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Kids on the Coast, Gold Coast, Issue 54, Jan/Feb 2015. Back to school. #kids #family #parenting #education #events www.kidsonthecoast.com,au
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Back to
school!
WIN2KOOL4SKOOL
PACKS
Raisin
g a
digita
lly
healt
hy
child
Getting
ready for school
Year 7
in detail
Don’t forget!
A handy checklist
ISSUE 54 January/February 2015 GOLD COASTwww.kidsonthecoast.com.au
The bell’s rung... Now
what?
2585 RBAY January School Hols KOTC Press Ad_Jan15.indd 1 12/12/14 9:38 AM
Avril, 4yrs
Socks & boots Dance Edge Studios
www.danceedgestudioscom.au
School supplies2Kool 4Skool
www.2kool4skool.com.au
www.kidsonthecoast .com.au JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast 3
ISSUE54
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.
ContentsJanuary/February 2015
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
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
32 CONVERSATION: Meet Morgan Parker
34 REVIEWS
WINPACKS
From our cover shoot*
- on the coast
- on the coast
- in the city
- in the city
www.kidsonthecoast .com.au4 Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015
WELCOME
PUBLISHED BYMother Goose Media PTY LTDPO Box 491, Eumundi QLD 4562
PHONE: 1300 430 320FAX: 07 5442 7253ABN: 86 473 357 391 WEB: www.mothergoosemedia.com.au
www.kidsonthecoast.com.auwww.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au
EDITORIAL / PRODUCTIONPUBLISHER: Toni Eggleston
EDITOR IN CHIEF/DIGITAL EDITOR: Carolyn Tate
PRINT EDITOR: Natasha Higgins
ADMIN: [email protected]
SOCIAL MEDIA: Eva Lewis
PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT: Alana Falk [email protected]
GRAPHIC DESIGN: Michelle Craik & Alana Falk
PRINTING: Print Works, 07 3865 4433
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: [email protected]. 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.
DISTRIBUTIONDistributed 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.
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: [email protected]
ADVERTISINGCall 1300 430 320 or email your Sales Account Manager.
GOLD COAST Nicole - [email protected]
BRISBANE Joanne - [email protected]
SUNSHINE COAST Jo - [email protected]
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.
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!).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Enjoy the rest of the summer break and see you again in March!
Natasha Higgins, Editor
MEDIA
kids on the coast | in the city
mothermother
MEDIA
WINPACKS
From our cover shoot* To enter visit:
www.kidsonthecoast.com.au* Each prize pack includes a pencil case and an
assortment or pencils, pens and stationery supplies.
www.kidsonthecoast .com.au JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast 5
www.kidsonthecoast .com.au6 Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015
Kids on the Coast Magazine - Gold Coast @kidsonthecoast kidsonthecoast_goldocoast KIDS on the Coast/in the City issuu.com/kidsonthecoastmagazine
There are always great prizes on
our website. Visit to enter.
The social gathering
www.kidsonthecoast.com.auSUBSCRIBE to receive our weekly
'What's On' and bi-monthly eNews!
Join with us online – we are more than a magazine!
Visit our website
Oaks Oasis Resort
Daily conversation, inspiration and information We want to meet you so let's get social
FACEBOOKDo 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"
INSTAGRAMWe'd love to see what you're up to on Instagram.
Hashtag #kidsonthecoastmagazine and you could feature in our next issue.
PINTERESTWe'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
{From our blog…}
Family fun in CaloundraBy Toni Eggleston
I'd heard a lot about Oaks Oasis Resort – word travels fast when a local resort 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
SOCIAL in 2015!
Let's get
www.kidsonthecoast .com.au JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast 7
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www.kidsonthecoast .com.au8 Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015
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 [email protected]
Whatsnews GOLD COAST TEEN WINS GUITAR PRIZEEighteen-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 SUMMEREach 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.
DID YOU KNOWTHE HUMAN BODY CONTAINS A TINY
AMOUNT OF
GOLDMost of the dust in
your house is actually dead skin. Yuck!
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
"SIXTH SICK SHEIK’S SIXTH SHEEP’S SICK".
TRY IT!
The Gold Coast is the sixth largest city
in Australia – and is larger than two
capital cities.
Visit our website for more news, www.kidsonthecoast.com.au/news
NEW COMMISSION GETS FAMILIES TALKINGBeing 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 ASTHMANew 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
www.kidsonthecoast .com.au JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast 9
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www.kidsonthecoast .com.au10 Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015
FEATURE
Raising a
digitally
healthy child
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.
“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.
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.
www.kidsonthecoast .com.au JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast 11
FEATURE
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”.
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.
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-year-
old 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.”
www.kidsonthecoast .com.au12 Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015
FEATURE
TEENS AND TECHNOLOGYThere 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 step-
by-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.”
TEEN SAFETYWhen 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.
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.
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.
www.kidsonthecoast .com.au JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast 13
Phone 5578 2000growonchildrensot.com.au
Is handwriting hard for your child?Handwriting is a complex skill. If your child is having handwriting difficulties it can be stressful for them. They might have trouble keeping up in class, or demonstrating their true academic ability.
At Grow On Children’s Occupational Therapy we provide a Handwriting Assessment to look at what is making it hard for your child and what can be done to help.
Special price for February & March
2015. See website for details.
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www.kidsonthecoast .com.au14 Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015
EDUCATION
ON TRACK FOR SCHOOL SUCCESS
by Maxine ArthurASKING 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 EDUCATIONThe 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 noteEstablishing 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 schoolThese 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 schoolIndicate 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.
Work with the teacher to help your child meet expectationsBy 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 mindAsk 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 SUCCESSParent–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 JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast 15
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“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.
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.
“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."
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.“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.”
ResourcesQueensland Government Literacy and Numeracy resources and activities: http://education.qld.gov.au/literacyandnumeracy/resources.html201 Literacy and Maths Tips: www.education.vic.gov.au/school/parents/involve/Pages/literacynum.aspxFor help with homework and school projects (with over 1000 videos and games all linked to the Australian Curriculum): www.splash.abc.net.au
A MUM'S VIEWVisit our website to read one mum's
experience of tracking her child's progress through primary school.
www.kidsonthecoast.com.au/articles
EDUCATION
www.kidsonthecoast .com.au JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast 17
LINDISFARNEANGLICAN GRAMMAR SCHOOLwww.lindisfarne.nsw.edu.au
Sunshine Avenue Campus, Tweed Heads South07 5590 5099 - [email protected]
Enrol now for Preschool 2015(Limited places available)
• Educating the greater Tweed Coast region• Equivalent of Pre-Prep in Queensland• Play–based child initiated program• Air conditioned classrooms• Apple Mac teaching platform• Specialist teachers - PE and Music• Coeducational - Preschool/Kindergarten - Year 12• Children aged 3-5 years
At Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School young
children are offered a unique opportunity to
commence their early years of schooling in our
Early Learning Centre (ELC).
The ELC provides a seamless transition from
playgroup to preschool and then onto kindergarten.
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.
For more information please contact:
The Registrar at [email protected]
07 5590 5099.
