May 12 - 18, 2013: Issue 110 Welcome to our brand new page for all you who are not teenagers yet but like finding out about what's interesting for you. On this page we'll share news, events and bring you some great entertainment from a the past and the present. If you have something you want to share or something you'd like us to find out more about you can contact us here; we'd love to hear from you!! Just talk to mum or dad about it first and make sure you have their permission and let them give you a hand. For you this week: Pacific Black Duck taking a bath at Careel Creek Planting seeds on the front lawn for tomorrow's students - 9 May 2013
The University of Sydney's iconic front lawns became a giant outdoor classroom for 700 eight- and nine-year-olds yesterday. For most of these students, drawn from 13 primary schools across Sydney, mainly from the greater west and the south west, Year Three Discover University was their first hands-on experience of university life. "The event is part of the 'Discover' phase of our programs," said Annette Cairnduff, Director of Social Inclusion at the University of Sydney. The initiative also includes activities at each school before and after their University visit. "The students left with stories of mummies, marshmallows, beebots and bridge making - and possibly a bit of Hogwarts. More importantly they have now been to a university campus, met and talked with students, academics and researchers, and got a feel for what goes on at the University of Sydney," added Cairnduff. Each child undertook four of 32 activities provided by 13 faculties at the University, as well as by theARC Centre of Excellence for the History of Emotion, Sydney University Sport and Fitness and theSydney University Museums and Gallery. Ruqaya from Fairfield Public School learnt about some of the basics of engineering: "We got to build a bridge with lollies and we had to put blocks together and see how much they weighed." Her friend Mantoura learnt about an important issue for controlling the spread of illness: "I washed my hands and cleaned them and checked them with a special light to see if there were still germs." Chloe from Revesby South Public School was given a set of paintings and asked to design an art exhibition, before moving onto a class about power in Australia: "We went to an art gallery and we learnt how to put pictures together and be art curators. Then we learnt about the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, and voting." Annette Cairnduff says the idea behind the program is the crucial role early exposure to tertiary education plays in the choices children make later on. "Research tells us that the majority of students who are currently at university began thinking about it in primary school," she says. Last year more than 12,000 primary and high school students participated in the University's Compass program. More than 30,000 students have taken part in the program since it began in 2009. "We are really starting to see the impact of our work in schools as the kids move up through into high school and senior school," Cairnduff said. "We couldn't do this work without the terrific and dedicated engagement of staff and students from faculties and central areas of the University," she added.
The University of Sydney’s Compass – find your way to higher education (‘Compass’) program encourages primary and secondary school students to participate in higher education. It is a partnership between the University of Sydney, the NSW Department of Education and Communities, and selected secondary and primary schools in Sydney. This partnership will also expand to regional areas of NSW during 2012.
PITTWATER SHORT STORY COMPETITION Pittwater residents with a flair for writing are invited to enter the 2013 Pittwater Short Story competition. The competition which is run by Mona Vale Library and Berkelouw Books is open to children as well as adults and asks participants to write a short story that is identifiably located in the Pittwater area. Mona Vale Library Manager Cathy Howie said to give entries a distinctive Pittwater feel, they must incorporate a reference to ‘sandy feet’. “The competition is open to three age groups, including 9 to 12 years, 13 to 16 years and an open age group,” said Ms Howie. “The word limit of the short story varies depending on the age category, with 9-12 year olds needing to submit no more than 500 words; 13-16 years a maximum of 1000 words and no more than 2000 words for the open age category.” Prizes will be awarded in the three age categories, with book vouchers on offer of up to $300 in the open category. The competition is now open with entries closing on 7 June. Entries should be submitted in hard copy only. Entry forms are available at Mona Vale Library and Berkelouw Books or can be downloaded online. All entries must be accompanied by an entry form. For more information about the competition and to download an entry form visit www.pittwater.nsw.gov.au/library Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards - 2013
The oldest and largest poetry competition for school aged children in Australia. The aim of the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards is to capture the imagination of school students across Australia, inspiring them with a passion for poetry and a love of country. It is a unique national project, giving Australia’s youth a voice and an opportunity to strive for excellence in literature. Categories and Prizes Lower Primary (Years K – 3): Upper Primary (Years 4 – 6, Inc. Year 7 in QLD, WA, SA) Junior Secondary (Years 7 – 9) Senior Secondary (Years 10 – 12) Schools’ Award: For schools that demonstrate effort,achievement and a high standard of entries, awarded at the judges' discretion. Love Food, Hate Waste Cookbook
