/post/family-fun-in-caloundra

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www.kidsonthecoast.com.au Join with us online – we are more than a magazine!

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

There are always great prizes on our website.

Visit to enter. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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Whatsnews DID Stay up to date with your local community news. If you have any unique news that you’d like to share, please contact our editor at editorial@kidsonthecoast.com.au

Visit our website for more news, www.kidsonthecoast.com.au/news

NEW COMMISSION GETS FAMILIES TALKING

Being a parent is one of the most rewarding and challenging roles in life. New research has revealed more than half of Queensland parents struggle to cope with the stress of raising children but more than 90 per cent of them do not regularly ask for help. The Queensland Family and Child Commission, established on 1 July, has launched Talking Families to encourage families to have honest conversations about the pressures they face and to seek and accept help. Steve Armitage of the Queensland Family and Child Commission said research showed struggling parents were reluctant to speak out for pride or fear of being judged as a bad parent. “We want parents to know they do not always have to put on a brave face. Everyone struggles from time to time. It is okay to talk about problems and ask for help,” Mr Armitage said. For more information, visit talkingfamilies.qld.gov.au

WEATHER FLUCTUATIONS CAN WORSEN ASTHMA

New research has found that unstable weather can adversely affect the respiratory health of children with asthma. The study conducted in Australia with 270 children across major cities found that increased differences between the highest and lowest temperatures in a day led to reduced lung function and worsened respiratory symptoms in children with asthma. National Asthma Council Australia director Associate Professor Janet Rimmer says this research indicates that it is important and necessary to protect children with asthma from the problematic consequences of unstable weather. Have your lungs checked by your GP to make sure you’re as healthy as possible, and let them know if you think weather changes or thunderstorms affect your asthma. Use your preventer medication every day, if prescribed, even when you are feeling well, and ensure you have an up-to-date written asthma action plan from your GP so you know what to do if your asthma flares up. For more information, visit www.nationalasthma.org.au 8

Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

YOU

KNOW THE HUMAN BODY CONTAINS A TINY AMOUNT OF

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Sloths are clumsy on land but are very good swimmers.

THE GOLD COAST HAS THE LARGEST PROFESSIONAL LIFE GUARD SERVICE IN THE COUNTRY.

THE TRICKIEST TONGUE TWISTER IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE IS

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The Gold Coast is the sixth largest city in Australia – and is larger than two capital cities.

GOLD COAST TEEN WINS GUITAR PRIZE

Eighteen-year-old Frank Swaby from Bonagin, west of Tallebudgera Valley, has won the Queensland-wide Regional Song Contest guitar prize.

An acoustic guitar, valued at over $1600, was presented to Frank by Al Buchan, the founder and director of fRETfEST. Teenagers from all across Queensland submitted songs for consideration in the inaugural Queensland Regional Song Contest. Guitar Brothers supplied the prize, a Maton SRS60 guitar, and winner Frank quickly got accustomed to it before stepping on stage for the first time at fRETfEST to play one of his originals. “This is a beautiful guitar and one that I really need,” said Frank. This was a valuable win for Frank because he broke his own guitar recently. Frank has been playing for about seven years now, mainly with mates with whom he bounces around song ideas. Although he has just graduated with a graphic arts diploma, Frank is keen to pursue music as a career. His interest is in indie/alt genres, with some leanings to the odd pop song. “I might do some freelance graphics work but music is my passion,” he said. “I look forward to learning from Al and other fRETfEST mentors as well as the others. I’m keen to mingle with like-minded peers.”

SEND YOUR KIDS ON A READING QUEST THIS SUMMER Each year, Gold Coast Libraries run a summer reading program to encourage kids to develop a love of reading and to help them keep their reading skills in tip-top shape over the summer break. These school holidays, kids can join in the Summer Reading Quest and head off on a reading adventure, with the extra incentive of some awesome prizes provided by Angus & Robertson at Southport Park. The Summer Reading Quest runs from 12 December to 16 January. Take your kids into your local branch library so they can collect their very own passport and start their summer reading quest to success! For more information, please speak to the staff at your local branch library or go online www.summerreadingclub.org.au to play games and competitions where you can win great prizes, read book raves, and chat with other book lovers. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

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FEATURE

Raising a digitally healthy child

by Sandra Smith

CHILDREN ARE GROWING UP WITH TECHNOLOGY AT THEIR FINGERTIPS AND IT IS NOW A FUNDAMENTAL PART OF DAILY LIFE FOR MOST FAMILIES. NEW TECHNOLOGIES ARE EMERGING AT A BREATHTAKING RATE AND IT’S EASY FOR PARENTS TO FEEL EXCLUDED FROM OUR CHILDREN’S DIGITAL WORLD. Our role as parents is to help children navigate the complex media landscape and have a positive experience in this digital age. If we are open to the changes and keep the lines of communication open, we can help children avoid the pitfalls and enjoy the best of what technology offers.

HEALTHY SCREEN HABITS

The guidelines for healthy screen use are simple – no more than one hour a day for preschoolers and no more than two hours a day for school age children up to 18 years old.

However, according to the Raising Children Network, the average young person in Australia consumes almost five hours of media in a typical day. This includes television, internet, computer games, videos and mobile phones.

Quirky Kid Clinic principal child psychologist Kimberley O’Brien says physical exercise and time outdoors is much more important than screen time. She says children who stay up late and have unmonitored social networking time don’t perform as well in the classroom and then have social issues at school.

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

“When you look at kids that do a lot more outdoor activities than socialising online, they look physically healthier, they have more energy and they’re more socially confident,” she says.

Kimberley advises parents to be on the same page first and to set a good example with their own use of digital technology before having a family meeting to set agreed limits. She advises parents to be prepared and to think about what the desired screen time for their children might be, whether it will be before or after school and how that might fit into the family’s routine.

Some parents may lock their kids out of all internet access during the week and then allow a little internet time on the weekend.

Others will allow internet access for the household between 7pm and 9pm and then switch it off.

“Negotiate a little bit with the kids when they are, say, 10 and above, but otherwise setting limits and expectations of what they won’t be doing during their time is better than discovering it at a later date,” she says.

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

FEATURE

Grace understands that the time will come when she will have to relax the rules and not shelter her children from technology, but she says that time will be later. For now, minimal screen time at home, coupled with educational technology use at school, is sufficient for this family.

“In relation to other technology, I just don’t see at the moment that they have a need for it,” she says. “We don’t have lots of money to splash around and I don’t parent out of guilt. They don’t need that to make me feel like I’m a good parent.”

While removing the television from the house may seem too radical a shift for some, parents can set clear limits on usage and provide children with opportunities for outdoor play and sport instead.

If we are open to the changes and keep the lines of communication open, we can help children avoid the pitfalls and enjoy the best of what technology offers.

TURNING OFF THE TELEVISION

Most modern families couldn’t imagine life without a television, but when mother-of-two Grace moved from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast with her family two years ago, she and her husband opted to go without a television in their new house. Prior to the move, Grace often used the television as a babysitter for the children, but she realised that this had to change.

“It seemed like watching television ate into so much time that could be spent doing something that was more wholesome and beneficial for every person in the family and every relationship in the family,” she says.

The children, who were both under five, initially went through a phase of not knowing what to do and they had to learn how to play together without conflict. “For the first eight weeks it was really tough, because I didn’t know how to parent without a television,” Grace admits.

The television was later set up in a tin shed on the property, with strict rules regarding usage. The kids, who are now aged six and five, watch less than 20 minutes of television per day during the week and about an hour a day on the weekends.

Instead of relying on screens, the children have Lego and a craft table, and they make their own fun with role-play and imaginative games.

They enjoy an old-fashioned childhood on their acreage property, with lots of outdoor play and very little technology in their lives.

Removing the television from the house has been beneficial for the whole family, and Grace says their communication has improved. They talk to each other more instead of “just plonking down in front of the telly”.

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

BEING SOCIAL MEDIA SAVVY TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM RISKS

Kimberley advises parents to put messages about cyber safety in place early, when children are at primary school. The parent and child should explore some of the different social networking sites together that the child may be interested in. If children are well informed, they will be better equipped to manage any issues when they get online.

The legal age for some social network services is 13, however children as young as 8 are using social networks such as YouTube and Facebook. This is worrying, because underage users don’t have the skills or life experience to manage the risks.

Kimberley advises parents to stick to the minimum age guidelines for Facebook. She says that if the rules are bent for social networking, then it’s likely that everything else will have to be negotiated from that point onward.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) reports that children aged 8 to 11 mainly use social network sites to play games, while children aged 12 to 17 will post comments, send private or public messages, post status updates or group chat.

According to the ACMA, the most common risky behaviour for children online is looking for new friends or adding unknown people to their friends list or address book. This can result in online chats or sharing photos and videos with someone they have never met face-to-face.

Proper supervision of young children will help prevent risky behaviours and exposure to unsafe material. Kimberley says that there can be issues when there is inadequate parental supervision, and she recommends restricting any screen use to the public space such as the lounge room.

She warns that there are risks for young children who use unsupervised social media in the bedroom and this needs to be taken seriously by parents. She cites an example of an eight-yearold girl who was approached and coerced by an online predator while she was using an iPad in her room.

“It’s exposing kids to something that they don’t need to be exposed to and they shouldn’t be exposed to,” Kimberley says.

“We’re supposed to be forward-thinking parents and have kids that are techno-savvy, but it’s so important not to let that slide and not to be too relaxed about it.”

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

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FEATURE

TEENS AND TECHNOLOGY

There are new challenges for parents as they help teens navigate through the complicated world of social media. Local mum Simone says it’s important to communicate with your kids about social media as much as possible, to show them that you’re interested and to be there for them if an issue arises.

“I've always been fairly social media savvy, so I was one of those naughty parents who allowed them to have Facebook pages and Instagram from a fairly young age. I'm glad I did though, as the novelty has worn off in a sense, and I set the rules very early,” says Simone. “Even now, I have all passwords and am able to log in any time I feel the need. Every so often I do that, and it's no secret to them. I don't read through messages or anything, but I do scan through who they are talking to.”

Simone advises parents to keep up to date with new platforms so they can teach kids acceptable online behaviour. Her three daughters, aged 16, 15 and 14, have learned social media etiquette and they understand that what goes online stays online.

“My kids often show me what other kids have posted, and it shocks them,” she says. “My kids will still ask me before they post a photo, to make sure it's 'social media appropriate'. But there are definitely more concerns as new platforms arise.”

The girls’ internet usage has increased with age, however, and Simone says they now have more purpose. They each have a computer, iPad and Smartphone, which they use for a range of activities, including creative projects and online tutorials.

“My eldest two are very interested in make-up and fashion, and often use their iPads to learn new techniques and will follow it stepby-step. My eldest also loves writing and has her own blog. My youngest has taught herself to play the guitar and keyboard from doing iPad tutorials,” she says. “My kids have made some fantastic film and photo projects, learned music, and they're able to take their passions to the next level, like blogging and learning.”

Simone says there is no point in banning social media, because there are too many ways kids can access it.

“Over the years, we've had kids visit our home, and the ones who aren't allowed social media are the ones wanting to spend the entire time on the computer,” she says. “When parents turn their heads and think their kids aren't using social media, there is no control and no opportunity to teach them what is appropriate and what isn't.”

RESOURCES

Raising Children Network: www.raisingchildren.com.au Australian Communications and Media Authority: www.acma.gov.au Cybersmart: www.cybersmart.gov.au The Easy Guide to Socialising Online: www.cybersafetyhelp.gov.au/easyguide To report offensive or illegal online content, contact the ACMA Hotline at www.acma. gov.au/hotline. If a child or other person is in immediate danger or is at risk of serious harm, call the police on Triple Zero (000).

For access to private psychologists in your area, contact the Australian Psychological Society (APS) on the toll free number 1800 333 497 or conduct your own search on the APS website at www.findapsychologist.org.au.

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

Talk and talk and talk to your kids and don't stick your head in the sand. Help them learn, and you can learn at the same time. Technology is part of the future and it’s not going away.

TEEN SAFETY

When children have a bad experience online, research has found that parents are the main source of advice and support. Up to three quarters of 12- to 17-year-olds have talked to their parents about how to stay safe online, according to the 2013 ACMA report Like, post, share: Young Australians’ experience of social media.

Simone says exclusion and cyber bullying are big issues for teens using electronic media. All three of her daughters have been excluded from events at various times. Her daughter was sad at recently being excluded from a party and was reduced to tears when she later received Snapchat messages from people at the event. Simone sees this as a form of cyber bullying.

While social media has its downside, it also has benefits. Simone believes if parents learned more about it and understood it a little more, there wouldn't be as many issues. She says that like anything in life, kids need our guidance with what is acceptable behaviour.

“Talk and talk and talk to your kids and don't stick your head in the sand,” she says. “Help them learn, and you can learn at the same time. Technology is part of the future and it’s not going away.”

CELEBRATING TECHNOLOGY

While it’s easy to home in on the fear factor, child psychologist Kimberley says there are a lot of positives to the internet that parents and children can celebrate together.

“Parents can help kids to be really well informed and be excited about the benefits of the new technologies,” Kimberley says.

“When you look at all the dangers, it’s easier for parents to just shut down and turn it off and say, 'No, we’ll limit the access', but then I know there are a lot of benefits that go along with it.”

Children learn how to be active researchers; they can look information up on the spot and find answers to anything they need to know. They can talk to family on Skype, connect with friends, send photos and do all sorts of amazing things that expand their social network and sense of community. Kimberley says the screen time just has to be managed.

She advises parents to dedicate time each week to exploring the media with their children, and to use the opportunity to build the parent-child relationship as children enter early adolescence and beyond. She says if parents have a close relationship with their child, then if there is anything unusual, the child can ask.

“If you leave it too late then you might be pushed out of that opportunity. The kids will say, 'No, I don’t want you sitting with me.' So you have to start early and enjoy exploring together,” says Kimberley.

The rapidly changing media landscape may seem confusing for parents, but we have a responsibility to help our children use technology safely and responsibly. Along the way we may learn new skills and gain a better understanding of the ways that technology enriches all our lives.

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

13

EDUCATION

ON TRACK FOR

SCHOOL SUCCESS

by Maxine Arthur ASKING YOUR CHILD ABOUT HIS SCHOOL DAY OFTEN ELICITS “SCHOOL’S OKAY” FOLLOWED BY A HASTY EXIT, ESPECIALLY IF IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT FOR THEM. DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE FINAL SCHOOL REPORT TO DISCOVER YOUR CHILD IS STRUGGLING. Research shows that children do better in school when parents are involved. A wise parent will get on board with the school and present a united front that says to the child, “Your teacher and I are on the same team”. Schools are using increasingly sophisticated and varied means to promote ongoing communication with parents and engage them as partners in their child’s education.

BE AN ACTIVE PARTNER IN YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION The Queensland Department of Education advocates an active partnership between parents and their child’s school stating, “As your child’s first teacher and the person who arguably knows your child best, it is important to talk positively and constructively with the school about your child’s needs, interests, goals and progress.”

Start the new school year on a positive note Establishing contact with your child’s teacher early in the year and maintaining regular open, honest and respectful communication is the key to avoiding the stress that can affect the whole family when a child is struggling to cope in class.

Make early contact with the teacher and set up the best means of ensuring ongoing communication. Most teachers organise a 'meet and greet' session for all parents early in the year to share what your child will be learning (subjects, topics, content) and how they will be learning (classroom activities, processes, technologies). Make a follow-up appointment to discuss any individual concerns or to seek further information.

Use the communication channels set up by the school These may include parent–teacher interviews requested by the school or by you, emails, text messages, telephone calls, newsletters, the school website, the school Facebook page, parent workshops, school assemblies, school diaries or 'keep in touch' books that promote everyday communication. In some schools, students now have their own laptop and teachers email homework to the student.

Support your child, his teacher and the school Indicate to the teacher that you are willing to help in whatever capacity you can; perhaps give a classroom talk on an area of expertise, share skills you have, help with school trips or a school fete, or do something at home.

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

Work with the teacher to help your child meet expectations By working with the teacher, you can help ensure your child meets expectations around homework, behaviour, attendance and a positive attitude towards learning, other students and staff. Parents can help a child with organisational and time management skills as well as talking through school matters at home in a constructive, positive way. You will be helping your child to gradually take on more responsibility and function more independently as he progresses through school, while still giving him the support he needs.

Listen to your child on school matters but keep an open mind Ask questions and encourage your child to suggest possible courses of action. Can he resolve the problem himself? Keep in mind that many day-to-day upsets resolve themselves, however if a problem is serious and ongoing, you may need to contact the teacher to discuss a plan of action. Remember to get both sides of the story before you leap to your child’s defence. Ask, discuss, negotiate and problem solve in a spirit of mutual cooperation.

PLANNING FOR SUCCESS Parent–school communication was a priority for local parents Nicky and Jay when their son Wallace started at his new school, as Wallace found adapting to change difficult when he was younger.

Nicky says that moving interstate to live their dream on the Sunshine Coast was a stressful process in itself but on top of that they had to make an important choice – finding the best school for Wallace, then aged eight and going into grade three.

“My husband and I chose a number of schools to look at, both public and private. We made appointments with the principals to discuss any questions we had. We made it a point to discuss the type of boy Wallace was as I wanted the schools to tell me what they could offer our son when it came to education, sport and general support in not only school matters but any personal issues that may arise. Each child is different, as is each school you look at.

We just needed to find the school that best fitted Wallace’s needs.”

Nicky and Jay asked Wallace to help them make the final choice because they felt it was important for him have a say. Fortunately, all were in favour of the same school.

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

15

EDUCATION “We went with the private school as it was a lot smaller,” says Nicky.

“The school asked a lot of questions about Wallace’s previous years and we had to supply a copy of his school reports as well as letters from previous teachers on Wallace’s attitude and behaviour. Some parents would find this a bit intrusive, but I personally loved the fact that the school took the behaviour of its students very seriously.”

HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY CHILD IS KEEPING UP? Naplan (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) assesses the skills of all state and non-state school students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. The tests measure how well your child is performing against national standards.

School reports from your child’s teacher usually arrive in June and December. These are probably more useful to parents as they give a rounded assessment of how your child is performing over a longer period, and not only academically.

“As your child’s first teacher and the person who arguably knows your child best, it is important to talk positively and constructively with the school about your child’s needs, interests, goals and progress.”

Resources Queensland Government Literacy and Numeracy resources and activities: http:// education.qld.gov.au/ literacyandnumeracy/ resources.html 201 Literacy and Maths Tips: www.education. vic.gov.au/school/ parents/involve/Pages/ literacynum.aspx For help with homework and school projects (with over 1000 videos and games all linked to the Australian Curriculum): www.splash.abc.net.au

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The problem with relying on formal assessments alone to gauge how your child is progressing is that by the time you receive them, your child may have been struggling for a long time and the original difficulty made worse by loss of confidence and motivation.

Professor Frank Oberklaid, Founding Director of the Centre for Community Child Health at The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne and a Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Melbourne, says that up to one in five children struggle at school.

“Sometimes it is the parent who first becomes concerned about academic progress or behaviour at school, or because of the child’s social isolation – for example, not being invited to classmates’ birthday parties. Parents may notice that the child is slower or different when compared with an older sibling at the same age. Often it is the class teacher who has indicated to the parent that the child is struggling and this leads to a visit to the GP. In other instances it is suggested to parents that their child should be assessed.

“The nature of difficulties the child experiences varies greatly.

There can be concerns about learning, behaviour, socialisation or a combination of these. The issues may be straightforward; for example, a child of average or above average intelligence might have trouble with reading. On the other hand, a child may present with a complex constellation of difficulties – not keeping up academically, problems focusing and sustaining attention, disruptive classroom behaviour, low self-esteem and poor motivation."

SIGNS YOUR CHILD MAY BE FALLING BEHIND Fruition Tuition Maroochydore owner Viv Ronlund, who previously worked for Education Queensland for 23 years in varied roles including classroom teacher, learning support teacher and school principal, says: “As a private tuition provider, most of the parents who contact us are concerned that their children are not coping well at school.

The overwhelming concern is that their children are lacking in, or have lost confidence with, their academic ability. This may become evident at report card time, but there are also indicators that parents can pick up on much earlier in the school year. If your child often portrays their ability in a poor light, compares themselves negatively to their peers or is reluctant to do their homework (or even attend school in extreme cases), then these self-esteem issues may stem from their inability to grasp vital concepts at school.

Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE TEACHER “HOW IS MY CHILD MANAGING SOCIALLY?” This is the most important question to ask a teacher before you ask about grades, as slow school achievement is often associated with not fitting in or being bullied. An unhappy, fearful child will not be motivated to learn. If you discover the unpalatable truth that your child is bullying other children, work with the teacher to form an action plan to improve your child’s behaviour.

“WHAT ARE MY CHILD’S STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES, AND HOW CAN I HELP?” Knowing the answer to this question means that you can encourage your child to pursue interests that give satisfaction and success while being alert to opportunities to strengthen any weaknesses.

“DOES MY CHILD NEED ANY EXTRA HELP BEYOND THE CLASSROOM?” It is not easy for teachers to tell a parent that a child is well below grade level in any area, but you need the full picture in order to help your child.

“Other indicators that your child is not doing well at school can be more subtle such as not wishing to join in with family activities like board games and in-car games such as I Spy or gradually becoming socially distant from their peers. Not wishing to engage in a subject area that they have always appeared strong in may be another. For example, a child who has a strong understanding of mathematical concepts may be struggling with reading comprehension, which in turn creates difficulty with worded maths problems and turns them off their favourite subject.

“Children will often engage in work-avoidance strategies come homework time,” advises Viv. “Some children would rather get into trouble for not doing their homework as this is less painful for them than letting on that they can’t comprehend the work. At Fruition we have a saying ‘parents are their children’s heroes’. As such they don’t want to let you down. This strong emotional attachment can lead to frustration, tears and even screaming matches come homework time.

“If your child is falling behind due to lack of confidence, then an external tuition program can be of great benefit. Apart from the obvious academic rewards that an individually tailored program can provide, the child is placed into an environment that removes emotional pressures and attachments. Away from the peer judgement of the classroom and the pressure of pleasing their parents, children can attain the success that they have been lacking … and success is the only way to develop confidence! From this success will come the motivation children require to achieve more success, and so the cycle continues. The end result – a more independent, confident and motivated learner, with no tears come homework and report card time."

A MUM'S VIEW

Visit our website to read one mum's experience of tracking her child's progress through primary school. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au/articles

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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Children may enrol in the ELC Preschool program the year that they turn four years old.

Playgroup is an informal session where parents, caregivers, children and babies meet together in a relaxed early childhood environment. Playgroup@ Lindisfarne runs each Thursday and Friday morning (9:00am – 10:30am).

Preschool is the preferred formal point of entry into Lindisfarne. Children moving into the preschool will experience a play-based program focusing on child initiated play with strong developmental foundations for literacy and numeracy. Children participate in primary school life by interacting in whole school events such as sports carnivals, special celebrations and end of year presentations. Staff endeavour to

ensure that all children are ready for kindergarten (first year of formal schooling in NSW) through their careful documentation and observation of children’s development during the preschool year. Preschoolers also have the opportunity to spend time in the kindergarten classrooms ensuring a smooth transition into school.

Kindergarten maintains aspects of a play-based program as the children begin to journey towards more formal literacy and numeracy learning experiences.

Kindergarten children are introduced to a values-based program in Term 1, which provides them with information and strategies related to developing positive relationships with others. The kindergarten early literacy program, which was developed in consultation with a speech language pathologist, is internationally recognised and developmentally appropriate.

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

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www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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Where: Gold Coast Recreation Centre, 1525 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach When: Various dates and session times (see website for details) Choose your own adventure! Including canoeing, giant swing, high ropes, learn to surf, rock climbing and stand up paddle boarding.

Details: From 8years, $25 for children and $30 for adults. www.nprsr.qld.gov.au

COAST CLUB

Where: Australia Fair, 42 Marine Parade, Southport When: 11am – 2pm Join in a prehistoric fossil hunt! Put on your jacket and glasses to become a junior Palaeontologist.

Details: Free. www.australiafair.com.au

WALKING WITH DINOSAURS

JANUARY 19 TO 23

JANUARY 16

FREE ART ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

JANUARY 5 TO 23

DR. SEUSS STORYTELLING

JANUARY 12, 14, 16, 19, 21 & 23

Where: Gallery 1, The Arts Centre, Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise When: 10am – 12pm Free drop-in program of art making activities inspired by works in the Gold Coast Art Prize 2014 exhibition.

Details: For ages 4 to 12 years. Parental supervision required www.theartscentregc.com.au

JANUARY 12, 14, 16, 19, 21 & 23

Where: Meet at the Rocky Shore, Goodwin Tce, Burleigh Heads When: 10am – 11am Rocky shores are teaming with life! Join our marine biologists to explore this unique environment.

Details: $3 per person. For ages 5 years and over. Bookings required. Contact: 5534 8604 www.ocean-connect.org

Where: Gold Coast Circus Acts, 7027 Southport-Nerang Rd, Nerang When: Thursdays and Sundays (see website for details) Join the circus fun and learn great new skills! Try a 2-hour circus skills workshop or a workshop in one of two levels on the flying trapeze.

Details: www.circusarts.com.au

Where: Varsity Lakes (address given once booked) When: 9:30am – 11:30am

STUDENT CYCLING COURSE

JANUARY 17

Where: The Settlement day-use area, Springbrook National Park Shed some light on the creatures of the night.

Bring the whole family along on a spotlight walk of the Purling Brook area.

Details: Free. Great for families. Bookings required. Contact: 5576 2411

SPRINGBROOK SPOTLIGHT WALK

ROCKY SHORE EXPLORE

Where: David Fleay Wildlife Park, West Burleigh Sneak a peek into the exciting world of a wildlife ranger! Discover what goes on with behind the scenes activities and experience close encounters with wildlife.

Details: $20.10 per child. For ages 6 to 9 years. Bookings required. Contact: 5576 2411

Where: Centre Court, Pacific Fair, Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach When: 9:30am – 4:30pm Gold Coast families are invited to participate in a one-of-a-kind 14-day construction play event.

Each day you can use fresh cardboard to build a new and better shopping centre. The activity promotes fair play in a collaborative way that is sustainable, innovative and, most importantly, fun.

Details: Free. www.pacificfair.com.au

JANUARY 15

WILDLIFE RANGER EXPERIENCE

ALL BOXED UP

JANUARY 9 AND 21

january

Where: Southport Sharks, Cnr of Musgrave and Olsen Avenues, Southport When: 4pm – 6pm Boogie on down to Southport Sharks this summer for the kids disco. With tunes the kids will love dancing to by Peppers Entertainment, this is a great night out for the whole family.

Details: Free entertainment. Dinner bookings recommended. www.southportsharks.com.au

JANUARY 12 TO 25

AUSTRALIA DAY

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JANUARY

Where: Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise When: Day tours run for 45 minutes to 1 hour Take a joy ride on a fire truck from Surfers Paradise to the Spit where you will experience the operation of a fully functional fire hose, and pose for photographs holding the nozzle and wearing authentic fire helmets!

Details: www.fire4hire.com.au

FIRE 4 HIRE

DAILY

KIDS DISCO

JANUARY 4, 11, 18 AND 25

Where: Centro Surfers Paradise, corner Cavill Avenue and Surfers Paradise Boulevard When: Monday to Wednesday, 9am – 7pm / Thursday, Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 9pm Select your animal, then add a sound or even record a personalized message or heartbeat.

The process continues at the stuffing machine where you add just the right amount of stuffing and then give your new furry friend a name on a Birth Certificate.

Details: www.buildabear.com.au

BUILD A BEAR WORKSHOP

DAILY

HOLIDAY FUN WITH GOLD COAST CIRCUS ACTS

Where: Southport Yacht Club, 1 Macarthur Pde, Main Beach When: 9am – 10:30am A perfect introduction to sailing for kids from

FUNSAIL DAYS

EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

Where: Draculas, Hooker Blvd, Broadbeach When: Midday See live rock music, special effects, comedy, puppetry, dancing, interactive games and an amazing aerial circus!

Details: www.draculas.com.au

DRAX4KIDS THE SHOW

SATURDAYS

Where: Currumbin Community Farm Campus, 1226 Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin Valley When: 10am – 2pm Discover what this unique outdoor and environmental education centre has to offer.

Pick your own fresh produce, wander along the biodiversity walk, discover farmyard animals and enjoy the open picnic grounds and more!

Details: www.currumbinfarmschool.eq.edu.au

FARM DISCOVERY DAY

EVERY SUNDAY

7 to 16 years. Bring a hat, shorts, t-shirt and sunscreen.

Details: $20 per person. No bookings required (maximum of 32 students) www.southportyachtclub.com.au

THROUGH TIL JANUARY 25

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Being active is a fun and positive experience for teenagers and there are lots of great weekly activities just perfect for teenagers on offer in this program. There are a heap of cool events on offer from skate, craft, stand up paddle boarding and more.

Details: Phone 5581 5233 or email activehealthygc@goldcoast.qld.gov.au www.gcparks.com.au

VIBE YOUTH PROGRAM

More green time, less screen time. Get the kids morning and having fun during the school holidays with this program. There are hundreds of activities. www.gcparks.com.au

GOLD COAST ACTIVE AND HEALTHY PROGRAM

Where: Dreamworld When: 6:30pm – 10pm For the first time ever, enjoy Whitewater World’s slides and Dreamworld’s rides in the dark! Fireworks, live music and much more – the best summer parties for families and thrill seekers alike are at Screamworld’s Slides and Rides nights.

Details: Adults $29.99, Children $19.99, Family (2ad + 2ch) $79.99. www.dreamworld.com.au

SCREAMWORLD SLIDES AND RIDES

FRIDAY NIGHTS IN JANUARY

Where: Cnr Gooding Dr, and Manchester Rd, Carrara When: 7am to 4pm Every weekend you will find an abundance of activities for the kids in the Family Fun Lane.

Details: www.carraramarkets.com.au

CARRARA MARKETS

EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

Where: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary When: 4pm – 9pm With a focus on local and international food as well as crafts why not eat on site and enjoy the live local music.

Details: Free to enter the markets

SANCTUARY MARKETS

FRIDAY NIGHTS

Where: Paradise Point Parklands, Cnr of The Esplanade and Ephraim Island Pde, Paradise Point When: 8am – 1pm Market showcasing up to 100 fashion, arts and creative stalls as well as live local music and delicious gourmet food.

Details: www.thevillagemarketsgc.com.au

THE VILLAGE MARKET

JANUARY 25 AND FEBRUARY 22

Where: Burleigh Heads State School, Lower Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads When: 8am – 1pm Market showcasing up to 100 fashion, arts and creative stalls as well as live local music and delicious gourmet food.

Details: www.thevillagemarketsgc.com.au

THE VILLAGE MARKET

JANUARY 4 & 18 / FEBRUARY 1 & 15

Where: The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise When: 5pm – 10pm If you're looking for an unusual gift or one-off piece, the beachfronts Night Markets are your one-stop shop.

Details: www.surfersparadise.com

BEACHFRONT MARKETS

EVERY WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHT

Where: Memorial Hall, Tamborine-Waterford Road, When: 7am – 12pm A variety of market stalls including arts and crafts from talented local artists, plants, second hand goods, vintage clothing, local produce and fun activities for your enjoyment.

Details: www.tamborinevillage.qld.lions.org.au

TAMBORINE VILLAGE MARKETS

JANUARY 4

MARKETS

- CALENDAR -

REGULAR EVENTS

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www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Where: Meet behind the Pirate Park, Palm Beach Parklands When: 3pm – 4pm Create art with natural materials while learning about the objects they find.

Details: $5 per child. For ages 2 to 5 years.

Bookings required. Contact: 5534 8604 www.ocean-connect.org

BODY ART WITH NATURE

JANUARY 8

Where: David Fleay Wildlife Park, West Burleigh Discover the wonderful world of wildlife and meet an animal up close.

When: 11:30am and 12:30pm Details: Included in admission to David Fleay Wildlife Park

Where: Joalah section, Tambourine National Park Enjoy the majestic wet eucalypt forest and rainforest of the Joalah section on a rangerguided walk to Curtis Falls.

Details: Free. Great for families. Bookings required. Contact: 5576 2411

CURTIS FALLS WALK

JANUARY 15

Where: David Fleay Wildlife Park, West Burleigh Can fish really live in trees? Accompany a ranger on an exploration through the mangrove habitat.

Details: Free. Great for families. Bookings required. Contact: 5576 2411

MANGROVE MANIA

JANUARY 14

Where: Gallery 1, The Arts Centre, Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise When: 10am, 12pm, 2pm Free Dr. Seuss movie favourites: The Lorax, Horton Hears a Who and The Cat in The Hat. Details: Free www.theartscentregc.com.au/youth-program/ summer-series

DR. SEUSS MOVIES

JANUARY 13, 15, 20

Where: Gallery 1, The Arts Centre, Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise When: 1pm Free storytelling session for ages 4+.

Details: Free. www.theartscentregc.com.au

Where: Justins Park, Burleigh Heads When: 11am – 12pm Create your own art piece out of the clean rubbish that has been collected on our Gold Coast beaches.

Details: $5 per child. Bookings required.

Contact: 5534 8604. www.ocean-connect.org

TURN BEACH RUBBISH INTO ART!

JANUARY 24

Where: David Fleay Wildlife Park, West Burleigh Become a bush detective and search for clues left by native animals that live right on our doorstep.

Details: $9.25 per child. For ages 6 to 9 years.

Bookings required. Contact: 5576 2411

BUSH DETECTIVES

JANUARY 23

Where: Echo Beach, Burleigh Heads When: 2pm – 3pm Enjoy a day at the beach with your little one; create a keepsake of the day, sing along with our seaside songs and listen to some interactive ocean stories.

Details: $5 per child. For ages 0 to 3 years.

Bookings required. Contact: 5534 8604 www.ocean-connect.org

BABY SEASIDE MUSIC, ART AND TALES ON THE BEACH

JANUARY 22

Teaching children aged 6 – 13 years safe bike handling skills and techniques.

Details: Free. BYO bike and helmet. Bookings required. www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au

Where: Palm Beach (address given once booked) When: 9:30am – 12:30pm A family friendly workshop to help you gain confidence and enjoy using your bike!

Details: Free. Bookings required www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au FEBRUARY 13 TO MARCH 1

SAND SAFARI – AUSTRALIAN SAND SCULPTING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Where: Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre An annual 3-day event with more than 150 local and national exhibitors. Take the kids to meet some of their favourite celebrities from MasterChef and My Kitchen Rules!

Details: Adult $20. Children under 14 free

FEBRUARY 4

TRAINING WHEELS TO TWO!

Where: Palm Beach (address details given once booked) When: 3:30pm – 4:30pm This course teaches children aged 4 – 10 years how to advance from training wheels to two wheels.

Details: Free. BYO two-wheeled bike.

Bookings required. www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au

TRAINING WHEELS TO TWO!

FEBRUARY 21

Where: Metricon Stadium, NerangBroadbeach Rd, Gold Coast When: 9am “Get in the Game” open day for all AFL Gold Coast Junior Clubs. Be there for Gold Coast Suns player interaction and a playground for the kids.

Come along to sign up for the 2015 season!

Details: Free. www.moregoldcoast.com.au

AFL GOLD COAST JUNIORS OPEN DAY

FEBRUARY 14

Did you know that council libraries have free events, classes, workshops and activities for babies and children?

Details: www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au

CHECK OUT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY!

LIBRARY EVENTS

Visit a Library!

Sign up at www.kidsonthecoast.com.au for our weekly What’s On guide. We also have a special comprehensive activity and event eGuide every school holidays, covering all of South East Queensland. You can sign up online to be notified when the guide is launched and to receive the link to download your personal copy.

Don’t miss out on any events!

Where: Surfers Paradise Foreshore Disney’s magical friendships are brought to life in this year’s Sand Safari. Come and admire the art of sand sculpting. Fun for all ages!

Details: Free www.surfersparadise.com/whats-on/freeevents/sand-safari

GET BACK ON YOUR BIKE!

GOLD COAST FOOD AND WINE EXPO

Where: Miami When: 3:30pm – 4:30pm This course teaches children aged 4 – 10 years how to advance from training wheels to two wheels.

Details: Free. BYO two-wheeled bike www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au

FEBRUARY 7

JANUARY 30 TO FEBRUARY 1

february HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

Visit www.kidsonthecoast.com.au for more events

Where: The Arts Centre Gold Coast, 135 Bundall R, Surfers Paradise Get creative these January school holidays with fun activities at The Arts Centre Gold Coast!

Dance your heart out, try your hand at creating a short film, unleash your inner artist or show your skills in singing and acting workshops!

Details: www.theartscentregc.com.au

THE SUMMER SERIES

JANUARY 12 TO 23

Where: 28 Hutchinson St, Burleigh Heads When: See website for times Choose one or more of the super circus workshops available from four days of fun holiday activities, including circus & drama, circus & Magic, circus & balloon art and a circus spectacular Funday!

Details: From $18. Bookings essential www.aerialangelsacademy.com.au

CREATURE FEATURE

JANUARY 8

AERIAL ANGELS CIRCUS SUPER WORKSHOPS

JANUARY 12 TO 16

Where: David Fleay Wildlife Park, West Burleigh Sneak a peek into the exciting world of a wildlife ranger! Discover what goes on with behind the scenes activities and experience close encounters with wildlife.

Details: $20.10 per child. For ages 6 to 9 years. Bookings required. Contact: 5576 2411

WILDLIFE RANGER EXPERIENCE

JANUARY 7 & 12

Where: Australia Fair, 42 Marine Parade, Southport Kids in the Kitchen is a fun and interactive cooking show. The kids will get to prepare tasty and nutritious recipes as well as enjoy eating them!

Details: Free. www.australiafair.com.au

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN

JANUARY 12 TO 16

- on the coast

* We publish information based on what is supplied to us - to the best of our knowlege all details are correct at the time of printing, however we do recommend you check event details with the organisers

May 11 – Albert Waterways Community Centre, Mermaid Waters May 12 – Tweed Heads Civic Centre, Tweed Heads www.kidspromotions.com.au

PLAY SCHOOL "ONCE UPON A TIME"

MAY 11 & 12

QUT Gardens Theatre. www.gardenstheatre.qut.edu.au

OCTONAUTS LIVE!

FEBRUARY 27 & 28

The Arts Centre, Gold Coast. www.theartscentregc.com.au

THE KAZOOS WHAT’S UP CROC?

JANUARY 20 & 21

Brisbane Entertainment Centre. www.brisent.com.au

DISNEY LIVE

JANUARY 17

The Arts Centre, Gold Coast. www.theartscentregc.com.au

THE LISTIES MAKE YOU LOL!

JANUARY 16 & 17

Playhouse, QPAC. www.qpac.com.au

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY

JANUARY 14 TO 17

Concert Hall, QPAC. www.qpac.com.au

THE ILLUSIONISTS

JANUARY 4 TO 10

Cremorne Theatre, QPAC. www.qpac.com.au

ERTH’S DINOSAUR ZOO

JANUARY 3 TO 11

Playhouse, QPAC. www.qpac.com.au

GIGGLE AND HOOT

JANUARY 3 TO 11

Lyric Theatre, QPAC. www4.qpac.com.au

THE LION KING

SEPTEMBER 27, 2014 TO JANUARY 25, 2015

TICKETS

250+ WAYS TO KEEP THE KIDS BUSY!

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Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

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THE P FILES

Helping your child prepare for

by Dr Kelly Bowers, Psychologist, Youthrive Integrated Therapy Services SCHOOL HOLIDAYS ARE A GREAT TIME TO BE WITH YOUR KIDS AND HAVE SOME FUN TOGETHER. UNFORTUNATELY, THE REALITY OF HEADING BACK TO SCHOOL OR WORK AFTER THE BREAK COMES AROUND TOO SOON. OVER THE HOLIDAYS, SOME ROUTINES MAY SLIP AND TRANSITIONING BACK TO SCHOOL MAY BECOME CHALLENGING OR WORRYING FOR SOME CHILDREN (AND EVEN FOR SOME PARENTS). STARTING SCHOOL FOR THE FIRST TIME OR RETURNING AFTER THE HOLIDAYS SIGNALS A TIME OF TRANSITION FOR ANY CHILD: ADAPTING TO THE SCHOOL ROUTINE ALL OVER AGAIN, COPING WITH A NEW CLASSROOM AND DIFFERENT TEACHERS, AND FORMING NEW FRIENDSHIPS. Kids often take a week or two to settle into the school routine, which is understandable given that they have had weeks of freedom and fun.

Most children experience some degree of anxiety when returning to or, indeed, starting school for the first time. While this anxiety typically subsides once settled back into the school routine, some children require a little longer when adjusting to these changes.

Start to INCREASE THE STRUCTURE OF YOUR ROUTINE gradually over the final weeks of the school holidays. It is hard for some children to fall straight back into a highly structured environment, even more so following a holiday period where they may have had more freedom and choice. Setting an activity schedule for the day may help your child adjust to the increased structure of the school environment.

Schools and teachers know all too well that some students may feel nervous, and they typically do a good job at helping their new students (or returning students) feel as comfortable as possible. For new students, most schools do this by holding an orientation day towards the end of the previous year. Parents often report that this is a good opportunity for them and their child to attend an orientation and tour the school grounds and classrooms before the first day of school.

Breaking the ice early on is one of the ways to calm your child’s fears and familiarise them with their school environment. It’s also a great opportunity for your child to meet peers with whom they will share a classroom so they feel more comfortable on their first day.

EVENING ROUTINES ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT as those that occur in the morning so it’s important to re-establish the bedtime routine at least one week before school starts. Go through the nightly rituals: free time, dinner, shower, brush teeth, reading and bedtime. This will help your child to get the right amount of rest when school starts and develop regular sleep patterns to alleviate fatigue.

While this is a good start, there are other useful strategies that families can consider to help make the ‘back to school’ transition a little easier.

FAMILIARISE YOUR CHILD WITH THEIR SCHOOL, TEACHER AND CLASSROOM

DEVELOP A CONSISTENT MORNING AND EVENING ROUTINE IN THE LEAD UP TO THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR EASE YOUR CHILD BACK INTO THE SCHOOL ROUTINE GRADUALLY. It is often more beneficial to start putting a new routine into place a week or two leading up the return to school.

By establishing a consistent morning routine your child will come to know what to expect before school returns.

Whether you are going out for the day or just spending the day at home, KEEP FOLLOWING THE SAME ROUTINE. Wake up at the same time, have breakfast, get dressed, make lunches and pack bags in the same order each day. Where possible, have lunch at the same time that your child typically would when at school.

22

Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

ROUTINES ARE EASIER TO FOLLOW IF THEY ARE PRESENTED IN A VISUAL WAY. It may be hard to expect your child to remember every step of their routine off the top of their head. Create a visual routine chart with pictures to help motivate your child and ensure that it is simple and easy to follow.

Where possible, FAMILIARISE YOUR CHILD WITH THEIR SCHOOL, TEACHER AND CLASSROOM before the new term starts. Some schools do this in the final term of the year by allowing students to have a meet and greet with their teacher for the following year. If this is not available to your child, look on the school website for a photo of the teacher or request a photo so that your child knows who to look for on their first day.

FOR NEW STUDENTS, TELL YOUR CHILD ABOUT THE TEACHER’S ROLE and how they can help everyone who is in the class. Remind your child of classroom etiquette, such as putting up your hand to get the teacher’s attention.

SHOW YOUR CHILD AROUND THEIR NEW SCHOOL and where their new classroom will be. If it is not possible for your child to see

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THE P FILES

their school firsthand, then familiarising them with pictures of the school is the next best option. If possible, download a map of the school grounds and show it your child. Show them where to find their classroom, pick-up zone and play areas.

While you are still on holidays, CONSIDER DRIVING PAST THE SCHOOL to show your child where it is and what it looks like. This will be particularly beneficial if your child is attending that school for the first time. Where possible, drive through the drop-off zone and rehearse the drop-off procedure with your child.

TRY ON THE SCHOOL UNIFORM. This is more important for new students as opposed to returning students. Show them what they will look like – more often than not, new students are highly motivated to wear a uniform for the first time. Allow your child the opportunity to get used to how the uniform looks and feels when they are wearing it. If necessary, you may even consider having a practice at putting the uniform on in the mornings to assist with the transition into a new morning routine.

PREPARE YOUR CHILD FOR THE SUBJECTS THAT THEY MAY BE TAKING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. Obtain the school supply list and purchase all textbooks and writing materials prior to the commencement of the school year. Allow your child to choose their book coverings, favourite coloured pens or notebooks in order to increase their motivation towards the return of school.

Having the right tools will make your child feel more prepared.

HELP YOUR CHILD TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH THEIR CLASSMATES Most schools release a CLASS LIST prior to the recommencement of school. IDENTIFY CORE FRIENDS from this list who may be in the same class as your child. Where possible, schedule play dates before the return of school to help your child refresh relationships with peers.

PLAY DATES ARE ALSO A GREAT OPPORTUNITY to notice if your child has any problems interacting socially, such as being too bossy or too shy, so you can identify any problems and work with them on solutions.

ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD’S CURIOSITY FOR SOCIALISING AND LEARNING. Invite your child’s new friends to your home to play or work together on an assignment. Don’t allow your child to take car rides or go home with new friends until you’ve met their parents.

Dr Kelly Bowers is a registered psychologist from Youthrive Integrated Therapy Services on the Gold Coast with specific interest in clinical, developmental, health and sport psychology. He has experience working with children with disabilities, children who have experienced grief and/or trauma and people who experience chronic health conditions and persistent pain. Kelly provides assessment and treatment for children and adolescents who experience a range of difficulties including adjustment, anxiety and mood disorders, autism spectrum disorders, trauma, abuse, anger management, behavioural problems, parent support, grief/loss, self-esteem, social skills and chronic illness/pain. Dr Bowers has conducted research and presented those outcomes at conferences across Queensland. For more information, visit www.youthrive.com.au

24

A great way for your child to meet new friends is by JOINING AN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY that may be of interest to your child, such as a team sport. This will help your child form new friendships and encourage them to mix with others outside of school.

Remember that IT IS NORMAL FOR CHILDREN TO TAKE TIME TO FIND FRIENDS AND GET ALONG WITH OTHERS. There are often several different personalities within a classroom at any one time, so social difficulties are bound to occur from time to time. Try to avoid the temptation of jumping in straight away to solve the problem for your child. Instead, try spending time with your child discussing ways to solve problems. By trying out the ideas that you have discussed, your child will become more empowered and confident in resolving personal challenges with greater independence.

Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

REVIEW SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR BULLYING. Rehearse and discuss ways in which your child can cope with bullying while they are at school. Emphasise the importance of asking the bully to stop, walking away and telling a teacher, before considering further strategies if required.

The first step in reducing the impact of back to school anxiety is to ensure your child is well prepared, and following some of the strategies listed above may help to achieve this. However, if your child’s anxiety persists, consider following some of these helpful tips.

IDENTIFY WHAT SPECIFICALLY YOUR CHILD IS ANXIOUS OR WORRIED ABOUT, and invite your child to discuss these concerns with you and/or their teacher.

PREVENT AVOIDANCE OF ANXIETY-INDUCING ACTIVITIES. The successful completion of activities that caused anxiety in the first place will promote self-confidence and reduce symptoms of anxiety for your child.

BE EMPATHETIC WITH YOUR CHILD. Make an effort to try and truly understand your child’s anxiety. Allow them to feel as though they have been heard and that you understand their experience.

MODEL NON-ANXIOUS BEHAVIOUR. Children often look to their parents for guidance. Display calm and positive behaviours to show your child that there is no need to feel anxious and that their environment is safe. This can be particularly difficult amongst the rush of getting out the door on time.

BE PATIENT. Try to be as consistent and patient as possible to reinforce the message to your child that their world is a safe place.

Overcoming any form of anxiety can take time.

If your child is still finding the transition difficult, professional support and advice may help your child to develop their confidence in returning to school.

Psychologists are trained in supporting families to cope with life adjustments that naturally occur and often support children who experience difficulty during their transition into or back to school. Psychologists provide education to children and parents about anxiety and ways in which to overcome it. This may include general school anxiety or more specific anxieties such as exam anxiety or social anxiety. In addition, psychologists can provide support by developing social skills for children, including ways in which to manage being bullied. Psychologists may also help families to establish family routines and behaviour management strategies to assist with school transitions.

Other allied health professionals such as child occupational therapists and speech pathologists may also offer additional support for children who are starting or returning to school. These professions may provide support if your child experiences difficulty with handwriting or holding their pencil correctly or if your child experiences delays with their expression and understanding of speech and language.

If you feel that your child may benefit from support from one or more of these professionals, speak to your school, General Practitioner or visit www.psychology.org.au/FindaPsychologist

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25

TEENS

by Rachel Downie

A Flying Start for Queensland students WHAT DOES MOVING YEAR 7 INTO HIGH SCHOOL MEAN FOR YOUR CHILD? From the commencement of the 2015 school year, the Queensland government’s Flying Start program will see Queensland secondary schools welcoming Year 7 into Junior Secondary along with Years 8 and 9.

sometimes difficult to be awarded money and time to be involved in courses relevant to classroom practice, many teachers involved in the new system consider the training they have received to be excellent.

At a cost of approximately $620 million dollars, moving Year 7 into Junior Secondary is being hailed as a modernising step; one that will bring Queensland into line with most other states and “ensure the bridge between primary and secondary school is safe, strong and consistent for all students” (http://flyingstart.qld.gov.au). This is a logical move, given the recent roll out and implementation of the National Curriculum in English, Maths, Science and History.

The implementation of moving Year 7 will be slightly different from school to school, given that each place of learning has a different context. With this in mind, the Queensland Government has developed six guiding principles using the information from the aforementioned pilot studies:

In 2012, 20 state schools participated in a pilot program and have since provided valuable insights and feedback regarding the Junior Secondary transformation, thereby contributing to relevant and current research supporting your child’s progression into Junior Secondary.

Moving Year 7 to High School gives your child an opportunity to be exposed to a depth of teaching and learning provided by specialist teachers and teaching areas. “Junior Secondary will provide challenging educational offerings,” according to Flying Start program guidelines. For example, students will be able to study Science in a Science laboratory, with a Science teacher.

With the government investment in learning spaces (550 new classrooms and 880 refurbishments), students will be learning in a specialised and dedicated Year 7 learning area. State schools such as Hervey Bay State High School, Chancellor State College and Mountain Creek State High School have finished their brand-spanking new facilities ready to welcome their Junior Secondary cohorts.

The new Junior Secondary system also aims to give young adolescents a sense of belonging and support. There will be a strong emphasis on pastoral care for students with $213 million spent on teacher training in this area. Pastoral care is a term used to describe the physical and emotional health and wellbeing of students and each school has to establish a wellbeing framework, which identifies their undertakings in ensuring quality pastoral care for their students.

In a wider context, a school’s wellbeing framework is underpinned by the National Safe Schools Framework, which is a shared vision of key factors in building safe teaching and learning communities for all students in Australian schools. In a world where it is

26

Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

1. DISTINCT IDENTITY

Junior Secondary students will be encouraged and supported to develop their own group identity within the wider high school. This can involve dedicated school areas and events.

2. QUALITY TEACHING

Teachers working with students in the Junior Secondary years will be given the skills they need through additional professional development, so they can support young teens through these crucial early high school years.

3. STUDENT WELLBEING

We will meet the social and emotional needs of Junior Secondary students with a strong focus on pastoral care. For example, schools could provide a home room to support students as they adjust to new routines and greater academic demands.

4. PARENT AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

We want parents to stay connected with their students' learning when they enter high school. Parent involvement in assemblies, special events, award ceremonies and leadership presentations will be welcomed.

5. LEADERSHIP

Schools will be encouraged to create leadership roles for students in Years 7, 8 and 9. Dedicated teachers experienced with teaching young adolescents will lead Junior Secondary supported by the principal and administration team.

6. LOCAL DECISION MAKING

The needs of each school community will influence how Junior Secondary is implemented in each school.

Source: http://deta.qld.gov.au/about/induction/eq/year-7-transition.html

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

TEENS

Head of Junior Secondary Andrea Evans shares the steps taken

by Mountain Creek State High School (MCSHS) on the Sunshine Coast to ensure quality pastoral care, teaching and learning for the transition of Year 7 into Junior Secondary.

“I am confident that we are well prepared. We have developed a Junior Secondary philosophy and have considered all of the domains for the transition process.”

• We have developed a pastoral care program based on the feedback from 60 pilot schools and the recommendations by Mission Australia’s (2011) National Survey of Young Australians about key concerns.

• Junior Secondary students will have their own uniform and will be on the second shift at MCSHS (this begins at 10.30am). This will ensure that for half their school day, they will have the school and specialist learning facilities such as the pool, dance studios and science labs to themselves.

• A Junior Secondary precinct has been developed.

• Students have been involved in a transition program where they have toured the school, met key staff and worked with staff in classrooms.

• We have had extensive transition planning for students with disabilities.

• MCSHS has a unique Head of School Structure (HOSS) to support our students in all manner of welfare matters.

• A Junior Secondary Leadership Program is in place.

• With the aim of developing friendships, team building, selfesteem building as well as confidence and leadership, we have Initiative Days for both Year 7 and Year 8 students.

• We hold Student Forums once per term where students can raise issues or present information to both staff and students, about projects and achievements within the school community.

• We have done extensive work with our key partner primary schools around the transition of both Year 7 and 8 students for 2015.

• We have identified and appointed staff with a unique skills set to teach 11–15 year olds.

• We have continued with the Art and Science of Teaching (ASOT) as a framework for best practice in teaching and learning.

• As part of the Great Teachers = Great Results initiative, we have trained two mentors to support new and transitioning teachers.

• We have been awarded a grant following a successful application that has allowed for time allocation to plan and prepare for curriculum. This grant also allowed us to work extensively with staff at our key partner primary schools.

A MUM’S

VIEW

Many of the initiatives that have been implemented at MCSHS – whilst unique to their setting – have the same flavour as other state secondary schools.

Like thousands of mums across Queensland, A number of independent schools in Queensland Rachel Young has a child starting high school next year as the first group of Year 7 kids to take already have Year 7 in Junior Secondary or have the plunge. She's not sure if she's quite ready. been running Middle Schools for quite some time, Are you? Read Rachel’s story on our website: which means fewer larger scale changes have www.kidsonthecoast.com.au/ had to be made. Given that independent schools article/too-soon-for-high-school can determine their own structures independent of the public sector (provided that they gain accreditation), a Junior Secondary program may look quite different in a Catholic or independent school. The Queensland government has allocated $110 million for the Junior Secondary transition in these settings.

High Schools across the state have been working tirelessly to ready themselves to welcome your children into Year 7. There is an abundance of information available to help you understand and stay connected with the transition to Junior Secondary and the breadth of experiences it is going to bring in this time of rapid change for you and your family.

RESOURCES If you need further information, the following links will be helpful: Fact Sheet http://flyingstart.qld.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/ factsheet-Junior-Secondary-new.pdf Information for Parents http://flyingstart.qld.gov.au/getting-readyhigh-school/starting/Pages/for-parents.aspx Questions and Answers Page http://flyingstart.qld.gov.au/q-and-a/ Pages/home.aspx More about the Safe Schools Framework here https://www.education.gov.au/national-safe-schools-framework-0

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SPECIAL FEATURE BACK TO SCHOOL

- on the coast

- in the city

Back to school checklist Get out the calendar and pop down the first day of school and all holidays in 2015 Make sure the school has all paperwork needed - in the city - on the coast Speak to the school about any allergies, medical conditions or special needs your child may have

Purchase school uniform and shoes Purchase backpack, lunchbox, ice pack and water bottle Gather together all required stationery supplies Cover books and label all supplies Summer holidays are a great time to get a haircut, a health check with the GP and a dental check-up Visit or drive past school with the kids, especially if it is their first year at the school Determine a safe pick up spot at school Organise bus transport or carpooling if required Arrange before and after school care if needed Set up a spot at home to keep your child’s school belongings For younger children, put together a care kit including spare underwear, tissues, bandaids, sunscreen and a special family photo Plan lunchbox meals for the first week of school and purchase groceries Plan something special for the first day of school (e.g. special photo prop or location, lunchbox note, after-school treat) Start getting kids back into a school bedtime routine, including quiet time for reading or homework THE DAY BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS Lay out school uniform Prepare lunch and snacks Pack backpack Make sure your camera is charged Set the alarm FIRST DAY Take a photo Smile … wave goodbye … enjoy!

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au • www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au 28

Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

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Kids 1st Health is Australia’s first private paediatric clinic run by Nurse Practitioners ​Gold Coastwith Nannies are reliable, A trustworthy, honest andisdedicated.

Theynurse are in collaboration a Paediatrician.

Nurse Practitioner a registered highly experienced with children of all ages, carry a current Blue Card (Working educated to Master’s level and authorised to operate in an advanced clinical role. with Children Check) and have current first aid certificates. It is our desire that the The ability to experience provide direct Drmost Liamimportantly Tjia, Kids 1st Health’s Paediatrician, child's is areferrals fun, safeto and a memorable one. Have meanspeace that Kids 1st Health the very best treatment and health care for of mind whencan you provide book a babysitter or nanny for your family. your children.

The team at Kids 1st Health believe it’s important for families to have access to a health care service that has children as the focus, and can assist with day-to-day illness, acute injuries, immunisations and preventative health such as nutrition and lifestyle.

The management team of Shahn Horrocks (Nurse Practitioner – emergency and paediatric specialty) and Dr Liam Tjia (Paediatrician) each have three daughters, so understand the demands of being a parent. They both realise the difficulties Ph: 0401 205 536 many parents face when seeking quality and timely health care treatments for their www.seedsofttomorrow.com.au children. Kids 1st Health aims to alleviate these pressures by making children’s health their priority. The clinic covers a multitude of paediatric areas and also has an allied Do you need to talk about a relationship or your behaviour?

Are you health care team onsite who specialise in women’s andchild's children’s presentations. having family problems? Seeds of Tomorrow Counselling and Consultancy can Kids 1st Health is located at Riverwalk Place, Level 1/238 Robina Town Centre Drive help. Call for a free phone consultation. (corner Laver Drive), opposite The Rocket. For appointments call 07 5689 1268 or email reception@kids1sthealth.com.au | www.kids1sthealth.com.au

SEEDS OF TOMORROW COUNSELLING

07 5689 1268 • www.kids1sthealth.com.au Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5pm

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Riverwalk Place, Level 1/238 Robina Town Centre Drive (corner Laver Drive)

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Myobrace - Pre-Orthodontics for today’s children MOST parents would agree their children are less than enthusiastic about taking a seat in the dentist’s chair. It can be frightening, uncomfortable and regardless of whether the patient visits a small practice or boutique dental spa the treatment experience is essentially the same. Unfortunately for the majority of 21st century children who have crooked teeth, orthodontic treatment has largely remained the same for much of the last 100 years.

For decades, straightening their teeth has involved invasive treatments and relapse is all but assured. However, contemporary research has shed light on the underlying causes of crooked teeth and well-informed parents have forced the agenda, generating momentum towards non-invasive, preventive peadiatric orthodontic treatment options.

The good news for today’s children and parents is there are highly developed peadiatric orthodontic treatment systems available right now.

Rather than use mechanical forces to align crooked teeth, The Myobrace System™ is focused entirely on addressing the poor myofunctional (lips, tongue and cheeks) habits as well as the incorrect breathing that causes crooked teeth. By encouraging the patient to play an active role in their own treatment and promoting growth and development, outstanding and stable results can be achieved without relying on braces, extractions or surgery.

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2015

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www.kidsonthecoast.com.au 15/08/2014 1:47 pm

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Paradise Resort Promotes Healthy Holidays Australia’s number one destination for family fun, Paradise Resort, has introduced a new holiday experience designed to keep guests happy and healthy, just in time for the Christmas break.

The Resort has today unveiled a new Juice Bar, as part of a focus on active and healthy holidays that will compliment a wide range of healthy options already available on its menus.

General Manager, David Brook, said that guests will still be able to indulge in all the regular menu fare with the additional option of the Juice Bar, featuring a wide range of healthy menu options including high protein and 100% natural products.

After receiving feedback and recommendations from our guests, we have focused on ensuring that going on holidays doesn’t mean you have to stop being healthy and eating right. The introduction of these options enable us to cater for the growing demand of healthy, wholesome and fresh dietary and exercise choices.”

Guests will be able to start their day with a selection of fresh juices, protein shakes and smoothies, along with gluten and dairy-free options.

“We live in an amazing part of the world with access to a wide range of fresh produce,” said Mr Brook.

“What better way to enjoy each day than with a divine ‘Mango Tango’ fruit smoothie or a perfectly tailor-made juice from our new Juice Bar menu.”

The Juice Bar is located in the Resort’s Poolside Café and Bar, which already offers a range of freshly made salads, sandwiches, gourmet wraps and sushi.

Mr Brook said that he and his team had listened to customer feedback and made changes across the resort including the Kids menu, which now offers the addition of healthy alternatives including brown rice and vegies.

“Our daily activity program is also popular and makes use of some of our unique and fun features, including our 24-hour cardio gym for the adults and rock climbing, ice skating and laser tag for the kids.”

“While many holiday-goers are keen to bask in the sun by the pool, there are a growing number who want to maintain their regular diets and not necessarily return home with excess or unwanted ‘baggage’.”

The new menu also features a brand new Australian owned product from SPC called Perfect Fruit, made with 100% Aussie fruit that is whipped with air, then frozen and containing less calories than an apple.

“With every improvement and new product we introduce, we are mindful of enhancing the experience in offering a diverse product that is able to cater to the widest range of needs and a great family holiday. Too often we return home from our holidays wishing there had been more healthier dietary options available to curb the over indulgence that holidays seem to promote.”

For more information visit: www.paradiseresort.com.au

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

31

CONVERSATION

by Natasha Higgins

Morgan Parker Meet

AFTER BUILDING A CAREER AS A SUCCESSFUL FINANCE AND REAL ESTATE EXECUTIVE, SUNSHINE COAST LOCAL MORGAN PARKER REALISED HE WANTED MORE FROM HIS LIFE. HAVING MOVED TO ASIA AT THE AGE OF 22, FOLLOWING HIS SCHOOL CAPTAIN DAYS AT BRISBANE BOYS' COLLEGE AND STUDYING LAW AT BOND UNIVERSITY, MORGAN CARVED OUT A RICH AND REWARDING CAREER IN ASIA’S TOUGH REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT BANKING MARKETS. His life took a new turn in 2011 when he founded the non-profit organisation Wheel2Wheel and set off on a gruelling 125-day charity motorcycle ride across 10 countries from Hong Kong to Brisbane. The 25,000km marathon raised awareness and muchneeded funds for 10 carefully selected grassroots charities, and Wheel2Wheel became a globally broadcast television series on the National Geographic Channel.

For Morgan, it was the challenge he had been searching for all his life. "The idea of roaming the world on a motorbike just seemed the right thing to do at the time,” he says. After spending 18-months researching more than 360 charities throughout Australasia, he created Wheel2Wheel as an avenue to give worthy charities exposure they would otherwise have struggled to receive and provide potential donors with insight to key issues. According to Morgan, “The motorcycle expedition and 10-episode television adventure series [was] simply the packaging of reality, adventure and travel to facilitate the humanitarian story telling.”

Wheel2Wheel has already donated nearly $300,000 to the 10 charities chosen for Morgan’s first expedition, including a school for 300 children in Laos, an online environmental education platform in China, HIV orphanage in Thailand and a vocational skills centre in East Timor. Morgan concedes that raising money was the hardest part of the project. "I knew it was going to be difficult, and even knowing that, I still think I underestimated how difficult it was going to be. It's difficult to capture people’s attention in such a noisy world today. A lot of people have become desensitised to humanitarian need."

Morgan says the experience helped him delve into new parts of his character and personality. "I discovered I was capable of more than I thought. I wouldn't describe it an inner strength but rather a powerful determination to deliver for those people who’ve supported me," he says.

Someone he thought about during testing times on the road was daughter Aria, now twelve. Becoming a father was one of the forces that started Parker to think about what he was getting out of – and giving back – to life. "If one thing caused me to change direction in my life, it would be Aria," says Morgan. "As a parent, your perception of the world changes. You are able to find a wider, broader and longer horizon to your thinking."

Aria joined her father on several stages of the trek and Morgan believes the exposure to how other children live will help her shape her own views on life. "The speed of information today means kids grow up very quickly, sometimes without acquiring much more than a superficial knowledge of a vast array of topics.

I think it was important for Aria to truly understand some of the obstacles other kids have growing up in the world today," he says.

With Morgan set to embark on his next Wheel2Wheel expedition in India in 2015, we caught up with him to gain an insight into his remarkable life.

Tell us about your family, your career and living in Asia? I’m married to Levina and have one daughter Aria, who is twelve years old and was born in Tokyo whilst we were based there. During my 18 years in Asia, I lived in seven countries, most recently in Hong Kong. To me, Hong Kong is a city without peer; it’s efficient, dynamic and multicultural. Before starting Wheel2Wheel I enjoyed a rewarding career with Macquarie Bank, Morgan Stanley, Lend Lease and as president of Taubman Asia – Taubman is the world’s most experienced luxury retail developer. My career provided countless remarkable experiences and opportunities to learn about different cultures.

What really tested your limits during the expedition? The key challenge was maintaining concentration for extended periods.

I rode at speed without breaks for 15 hours a day. With the poor road conditions, crazy drivers and the sheer density of vehicles throughout Asia, it’s essential to be on guard constantly. This really wears you down. At the end of each day I needed to find a place to eat and stay. Then I would create a video clip of the day's adventure and upload it to YouTube. Given my remoteness, this often took up to five hours, leaving little time for sleep. Every day I needed to push on, no matter the conditions or I how feeling physically or mentally.

Did you ever think of giving up? All worthwhile challenges in life are hard work; that's how we know we are really achieving something meaningful. There were several days during the expedition I wondered if I would make it to Brisbane – like on day 16 in northern Laos when I rode for 15 hours through a mountain range on a muddy road in sub-zero temperatures, crashing over 20 times and having to pick up my 250kg bike each time.

What did you learn about yourself? I realised anything is possible in life. I'm much stronger than I thought. One person can make a difference.

What do you have planned next? The next Wheel2Wheel expedition is planned for India in 2015. We will focus on eight key humanitarian issues in that country and will be circumnavigating the sub-continent with an objective to go deeper and authentically experience the issues first-hand. Once again, the stars will be the heroic people working selflessly to tackle these crises. There will be television cameras and motorcycles once more!

For more information on Morgan’s next charity expedition in India and to find out how you can support Wheel2Wheel, check out www.wheel2wheel.tv

To read our full interview with Morgan, visit www.kidsonthecoast.com.au 32

Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast

33

REVIEWS

BOOKS, MOVIES, APPS, GAMES

BOOKS

APPS

FOR KIDS:

MWORLD

I DON’T LIKE CHEESE

(iPhone, iPad) Free

Hannah Chandler, Exisle Publishing, RRP $19.99

MWorld is an exciting, innovative educational app for children. Crafted by Monash University, it packs fun, creativity and learning into an irresistible package aimed at curious minds aged 8 to 12. Spread across 10 subject areas and 50 titles, MWorld’s content is unrivalled for depth and richness. MWorld uses stunning graphics and multimedia, lively narration and an engaging game system to make learning irresistible. MWorld can be previewed at www. discovermworld.com/amazing-world.

I Don’t Like Cheese is a lovely children’s story about how even the fussiest eaters can be introduced to new and different foods and discover how delicious they are in the process. This fun book introduces us to Mike the Mouse and his friend, a little girl called Ashley. Mike is different to other mice – he doesn’t like cheese! Luckily for Mike, Ashley brings him something delicious for dinner each night and in the process introduces him to food from around the world. When Ashley and her family go on holidays, Mike’s tummy begins to rumble and he has no choice but to try the cheese his Mum gives him and to his surprise he finds it delicious!

Mike realises many of the yummy foods Ashley has given him, have also contained cheese and is amazed to discover he has liked cheese all along.

What is amazing about this story, is it was written

by Hannah Chandler when she was just 11 years old! Now, still only aged 12, Hannah is already hard at work planning a sequel. A great book for young children thanks to both the beautiful illustrations and important message for kids.

FOR GROWN-UPS:

THE WIFE DROUGHT Annabel Crabb, Ebury Australia, RRP $34.99 "I need a wife." It's a common joke among women juggling work and family. But it's not actually a joke. Having a spouse who takes care of things at home is a Godsend on the domestic front. It's a potent economic asset on the work front. And it's an advantage enjoyed – even in our modern society – by vastly more men than women. But why is the work-and-family debate always about women?

Why don't men get the same flexibility that women do? In our fixation on the barriers that face women on the way into the workplace, do we forget about the barriers that – for men – still block the exits?

The Wife Drought is about women, men, family and work. Written in Annabel Crabb's inimitable style, it's full of candid and funny stories from the author's work in and around politics and the media, historical nuggets about the role of ‘The Wife' in Australia, and intriguing research about the attitudes that pulse beneath the surface of egalitarian Australia.

MOVIES THE PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR In cinemas January 1. Rating: TBC The Penguins of Madagascar are back in their very own feature film! Featuring the enterprising Penguins from DreamWorks Animation’s Madagascar franchise, this 3D comedy adventure stars Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private in their very own spy thriller.

INTO THE WOODS In cinemas January 8. Rating: TBC “Into the Woods” is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests. This humorous and heartfelt musical follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and Rapunzel – all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch who has put a curse on them.

PAPER PLANES In cinemas January 15. Rating: G Twelve-year-old Dylan lives with his father in the West Australian outback. One day at school, Dylan discovers he is extremely good at making and flying paper planes. While attempting to refine and develop his newly realised ability, Dylan finds himself caught up in the world of competitive paper-plane making, leading to new friendships, new rivalries and new revelations about his own family.

To see more reviews visit www.kidsonthecoast.com.au 34

Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015

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