ADVERTISEMENT/LOCAL BUSINESS
Lindisfarne Early Learning Centre - A Seamless Transition
www.kidsonthecoast .com.au
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for t
he k
ids
disc
o. W
ith tu
nes
the
kids
w
ill lo
ve d
anci
ng to
by
Pepp
ers
Ente
rtai
nmen
t, th
is is
a g
reat
nig
ht o
ut fo
r the
who
le fa
mily
. D
etai
ls: F
ree
ente
rtai
nmen
t. D
inne
r boo
king
s re
com
men
ded.
ww
w.s
outh
port
shar
ks.c
om.a
u
janu
ary
REGU
LAR
EVEN
TS
THR
OU
GH
TIL
JA
NU
AR
Y 2
5H
OLI
DAY
FU
N W
ITH
G
OLD
CO
AST
CIR
CU
S A
CTS
Whe
re: G
old
Coa
st C
ircus
Act
s, 7
027
So
uthp
ort-
Ner
ang
Rd, N
eran
gW
hen:
Thu
rsda
ys a
nd S
unda
ys (s
ee w
ebsi
te
for d
etai
ls)
Join
the
circ
us fu
n an
d le
arn
grea
t new
ski
lls! T
ry
a 2-
hour
circ
us s
kills
wor
ksho
p or
a w
orks
hop
in
one
of tw
o le
vels
on
the
flyin
g tra
peze
. D
etai
ls: w
ww
.circ
usar
ts.c
om.a
u
JAN
UA
RY
5 T
O 2
3C
OA
ST C
LUB
Whe
re: G
old
Coa
st R
ecre
atio
n C
entr
e, 1
525
Gol
d C
oast
Hig
hway
, Pal
m B
each
Whe
n: V
ario
us d
ates
and
ses
sion
tim
es (s
ee
web
site
for d
etai
ls)
Cho
ose
your
ow
n ad
vent
ure!
Incl
udin
g ca
noei
ng, g
iant
sw
ing,
hig
h ro
pes,
lear
n to
sur
f, ro
ck c
limbi
ng a
nd s
tand
up
padd
le
boar
ding
.D
etai
ls: F
rom
8ye
ars,
$25
for c
hild
ren
and
$30
for a
dults
. ww
w.n
prsr
.qld
.gov
.au
JAN
UA
RY
12
TO
16
KID
S IN
TH
E K
ITC
HEN
Whe
re: A
ustr
alia
Fai
r, 42
Mar
ine
Para
de,
Sout
hpor
tKi
ds in
the
Kitc
hen
is a
fun
and
inte
ract
ive
cook
ing
show
. The
kid
s w
ill g
et to
pre
pare
ta
sty
and
nutr
itiou
s re
cipe
s as
wel
l as
enjo
y ea
ting
them
! D
etai
ls: F
ree.
ww
w.a
ustr
alia
fair.
com
.au
JAN
UA
RY
12
TO
16
AER
IAL
AN
GEL
S C
IRC
US
SU
PER
WO
RK
SHO
PS
Whe
re: 2
8 H
utch
inso
n St
, Bur
leig
h H
eads
Whe
n: S
ee w
ebsi
te fo
r tim
esC
hoos
e on
e or
mor
e of
the
supe
r circ
us
wor
ksho
ps a
vaila
ble
from
four
day
s of
fun
holid
ay a
ctiv
ities
, inc
ludi
ng c
ircus
& d
ram
a,
circ
us &
Mag
ic, c
ircus
& b
allo
on a
rt a
nd a
ci
rcus
spe
ctac
ular
Fun
day!
Det
ails
: Fro
m $
18. B
ooki
ngs
esse
ntia
l w
ww
.aer
iala
ngel
saca
dem
y.co
m.a
u
JAN
UA
RY
12
TO
23
THE
SUM
MER
SER
IES
Whe
re: T
he A
rts
Cen
tre
Gol
d C
oast
, 13
5 Bu
ndal
l R, S
urfe
rs P
arad
ise
Get
cre
ativ
e th
ese
Janu
ary
scho
ol h
olid
ays
with
fu
n ac
tiviti
es a
t The
Art
s C
entr
e G
old
Coa
st!
Dan
ce y
our h
eart
out
, try
you
r han
d at
cre
atin
g a
shor
t film
, unl
eash
you
r inn
er a
rtis
t or s
how
yo
ur s
kills
in s
ingi
ng a
nd a
ctin
g w
orks
hops
!D
etai
ls: w
ww
.thea
rtsc
entr
egc.
com
.au
JAN
UA
RY
12
TO
25
ALL
BO
XED
UP
Whe
re: C
entr
e C
ourt
, Pac
ific
Fair,
Hoo
ker B
lvd,
Br
oadb
each
Whe
n: 9
:30
am –
4:3
0pm
Gol
d C
oast
fam
ilies
are
invi
ted
to p
artic
ipat
e in
a
one-
of-a
-kin
d 14
-day
con
stru
ctio
n pl
ay e
vent
. Ea
ch d
ay y
ou c
an u
se fr
esh
card
boar
d to
bu
ild a
new
and
bet
ter s
hopp
ing
cent
re. T
he
activ
ity p
rom
otes
fair
play
in a
col
labo
rativ
e w
ay th
at is
sus
tain
able
, inn
ovat
ive
and,
mos
t im
port
antly
, fun
.D
etai
ls: F
ree.
ww
w.p
acifi
cfai
r.com
.au
JAN
UA
RY
19
TO
23
WA
LKIN
G W
ITH
DIN
OSA
UR
SW
here
: Aus
tral
ia F
air,
42 M
arin
e Pa
rade
, So
uthp
ort
Whe
n: 1
1am
– 2
pmJo
in in
a p
rehi
stor
ic fo
ssil
hunt
! Put
on
your
jack
et a
nd g
lass
es to
bec
ome
a ju
nior
Pa
laeo
ntol
ogis
t.D
etai
ls: F
ree.
ww
w.a
ustr
alia
fair.
com
.au
JAN
UA
RY
7 &
12
WIL
DLI
FE R
AN
GER
EX
PER
IEN
CE
Whe
re: D
avid
Fle
ay W
ildlif
e Pa
rk, W
est
Burle
igh
Snea
k a
peek
into
the
exci
ting
wor
ld o
f a
wild
life
rang
er! D
isco
ver w
hat g
oes
on w
ith
behi
nd th
e sc
enes
act
iviti
es a
nd e
xper
ienc
e cl
ose
enco
unte
rs w
ith w
ildlif
e.
Det
ails
: $20
.10 p
er c
hild
. For
age
s 6
to 9
ye
ars.
Boo
king
s re
quire
d. C
onta
ct: 5
576
2411
JAN
UA
RY
8C
REA
TUR
E FE
ATU
RE
Whe
re: D
avid
Fle
ay W
ildlif
e Pa
rk, W
est
Burle
igh
Dis
cove
r the
won
derf
ul w
orld
of w
ildlif
e an
d m
eet a
n an
imal
up
clos
e.W
hen:
11:
30am
and
12:
30pm
Det
ails
: Inc
lude
d in
adm
issi
on to
Dav
id F
leay
W
ildlif
e Pa
rk
JAN
UA
RY
8B
OD
Y A
RT
WIT
H N
ATU
RE
Whe
re: M
eet b
ehin
d th
e Pi
rate
Par
k,
Palm
Bea
ch P
arkl
ands
Whe
n: 3
pm –
4pm
Cre
ate
art w
ith n
atur
al m
ater
ials
whi
le le
arni
ng
abou
t the
obj
ects
they
find
.D
etai
ls: $
5 pe
r chi
ld. F
or a
ges
2 to
5 y
ears
. Bo
okin
gs re
quire
d. C
onta
ct: 5
534
860
4w
ww
.oce
an-c
onne
ct.o
rg
JAN
UA
RY
9 A
ND
21
WIL
DLI
FE R
AN
GER
EX
PER
IEN
CE
Whe
re: D
avid
Fle
ay W
ildlif
e Pa
rk, W
est B
urle
igh
Snea
k a
peek
into
the
exci
ting
wor
ld o
f a
wild
life
rang
er! D
isco
ver w
hat g
oes
on w
ith
behi
nd th
e sc
enes
act
iviti
es a
nd e
xper
ienc
e cl
ose
enco
unte
rs w
ith w
ildlif
e.
Det
ails
: $20
.10 p
er c
hild
. For
age
s 6
to 9
ye
ars.
Boo
king
s re
quire
d. C
onta
ct: 5
576
2411
JAN
UA
RY
12
, 14,
16
, 19,
21
& 2
3FR
EE A
RT
AC
TIV
ITIE
S FO
R K
IDS
Whe
re: G
alle
ry 1
, The
Art
s C
entr
e, B
unda
ll Rd
, Su
rfer
s Pa
radi
seW
hen:
10
am –
12p
mFr
ee d
rop-
in p
rogr
am o
f art
mak
ing
activ
ities
in
spire
d by
wor
ks in
the
Gol
d C
oast
Art
Priz
e 20
14 e
xhib
ition
. D
etai
ls: F
or a
ges
4 to
12
year
s. P
aren
tal
supe
rvis
ion
requ
ired
ww
w.th
eart
scen
treg
c.co
m.a
u
JAN
UA
RY
12
, 14,
16
, 19,
21
& 2
3D
R. S
EUSS
STO
RY
TELL
ING
Whe
re: G
alle
ry 1
, The
Art
s C
entr
e, B
unda
ll Rd
, Su
rfer
s Pa
radi
seW
hen:
1pm
Fr
ee s
tory
telli
ng s
essi
on fo
r age
s 4+
.D
etai
ls: F
ree.
ww
w.th
eart
scen
treg
c.co
m.a
u
JAN
UA
RY
13,
15
, 20
DR
. SEU
SS M
OV
IES
Whe
re: G
alle
ry 1
, The
Art
s C
entr
e, B
unda
ll Rd
, Su
rfer
s Pa
radi
seW
hen:
10
am, 1
2pm
, 2pm
Fr
ee D
r. Se
uss
mov
ie fa
vour
ites:
The
Lor
ax,
Hor
ton
Hea
rs a
Who
and
The
Cat
in T
he H
at.
Det
ails
: Fre
ew
ww
.thea
rtsc
entr
egc.
com
.au/
yout
h-pr
ogra
m/
sum
mer
-ser
ies
JAN
UA
RY
14
MA
NG
RO
VE
MA
NIA
Whe
re: D
avid
Fle
ay W
ildlif
e Pa
rk, W
est B
urle
igh
Can
fish
real
ly li
ve in
tree
s? A
ccom
pany
a
rang
er o
n an
exp
lora
tion
thro
ugh
the
man
grov
e ha
bita
t. D
etai
ls: F
ree.
Gre
at fo
r fam
ilies
. Boo
king
s re
quire
d. C
onta
ct: 5
576
2411
JAN
UA
RY
15
CU
RTI
S FA
LLS
WA
LKW
here
: Joa
lah
sect
ion,
Tam
bour
ine
Nat
iona
l Pa
rkEn
joy
the
maj
estic
wet
euc
alyp
t for
est a
nd
rain
fore
st o
f the
Joa
lah
sect
ion
on a
rang
er-
guid
ed w
alk
to C
urtis
Fal
ls.
Det
ails
: Fre
e. G
reat
for f
amili
es. B
ooki
ngs
requ
ired.
Con
tact
: 557
6 24
11
JAN
UA
RY
15
RO
CK
Y S
HO
RE
EXP
LOR
EW
here
: Mee
t at t
he R
ocky
Sho
re, G
oodw
in
Tce,
Bur
leig
h H
eads
Whe
n: 1
0am
– 1
1am
Rock
y sh
ores
are
team
ing
with
life
! Joi
n ou
r mar
ine
biol
ogis
ts to
exp
lore
this
uni
que
envi
ronm
ent.
Det
ails
: $3
per p
erso
n. F
or a
ges
5 ye
ars
and
over
. Boo
king
s re
quire
d. C
onta
ct: 5
534
860
4w
ww
.oce
an-c
onne
ct.o
rg
JAN
UA
RY
16
SPR
ING
BR
OO
K S
PO
TLIG
HT
WA
LKW
here
: The
Set
tlem
ent d
ay-u
se a
rea,
Sp
ringb
rook
Nat
iona
l Par
kSh
ed s
ome
light
on
the
crea
ture
s of
the
nigh
t. Br
ing
the
who
le fa
mily
alo
ng o
n a
spot
light
w
alk
of th
e Pu
rling
Bro
ok a
rea.
Det
ails
: Fre
e. G
reat
for f
amili
es. B
ooki
ngs
requ
ired.
Con
tact
: 557
6 24
11
JAN
UA
RY
17
STU
DEN
T C
YCLI
NG
CO
UR
SEW
here
: Var
sity
Lake
s (a
ddre
ss g
iven
onc
e bo
oked
)W
hen:
9:3
0am
– 1
1:30
am
Teac
hing
chi
ldre
n ag
ed 6
– 1
3 ye
ars
safe
bik
e ha
ndlin
g sk
ills
and
tech
niqu
es.
Det
ails
: Fre
e. B
YO b
ike
and
helm
et. B
ooki
ngs
requ
ired.
ww
w.g
oldc
oast
.qld
.gov
.au
JAN
UA
RY
22
BA
BY
SEA
SID
E M
USI
C, A
RT
AN
D
TALE
S O
N T
HE
BEA
CH
Whe
re: E
cho
Beac
h, B
urle
igh
Hea
dsW
hen:
2pm
– 3
pmEn
joy
a da
y at
the
beac
h w
ith y
our l
ittle
one
; cr
eate
a k
eeps
ake
of th
e da
y, s
ing
alon
g w
ith o
ur s
easi
de s
ongs
and
list
en to
som
e in
tera
ctiv
e oc
ean
stor
ies.
Det
ails
: $5
per c
hild
. For
age
s 0
to 3
yea
rs.
Book
ings
requ
ired.
Con
tact
: 553
4 86
04
ww
w.o
cean
-con
nect
.org
JAN
UA
RY
23
BU
SH D
ETEC
TIV
ESW
here
: Dav
id F
leay
Wild
life
Park
, Wes
t Bur
leig
hBe
com
e a
bush
det
ectiv
e an
d se
arch
for c
lues
left
by n
ativ
e an
imal
s th
at li
ve ri
ght o
n ou
r doo
rste
p.D
etai
ls: $
9.25
per
chi
ld. F
or a
ges
6 to
9 y
ears
. Bo
okin
gs re
quire
d. C
onta
ct: 5
576
2411
JAN
UA
RY
24
TUR
N B
EAC
H R
UB
BIS
H IN
TO A
RT!
Whe
re: J
ustin
s Pa
rk, B
urle
igh
Hea
dsW
hen:
11a
m –
12p
mC
reat
e yo
ur o
wn
art p
iece
out
of t
he c
lean
ru
bbis
h th
at h
as b
een
colle
cted
on
our G
old
Coa
st b
each
es.
Det
ails
: $5
per c
hild
. Boo
king
s re
quire
d.
Con
tact
: 553
4 86
04.
ww
w.o
cean
-con
nect
.org
www.kidsonthecoast .com.au
HAP
PY
VALE
NTI
NES
D
AY
Visit a
Li
brary!
* W
e pu
blis
h in
form
atio
n ba
sed
on w
hat i
s su
pplie
d to
us
- to
the
best
of
our
kno
wle
ge a
ll de
tails
are
cor
rect
at
the
time
of p
rintin
g,
how
ever
we
do
reco
mm
end
you
chec
k ev
ent d
etai
ls
with
the
orga
nise
rs
- on
the
coas
t
- on
the
coas
t
TICKE
TSSE
PTE
MB
ER 2
7, 2
014
TO
JA
NU
AR
Y 2
5, 2
015
THE
LIO
N K
ING
Lyric
The
atre
, QPA
C. w
ww
4.qp
ac.c
om.a
u
JAN
UA
RY
3 T
O 1
1G
IGG
LE A
ND
HO
OT
Play
hous
e, Q
PAC
. ww
w.q
pac.
com
.au
JAN
UA
RY
3 T
O 1
1ER
TH’S
DIN
OSA
UR
ZO
OC
rem
orne
The
atre
, QPA
C. w
ww
.qpa
c.co
m.a
u
JAN
UA
RY
4 T
O 1
0TH
E IL
LUSI
ON
ISTS
Con
cert
Hal
l, Q
PAC
. ww
w.q
pac.
com
.au
JAN
UA
RY
14
TO 1
7TH
E SL
EEP
ING
BEA
UTY
Play
hous
e, Q
PAC
. ww
w.q
pac.
com
.au
JAN
UA
RY
16
& 1
7TH
E LI
STIE
S M
AK
E YO
U L
OL!
The
Arts
Cen
tre,
Gol
d C
oast
. ww
w.th
eart
scen
treg
c.co
m.a
u
JAN
UA
RY
17
DIS
NEY
LIV
EBr
isba
ne E
nter
tain
men
t Cen
tre.
ww
w.b
risen
t.com
.au
JAN
UA
RY
20
& 2
1TH
E K
AZO
OS
WH
AT’S
UP
CR
OC
? Th
e Ar
ts C
entr
e, G
old
Coa
st. w
ww
.thea
rtsc
entr
egc.
com
.au
FEB
RU
AR
Y 2
7 &
28
OC
TON
AU
TS L
IVE!
QU
T G
arde
ns T
heat
re. w
ww
.gar
dens
thea
tre.
qut.e
du.a
u
MAY
11
& 1
2P
LAY
SC
HO
OL
"ON
CE
UP
ON
A T
IME"
May
11
– A
lber
t Wat
erw
ays
Com
mun
ity C
entr
e, M
erm
aid
Wat
ers
May
12
– T
wee
d H
eads
Civ
ic C
entr
e, T
wee
d H
eads
ww
w.k
idsp
rom
otio
ns.c
om.a
u
Visit w
ww.ki
dson
thec
oast
.com
.au for
mor
e ev
ents
febru
ary
JAN
UA
RY
30
TO
FEB
RU
AR
Y 1
GO
LD C
OA
ST F
OO
D A
ND
WIN
E EX
POW
here
: Gol
d C
oast
Con
vent
ion
and
Ex
hibi
tion
Cen
tre
An a
nnua
l 3-d
ay e
vent
with
mor
e th
an 1
50
loca
l and
nat
iona
l exh
ibito
rs. T
ake
the
kids
to
mee
t som
e of
thei
r fav
ourit
e ce
lebr
ities
from
M
aste
rChe
f and
My
Kitc
hen
Rule
s!D
etai
ls: A
dult
$20.
Chi
ldre
n un
der 1
4 fr
ee
FEB
RU
AR
Y 4
TR
AIN
ING
WH
EELS
TO
TW
O!
Whe
re: M
iam
iW
hen:
3:3
0pm
– 4
:30
pmTh
is c
ours
e te
ache
s ch
ildre
n ag
ed 4
– 1
0
year
s ho
w to
adv
ance
from
trai
ning
whe
els
to
two
whe
els.
Det
ails
: Fre
e. B
YO tw
o-w
heel
ed b
ike
ww
w.g
oldc
oast
.qld
.gov
.au
FEB
RU
AR
Y 7
GET
BA
CK
ON
YO
UR
BIK
E!W
here
: Pal
m B
each
(add
ress
giv
en o
nce
book
ed)
Whe
n: 9
:30
am –
12:
30pm
A fa
mily
frie
ndly
wor
ksho
p to
hel
p yo
u ga
in
conf
iden
ce a
nd e
njoy
usi
ng y
our b
ike!
D
etai
ls: F
ree.
Boo
king
s re
quire
dw
ww
.gol
dcoa
st.q
ld.g
ov.a
u
FEB
RU
AR
Y 1
3 TO
MA
RC
H 1
SAN
D S
AFA
RI –
AU
STR
ALI
AN
SA
ND
SC
ULP
TIN
G C
HA
MP
ION
SHIP
SW
here
: Sur
fers
Par
adis
e Fo
resh
ore
Dis
ney’
s m
agic
al fr
iend
ship
s ar
e br
ough
t to
life
in th
is y
ear’s
San
d Sa
fari.
Com
e an
d ad
mire
the
art o
f san
d sc
ulpt
ing.
Fun
for a
ll ag
es!
Det
ails
: Fre
ew
ww
.sur
fers
para
dise
.com
/wha
ts-o
n/fr
ee-
even
ts/s
and-
safa
ri
FEB
RU
AR
Y 1
4A
FL G
OLD
CO
AST
JU
NIO
RS
OP
EN D
AYW
here
: Met
ricon
Sta
dium
, Ner
ang-
Broa
dbea
ch R
d, G
old
Coa
stW
hen:
9am
“G
et in
the
Gam
e” o
pen
day
for a
ll AF
L G
old
Coa
st J
unio
r Clu
bs. B
e th
ere
for G
old
Coa
st S
uns
play
er in
tera
ctio
n an
d a
play
grou
nd fo
r the
kid
s.
Com
e al
ong
to s
ign
up fo
r the
201
5 se
ason
!D
etai
ls: F
ree.
ww
w.m
oreg
oldc
oast
.com
.au
FEB
RU
AR
Y 2
1 TR
AIN
ING
WH
EELS
TO
TW
O!
Whe
re: P
alm
Bea
ch (a
ddre
ss d
etai
ls g
iven
on
ce b
ooke
d)W
hen:
3:3
0pm
– 4
:30
pmTh
is c
ours
e te
ache
s ch
ildre
n ag
ed 4
– 1
0
year
s ho
w to
adv
ance
from
trai
ning
whe
els
to
two
whe
els.
Det
ails
: Fre
e. B
YO tw
o-w
heel
ed b
ike.
Bo
okin
gs re
quire
d. w
ww
.gol
dcoa
st.q
ld.g
ov.a
u
CH
ECK
OU
T YO
UR
LO
CA
L LI
BR
AR
Y!
Did
you
kno
w th
at c
ounc
il lib
rarie
s ha
ve fr
ee
even
ts, c
lass
es, w
orks
hops
and
act
iviti
es fo
r ba
bies
and
chi
ldre
n?
Det
ails
: ww
w.g
oldc
oast
.qld
.gov
.au
Don
’t m
iss
out o
n an
y ev
ents
! S
ign
up
at
ww
w.k
idso
nth
eco
ast
.co
m.a
u f
or
ou
r w
ee
kly
Wh
at’s
On
gu
ide
. We
als
o h
ave
a s
pe
cia
l co
mp
reh
en
sive
a
cti
vity
an
d e
ven
t e
Gu
ide
eve
ry s
ch
oo
l ho
lida
ys, c
ove
rin
g a
ll o
f S
ou
th E
ast
Qu
ee
nsl
an
d. Y
ou
ca
n s
ign
up
on
line
to
be
n
oti
fie
d w
he
n t
he
gu
ide
is la
un
ch
ed
an
d t
o r
ece
ive
th
e li
nk
to
do
wn
loa
d y
ou
r p
ers
on
al c
op
y.
250+
W
AYS
TO
KEE
P TH
E K
IDS
BUSY
!
DO
WN
LOA
Dw
ww
.kid
sont
heco
ast.c
om.a
u
THR
OU
GH
TIL
JA
NU
AR
Y 2
5H
OLI
DAY
FU
N W
ITH
G
OLD
CO
AST
CIR
CU
S A
CTS
Whe
re: G
old
Coa
st C
ircus
Act
s, 7
027
So
uthp
ort-
Ner
ang
Rd, N
eran
gW
hen:
Thu
rsda
ys a
nd S
unda
ys (s
ee w
ebsi
te
for d
etai
ls)
Join
the
circ
us fu
n an
d le
arn
grea
t new
ski
lls! T
ry
a 2-
hour
circ
us s
kills
wor
ksho
p or
a w
orks
hop
in
one
of tw
o le
vels
on
the
flyin
g tra
peze
. D
etai
ls: w
ww
.circ
usar
ts.c
om.a
u
JAN
UA
RY
5 T
O 2
3C
OA
ST C
LUB
Whe
re: G
old
Coa
st R
ecre
atio
n C
entr
e, 1
525
Gol
d C
oast
Hig
hway
, Pal
m B
each
Whe
n: V
ario
us d
ates
and
ses
sion
tim
es (s
ee
web
site
for d
etai
ls)
Cho
ose
your
ow
n ad
vent
ure!
Incl
udin
g ca
noei
ng, g
iant
sw
ing,
hig
h ro
pes,
lear
n to
sur
f, ro
ck c
limbi
ng a
nd s
tand
up
padd
le
boar
ding
.D
etai
ls: F
rom
8ye
ars,
$25
for c
hild
ren
and
$30
for a
dults
. ww
w.n
prsr
.qld
.gov
.au
JAN
UA
RY
12
TO
16
KID
S IN
TH
E K
ITC
HEN
Whe
re: A
ustr
alia
Fai
r, 42
Mar
ine
Para
de,
Sout
hpor
tKi
ds in
the
Kitc
hen
is a
fun
and
inte
ract
ive
cook
ing
show
. The
kid
s w
ill g
et to
pre
pare
ta
sty
and
nutr
itiou
s re
cipe
s as
wel
l as
enjo
y ea
ting
them
! D
etai
ls: F
ree.
ww
w.a
ustr
alia
fair.
com
.au
JAN
UA
RY
12
TO
16
AER
IAL
AN
GEL
S C
IRC
US
SU
PER
WO
RK
SHO
PS
Whe
re: 2
8 H
utch
inso
n St
, Bur
leig
h H
eads
Whe
n: S
ee w
ebsi
te fo
r tim
esC
hoos
e on
e or
mor
e of
the
supe
r circ
us
wor
ksho
ps a
vaila
ble
from
four
day
s of
fun
holid
ay a
ctiv
ities
, inc
ludi
ng c
ircus
& d
ram
a,
circ
us &
Mag
ic, c
ircus
& b
allo
on a
rt a
nd a
ci
rcus
spe
ctac
ular
Fun
day!
Det
ails
: Fro
m $
18. B
ooki
ngs
esse
ntia
l w
ww
.aer
iala
ngel
saca
dem
y.co
m.a
u
JAN
UA
RY
12
TO
23
THE
SUM
MER
SER
IES
Whe
re: T
he A
rts
Cen
tre
Gol
d C
oast
, 13
5 Bu
ndal
l R, S
urfe
rs P
arad
ise
Get
cre
ativ
e th
ese
Janu
ary
scho
ol h
olid
ays
with
fu
n ac
tiviti
es a
t The
Art
s C
entr
e G
old
Coa
st!
Dan
ce y
our h
eart
out
, try
you
r han
d at
cre
atin
g a
shor
t film
, unl
eash
you
r inn
er a
rtis
t or s
how
yo
ur s
kills
in s
ingi
ng a
nd a
ctin
g w
orks
hops
!D
etai
ls: w
ww
.thea
rtsc
entr
egc.
com
.au
JAN
UA
RY
12
TO
25
ALL
BO
XED
UP
Whe
re: C
entr
e C
ourt
, Pac
ific
Fair,
Hoo
ker B
lvd,
Br
oadb
each
Whe
n: 9
:30
am –
4:3
0pm
Gol
d C
oast
fam
ilies
are
invi
ted
to p
artic
ipat
e in
a
one-
of-a
-kin
d 14
-day
con
stru
ctio
n pl
ay e
vent
. Ea
ch d
ay y
ou c
an u
se fr
esh
card
boar
d to
bu
ild a
new
and
bet
ter s
hopp
ing
cent
re. T
he
activ
ity p
rom
otes
fair
play
in a
col
labo
rativ
e w
ay th
at is
sus
tain
able
, inn
ovat
ive
and,
mos
t im
port
antly
, fun
.D
etai
ls: F
ree.
ww
w.p
acifi
cfai
r.com
.au
JAN
UA
RY
19
TO
23
WA
LKIN
G W
ITH
DIN
OSA
UR
SW
here
: Aus
tral
ia F
air,
42 M
arin
e Pa
rade
, So
uthp
ort
Whe
n: 1
1am
– 2
pmJo
in in
a p
rehi
stor
ic fo
ssil
hunt
! Put
on
your
jack
et a
nd g
lass
es to
bec
ome
a ju
nior
Pa
laeo
ntol
ogis
t.D
etai
ls: F
ree.
ww
w.a
ustr
alia
fair.
com
.au
JAN
UA
RY
7 &
12
WIL
DLI
FE R
AN
GER
EX
PER
IEN
CE
Whe
re: D
avid
Fle
ay W
ildlif
e Pa
rk, W
est
Burle
igh
Snea
k a
peek
into
the
exci
ting
wor
ld o
f a
wild
life
rang
er! D
isco
ver w
hat g
oes
on w
ith
behi
nd th
e sc
enes
act
iviti
es a
nd e
xper
ienc
e cl
ose
enco
unte
rs w
ith w
ildlif
e.
Det
ails
: $20
.10 p
er c
hild
. For
age
s 6
to 9
ye
ars.
Boo
king
s re
quire
d. C
onta
ct: 5
576
2411
JAN
UA
RY
8C
REA
TUR
E FE
ATU
RE
Whe
re: D
avid
Fle
ay W
ildlif
e Pa
rk, W
est
Burle
igh
Dis
cove
r the
won
derf
ul w
orld
of w
ildlif
e an
d m
eet a
n an
imal
up
clos
e.W
hen:
11:
30am
and
12:
30pm
Det
ails
: Inc
lude
d in
adm
issi
on to
Dav
id F
leay
W
ildlif
e Pa
rk
JAN
UA
RY
8B
OD
Y A
RT
WIT
H N
ATU
RE
Whe
re: M
eet b
ehin
d th
e Pi
rate
Par
k,
Palm
Bea
ch P
arkl
ands
Whe
n: 3
pm –
4pm
Cre
ate
art w
ith n
atur
al m
ater
ials
whi
le le
arni
ng
abou
t the
obj
ects
they
find
.D
etai
ls: $
5 pe
r chi
ld. F
or a
ges
2 to
5 y
ears
. Bo
okin
gs re
quire
d. C
onta
ct: 5
534
860
4w
ww
.oce
an-c
onne
ct.o
rg
JAN
UA
RY
9 A
ND
21
WIL
DLI
FE R
AN
GER
EX
PER
IEN
CE
Whe
re: D
avid
Fle
ay W
ildlif
e Pa
rk, W
est B
urle
igh
Snea
k a
peek
into
the
exci
ting
wor
ld o
f a
wild
life
rang
er! D
isco
ver w
hat g
oes
on w
ith
behi
nd th
e sc
enes
act
iviti
es a
nd e
xper
ienc
e cl
ose
enco
unte
rs w
ith w
ildlif
e.
Det
ails
: $20
.10 p
er c
hild
. For
age
s 6
to 9
ye
ars.
Boo
king
s re
quire
d. C
onta
ct: 5
576
2411
JAN
UA
RY
12
, 14,
16
, 19,
21
& 2
3FR
EE A
RT
AC
TIV
ITIE
S FO
R K
IDS
Whe
re: G
alle
ry 1
, The
Art
s C
entr
e, B
unda
ll Rd
, Su
rfer
s Pa
radi
seW
hen:
10
am –
12p
mFr
ee d
rop-
in p
rogr
am o
f art
mak
ing
activ
ities
in
spire
d by
wor
ks in
the
Gol
d C
oast
Art
Priz
e 20
14 e
xhib
ition
. D
etai
ls: F
or a
ges
4 to
12
year
s. P
aren
tal
supe
rvis
ion
requ
ired
ww
w.th
eart
scen
treg
c.co
m.a
u
JAN
UA
RY
12
, 14,
16
, 19,
21
& 2
3D
R. S
EUSS
STO
RY
TELL
ING
Whe
re: G
alle
ry 1
, The
Art
s C
entr
e, B
unda
ll Rd
, Su
rfer
s Pa
radi
seW
hen:
1pm
Fr
ee s
tory
telli
ng s
essi
on fo
r age
s 4+
.D
etai
ls: F
ree.
ww
w.th
eart
scen
treg
c.co
m.a
u
JAN
UA
RY
13,
15
, 20
DR
. SEU
SS M
OV
IES
Whe
re: G
alle
ry 1
, The
Art
s C
entr
e, B
unda
ll Rd
, Su
rfer
s Pa
radi
seW
hen:
10
am, 1
2pm
, 2pm
Fr
ee D
r. Se
uss
mov
ie fa
vour
ites:
The
Lor
ax,
Hor
ton
Hea
rs a
Who
and
The
Cat
in T
he H
at.
Det
ails
: Fre
ew
ww
.thea
rtsc
entr
egc.
com
.au/
yout
h-pr
ogra
m/
sum
mer
-ser
ies
JAN
UA
RY
14
MA
NG
RO
VE
MA
NIA
Whe
re: D
avid
Fle
ay W
ildlif
e Pa
rk, W
est B
urle
igh
Can
fish
real
ly li
ve in
tree
s? A
ccom
pany
a
rang
er o
n an
exp
lora
tion
thro
ugh
the
man
grov
e ha
bita
t. D
etai
ls: F
ree.
Gre
at fo
r fam
ilies
. Boo
king
s re
quire
d. C
onta
ct: 5
576
2411
JAN
UA
RY
15
CU
RTI
S FA
LLS
WA
LKW
here
: Joa
lah
sect
ion,
Tam
bour
ine
Nat
iona
l Pa
rkEn
joy
the
maj
estic
wet
euc
alyp
t for
est a
nd
rain
fore
st o
f the
Joa
lah
sect
ion
on a
rang
er-
guid
ed w
alk
to C
urtis
Fal
ls.
Det
ails
: Fre
e. G
reat
for f
amili
es. B
ooki
ngs
requ
ired.
Con
tact
: 557
6 24
11
JAN
UA
RY
15
RO
CK
Y S
HO
RE
EXP
LOR
EW
here
: Mee
t at t
he R
ocky
Sho
re, G
oodw
in
Tce,
Bur
leig
h H
eads
Whe
n: 1
0am
– 1
1am
Rock
y sh
ores
are
team
ing
with
life
! Joi
n ou
r mar
ine
biol
ogis
ts to
exp
lore
this
uni
que
envi
ronm
ent.
Det
ails
: $3
per p
erso
n. F
or a
ges
5 ye
ars
and
over
. Boo
king
s re
quire
d. C
onta
ct: 5
534
860
4w
ww
.oce
an-c
onne
ct.o
rg
JAN
UA
RY
16
SPR
ING
BR
OO
K S
PO
TLIG
HT
WA
LKW
here
: The
Set
tlem
ent d
ay-u
se a
rea,
Sp
ringb
rook
Nat
iona
l Par
kSh
ed s
ome
light
on
the
crea
ture
s of
the
nigh
t. Br
ing
the
who
le fa
mily
alo
ng o
n a
spot
light
w
alk
of th
e Pu
rling
Bro
ok a
rea.
Det
ails
: Fre
e. G
reat
for f
amili
es. B
ooki
ngs
requ
ired.
Con
tact
: 557
6 24
11
JAN
UA
RY
17
STU
DEN
T C
YCLI
NG
CO
UR
SEW
here
: Var
sity
Lake
s (a
ddre
ss g
iven
onc
e bo
oked
)W
hen:
9:3
0am
– 1
1:30
am
Teac
hing
chi
ldre
n ag
ed 6
– 1
3 ye
ars
safe
bik
e ha
ndlin
g sk
ills
and
tech
niqu
es.
Det
ails
: Fre
e. B
YO b
ike
and
helm
et. B
ooki
ngs
requ
ired.
ww
w.g
oldc
oast
.qld
.gov
.au
JAN
UA
RY
22
BA
BY
SEA
SID
E M
USI
C, A
RT
AN
D
TALE
S O
N T
HE
BEA
CH
Whe
re: E
cho
Beac
h, B
urle
igh
Hea
dsW
hen:
2pm
– 3
pmEn
joy
a da
y at
the
beac
h w
ith y
our l
ittle
one
; cr
eate
a k
eeps
ake
of th
e da
y, s
ing
alon
g w
ith o
ur s
easi
de s
ongs
and
list
en to
som
e in
tera
ctiv
e oc
ean
stor
ies.
Det
ails
: $5
per c
hild
. For
age
s 0
to 3
yea
rs.
Book
ings
requ
ired.
Con
tact
: 553
4 86
04
ww
w.o
cean
-con
nect
.org
JAN
UA
RY
23
BU
SH D
ETEC
TIV
ESW
here
: Dav
id F
leay
Wild
life
Park
, Wes
t Bur
leig
hBe
com
e a
bush
det
ectiv
e an
d se
arch
for c
lues
left
by n
ativ
e an
imal
s th
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www.kidsonthecoast .com.au20 Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015
CHECK THIS OUT
GREAT PRODUCTS TO MAKE THE
SCHOOL YEAR FUN!
These beech wood Funky Rulers represent the
front line in the battle against boring stationery. Available in four designs: Cinderella (star), Super
Voice (microphone), Waldi (dog) and Freddy (saw). A must for every school
kid! Available online from http://shop.until.com.au
The classic playground jumping game is back with a modern twist.
This elastics set contains some jumping elastics along with a
comprehensive instruction guide for playing. The guide includes five song variations and guidelines on
advancing the game from standard through to advanced levels. Bring back the fun from your childhood
by sharing this game with younger generations. Available online from
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ELASTICSRRP $14.95
Save time and money when packing your kids lunchboxes. Fill your reusable food pouches with healthy homemade goodness, yoghurt, purees and much more.
Sinchies allow you to feed your children healthier, additive and preservative free food. Dishwasher safe, freezer safe and BPA free. www.freestylekids.com.au
SINCHIES POUCHESFrom RRP $7.95
FUNKY RULERSRRP $14.95
ABC READING EGGS$79.95 for a
12 month subscription
ABC Reading Eggs is the multi-award winning online reading program designed to teach children aged between 3 and 13 essential early reading skills. The program is developed by a team of Australian educators with over 30 years’ experience,
and has already been used by over 3.4 million children around the world. Right now, you can redeem a special 4 weeks free
access by signing up at www.readingeggs.com.au/egg.
Yumbox is a child-friendly bento style lunchbox with a single leakproof lid. Yumbox’s
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lunchbox. Available at Madison Jane Boutique at Burleigh Heads. For online stockists visit www.yumboxlunch.com.au
YUMBOX LUNCHBOXRRP $34.95/ $39.95
www.kidsonthecoast .com.au JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast 21
CHECK THIS OUTGet organ
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SMART CALENDARRRP $15.99 and $25.99
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CRAZY LACESRRP $11.95
Are your old Converse crying out for a makeover? Or are your Nikes not as
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CANON SELPHYRRP $119
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ROCKSTAR NAILS
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2Kool4Skool’s slip-on PVC school book covers are fresh, edgy and creatively designed to make 'back to school' book
covering a breeze. Available in 4 sizes: A4, scrapbook, 9x7 exercise book and 10x7 exercise book sizes. A select
number of the cover designs have been used in pencil cases, transport card/identification card holders and water
bottles. 2Kool4Skool also stocks awesome scratch and sniff name labels, lunch items and a huge range of funky school
stationery supplies. www.2kool4skool.com.au
Reliving your special memories has never been more convenient with the Canon Selphy CP910 photo printer. This compact, lightweight photo printer uses inbuilt Wi-Fi to connect to iOS/Android devices, compatible cameras, laptops/tablets, USB sticks, SD cards and more. The Canon Selphy prints lab quality photos of different sizes and finishes, and you can even print your Instagram pics in their perfect square form on
stickers! Available from leading retailers or online at https://store.canon.com.au
PVC SCHOOL BOOK COVERSMulti packs from RRP $13.95
School Readiness Program - Structured, fun, interactive and
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Speech Sound Pics - Re-wiring brains to improve reading and spelling.
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www.kidsonthecoast .com.au22 Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015
THE P FILES
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.
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.
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.
DEVELOP A CONSISTENT MORNING AND EVENING ROUTINE IN THE LEAD UP TO THE NEW SCHOOL YEAREASE 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.
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.
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.
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.
FAMILIARISE YOUR CHILD WITH THEIR SCHOOL, TEACHER AND CLASSROOMWhere 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
Helping your child prepare for
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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 CLASSMATESMost 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.
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.
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
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
www.kidsonthecoast .com.au JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast 25
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www.kidsonthecoast .com.au26 Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015
TEENS
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.
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.
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
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.
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:
1. DISTINCT IDENTITYJunior 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 TEACHINGTeachers 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 WELLBEINGWe 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 INVOLVEMENTWe 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. LEADERSHIPSchools 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 MAKINGThe 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
A Flying Start for Queensland students
by Rachel Downie
www.kidsonthecoast .com.au JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast 27
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, self-esteem 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.
Many of the initiatives that have been implemented
at MCSHS – whilst unique to their setting – have
the same flavour as other state secondary schools.
A number of independent schools in Queensland
already have Year 7 in Junior Secondary or have
been running Middle Schools for quite some time,
which means fewer larger scale changes have
had to be made. Given that independent schools
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-ready-high-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
A MUM’S VIEWLike thousands of mums across Queensland,
Rachel Young has a child starting high school
next year as the first group of Year 7 kids to take
the plunge. She's not sure if she's quite ready.
Are you? Read Rachel’s story on our website:
www.kidsonthecoast.com.au/
article/too-soon-for-high-school
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www.kidsonthecoast .com.au28 Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015
SPECIAL FEATURE
BACK TO SCHOOL
- on the coast
- on the coast
- in the city
- in the city
www.kidsonthecoast.com.au • www.kidsinthecitymagazine.com.au
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
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!
Back to school checklist
www.kidsonthecoast .com.au JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast 29
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clinic
Providing specialised health care for children
07 5689 1268 • www.kids1sthealth.com.auOpening Hours: Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5pm
*OPEN NOWRiverwalk Place, Level 1/238 Robina Town Centre Drive (corner Laver Drive)
• Acute injury & illness
• Immunisations
• Growth & development screening
• Direct referral to Kids 1st Paediatrician
• Emergency/Paediatric Nurse Practitioners
• Paediatric Focused GPs
Are you looking for a paediatric focused team who are dedicated to offering quality,
compassionate health care for your family? Do you struggle to get an appointment
with your GP when you need one?
Kids 1st Health is Australia’s first private paediatric clinic run by Nurse Practitioners
in collaboration with a Paediatrician. A Nurse Practitioner is a registered nurse
educated to Master’s level and authorised to operate in an advanced clinical role.
The ability to provide direct referrals to Dr Liam Tjia, Kids 1st Health’s Paediatrician,
means that Kids 1st Health can provide the very best treatment and health care for
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
many parents face when seeking quality and timely health care treatments for their
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
health care team onsite who specialise in women’s and children’s presentations.
Kids 1st Health is located at Riverwalk Place, Level 1/238 Robina Town Centre Drive
(corner Laver Drive), opposite The Rocket. For appointments call 07 5689 1268
or email [email protected] | www.kids1sthealth.com.au
Australia’s First: Kids 1st Health Clinic
ADVERTISEMENT/LOCAL BUSINESS
Gold Coast’s1stchildren’s acutehealth care
clinic
Providing specialised health care for children
07 5689 1268 • www.kids1sthealth.com.auOpening Hours: Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5pm
*OPEN NOWRiverwalk Place, Level 1/238 Robina Town Centre Drive (corner Laver Drive)
• Acute injury & illness
• Immunisations
• Growth & development screening
• Direct referral to Kids 1st Paediatrician
• Emergency/Paediatric Nurse Practitioners
• Paediatric Focused GPs
Are you looking for a paediatric focused team who are dedicated to offering quality,
compassionate health care for your family? Do you struggle to get an appointment
with your GP when you need one?
Kids 1st Health is Australia’s first private paediatric clinic run by Nurse Practitioners
in collaboration with a Paediatrician. A Nurse Practitioner is a registered nurse
educated to Master’s level and authorised to operate in an advanced clinical role.
The ability to provide direct referrals to Dr Liam Tjia, Kids 1st Health’s Paediatrician,
means that Kids 1st Health can provide the very best treatment and health care for
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
many parents face when seeking quality and timely health care treatments for their
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
health care team onsite who specialise in women’s and children’s presentations.
Kids 1st Health is located at Riverwalk Place, Level 1/238 Robina Town Centre Drive
(corner Laver Drive), opposite The Rocket. For appointments call 07 5689 1268
or email [email protected] | www.kids1sthealth.com.au
Australia’s First: Kids 1st Health Clinic
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Gold Coast Nannies are reliable, trustworthy, honest and dedicated. They are highly experienced with children of all ages, carry a current Blue Card (Working with Children Check) and have current first aid certificates. It is our desire that the child's experience is a fun, safe and most importantly a memorable one. Have peace of mind when you book a babysitter or nanny for your family.
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COAST LIFE
Coast Life shares exciting products and services by businesses that cater to Gold Coast parents and families. We think local kids and parents
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www.kidsonthecoast .com.au30 Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015
Straight teeth the natural way
Will your child need orthodontic braces, extractions or even surgery?
Did you know, treatment with braces generally only focuses on the symptoms of crooked teeth, not the causes?
Myobrace Pre-Orthodontic Center® provides treatment options that address the underlying causes of orthodontic problems and may unlock your child’s healthy growth and development, without the need for braces.
Before your kids get braces contact us today for your free consultation.*
Suitable for children from 5 to 15.
*Conditions apply, contact Myobrace Pre-Orthodontic Center® for details.
Find uson FacebookP: 1300 537 727 W: myobrace.com Upper Coomera • Robina • Brunswick Heads
1641_KOTC_Ad-FA_ENG_0514_r2.indd 1 15/08/2014 1:47 pm
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.
The Myobrace System™ combines patient and parent education, exercises
to correct breathing and strengthen facial muscles, habit correction and
an intuitive removable oral appliance range to offer parents and patients a
more natural treatment.
A major factor in the success of The Myobrace System™ is the philosophy
that parents must be empowered to make educated decisions regarding
their child’s orthodontic treatment. To facilitate this, comprehensive
resources have been made available to help the general public gain a
better understanding and clearer insight into the reasons for and benefits
of early or preventive orthodontic intervention. Prior to committing to the
treatment, parents are encouraged to visit the myobrace.com website
where information regarding how treatment works and the advantages
of Myobrace® compared to treatment solely with traditional alternatives is
readily available and only a click away. To achieve outstanding results, The
Myobrace System™ relies on patient and parent compliance and effective
education is the first step towards attaining this.
In addition to facilitating a parent’s ability to make an informed decision by
providing necessary resources, The Myobrace System™ includes several
features intended to make it as accessible as possible. Once a parent
clearly understands the benefits of early intervention and pre-orthodontic
treatment they can make the informed decision to pursue their child’s
treatment with The Myobrace System™. There are then several avenues
available to continue, including options to attend an information session,
complete the Myobrace® self-assessment or book a free consultation at a
nearby Myobrace Pre-Orthodontic Center®.
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Myobrace - Pre-Orthodontics for today’s children
www.kidsonthecoast .com.au JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast 31
Gold Coast Family Fun!
*On sale for a limited time only. Min 2 night stay. Travel until 30/09/15. Subject to availability. Saturday night and seasonal surcharges apply. For details visit www.paradiseresort.com.au
1800 074 111 • facebook.com/paradiseresortgc122 Ferny Avenue Surfers Paradise QLD 4217www.paradiseresort.com.au
FREEKIDS CLUBSESSIONS
With Every Package
RESORT ROOM 2 Adults+2 Kids (0-12yrs)
1 KIDS CLUB SESSION Per Child Per Day
DAILY ACTIVITY PROGRAM
KIDS ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND
UNLIMITED USE OF OUR WATERPARK
PACKAGES INCLUDE:
PACKAGES START FROM
$169 PER ROOMPER NIGHT
*
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
ADVERTISEMENT/LOCAL BUSINESS
Paradise Resort Promotes Healthy Holidays
www.kidsonthecoast .com.au32 Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015
CONVERSATION
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 much-needed 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 multi-cultural. 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
Morgan ParkerMeet
by Natasha Higgins
To read our full interview with Morgan, visit www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
www.kidsonthecoast .com.au JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015 – Kids on the Coast 33
www.kidsonthecoast .com.au34 Kids on the Coast – JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015
REV
IEW
S
To see more reviews visit www.kidsonthecoast.com.au
BOOKSFOR KIDS:
I DON’T LIKE CHEESEHannah Chandler, Exisle Publishing, RRP $19.99
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 DROUGHTAnnabel 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.
APPSMWORLD(iPhone, iPad) Free
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.
MOVIESTHE PENGUINS OF MADAGASCARIn 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 WOODSIn 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 PLANESIn 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.
BOOKS, MOVIES, APPS, GAMES
DARE TO ENTER QPAC’S DINOSAUR LAIR!
THE SELL-OUT HIT RETURNS
From 3 January 2015CREMORNE THEATRE, QPACBOOK NOW QPAC.COM.AU OR 136 246
- in the city
SUPPORTED BY KIDS IN THE CITY
*A $6.20 FEE APPLIES PER TRANSACTION
Ticketseach$25*
An interactive LIVE indoor performance for children 5+
QPAC PRESENTS
An Erth Visual & Physical Production
Groups 4+ $20*pp