Love food hate waste book: HERE The Superman Show - episode 1 LET'S READ NATIONAL EARLY LITERACY CAMPAIGN
The Let’s Read Campaign engages families, professionals and communities to promote reading with children from birth. Sharing books from birth helps children develop the skills they will need when it’s time to start school. Let’s Read anywhere, anytime is the national campaign call to action for families, carers and early childhood education professionals to share rhymes, songs and stories and books every day. The campaign uses a multi-tiered approach to engage families, professionals and communities in a range of messages relevant to children’s early literacy development from birth to five years. Let’s Read was developed by the Royal Children’s Hospitals Centre for Community Child Health, Melbourne. These reading tips and tools support families to share rhymes, songs and stories with children anywhere, anytime from birth to five years. A picture book for little children (1812) |
 Songfish - The Northern Beaches community choir for children Songfish is a vibrant choir for school aged kids. There are no auditions, we sing and play music because it's fun. And, yes, we are planning to do other cool stuff like write songs, make film clips, dance, drum and create amazing artwork with local artists. Our aims are to: Make friends and music. Have fun singing, dancing, drumming and doing workshops with local artists. Create a positive environment that is non-judgmental and fosters emotional intelligence and compassion. Learn how to support each other and sing with real harmony. Put on fabulous performances that benefit our community and the world! Venue: Avalon Recreation Centre. Cost: Free (but you must register). Register: /www.songfishchoir.com/poll.html 5 Week Program Starts Thursday 23rd May at the Avalon Recreation Centre. Cost: $50 (or less depending on the number of participants). Time: 4.30 to 6pm. Website: www.songfishchoir.com/ Songfish Choir is not for profit  Rudimental - "Feel The Love" ft. John Newman Tom Terrific- Go West young Manfred (1958)
Online Fun, games and a magazine they can subscribe to, all vetted by industry experts on this award winning website Stories for you already run: Adrenalin 360 Surf and Skate Competition and Kids Festival Are You up to the RED BELT CHALLENGE by Hoshin Australia ArtFest 2012 - Biannual Children's Art Exhibition Avalon Bulldogs Season Open Pictorial Avalon Sailing Club Teaches A Novice To Sail Bilgola Plateau Public School - Sustainable Practices Bilgola Plateau's NAIDOC Week Celebrations; Darinyung Sculpture and Under A Starry Sky Dance Fever 2012 by Peta Wise Grandparents Day 2012 by Peta Wise Harvest Day 2012 at Maria Regina Avalon by Alexis Conn and Peta Wise Heartsong - an Anthology of Pittwater Poetry Launched Hoishin Anti-Bullying Summer Camp 2012 Learn2Swim Narrabeen Coastal Platform Tour for children Maria Regina Catholic School at Avalon: Christmas Crafts for Children Maria Regina Celebrates Timor-Leste's 10th Anniversary of Independence 2012 Mona Vale Public School's Centenary Launch Mona Vale Public School Centenary Festival Day 15th of September, 2012 MV Reliance and Maria Regina Avalon - Clareville Outing NLASC Narrabeen Rockpool Learn to Swim Program by J P Fisher and Glenn Nicholls Online World To Be Safer - Sonar Dolphins Arise! Pelican Dreamsong - A Legend of the Great Flood - dreamtime legend for children Pink Ribbon Day at Maria Regina by Joanne Seves RPAYC Youth Development Program Graduates Win 2012 Bird Island Race by Damian Devine RPAYC Hosts 20th HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Championships by Damian Devine SLSC 2013 Interstate Championships - at Newport Summer is Channel-billed Cuckoos Season - Fledglings 2013 by Jeffrey Sabri and Andrew Tiede The Northern Beaches Music Festival's YOUNGBLOODS Competition The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club Teaches over 600 Children to Sail Each Year by Damian Devine Winning the Homework War by Rosemary Smith Mona Vale Library - Young Runarounds! Mona Vale Library has expanded the books available through their 7-day loan collection of new titles for younger readers. These are all books which are currently deemed 'hot' in local book stores. To see the wide range of titles available have a look HERE. Children's Storytime at Mona Vale Library Mona Vale Library offers storytime for pre-school children every week during school terms. Children and their carers come and participate in a fun sing-a-long with our story teller as well as listen to several stories in each session, followed by some craft. Storytime is held in the Pelican Room of the library in front of the service desk. Storytime is free and no bookings are required. Storytime Sessions Tuesdays 10.00am - 11.00am Picture Books Online
Childhood...  Children's Bedtime Story - Cosmo The Boat Cat |
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The Awards - 2013 poetry competition dates: close 30 June
Our own Pittwater Council has joined with other councils in our area to produce an online cookbook especially for children. This ‘flipbook’ Program allows you to read through and get some great ideas on how to use leftover veggies to make great pasta or make mini pizza. Yum !
The Federal Government’s Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations has funded the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute $1 million over 12 months to implement a Let’s Read National Early Literacy Campaign. Building on existing evidence-based programs and leveraging off the designation of 2012 as the National Year of Reading, this campaign aims to develop and generate national, integrated early years literacy promotion and support.
National Geographic online fun For little kids:
